Patent · US Expired

Surface mountable clip suitable for use in a mobile communication device

US6942500B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
7References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 25, 2003
Grant dateSep 13, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 25, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A mobile communication device includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a radio frequency (RF) transceiver carried on the PCB; and an antenna coupled to the RF transceiver. A surface mountable antenna clip is mounted on the PCB for retaining the antenna. The clip is a metal structure having a plurality of planar sides generally formed into a U-shape. An opening formed by the structure is sized to receive and retain the antenna. One of the planar sides is used to support the structure and is mounted over a solder pad of the PCB. A hole formed through this planar side is configured to break a surface tension of molten solder over a solder pad of the PCB during a reflow soldering process, so that the clip is more stable and tends not to rotate out-of-position during the process. Legs extending from edges of this planar side also help to stabilize the clip during the process, and provide an increased surface area for the connection. In fact, if the initial Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) placement position of the clip is slightly skewed or shifted, surface tension forces will help the clip to move or rotate into the correct position. The legs also provide sufficient features to a vision s…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.