WO2017052159A1 - Wireless power transmission-capable metal case for electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a wireless power transmission-capable metal case for an electronic device. The metal case for an electronic device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a metal substrate comprising a first metal region and a second metal region; a spacing part for electrically separating the first metal region and the second metal region; and an antenna having at least one portion thereof formed across the spacing part, and wirelessly transmitting power.

Description

Metal case for electronic devices with wireless power transfer

The present invention relates to wireless power transfer technology.

In order to charge a battery of an electronic device such as a portable terminal, an external adapter and an electric wire are required. However, as wireless power transmission technology using magnetic fields such as magnetic induction and magnetic resonance has been developed, it is possible to charge electronic devices wirelessly using magnetic fields without wires. When using wireless power transmission technology, it is not a big problem to transmit wireless power through a non-conductive material such as plastic, but if the wireless power receiver is in a metal case such as aluminum, the magnetic field Since it is not transmitted to the power receiver, wireless power transmission is difficult.

According to one embodiment, a metal case for an electronic device capable of wireless power transmission is proposed.

According to an embodiment, a metal case for an electronic device includes a metal substrate including a first metal region and a second metal region, a spacer for electrically separating the first metal region and the second metal region, and at least a portion of the metal case. It is formed over an antenna for transmitting power wirelessly.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a part of the antenna pattern is formed at a position corresponding to the position of the separation unit, and when the path of the eddy current generated by the antenna current is changed at the separation unit, the power is changed through the magnetic field due to the changed eddy current. Send it. At least a part of the antenna pattern may be formed to match the position and shape of the spacer. The antenna may be distributed in at least a portion of the antenna pattern including the spacers in the metal regions facing the spacers.

An antenna according to an embodiment includes a transmission antenna formed on a metal substrate to transmit wireless power, and a reception antenna configured to receive wireless power from a transmission antenna by forming at least a portion over a spaced portion on the metal substrate. The transmit antenna may be formed at least in part over the separation portion. The spacer may be filled with insulating material.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a metal case for an electronic device includes a metal substrate including a plurality of metal regions, a separation portion separating the metal regions of the metal substrate, a transmission antenna formed on the metal substrate, and transmitting power; The antenna is formed with a metal substrate interposed therebetween, and includes at least a portion of the receiving antenna receiving wireless power from the transmitting antenna at least partially formed over the separation portion. The transmit antenna may be formed over the spacing on the metal substrate.

According to one embodiment, even in the case of an electronic device made of a metal case, wireless power transmission is possible as in the non-metal case. In particular, a spacing part for electrically separating the metal region of the metal case is provided and the antenna is formed over the spacing part. In this case, the path of the eddy current formed in a direction opposite to the current flowing through the antenna is changed in the separation unit to enable wireless power transmission through the magnetic field due to the changed eddy current.

Furthermore, instead of a large transmission antenna, the reception antenna is formed to span the spaced portion, thereby facilitating manufacture. In addition, more power transmission is possible by distributing the antenna in a metal area around the space, including the space. Furthermore, as the antenna pattern is disposed in accordance with the position and shape of the spacer, more eddy current is formed near the spacer to allow more power transmission.

1 is an external view of a metal case for an electronic device in which a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna are formed on a metal substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a reference diagram showing a result of simulating current density of a metal case for an electronic device generated by a magnetic field of a transmitting antenna in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG.

3 is a reference diagram illustrating a path of an eddy current formed in a direction opposite to a current flowing through a transmitting antenna and a shape of a magnetic field in the metal case structure for an electronic device of FIG. 1;

4 is an external view of a metal case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

5 is a reference diagram illustrating dispersion of eddy currents and thus magnetic field distribution in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a reference diagram illustrating a result of simulating current flow of a metal case for an electronic device in the metal case structure of FIG. 4; FIG.

7 is a reference diagram illustrating a state in which a magnetic field is generated and energy is supplied to a reception antenna in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 4.

8 is an external view of a metal case for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

9 is a reference diagram illustrating a state in which a magnetic field is generated and energy is supplied to a reception antenna in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a metal case for an electronic device in which an antenna pattern is adjusted to a position and a shape of a spaced part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.

