WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS
A method for constructing a wireless communications apparatus includes providing a printed circuit board (PCB) having a mounting surface. An antenna is mounted onto the mounting surface in an orientation that is perpendicular to the mounting surface. A first subassembly is formed by placing the PCB with mounted antenna into a top side of a bracket. The second subassembly is formed by placing an endcap component over the antenna, the endcap encasing the antenna, and snapping the endcap component into the bracket to hold the endcap component to the bracket. The snapping comprises inserting hooks on the end cap component into recesses on the bracket.
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This application is a non-provisional application of and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/676,778, filed on Jul. 27, 2012, which is herein incorporated by references in its entirety for all purposes.
This application is related to commonly owned and concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled, “3-D Antenna for Wireless Communications,” (Attorney Docket No. 79900-849334 (100610US)) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, titled, “Wireless Communications Antenna Assembly,” (Attorney Docket No. 79900-847032 (100320US)), the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWireless USB is a short-range wireless radio communication protocol. It was designed to operate in the 2.0 to 10.6 GHz frequency range. Wireless USB may be used for wireless communication between a computer and computer peripheral devices such as mice, keyboards, printers and scanners, as well as for communicating with game controllers, digital cameras, portable media players, hard disk drives and flash drives.
Other commercial wireless transceivers for providing wireless communication between a computer and peripheral devices use other standards such as Firewire (IEEE 1394) and the mini-USB standard. These other standards use a form factor with a different plug size.
A “nano” dongle is a USB dongle of a particular form factor in which the end cap protrudes beyond the socket surface by about 6.8 mm. A “pico” dongle is a USB dongle of a particular form factor in which the end cap protrudes beyond the socket surface by an amount less than a nano dongle. Thus, the length of the pico dongle end cap is less than the length of a nano dongle. A pico dongle form factor is desirable because it is convenient to leave the dongle plugged into a laptop or other mobile computing device rather than inserting the dongle before each use and removing the dongle before transporting the mobile computing device. Having the endcap of a dongle almost flush with the edge of a mobile computing device reduces the likelihood that the dongle may be damaged while the mobile computing device is in transit. However, creating a small dongle that has a sufficient radiation pattern and power may be a challenge. The size of a dongle limits the size of the electronics that may be used, especially the size of the antenna, which typically affects the radiation pattern. Thus, an improved antenna design is sought.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONCertain embodiments of the invention relate to a method for constructing a wireless communications apparatus, the method including providing a printed circuit board (PCB) having a mounting surface. The method can further include mounting an antenna onto the mounting surface in an orientation that is perpendicular to the mounting surface. The method can further include forming a first subassembly by placing the PCB with mounted antenna into a top side of a bracket, and forming a second subassembly by placing an endcap component over the antenna, the endcap encasing the antenna, and snapping the endcap component into the bracket to hold the endcap component to the bracket, wherein snapping comprises inserting hooks on the end cap component into recesses on the bracket.
Other embodiments of the invention relate to a wireless communications apparatus including a subassembly with a plug end an opposing endcap end, the subassembly comprising a bracket with a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface holds a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the bracket comprises one or more recesses. The wireless communications apparatus may also include an endcap top assembly placed over the first surface at the endcap end of the subassembly, the endcap top assembly comprising one or more hooks on a bottom edge that each snap into a corresponding recess of the one or more recesses on the bracket. The wireless communications apparatus may also include a metallic shell covering the plug end of the subassembly, wherein the metallic shell comprises one or more hooks, each hook of one or more hooks snapping into a corresponding recess of the one or more recesses on the endcap top assembly.
Other embodiments of the invention relate to a wireless communications apparatus including a subassembly comprising a bracket configured to hold a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the subassembly is comprised of a first portion and a second portion opposite to the first potion, wherein the first portion of the subassembly is comprised of an antenna device attached to the PCB. The wireless communications apparatus may also include an endcap portion configured to be inserted over the subassembly to house the first portion of the subassembly comprised of the antenna portion attached to the PCB. The wireless communications apparatus may also include a metallic shell portion configured to be inserted over the subassembly to house the second portion of the subassembly comprised of the PCB, wherein the endcap portion and the metallic shell portion are locked into position to house the subassembly.
In an alternate embodiment, the dongle module may use a different kind of mechanical plug such as Firewire, HDMI, or mini-USB. The components within a dongle of one of these alternative form factors, or any other form factor, may be scaled appropriately for the form factor. For example, the PCB and/or the antenna may be larger than the PCB and antenna described in the specific examples herein. In addition, dongles of different embodiments may replace or omit certain components described in the example herein. For example, a dongle may omit the metallic shell in favor of using a shell of plastic or other material, or may provide a different way to secure the endcap to the PCB without using a shell.
Dimension 330 illustrates the length of the PCB 200 in a pico dongle comprising the length of plug 331 and the length of the antenna 332. In some embodiments, the length of plug 331 in the pico dongle is roughly the same as the length of 321 in the nano dongle. The length of the antenna 332 includes a length of antenna 300 orientated perpendicular to the PCB 200 and a tail portion that is soldered to the PCB 200, according to an embodiment of the invention. The vertical portions are illustrated in
Because the illustrations are not drawn to scale, the plate antenna illustrated in FIG. 3B(2) appears to not fit in the endcap illustrated in FIG. 3B(1). However, as will be evident, the plate antenna does, in fact, fit in the endcap. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3B(4), clips 342 are attached to the antenna 340 to enable the antenna to be joined to the PCB at appropriate coupling locations. Although two clips 342 are illustrated, additional or fewer clips can be utilized depending on the particular device geometry and design.
