WO2023090011A1 - Information communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

A body 10 has a housing space 32 contiguous from an opening 30 to the inside thereof and can be installed by being embedded in an installation surface. A body unit 12 is housed in the housing space 32 of the body 10 and has a communication part 40 for performing wireless communication with an external wireless device. A first cover 14 is attached so as to cover the opening 30 of the body 10 in which the body unit 12 is housed. When the body 10 is installed by being embedded in the installation surface, a surface 50 of the first cover 14 is located more frontward than the installation surface, and a plurality of antennas for transmitting/receiving wireless signals for wireless communication are disposed on the surface 50. The plurality of antennas are connected to the communication part 40 through wires.

Description

Information communication equipment

The present disclosure relates to information communication technology, and more particularly to an information communication device having multiple antennas.

An information communication unit equipped with an antenna for wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is installed in the room. In particular, the information communication unit incorporates an antenna in a casing and is installed on an installation surface such as a wall surface in a room so as not to impair the design of the device and the aesthetic appearance of the installation location. Multiple antennas are built in to improve communication quality. In that case, it is required to sufficiently suppress the mutual interference of the transmitted and received signals. For example, each of the plurality of antennas is formed in a plate shape along the inner wall surface of the casing (see Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2016-129401 A

In the arrangement of the multiple antennas in Patent Document 1, the casing protrudes, which reduces the design.

The present disclosure has been made in view of this situation, and its purpose is to provide a technique for improving the design of the device by suppressing the amount of protrusion of the antenna.

In order to solve the above problems, an information communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a body that has a storage space that continues from an opening to the inside and that can be installed by embedding it in an installation surface, and storage in the storage space of the body. and a main body unit having a communication section for performing radio communication with an external radio device; When the body is embedded in the installation surface, the surface of the cover is located in front of the installation surface, and multiple antennas for transmitting and receiving radio signals for wireless communication are arranged on the surface. It is connected to the communication unit by wiring.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the design of the device by suppressing the amount of protrusion of the antenna.

1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams showing the structure of an information communication device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing connection of the communication unit, first antenna, and second antenna in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). FIGS. 3(a)-(c) are diagrams showing other arrangements of the first antenna and the second antenna.

Before specifically describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the present embodiments will be described. This embodiment relates to an information communication device that can be installed on an installation surface such as a wall surface in a room and that has a plurality of antennas. In order to suppress the amount of protrusion of the antenna, the information communication device according to the present embodiment has a plurality of antennas arranged side by side on the surface of the cover that covers the body containing the main unit having the communication function. In that case, the surface has a width that can sufficiently suppress mutual interference of transmitted and received signals even if a plurality of antennas are arranged. In the following description, "parallel" and "perpendicular" include not only perfectly parallel and perpendicular, but also deviate from parallel and perpendicular within a margin of error. Moreover, "substantially" means that they are the same within an approximate range.

1(a)-(c) show the structure of the information communication device 100. FIG. 1(a) is an exploded perspective view of the information communication device 100, FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the first cover 14, and FIG. 1(c) is a plate attached to the information communication device 100. FIG. 22 structures are shown. When the left side of FIG. 1(a) is called the "front side", the right side of FIG. 1(b) is called the "back side".

The body 10 has a box shape. An opening 30 is arranged on the front side of the body 10 , and the opening 30 continues to a storage space 32 inside the body 10 . The body 10 can be installed by being embedded in an installation surface such as a wall surface in a room. The body 10 is made of metal, for example. The body unit 12 is housed in the housing space 32 of the body 10 . The main unit 12 is a circuit board having a communication section 40 . The communication unit 40 is, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) and has a function of performing wireless communication with an external wireless device (not shown).

A first cover 14 is attached so as to cover the opening 30 of the body 10 in which the main unit 12 is housed. A surface 50 is arranged on the front side of the first cover 14 . The surface 50 of the first cover 14 is located on the front side of the installation surface when the body 10 is embedded in the installation surface. Details of the surface 50 are shown in FIG. 1(b), defining orthogonal horizontal and vertical directions within the surface 50 . The surface 50 has a rectangular shape and is bounded by first edge 52a to fourth edge 52d, collectively referred to as edges 52 . The first edge 52a and the third edge 52c extend vertically and face each other. The second edge 52b and the fourth edge 52d extend horizontally and face each other. The first edge 52a and the second edge 52b are connected at the first corner 54a, and the second edge 52b and the third edge 52c are connected at the second corner 54b. The third edge 52c and the fourth edge 52d are connected at the third corner 54c, and the fourth edge 52d and the first edge 52a are connected at the fourth corner 54d. The first corner portion 54 a to the fourth corner portion 54 d are collectively referred to as the corner portion 54 .