11 is a structural diagram of a receiving antenna when a metal substrate is separated into a plurality of spaced apart parts according to an embodiment of the present invention;

12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described embodiments of the present invention; In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related well-known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to intention or custom of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

1 is an external view of a metal case for a electronic device in which a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna are formed on a metal substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the metal case 1 for an electronic device includes a metal substrate 10 at least partially formed of a metal material. Metal materials such as aluminum and copper may be suitable for metals having high magnetic permeability. The metal material may be formed by deposition, plating, painting, or the like. The metal substrate 10 may be formed of a flat surface, a curved surface, a partially curved surface, or the like, and the shape or surface shape thereof is not particularly limited. However, the metal case 1 for an electronic device is used as a case of an electronic device requiring an antenna, and may be formed in a shape and structure suitable for the electronic device.

The electronic device may be any electronic product that requires an antenna, including a smartphone, a set-top box for receiving TV broadcasts, a notebook computer, a television set, and the like. Hereinafter, the description will be made of a mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may correspond to all electronic devices requiring an antenna. The metal case 1 for an electronic device can be used as the top or rear case of the electronic device. The metal case 1 for the electronic device can be combined with the main body of the electronic device.

The metal case 1 for an electronic device may be disposed on the inner surface or the outside of the electronic device. For example, the metal case 1 for an electronic device may be an outer case of the electronic device, and may be an inner case of the electronic device. In an embodiment of the present invention, the metal case 1 for an electronic device is described as an external case, but is not limited thereto.

The transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 are formed on the metal substrate 10. In the metal case 1 for an electronic device according to an embodiment, a transmission antenna 12 and a reception antenna 14 are formed with a metal substrate 10 therebetween. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a transmit antenna 12 is formed above the metal substrate 10, and a receive antenna 14 is formed below the metal substrate 10. In this case, the upper side may be a side (outside) close to the outside of the electronic device, and the lower side may be a side (inside) close to the inside of the electronic device. However, the structure can be modified according to the shape and structure of the electronic device.

The transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 transmit and receive power wirelessly with each other using a magnetic field. For example, if the wireless method is an Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP, hereinafter A4WP) method, the transmitting antenna 12 may receive the receiving antenna 14 through magnetic resonance in the 6.78 MHz frequency band. Provides wireless power to At this time, a voltage of 6.78 MHz frequency band is applied to the transmitting antenna 12. However, the wireless method is not limited to the A4WP method.

FIG. 2 is a reference diagram illustrating a result of simulating current density of a metal case for an electronic device generated by a magnetic field of a transmitting antenna in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the current density is higher toward the center on the metal case 1 for electronic devices, and the current density is lower toward the periphery. When the direction of the current generated in the metal case 1 for the electronic device due to the magnetic field of the transmitting antenna 12 is as indicated by reference numeral 200, the induced current is changed when the direction of the voltage applied to the transmitting antenna 12 is changed. The direction of is also changed. In FIG. 2, the current flows in the counterclockwise direction. When the feed direction of the transmitting antenna 12 is changed, the current flows in the clockwise direction. When the frequency of the voltage applied to the transmitting antenna 12 is 6.78 MHz, the direction of the current is changed 6,780,000 times in one second.

FIG. 3 is a reference diagram illustrating a path of an eddy current formed according to a direction opposite to a current flowing through a transmission antenna and a shape of a magnetic field in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

1 and 3, the current generated on the surface of the metal case 1 for an electronic device by an external magnetic field is called an eddy current. Eddy currents create another magnetic field. As shown in FIG. 3, the eddy current 310 is formed in a direction opposite to the antenna current 300. Therefore, the directions of the magnetic fields 312 and 314 due to the eddy currents are opposite to the magnetic fields 302 and 304 by the transmitting antenna 12, and eventually the magnetic fields cancel each other out. In this case, the magnetic field does not flow in the reception antenna 14 of the metal case 1 for the electronic device, and the current induced in the reception antenna 14 is theoretically '0'. Even if there is diarrhea, the amount becomes very small. Therefore, in the structure in which the metal substrate 10 of FIG. 1 is between the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14, wireless power transmission is difficult.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 312 denotes a direction in which the magnetic field is perpendicular to the metal substrate 10 by the eddy current 310, and reference numeral 314 denotes a direction in which the magnetic field is perpendicular to the metal substrate 10 by the eddy current 310. Will be shown respectively. In addition, reference numeral 302 denotes a direction in which the magnetic field is perpendicular to the metal substrate 10 by the antenna current 300, and reference numeral 304 denotes a direction in which the magnetic field is perpendicular to the metal substrate 10 by the antenna current 300. Will be shown respectively. Since the directions of the magnetic fields 312 and 314 by the eddy current 310 and the directions of the magnetic fields 302 and 304 by the antenna current 300 are opposite to each other, the magnetic fields are eventually canceled out.