In an embodiment, the antenna may be three dimensional and made of wire, resembling the shape of a paper clip that has been bent so that it no longer lies flat. The length 333 of the antenna, as illustrated in
Such a 3D antenna may have a radiation pattern that allows improved ability to receive a signal from a transmitter and providing more flexibility regarding placement of the transmitter. The combination of removing the antenna from the metallic shell covering the plug and shaping the antenna to be three dimensional greatly enhances the effective radiation pattern and power of the dongle.
The size of the 3D antenna is not limited to the dimensions described in the examples. For example, a dongle in a HDMI form factor may be used with audio/video equipment, such as a television. Such a dongle may be plugged into the back of the television where size may be constrained. Thus, the antenna within a dongle may be smaller than other types of wireless antennas used for televisions. The antenna design and dimensions may also be adjusted to provide increased signal power. Thus, there may be different applications of a wireless communication device that require different sizes and configurations for a 3D wire antenna mounted perpendicular to a PCB. Further, the dongle may be used to connect to one device, or to multiple devices simultaneously. The devices that connect to the dongle may be of any suitable type, such as but not limited to a computer mouse, keyboard, video camera, audio/video receiver, audio headphones, cable box, desktop or mobile computer, smart phone, and tablet. In some embodiments, the dongle may be configured differently depending on which type of device it is intended to connect to.
In Step 730, subassembly 810 is inserted into bracket 830 from the top creating subassembly 840. In Step 740, the endcap 110 is placed over the antenna from the top and snaps into subassembly 840. Hooks in the endcap hold the endcap onto the bracket 830 of subassembly 840 to form subassembly 860. Removing the dongle from the USB socket requires holding the endcap and pulling in the direction away from the plug. Snapping the endcap onto the bracket from the top rather than from the end towards the plug avoids the endcap from separating from the dongle upon removing the dongle from the USB socket. In Step 750, the metallic shell 130 slides over the plug end of the dongle towards the endcap 110, overlapping a portion of the endcap and holding the endcap securely onto the dongle. Clips in the metallic shell snap into recesses on the sides of the bracket and the top of the overlapped portion of the endcap respectively. The entire assembly of the dongle may be performed without glue or other additional adhesive substance other than soldering the antenna to the PCB. This reduces the parts and time required for assembly.
It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in
It is also understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for constructing a wireless communications apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing a printed circuit board (PCB) having a mounting surface;
- mounting an antenna onto the mounting surface in an orientation that is perpendicular to the mounting surface;
- forming a first subassembly by placing the PCB with mounted antenna into a top side of a bracket; and
- forming a second subassembly by placing an endcap component over the antenna, the endcap encasing the antenna, and snapping the endcap component into the bracket to hold the endcap component to the bracket;
- wherein snapping comprises inserting hooks on the end cap component into recesses on the bracket.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the endcap component further comprises two portions: a thicker portion adapted for gripping the apparatus and a thinner portion for attaching to a plug portion of the apparatus, the thinner portion of the endcap, having one or more recesses on a surface; and
- further comprising sliding a metallic shell over the second subassembly, overlapping the thinner portion of the endcap;
- hooks in the metallic shell snapping into the bracket and the surface of the thinner portion of the endcap component to hold the apparatus together.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein:
- hooks protruding from an inner surface of the metallic shell snap into recesses on the surface of the thinner portion of the endcap component.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein:
- hooks protruding from an inner surface of the metallic shell snap into recesses on the bracket.
5. A wireless communications apparatus comprising:
- a subassembly with a plug end an opposing endcap end, the subassembly comprising a bracket with a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface holds a printed circuit board (PCB);
- wherein the bracket comprises one or more recesses;
- an endcap top assembly placed over the first surface at the endcap end of the subassembly, the endcap top assembly comprising one or more hooks on a bottom edge that each snap into a corresponding recess of the one or more recesses on the bracket; and
- a metallic shell covering the plug end of the subassembly, wherein the metallic shell comprises one or more hooks, each hook of one or more hooks snapping into a corresponding recess of the one or more recesses on the endcap top assembly.
6. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 5, wherein one or more hooks on the metallic shell snap into a corresponding recess of one or more recesses in the bracket.
7. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
- the subassembly further comprises an antenna attached to a mounting surface of the PCB at the endcap end of the subassembly, wherein the antenna is oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface of the PCB;
- the endcap top assembly covering the antenna.
8. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 7, wherein
- the antenna and the edge of the metallic shell are separated by at least 1.8 mm.
9. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
- the endcap top assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion covering the antenna and the first portion next to the second portion towards the plug end of the subassembly; and
- the hooks in the metallic shell snap into recesses on the first portion of the endcap top assembly.
10. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
- the first portion and the second portion of the endcap top assembly are portions of a single piece of molded plastic.
11. A wireless communications apparatus comprising:
- a subassembly comprising a bracket configured to hold a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the subassembly is comprised of a first portion and a second portion opposite to the first potion, wherein the first portion of the subassembly is comprised of an antenna device attached to the PCB;
- an endcap portion configured to be inserted over the subassembly to house the first portion of the subassembly comprised of the antenna portion attached to the PCB; and
- a metallic shell portion configured to be inserted over the subassembly to house the second portion of the subassembly comprised of the PCB, wherein the endcap portion and the metallic shell portion are locked into position to house the subassembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 7, 2012
Publication Date: Jan 30, 2014
Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A. (Morges)
Inventors: Laurent Cariou (Versonnex), Frédéric Fortin (Annemasse), Darragh Luttrell (Glanmire Co. Cork), Vilasinh Vilaylack (Prevessin-Moens)
Application Number: 13/671,224
International Classification: H05K 7/10 (20060101); H05K 3/30 (20060101);