The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to antennas and, more particularly, to forming metal antennas.
Many antennas currently include at least a sheet metal piece, one or more coaxial cables, and one or more RF-connector assemblies. The inclusion of all these comments increases the overall cost of the device. Also including these components can require additional tuning for each component when created and then again when assembled together. Further, having additional contact points provide additional points at which signal noise can be created and further provide points where disconnection can occur. Thus, by including multiple components, the antenna device can become complex and costly. Further, such antenna device arrangements require a large amount of device space to house all the components. Further, size reduction practice is limited as the particular parts cannot be reduced in size easily.
Thus, there is a desire to provide improvements in metal antenna design.
According to one embodiment a single piece of sheet metal antenna is provided. The single piece of sheet metal antenna includes a reflector/shield portion formed of a lower surface that extends in a horizontal direction and includes a through-hole, an antenna portion formed of an upper surface that extends in the horizontal direction and a vertically extending side that is joined between the upper surface and the lower surface, and a feed point formed of a through-hole flap attached and extending from the upper surface down and through the through-hole of the lower surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include, wherein the lower surface and the through-hole flap are configured to attach to a printed circuit board (PCB).
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the reflector/shield portion further includes a vertically extending edge at an end opposite the end where the vertically extending side is joined, wherein the vertically extending edge is formed by bending the reflector/shield portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include, wherein the reflector/shield portion further includes a first peg extending from an edge of the through-hole downward toward the PCB.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the reflector/shield portion further includes a second peg and a third peg extending from the vertically extending edge downward toward the PCB, and a fourth peg attached to an outer edge of the reflector/shield portion and extending downward toward the PCB.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the feed point further includes a horizontally extending foot portion formed at an end of the feed point that extends downward, wherein the foot portion is formed by bending the end of the feed point.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein corners are cut into rounded forms.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the sheet of metal is made from one or more selected from a group consisting of copper, copper alloy, stainless steel, phosphorous bronze, beryllium copper, and aluminum.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the sheet of metal is 0.3 millimeters (mm) thick.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the lower surface of the reflector/shield portion is 35 millimeters (mm) long and 8 mm wide and the through-hole of the reflector/shield portion is 23 mm long and 4 mm wide, wherein the upper surface of the antenna portion is 28.1 mm long and 8 mm wide and the vertically extending side of the antenna portion is 5 mm tall and 8 mm wide, and wherein the feed point is 8 mm tall and 1 mm wide.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the feed point is 5 millimeters (mm) away from the vertically extending side of the antenna portion, and wherein the through-hole of the reflector/shield portion is 3 mm from the vertically extending side of the antenna portion.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the vertically extending edge of the reflector/shield portion is 2.5 millimeters (mm) tall and 8 mm wide, and
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the first peg is 3 millimeters (mm) tall and 4 mm wide.
According to one embodiment a system for wireless communication is provided. The system includes a single sheet of metal antenna including a reflector/shield portion formed of a lower surface that extends in a horizontal direction and includes a through-hole, an antenna portion formed of an upper surface that extends in the horizontal direction and a vertically extending side that is joined between the upper surface and the lower surface, and a feed point formed of a through-hole flap attached and extending from the upper surface down and through the through-hole of the lower surface.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a printed circuit board upon which the lower surface and the through-hole flap of the single sheet of metal antenna are attached.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a vertically extending edge at an end opposite the end where the vertically extending side is joined, wherein the vertically extending edge is formed by bending the reflector/shield portion, a first peg extending from an edge of the through-hole downward toward the PCB, a second peg and a third peg extending from the vertically extending edge downward toward the PCB, and a fourth peg attached to an outer edge of the reflector/shield portion and extending downward toward the PCB.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a horizontally extending foot portion formed at an end of the feed point that extends downward, wherein the foot portion is formed by bending the end of the feed point.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein corners are cut into rounded forms.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the sheet of metal is made from one or more selected from a group consisting of copper, copper alloy, stainless steel, phosphorous bronze, beryllium copper, and aluminum.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein the sheet of metal is 0.3 millimeters (mm) thick, wherein the lower surface of the reflector/shield portion is 35 millimeters (mm) long and 8 mm wide and the through-hole of the reflector/shield portion is 23 mm long and 4 mm wide, wherein the upper surface of the antenna portion is 28.1 mm long and 8 mm wide and the vertically extending side of the antenna portion is 5 mm tall and 8 mm wide, wherein the feed point is 8 mm tall and 1 mm wide, wherein the feed point is 5 millimeters (mm) away from the vertically extending side of the antenna portion, wherein the through-hole of the reflector/shield portion is 3 mm from the vertically extending side of the antenna portion, wherein the vertically extending edge of the reflector/shield portion is 2.5 millimeters (mm) tall and 8 mm wide, and wherein the first peg is 3 millimeters (mm) tall and 4 mm wide.