4 is an external view of a metal case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the metal case 4 for an electronic device includes a metal substrate 10, a transmission antenna 12, and a reception antenna 14, and the metal substrate 10 includes a first metal region 10-1. And a second metal region 10-2 and a gap 44.

The metal substrate 10 includes a first metal region 10-1 and a second metal region 10-2 each made of a metal material. The metal material may be formed by deposition, plating and painting. The metal substrate 10 may be formed of a flat surface, a curved surface, a partially curved surface, or the like, and the shape or surface shape thereof is not particularly limited.

The spacer 44 electrically separates the first metal region 10-1 and the second metal region 10-2 of the metal substrate 10. Various electrical isolation methods can be used for electrical isolation. For example, the spacer 44 may use a method of forming an insulating layer between the metal and the metal by using a chemical action such as metal oxidation. Examples of the metal oxidation method include anodizing process and the like. The spacer 44 may be filled with an insulating material such as plastic.

The transmit antenna 12 and the receive antenna 14 are formed on the metal substrate 10. The transmit antenna 12 according to an embodiment is formed between the metal substrate 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the transmit antenna 12 is formed on the upper surface of the metal substrate 10, and the receive antenna 14 is formed on the lower surface of the metal substrate 10. In this case, the upper and lower ranges of the metal substrate 10 include not only the upper and lower ends of the metal substrate 10 but also the range of the magnetic field formed between the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14. For example, the position of the receiving antenna 14 is not only the bottom of the metal substrate 10, but also within the range of the magnetic field formed between the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14, the metal case 4 for electronic devices 4 And up to the interior of the main body of the electronic device.

At least a portion of the receiving antenna 14 is formed over the spacer 44 to wirelessly receive the power supplied by the transmitting antenna 12. In this case, it is formed over the separation unit 44 means that at least a part of the antenna pattern of the receiving antenna 14 is formed to correspond to the position of the separation unit 44. The correspondence of the positions means that the receiving antenna 14 and the spacer 44 are in physical contact with each other in a narrow sense, and in a broad sense within the range of the magnetic field formed between the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14. This means that the reception antenna 14 corresponds to the position of the spacer 44.

When wireless power is supplied to the reception antenna 14 through the transmission antenna 12, the wireless power may be supplied to the reception antenna 14 by changing the path of the eddy current around the separation unit 44. The receive antenna 14 is at least partially formed over the separation 44. In addition to the receive antenna 14, at least a portion of the transmit antenna 12 may be formed over the separation 44.

The antenna patterns of the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 are not limited to specific patterns. For example, as shown in Figure 4, it may be a loop (loop) shape formed along the rim, it may be spiral (spiral). However, any form of the antenna, for example, a part of the receiving antenna 14 is formed so as to pass through the spacer 44.

When the antenna, for example, the receiving antenna 14 is formed over the separation portion 44, it is possible to solve the problem that the magnetic field due to the current and the magnetic field due to the eddy current are canceled by dispersing the eddy current. In this case, power generated by the transmitting antenna 12 may be wirelessly supplied to the receiving antenna 14. For example, since the metal case 4 for electronic devices is a metal, a repulsive magnetic field due to Lenz's law is generated in the metal case 4 for electronic devices, and is opposite to the current direction flowing through the transmission antenna 12. As a result, an eddy current is formed in the metal case 4 for the electronic device, and this eddy current interferes with the current flow of the transmitting antenna 12, thereby degrading antenna performance. At this time, by changing the path of the eddy current by the spacer 44, not only the disturbance of the eddy current on the current flow of the transmitting antenna 12 can be reduced, but also the problem of canceling the magnetic field by distributing the distribution of the eddy current can be solved. .

The transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 according to an embodiment include an antenna sheet and an antenna pattern coil formed on the antenna sheet. In this case, the antenna sheet may include a magnetic material such as ferrite in order to reduce the eddy current and increase the current concentration of the antenna pattern coil. The antenna pattern coil may be formed in a loop shape or spiral shape formed along the edge of the antenna sheet, but is not particularly limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a reference diagram illustrating dispersion of eddy currents and thus magnetic field distribution in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 4.

4 and 5, when power is supplied to the transmission antenna 12, when the antenna current 504 flows counterclockwise through the transmission antenna 12, the eddy current I1 501 is generated in the clockwise direction. The eddy current I1 501 reaches the point (B) of the separation portion 44 which is the boundary point between the first metal region 10-1 and the second metal region 10-2, and the reached eddy current I1 501 is It is largely divided into eddy current I2 502 and eddy current I3 503. At this time, the eddy current I2 502 and the eddy current I3 503 flow back toward the point (A) of the separation unit 44, which can be regarded as the starting point of the current. Since the direction of the eddy current I2 502 is closer than the direction of the eddy current I3 503, the current density is higher than the eddy current I3 503. Therefore, most of the eddy current I1 501 flows to the eddy current I2 502.

Looking at the point (C) which is the middle portion of the separation unit 44, it can be seen that the magnetic field is formed by three current components at the point (C). At this time, the magnetic field 520 due to the antenna current 504 and the eddy current I1 501 is canceled because the directions are opposite to each other, but the magnetic field 530 due to the eddy current I2 502 does not cancel and thus the separation part 44 ) And the surrounding metal creates a magnetic field 530 by eddy current I2 502. Accordingly, wireless power transmission is possible through the magnetic field 530 by the eddy current I2 502.

FIG. 6 is a reference diagram illustrating a result of simulating current flow of a metal case for an electronic device in the metal case structure of FIG. 4.

4 and 6, it can be seen that a large eddy current I2 is generated along the boundary point of the separation part 44 formed between the first metal region 10-1 and the second metal region 10-2. .

FIG. 7 is a reference diagram illustrating a state in which a magnetic field is generated and energy is supplied to a reception antenna in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 4.

4 and 7, when looking at the side of the electronic device, it can be seen that the magnetic field affects the receiving antenna 14. At this time, the magnetic field generated by the transmitting antenna 12 is transmitted to the receiving antenna 14 without canceling the space 44 and the nearby metal.

8 is an external view of a metal case for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the metal substrate 10 of the metal case for an electronic device may be divided into three metal regions 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3. In this case, the first spacer 44-1 electrically separates the first and second metal regions 10-1 and 10-2 from the third metal region 10-3, and the second spacer 44-1. A gap 44-2 electrically separates the first metal region 10-1 and the second metal region 10-2. And the receiving antenna 14 is formed over at least one separation portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a receiving antenna 14 is formed over the first gap 44-1 and the second gap 44-2. The transmit antenna 12 may also be formed over at least one separation. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a transmit antenna 12 is formed over the first gap 44-1 and the second gap 44-2. In this case, wireless power transmission is possible by the first spacer 44-1, the second spacer 44-2, and the surrounding metal.

FIG. 9 is a reference diagram illustrating a state in which a magnetic field is generated and energy is supplied to a reception antenna in the metal case structure of the electronic device of FIG. 8.

8 and 9, when looking at the side of the electronic device, it can be seen that the magnetic field affects the receiving antenna 14. At this time, the magnetic field generated by the transmitting antenna 12 is transmitted to the receiving antenna 14 in a state in which the magnetic field is not canceled in the first spacer 44-1 and the surrounding metal. It can be expected that the magnetic field is transmitted to the reception antenna 14 without canceling the second gaps 44-1 and the surrounding metal, which are not shown.

