MXPA97007178A - Antenna unit and method to connect an ant - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel arrangement of antenna allows the fully automated insertion of a unit deantena in a communication device (100), such as for example a cellular radiotelefono. A mounting bracket (112) for the antenna unit is designed to be held in place and allow reflow of the solder to connect to the mounting bracket with the circuit board. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sleeve (130) and the corresponding head (132) of the antenna unit are operatively coupled to allow the insertion of the sleeve into the mounting bracket, while preventing the removal of the cuff with the head. Preferably, the lower surface of the head is designed to allow rotation of the sleeve in a clockwise direction, while preventing rotation of the sleeve counterclockwise. Also, the sleeve is designed to receive a removal device that rotates the sleeve counterclockwise for removal.

Description

ANTENNA UNIT AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING AN ANTENNA FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related, in a general way, with electronic devices and, more particularly, with a method for connecting a component with an electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the continuous advances in technology and manufacturing techniques, many processes that would normally be done manually have been automated. However, certain tasks or processes are still difficult to automate. For example, the connection of certain supports is done manually, for example the antenna supports. Similarly, the connection of an antenna to the antenna support is also done manually. In this way, - manual labor increases not only the risk of a defect in the product but also considerably increases the cost of manufacturing the product. In accordance with the foregoing, there is a need for an antenna unit and a method for connecting an antenna that allows automatic insertion of the antenna and antenna support.

P1387 - 97MX BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded view of a wireless communication device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket 112 shown in Figure 1 in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the sleeve 130 of Figure 1, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of an alternate embodiment of the head portion 132 of Figure 1 in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is an alternate embodiment of an antenna head and sleeve arrangement in accordance with the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective of the alternate embodiment of Figure 5 which more clearly shows the lower surface of the head in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention allows the fully automated insertion of an antenna unit into a communication device, such as for example a P1387-97MX cellular radiotelephone. A mounting bracket for the antenna unit is designed to be held in place and allow weld reflow to connect the mounting bracket to the circuit board. Preferably, the mounting bracket has two orthogonal legs to form a "corner" and several supports to allow the mounting bracket to stand on its own. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sleeve and the corresponding head of the antenna unit are operatively coupled to allow the insertion of the sleeve into the mounting bracket, while avoiding the removal of the sleeve with the head. Preferably, the lower surface of the head is designed to allow rotation of the sleeve in a clockwise direction while preventing rotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction. Also, the sleeve is designed to receive a removal device to rotate the sleeve counterclockwise for removal. In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, shearing heads are located on the lower surface of the head. When the head is rotated at a certain torque, the shear heads are designed to detach after the sleeve has been connected to the mounting bracket. From P1387-97MX conforming to the above, the antenna unit can be connected to the mounting bracket but can not be removed by the head after the leaves have come loose. Turning now to Figure 1, a wireless communication device 100 has a front or front housing 102 and a rear or rear housing 104, which are adapted to enclose a printed circuit board 106 having components that allow communication in a network wireless communication, such as, for example, a cellular radiotelephone network. The printed circuit board 106 preferably includes conventional through holes 108 and 110 to receive a mounting bracket 112. The mounting bracket 112 will be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 2. The rear housing 104 also includes an aperture 114 for antenna , to receive an antenna 120. The antenna 120 includes a mast 122 having a lower contact 126 and an upper contact 128. The antenna further includes a sleeve 130 which is adapted to be coupled with the mounting bracket 112. As will be shown with In greater detail with reference to Figure 3, a lower portion of the sleeve 130 is threaded to engage with the mounting bracket 112. The antenna 120 can move within the sleeve 130 between an elevated and a lowered position. In the raised position, the contact 126 is coupled with P1387-97MX the sleeve 130. In the lowered position, the contact 128 is coupled with the sleeve 130. A head 132 has a lower surface 134 adapted to connect with the sleeve 130. As can be seen, two projections or projections are shown that In general, they form "ramps" that extend to an edge. These projections or projections can easily be formed on the lower surface by stretching the metal. The alternate embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5 generally show longer projections extending from the mast to the edge of the head. However, the interaction of the head with the sleeve 130 remains the same and will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3-5. The operation of the head 132 and the sleeve 130 will be described in greater detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Turning now to Figure 2, an enlarged view of the mounting bracket 112 is shown. Preferably, the mounting bracket 112 includes a shank 202 coupled with a receiver ring 204 having a cylinder 206 with rope or thread 208. The cord or thread 208 of the cylinder 206 is adapted to be coupled with the corresponding cord or thread of the sleeve 130. The mounting bracket 112 also includes a plurality of guides, such as guides 210 and 212. Guides 210 and 212, in addition to allowing the P1387-97MX automated assembly of the antenna unit, also provide an electrical connection with the printed circuit board 106 for the coupling of the RF signals between the antenna and the printed circuit board of the communication device. Preferably, a corner member 214 is designed in such a way that the guide 212 is positioned orthogonally to the guide 210. Also, the guides 210 and 212 have rests or supports 216 and 218, respectively, which control the depth of the mounting bracket and they allow the support assembly to be held when it is placed in through holes 108 and 110 of the printed circuit board. In accordance with the above, the mounting bracket can be reflowed automatically, eliminating the need to weld by hand. Optionally, mounting bracket 112 could include a pin 220 to provide additional support, both before and after welding. Finally, the guides preferably have a rectangular shape to allow a snap fit in the conventional circular through holes. In particular, each guide preferably includes edges 222 adapted to carve the board to further maintain the support in place during the reflow welding process. Although the specific form of the support is shown in Figure 2, in accordance with the P1387-97MX spirit and scope of the present invention, it could be used any other way that allows the mounting bracket to be held when it is placed in the through holes. Turning now to Figure 3, a perspective view of the sleeve 130 is shown. Preferably, the sleeve includes a cylinder 302 having a hollow portion 303 for receiving the antenna mast 122 and a threaded lower portion 303. The upper surface of the cylinder 302 includes ramp portions 304 and 306 that are separated by openings or spacings 308 and 310. Ramp portion 304 includes an inclined surface 312 extending from a first elevated edge or portion 314 to a second raised edge or elevated portion. 316. Preferably, the first raised terminal portion 314 extends to a first height hl, while the second elevated terminal portion 316 extends to a second height h2, which is generally larger than the first height hl. Similarly, the ramp portion 306 includes an inclined surface 320 that extends from a third elevated edge or portion 322 to a fourth elevated edge or portion 324. The third elevated terminal portion 322 extends to a first height hl, while the fourth elevated terminal portion 324 extends to a second P13B7-97MX height h2. The functionality of the sleeve 130 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Preferably, the lower end portions 314 and 322 of the ramp portions 304 and 306 are respectively at a height hl to allow a removal tool to be inserted to remove the sleeve 130. However, sleeve 130 could be designed when there are no openings or separations 308 and 310, eliminating the possibility of removing the sleeve if desired. Turning now to Figure 4, the lower surface 134 of the head 132, which corresponds to the ramp portions of the sleeve 130, is shown in greater detail. In particular, the lower surface includes a first ramp section 402 extending from a lower end portion 404 to an elevated end portion 406. The raised end portion 406 terminates at an edge 408. The corresponding ramp section 410 extends from a lower end 412 at the edge 408 to a raised end 414. The raised end 414 terminates. at a second edge 416 extending from the raised end of the ramp section 410 to the lower end of the ramp section 402. During operation, the edges 408 and 416 of the head 132 respectively face the elevated terminal portions. 316 and 325 of the sleeve 130. When P1387-97MX rotates clockwise, the head 132 of the antenna causes the sleeve 130 to rotate as the edges of the head meet the edges of the sleeve. However, when rotating counterclockwise, the ramp sections 402 and 410 of the head continuously slide against the inclined surfaces 312 and 320 of the sleeve 130. Turning now to Figure 5, an alternate embodiment is shown. of the sleeve and head arrangement. In particular, a mast 502 extends to a contact 504 on the head 506. The lower portion of the head includes the pits 508, shown in greater detail in Figure 6. The upper portion 512 of the sleeve 510 includes a slot 514 that is extends laterally through the upper portion. Preferably, the upper surface 505 of the upper portion is flat. The blades 508 and 509 are designed to shear by shear at a certain torque. In accordance with the foregoing, the head 506 is rotated to automatically insert the sleeve 510 into the mounting bracket. After the sleeve is tightened to a certain torque the blades will be cut, allowing the antenna to freely rotate inside the sleeve. In accordance with the above, the antenna can not then be used to remove or remove the sleeve. The sheets could be designed to fit securely into the recess P1387-97MX 514. Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing description and drawings, it will be understood that these descriptions provide only by way of example and that numerous changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without deviating from the spirit and true scope of the invention. Although the present invention finds particular application in portable cellular radiotelephones, the invention could be applied to any portable device, including radiolocators, electronic organizers or computers. Our invention will be limited only by the following claims.