According to one embodiment a method to create a single sheet of metal antenna is provided. The method includes receiving a sheet of metal, cutting a plurality of incisions in the sheet metal, discarding metal parts that are no longer attached to the sheet of metal, and bending the sheet of metal along a plurality of bend points to form an antenna such as that of claim 1.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include wherein cutting a plurality of incision in the sheet metal includes one or more of making the incisions using stamping and making the incisions using etching.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Embodiments described herein are directed to a single sheet of metal being cut and bend into an antenna. Specifically, one or more embodiments are directed toward a through-hole inverted sheet metal antenna formed out of single piece of sheet metal that does not use cables or connectors to connect with a printed circuit board (PCB).
For example, turning now to
Specifically, in accordance with one or more embodiments, the antenna portion 110 is integrally formed and connected to the feed point 120. The feed point 120 is configured to not only integrally connect at one end to the antenna portion 110 but is also configured to connect to a printed circuit board (PCB).
Further, the antenna is also connected to a reflector/shield portion 130. This reflector/shield portion 130 is formed such that is can shield the antenna portion 110 from undesired noise and signal interferences that are transmitting through the PCB. Additionally, the same reflector/shield portion 130 can also reflect signal back toward the antenna portion 110 so that the antenna portion 110 can better capture wireless signals.
According to one or more embodiments, the reflector/shield portion 230 can include a vertically extending edge 236 at an end opposite the end where the vertically extending side 212 is joined to the lower surface 231. The vertically extending edge 236 is formed by bending the lower surface 231 of the reflector/shield portion 230 to form the vertically extending edge 236 as shown in
Further, according to one or more embodiments, the reflector/shield portion 230 can further include a first peg 232 extending from an edge of the through-hole 235 downward toward the PCB. This first peg 232 can be used to connect the antenna 200 to a PCB. According to other embodiments, the first peg 232 can be placed extending down from any of the other edges of the through-hole 235.
According to one or more embodiments, the sheet of metal that forms the antenna 200 is about 0.3 millimeters (mm) thick. According to other embodiments, the thickness of the antenna 200 can vary in accordance with structural and/or signal propagation/transmittance requirements.
According to one or more embodiments, the lower surface 231 of the reflector/shield portion 230 is about 35 millimeters (mm) long and about 8 mm wide and the through-hole 235 of the reflector/shield portion 230 is about 23 mm long and about 4 mm wide. According to other embodiments, the dimensions of these elements can vary in accordance with structural and/or signal propagation/transmittance requirements.
According to one or more embodiments, the upper surface 211 of the antenna portion 210 is about 28.1 mm long and about 8 mm wide and the vertically extending side 212 of the antenna portion 210 is about 5 mm tall and about 8 mm wide. According to other embodiments, the dimensions of these elements can vary in accordance with structural and/or signal propagation/transmittance requirements.
According to one or more embodiments, the feed point 220 is about 8 mm tall and about 1 mm wide. Further, according to one or more embodiments, the feed point 220 is about 5 millimeters (mm) away from the vertically extending side 212 of the antenna portion 210. According to other embodiments, the dimensions of this element can vary in accordance with structural and/or signal propagation/transmittance requirements.