10 is a structural diagram of a metal case for an electronic device, in which an antenna pattern is adjusted according to a position and a shape of a spaced part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, although the structure is the same as that of the metal case for electronic devices of FIG. 4, the sizes of the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 are reduced compared to the metal case for electronic devices of FIG. 4. An antenna pattern of the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 may be formed over the spacer 44, and may be disposed according to the position and shape of the spacer 44. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the spacer 44 is formed in a long line shape, the antenna patterns of the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 are long to be parallel to each other around the spacer 44. Is formed. In this case, more eddy current is formed near the spacing 44 to allow more power transmission.

11 is a structural diagram of a receiving antenna when a metal substrate is separated into a plurality of spaced apart portions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the electronic substrate may be formed by using a first spacer 44-1, a second spacer 44-2, and a third spacer 44-3. It can be separated into a plurality of metal regions (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6). However, this is only an embodiment of the present invention, and may be separated into more metal regions.

In general, since the size of the transmitting antenna is larger than that of the receiving antenna 14, it may be difficult to evenly position the transmitting antenna in a separate metal area. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the receiving antenna 14 is separated by the spaces 44-1, 44-2, and 44-3 as shown in FIG. 11. 3,10-4,10-5,10-6). In this case, the reception antenna 14 is disposed in the metal region facing the at least one spacer and the spacer so that wireless power reception is possible.

The spacers 44-1, 44-21, and 44-3 are electrically insulated and may be filled with an insulating material such as plastic. In addition, an insulating layer is formed between the metal regions 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, and 10-6 by using a chemical action such as metal oxidation. This may also be the case. Therefore, it will be apparent that various electrical insulation methods can be used.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a case for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 12, a metal substrate 10 including a plurality of metal regions 10-1 and 10-2 is prepared (1200). Subsequently, a spaced portion 44 separating the metal regions 10-1 and 10-2 of the metal substrate 10 is formed (1210). The spacer 44 may be filled with an insulating material.

Subsequently, the antennas 12 and 14 are formed on the metal substrate 10 so that a part of the antennas 12 and 14 are formed over the spaced portions 1220. The antennas 12 and 14 are formed at positions where at least a part of the antenna pattern corresponds to the position of the spacer 44, so that the path of the eddy current formed in the direction opposite to the current direction flowing through the antennas 12 and 14 is Change in the spacing 44. In FIG. 4, both the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 are formed such that a part of the antennas 12 and 14 span the spacer 44, but only the receiving antenna 14 spans the spacer 44. can do.

According to an embodiment, the antennas 12 and 14 may be distributed in the metal regions facing the spacers 44, including the spacers 44. Antennas 12 and 14 according to an embodiment are formed to match the position and shape of the spacer 44. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if the spacer 44 is formed in a long line shape, the antenna patterns of the transmitting antenna 12 and the receiving antenna 14 are long to be parallel to each other around the spacer 44. Is formed.

So far, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims (9)

A metal substrate including a first metal region and a second metal region; A spacer electrically separating the first metal region and the second metal region; And An antenna formed at least partially over the separation portion to wirelessly transmit power; Metal case for an electronic device comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna At least a part of the antenna pattern is formed at a position corresponding to the position of the spacer, and when the path of the eddy current generated by the antenna current in the spacer is changed, the power is transmitted through the magnetic field due to the changed eddy current path Metal case for electronic devices. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna At least a portion of the antenna pattern is a metal case for an electronic device, characterized in that formed in accordance with the position and shape of the spacer. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna At least a portion of the antenna pattern is disposed in the metal regions facing the spaced portion including the spaced portion. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna A transmission antenna formed on the metal substrate to transmit wireless power; And A reception antenna formed on at least a part of the separation portion on a metal substrate to receive wireless power from the transmission antenna; Metal case for an electronic device comprising a. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmitting antenna At least a portion of the metal case for an electronic device, characterized in that formed over the separation portion. The method of claim 1, wherein the spacer portion A metal case for an electronic device, characterized by being filled with an insulating material. A metal substrate including a plurality of metal regions; A spaced portion separating the metal regions of the metal substrate; A transmission antenna formed on the metal substrate to transmit power; And A reception antenna formed between the transmission antenna and the metal substrate, wherein at least a part of the reception antenna receives wireless power from the transmission antenna; Metal case for an electronic device comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein the transmitting antenna Metal case for an electronic device, characterized in that formed on the metal substrate over the separation portion.

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