A first antenna 56a is arranged on the surface 50 along the first edge 52a, and a second antenna 56b is arranged on the surface 50 along the third edge 52c. That is, the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b are horizontally spaced apart on the surface 50 . The first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b have a rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction, and are connected to the communication unit 40 by wiring (not shown), thereby transmitting radio signals for wireless communication in the communication unit 40. Used for sending and receiving. Here, the horizontal sides of the surface 50, that is, the second edge 52b and the fourth edge 52d are the distance between the radio signal transmitted and received by the first antenna 56a and the radio signal transmitted and received by the second antenna 56b. In order to sufficiently suppress mutual interference, the length is set to 1/2 or more of the wavelength of radio waves for transmitting and receiving radio signals.

Further, a first metallic reflector 58a is arranged between the first antenna 56a and the surface 50, and a second metallic reflector 58b is arranged between the second antenna 56b and the surface 50. . For example, the first reflector 58a has the same shape as the first antenna 56a, and the second reflector 58b has the same shape as the second antenna 56b. Return to FIG.

The mounting frame 16 is a frame for fixing the information communication device 100 to the installation surface. A through hole 60 is provided in the central portion of the mounting frame 16 , and the first cover 14 is fitted into the through hole 60 . A second cover 18 is attached to the front side of the first cover 14 . The second cover 18 has a rectangular shape similar to the surface 50 of the first cover 14 . The second cover 18 is molded from resin such as plastic, and covers the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b arranged on the surface 50 of the first cover 14 . A through hole 70 is provided in the central portion of the second cover 18 , and an openable and closable door 20 is attached to the through hole 70 . The second cover 18 has a plurality of color variations and is replaceably attached to the first cover 14 . Therefore, when it is desired to change the color of the information communication device 100, it is sufficient to replace the second cover 18 and the door 20, and it is not necessary to replace the first cover 14 provided with the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b. .

FIG. 1(c) shows the structure of the plate 22 attached to the information communication device 100 in order to install the information communication device 100 on the installation surface. A through-hole 80 is provided in the central portion of the plate 22, and the through-hole 80 has a size specified in the wiring device. If the information communication device 100 also has this size, the information communication device 100 is attached in the through hole 80 . The size described above is defined as, for example, 1-series or 2-series, and here, 2-series (74.5×69.2 mm). When the communication unit 40 performs wireless communication by wireless LAN using two frequencies of 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band, 74.5 mm is approximately 0.60 wavelength at 2.4 GHz and approximately 1.24 wavelength at 5 GHz. , and 69.5 mm is approximately 0.56 wavelength at 2.4 GHz and approximately 1.16 wavelength at 5 GHz.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing connections between the communication unit 40, the first antenna 56a, and the second antenna 56b. As described above, the communication section 40 is arranged in the main unit 12, and the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b are arranged in the first cover 14. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the communication unit 40, the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b are arranged on separate members. A first wiring 42a and a second wiring 42b, collectively referred to as the wiring 42, are arranged so as to straddle the main unit 12 and the first cover 14, and the first wiring 42a connects the first antenna 56a and the communication section 40. , and the second wiring 42b connects the second antenna 56b and the communication unit 40 . The communication unit 40 performs wireless communication with an external wireless device by driving the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b to transmit and receive wireless signals through the first wiring 42a and the second wiring 42b. to run.

The arrangement of the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b on the surface 50 is not limited to FIG. 1(b). 3(a)-(c) show another arrangement of the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b. FIG. 3(a) shows a first modification of the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b. The surface 50 is similar to that of FIG. 1(b). A first antenna 56a is positioned on the surface 50 along a first edge 52a and a second antenna 56b is positioned on the surface 50 along a second edge 52b. The first antenna 56a has a rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction, and the second antenna 56b has a rectangular shape extending in the horizontal direction. A vertically polarized radio signal is transmitted and received through the first antenna 56a, and a horizontally polarized radio signal is transmitted and received through the second antenna 56b. Again, between the first antenna 56a and the surface 50 is a first metallic reflector 58a, and between the second antenna 56b and the surface 50 is a second metallic reflector 58b. be.

FIG. 3(b) shows a second modified example of the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b. The surface 50 is similar to that of FIG. 1(b). A first antenna 56a is arranged on the surface 50 along the first edge 52a and the second edge 52b centering on the first corner 54a, and a second antenna 56a on the surface 50 centering on the second corner 54b. A second antenna 56b is arranged along the edge 52b and the third edge 52c. The first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b have an L shape. Vertically polarized and horizontally polarized radio signals are transmitted and received by the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b. Again, between the first antenna 56a and the surface 50 is a first metallic reflector 58a, and between the second antenna 56b and the surface 50 is a second metallic reflector 58b. be.

FIG. 3(c) shows a third modified example of the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b. The surface 50 is similar to that of FIG. 1(b). A first antenna 56a is arranged on the surface 50 from the first corner 54a toward the approximate center, and a second antenna 56b is arranged from the second corner 54b toward the approximate center. The first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b have a rectangular shape. Again, between the first antenna 56a and the surface 50 is a first metallic reflector 58a, and between the second antenna 56b and the surface 50 is a second metallic reflector 58b. be.