According to one or more embodiments, the through-hole 235 of the reflector/shield portion 230 is about 3 mm from the vertically extending side 212 of the antenna portion 210. Further, according to one or more embodiments, the vertically extending edge 236 of the reflector/shield portion 230 is about 2.5 millimeters (mm) tall and about 8 mm wide. According to one or more embodiments, the first peg 232 is about 3 millimeters (mm) tall and about 4 mm wide. According to other embodiments, the dimensions of these elements can vary in accordance with structural and/or signal propagation/transmittance requirements.
As shown, the antenna 300 includes a reflector/shield portion 330 formed of a lower surface 331 that extends in a horizontal direction and includes a through-hole 335. The antenna 300 also includes an antenna portion 310 formed of an upper surface 311 that extends in the horizontal direction and a vertically extending side 312 that is joined between the upper surface 311 and the lower surface 331. The antenna 300 also includes a feed point 320 formed of a through-hole flap 320 attached and extending from the upper surface 311 down and through the through-hole 335 of the lower surface 331. The antenna 300 further includes the ability for the lower surface 331 and the through-hole flap 320 to attach to a printed circuit board (PCB).
According to one or more embodiments, the reflector/shield portion 330 can include a vertically extending edge 336 at an end opposite the end where the vertically extending side 312 is joined to the lower surface 331. The vertically extending edge 336 is formed by bending the lower surface 331 of the reflector/shield portion 330 to form the vertically extending edge 336 as shown in
Further, according to one or more embodiments, the reflector/shield portion 330 can further include a first peg 332 extending from an edge of the through-hole 335 downward toward the PCB. This first peg 332 can be used to connect the antenna 300 to a PCB. According to other embodiments, the first peg 332 can be placed extending down from any of the other edges of the through-hole 335.
According to other embodiments, the reflector/shield portion 330 also includes a second peg 334 and a third peg 337 (see
The antenna 400 also includes a feed point 420 formed of a through-hole flap 420 attached and extending from the upper surface 411 down and through the through-hole 435 of the lower surface 431. The antenna 400 further includes the ability for the lower surface 431 and the through-hole flap 420 to attach to a printed circuit board (PCB). Specifically, the feed point 420 further includes a foot portion 421. The foot portion 421 is a horizontally extending foot portion 421 formed at an end of the feed point 420 that extends downward. The foot portion 421 is formed by bending the end of the feed point 420. This provided the antenna 400 with the ability to be flush mounted to the PCB 450 as shown. Alternatively, as shown in other figures, the antenna can be connected using one or more pegs in accordance with one or more other embodiments.
The antenna 500A includes a reflector/shield portion 530 formed of a lower surface 531 that extends in a horizontal direction and includes a through-hole 535. This is formed by the incision 551. The antenna 500A also includes an antenna portion 510 formed of an upper surface 511 that extends in the horizontal direction and a vertically extending side 512 that is joined between the upper surface 511 and the lower surface 531. The vertically extending side 512 is formed by bending at bend points 552 and 553. The antenna 500 also includes a feed point 520 formed of a through-hole flap 520 attached and extending from the upper surface 511 down and through the through-hole 535 of the lower surface 531 once it is bent into shape. The antenna 500A further includes the ability for the lower surface 531 and the through-hole flap 520 to attach to a printed circuit board (PCB). The feed point 520 is formed by the incision 554 and bending along the bend point 555.
According to one or more embodiments, the sheet of metal is made from copper, copper alloy, stainless steel, phosphorous bronze, beryllium copper, aluminum, and/or a combination thereof. According to other embodiments, the metal selected can be any metal or alloy that provides properties conducive for an antenna design.
According to one or more embodiments, cutting a plurality of incision in the sheet metal includes making the incisions using stamping and/or making the incisions using etching.
Advantageously, embodiments described herein provide one piece construction. Additionally one or more embodiments are also board mountable in either a flush or raised fashion. Further, one or more embodiments provide inexpensive construction and maintenance costs. Further, one or more embodiments also provide improved performance and additional structural and signal propagation reliability. Further, one or more embodiments provide a cheap, stable, and reliable antenna that also provided performance improvements due to better ground connection to the antenna and the elimination of losses previously provided by the cables and connectors.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
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PCT/US2017/055889 | 10/10/2017 | WO | 00 |
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WO2018/071388 | 4/19/2018 | WO | A |
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