Electronic device housing with integrated antenna
An electronic device may include a display, a housing member at least partially surrounding the display and including a first segment defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device, a second segment defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to function as an antenna, and a bridge segment structurally and conductively coupling the first segment to the second segment. The electronic device may also include a molded element positioned between the first segment and the second segment and defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a display;
a housing member at least partially surrounding the display and comprising:
a first segment defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device;
a second segment defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to function as an antenna; and
a bridge segment structurally and conductively coupling the first segment to the second segment; and
a molded element positioned between the first segment and the second segment and defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the bridge segment are formed from a single piece of metal.
3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first segment, the second segment, and the bridge segment comprise a conductive material; and
the molded element is a non-conductive polymer material.
4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first segment defines a back wall of the electronic device; and
the second segment defines a side wall of the electronic device.
5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the molded element at least partially encapsulates the bridge segment.
6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device further comprises antenna circuitry coupled to the second segment and configured to process signals corresponding to a wireless communication protocol.
7. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein a length of the second segment corresponds to a wavelength of the wireless communication protocol.
8. An electronic device comprising:
a display;
a cover assembly defining at least a portion of a front surface of the electronic device;
a touch sensor configured to detect touch inputs applied to the front surface of the electronic device;
a housing member at least partially enclosing the display and the touch sensor and comprising:
a first segment defining a first portion of a back surface of the electronic device; and
a second segment coupled to the first segment and defining:
a second portion of the back surface of the electronic device; and
a recess formed along an interior side of the second segment and configured to tune capacitive coupling between the first segment and the second segment;
a molded element positioned between the first segment and the second segment and defining a third portion of the back surface of the electronic device; and
antenna circuitry coupled to the second segment.
9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein
the second segment defines a ledge extending into an internal volume of the electronic device;
the recess is one of a series of recesses formed in the ledge;
the ledge defines at least a portion of a mounting surface; and
the cover assembly is attached to the mounting surface.
10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein:
the molded element is a first molded element; and
the electronic device further comprises additional molded elements each of which is positioned within a respective recess of the series of recesses.
11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the additional molded elements define an additional portion of the mounting surface.
12. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the series of recesses extends along an entire length of the second segment.
13. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein:
the recess defines an interlock feature;
the electronic device further comprises an additional molded element positioned within the recess and engaged with the interlock feature; and
the engagement between the additional molded element and the interlock feature constrains movement of the additional molded element in multiple directions.
14. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein:
the second segment is set apart from the first segment by a slot; and
the molded element is positioned in the slot.
15. An electronic device comprising:
a display;
a cover over the display and defining at least a portion of a front surface of the electronic device;
a conductive housing member defining at least a portion of a back wall opposite the front surface and comprising:
a first segment defining:
a first portion of the back wall of the electronic device; and
a second portion of the back wall extending along a slot formed in the conductive housing member and having a reduced thickness relative to the first portion the back wall; and
a second segment configured to function as an antenna, defining:
a third portion of the back wall; and
a fourth portion of the back wall extending along the slot and having a reduced thickness relative to the third portion of the back wall; and
a molded element positioned in the slot and defining a fifth portion of the back wall.
16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein:
the slot is formed in the back wall;
the slot defines a length of the second segment; and
the length of the second segment corresponds to a wavelength of a wireless communication frequency of the antenna.
17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein:
the second portion of the back wall defines a first beveled edge;
the fourth portion of the back wall defines a second beveled edge; and
the first and second beveled edges tune a capacitive coupling between the first segment and the second segment.
18. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein:
the conductive housing member is a single piece of aluminum; and
the first segment and the second segment are connected by a bridge segment defined by the single piece of aluminum.
19. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein:
the first segment further defines a first portion of a side wall of the electronic device;
the second segment further defines a second portion of the side wall; and
the molded element further defines a third portion of the side wall between the first segment and the second segment.
20. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein:
the second segment defines a ledge extending into an internal volume of the electronic device;
the ledge defines a series of recesses configured to tune a capacitive coupling between the second segment and the display;
the ledge defines at least a portion of a mounting surface; and
the cover is attached to the mounting surface.