According to this embodiment, since the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b are arranged on the same plane, the amount of protrusion of the antenna 56 can be reduced. By suppressing the amount of protrusion of the antenna 56, the design of the information communication device 100 can be improved. In addition, a first reflector 58a is arranged between the metal body 10 or main unit 12 and the first antenna 56a, and a second reflector 58a is arranged between the metal body 10 or main unit 12 and the second antenna 56b. By arranging the plate 58b, the influence received from the body 10 and the main unit 12 is reduced, so deterioration of the antenna performance can be suppressed. In addition, since the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b are spaced apart from each other on the surface 50, mutual interference of radio waves for transmitting and receiving radio signals can be suppressed.

Also, since the first antenna 56a extends vertically and the second antenna 56b extends horizontally, both vertical and horizontal polarization components can be transmitted and received. Also, since the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b have an L-shape, both vertical and horizontal polarization components can be transmitted and received. Also, since the first antenna 56a and the second antenna 56b are arranged from the corner 54 toward the center, both vertical and horizontal polarization components can be transmitted and received. Moreover, since the surface 50 has a side with a length equal to or longer than 1/2 of the wavelength of radio waves for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, deterioration of antenna performance can be suppressed.

Also, since the reflector 58 is arranged between the antenna 56 and the surface 50, deterioration of antenna performance can be suppressed. Moreover, since the antenna 56 is covered with the second cover 18, the design can be improved. In addition, since the second cover 18 and the door 20 have a plurality of color variations and are replaceable, they can be replaced with a favorite color without changing the arrangement or the like that affects the performance of the antenna 56.例文帳に追加

An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. An information communication device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a body (10) that has a storage space (32) continuing to the inside from an opening (30) and that can be installed by embedding it in an installation surface; A body unit (12) housed in the storage space (32) of 10) and having a communication section (40) for executing wireless communication with an external wireless device, and a body housing the body unit (12). and a cover (14) mounted to cover the opening (30) of (10). When the body (10) is embedded in the installation surface and installed, the surface (50) of the cover (14) is positioned in front of the installation surface and has a plurality of antennas (56) for transmitting and receiving radio signals for wireless communication. is disposed on the surface (50) and a plurality of antennas (56) are connected to the communication portion (40) by wires (42).

A plurality of antennas (56) are spaced apart on the surface (50).

The plurality of antennas (56) includes a first antenna (56a) extending vertically of the surface (50) and a second antenna (56b) extending horizontally of the surface (50).

The surface (50) may have multiple corners (54). The plurality of antennas (56) may have an L-shape. Each of the plurality of antennas (56) are positioned at different corners (54).

The surface (50) may have multiple corners (54). A plurality of antennas (56) are arranged from different corners (54) toward the approximate center.

The surface (50) has sides with a length of 1/2 or more of the wavelength of radio waves for transmitting and receiving radio signals.

It further comprises a plurality of reflectors (58) arranged between each of the plurality of antennas (56) and the surface (50).

When the cover (14) is called the first cover (14), it may further include a second cover (18) attached from the front side of the first cover (14). A second cover (18) covers a plurality of antennas (56) located on the surface (50) of the first cover (14).

The second cover (18) and door (20) have a plurality of color variations and are replaceably mounted.

The present disclosure has been described above based on the examples. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an example, and that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure. .

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the design of the device by suppressing the amount of protrusion of the antenna.

10 Body, 12 Main Unit, 14 First Cover, 16 Mounting Frame, 18 Second Cover, 20 Door, 22 Plate, 30 Opening, 32 Storage Space, 40 Communication Section, 42 Wiring, 50 Surface, 52 Edge, 54 corner, 56 antenna, 58 reflector, 60, 70, 80 through hole, 100 information communication device.

Claims (9)

A body that has a storage space that continues from the opening to the inside and that can be installed by embedding it in the installation surface;
a main body unit housed in the housing space of the body and having a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external wireless device;
a cover mounted so as to cover the opening of the body in which the main body unit is accommodated;
When the body is embedded in the installation surface and installed, the surface of the cover is located in front of the installation surface, and a plurality of antennas for transmitting and receiving radio signals for the wireless communication are arranged on the surface. ,
The plurality of antennas are connected to the communication unit by wiring,
Information communication equipment. the plurality of antennas are spaced apart on the surface;
The information communication device according to claim 1. the plurality of antennas includes a first antenna extending vertically to the surface and a second antenna extending horizontally to the surface;
The information communication device according to claim 1. the surface has a plurality of corners;
The plurality of antennas have an L-shape,
each of the plurality of antennas is arranged at the corner different from each other,
The information communication device according to claim 1. the surface has a plurality of corners;
The plurality of antennas are arranged from the corners different from each other toward the approximate center,
The information communication device according to claim 1. The surface has a side with a length of 1/2 or more of the wavelength of the radio wave for transmitting and receiving the radio signal,
The information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. further comprising a plurality of reflectors positioned between each of the plurality of antennas and the surface;
The information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. When the cover is called a first cover, it further comprises a second cover attached from the front side of the first cover,
the second cover covers the plurality of antennas arranged on the surface of the first cover;
The information communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The second cover has a plurality of color variations and is replaceably attached.
The information communication device according to claim 8.

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