P1387-97MX

Claims (10)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1. An antenna unit comprising: a mast; a head coupled with a first end of the mast, the head has a lower surface having a first ramp terminating at a first edge and a second ramp terminating at a second edge; and a sleeve mounted rotatably on the mast, the sleeve has an upper surface having a third ramp terminating at a third edge and a fourth ramp terminating at a fourth edge, which is adapted to mate with the lower surface of head. The antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein the mast further includes a first contact at the first end to hold the sleeve adjacent the head and a second contact at a second end of the mast to hold the sleeve at the second end of the mast. 3. The antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein the third ramp and the fourth ramp are P13T7-97MX separated by an opening or separation. 4. The antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a lower threaded portion. 5. The antenna unit according to the claim 4, further comprising a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket has a threaded portion for receiving the threaded portion of the sleeve. 6. A method for connecting an antenna unit to a wireless communication device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a head having a lower surface coupled to a first end of a mast, the lower surface having a first ramp that terminates in a first edge and a second ramp that ends in a second edge; rotatingly mounting a sleeve on the mast, the sleeve having an upper surface having a third ramp and a fourth ramp, which is adapted to mate with the lower surface of the head; and turn the head of the antenna to connect the sleeve to the mounting bracket. 7. The method for connecting to the antenna according to claim 6, further includes the step of inserting a P1387-97MX mounting bracket on a printed circuit board. The method for connecting to the antenna according to claim 7, further including the step of reflow soldering the printed circuit board to solder the mounting bracket to the printed circuit board. 9. The method for connecting an antenna unit according to claim 6 further includes the step of separating the third ramp and the fourth ramp by an opening or separation. The method for connecting an antenna unit according to claim 6, further including the step of extending a third ramp from a third edge to a fourth edge and extending a fourth ramp from a fifth edge to a sixth edge. P13T7-97MX