Antenna mounting structure of electronic device

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from China Application No. 201110145723.7 filed on Jan. 06,2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to antenna mounting structures and, more particularly to an antenna mounting structure fixing an antenna in an electronic device.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Many electronic devices have wireless communication functions and may include an antenna. The antenna is mounted in a casing of an electronic device. A fastener, such as a screw extends through the antenna and the casing, fixing the antenna in the electronic device. However, both the disassembling and assembling require rotating the screws with a screwdriver. Such an unscrewing or screwing operation is laborious and time consuming.

[0006] Therefore, what is needed is an antenna mounting structure of an electronic device, which can overcome the above described shortcomings.

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, an antenna mounting structure 100 of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The electronic device can be, for example, a portable DVD player, a notebook computer or a projector. The antenna mounting structure 100 includes a casing 10 and an antenna 20.

[0012] Referring also to FIG. 2, the casing 10 includes a bottom wall 11 and a sidewall 12 extending from the bottom wall 11. The bottom wall 11 forms a first pin 13 and a second pin 18 near the sidewall 12. Spaced from the sidewall 12 the first pin 13 and the second pin 18 extend perpendicularly from the bottom wall 11. A first rib 14 connects the first fin 13 with the sidewall 12. A height of the first rib 14 is slightly less than that of the first pin 13. A plurality of second ribs 19 radially extends from the second pin 18. One of the second ribs 19 connects the second pin 18 with the sidewall 12. A height of each second rib 19 is slightly less than that of the second pin 18.

[0013] A first catch 15 extends upwards from the bottom wall 11 at an outside of the first pin 13. A second catch 17 extends upwards from the bottom wall 11 at an outside of the second pin 18 and opposite to the first catch 15. The first catch 15, the first pin 13, the second pin 18 and the second catch 17 are substantially collinear and arranged in sequence. The first catch 15 and the second catch 17 are substantially the same.

[0014] The first catch 15 includes an elastic arm 150 and a buckling portion 151 extending from a top end of the elastic arm 150. The elastic arm 150 extends upwards and perpendicularly from the bottom wall 11 and connects the sidewall 12. The elastic arm 150 defines a gap 152 between the buckling portion 151 and the sidewall 12 thereby improving the elasticity of the elastic arm 150. The buckling portion 151 extends toward the first pin 13 to mount the antenna 20 on the first pin 13. The bucking portion 151 is located at a side of the antenna 20 and faces the first rib 14. The buckling portion 151 has an included top surface to guide the antenna 20 onto the first pin 13. The second catch 17 includes an elastic arm 170 and a buckling portion 171 extending from a top end of the elastic arm 170. The elastic arm 170 extends upwards and perpendicularly from the bottom wall 11 and connects to the sidewall 12. The elastic arm 170 defines a gap 172 between the buckling portion 171 and the sidewall 12 thereby improving the elasticity of the elastic arm 170. The buckling portion 171 extends toward the second pin 18 to mount the antenna 20 on the second pin 18. The buckling portion 171 has an included top surface to guide the antenna 20 onto the second pin 18. A block wall 16 extends upwards from the bottom wall 11 at the inside of the first and second pins 13, 18 and spaces from the first and second pins 13, 18. The block wall 16 is elongated and parallel to a line defined by the first and second pins 13, 18.

[0015] The antenna 20 is a built-in antenna in the electronic device and connects to a circuit board of the electronic devices via wires. The antenna 20 is made of metal. The antenna 20 includes a signal receiving portion 22, a first securing portion 23, a second securing portion 27, and a lateral plate 21. The first securing member 23 and the second securing member 27 extend perpendicularly from opposite ends of the lateral plate 21 respectively along a same direction. The signal receiving portion 22 connects the lateral plate 21 and is located between the first securing member 23 and the second securing member 27. A fixing hole 230 is defined in the center of the first securing member 23. Another fixing hole 270 is defined in the center of the second securing member 27. The height of the lateral plate 21 is the same as the height of each of the first rib 14 and the second rib 19.

[0016] In assembly, the antenna 20 is mounted onto the first pin 13 and the second pin 18. The first and second catches 15, 17 respectively extend the first pin 13 and the second pin 18 outwards away from the first and second securing members 23, 27. The first pin 13 and the second pin 18 respectively insert into the fixing hole 230 of the first securing member 23 and the fixing hole 270 of the second securing member 27. The lateral plate 21 is inserted between the block wall 16 and the first and second pins 13. At the same time, the first rib 14 and the second rib 19 support the first securing member 23 and the second securing member 27. The first and second catches 15, 17 return to lock the antenna 20 on the first pin 13 and the second pin 18.

[0017] In disassembly, the first and second catches 15, 17 are pushed outwards to disengage the antenna 20. Then the antenna 20 is easily withdrawn from the casing 10. In addition, each of the elastic arms 150, 170 defines the gap 152, 172 thereby improving elasticity of the first and second catches 15, 17, and providing space for extension of the wires connecting the signal receiving portion 22.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 3-4, an antenna mounting structure 100a in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Different from the antenna mounting structure 100 of the first embodiment, the antenna mounting structure 100a includes a second catch 17a located at a side of the first pin 13 opposite to the first catch 15. The first catch 15 and the second catch 17a cooperatively mount the first securing portion 23 of the antenna 20 on the first pin 13.

[0019] It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.