This is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/176,483, filed Jul. 21, 2008, which claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 96127852, filed Jul. 30, 2007, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a receiving device for a global positioning system and an antenna structure thereof, and more particularly to a receiving device for a global positioning system, in which an antenna structure is hidden inside a housing, and the antenna structure thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the modern age, in which the technology is changing with each passing day, various electronic devices bring many conveniences to human's life. More particularly, a receiving device for a global positioning system (GPS) receives a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite so that the user can know the traffic and geographic conditions through the receiving device.

FIG. 1A is an illustration showing a conventional receiving device 100 for a global positioning system. Referring to FIG. 1A, the receiving device 100 for the global positioning system includes a housing 110 and an antenna 120. The antenna 120 is a patch antenna. The antenna 120 has one end pivotally coupled to the housing 110, and the other end rotatable relative to the housing 110, as indicated by the arrow A. The antenna 120 has a ground plane, which significantly influences the signal receiving quality. In addition, when the user wants to use the receiving device 100 for the global positioning system, he or she has to turn or bend the antenna 120 to make the surface of the antenna 120 face the sky so that the antenna 120 can be used.

FIG. 1B is an illustration showing another conventional receiving device 200 for the global positioning system. Referring to FIG. 1B, the receiving device 200 for the global positioning system includes a housing 210 and an antenna 220. The antenna 220 is a monopole antenna. The antenna 220 projects out of the housing 210 to receive the GPS signal.

However, the antenna 120 of FIG. 1A and the antenna 220 of FIG. 1B are respectively exposed out of the housing 110 and the housing 210. Thus, the overall exterior is influenced and the antennas 120 and 220 tend to be damaged due to collision. In addition, the antenna 120 in use has to be turned and bent so that its surface faces the sky.

Furthermore, the conventional antennas 120 and 220 are disposed in an externally added manner, and spaces of the receiving devices for the global positioning systems have to be additionally provided to accommodate the antennas 120 and 220. In addition, the antennas 120 and 220 have the complicated structures and huge sizes, and the manufacturing cost is thus increased. Therefore, it is an important subject of the invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a receiving device for a global positioning system. The receiving device has an antenna structure hidden inside the housing thereof so that it can not only receive a GPS signal but also be carried conveniently and have a firm structure, a reduced size and a good signal receiving quality without influencing the overall exterior.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a receiving device for a global positioning system is provided. The receiving device includes a housing, a circuit board and an antenna structure. The circuit board is disposed inside the housing, and has a ground portion and a signal feeding portion. The antenna structure is disposed inside the housing. The antenna structure includes a metal plate, a first electric conducting element and a second electric conducting element. The metal plate is configured for receiving a GPS signal. The first electric conducting element has one end coupled to the metal plate, and the other end coupled to the ground portion of the circuit board. The second electric conducting element is configured for feeding the GPS signal to the circuit board and has one end coupled to the metal plate and the other end coupled to the signal feeding portion of the circuit board.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an antenna structure disposed inside a receiving device for a global positioning system (GPS) is provided. The receiving device for the global positioning system includes a housing and a circuit board. The circuit board has a ground portion and a signal feeding portion. The antenna structure is disposed inside the housing. The antenna structure includes a metal plate, a first electric conducting element and a second electric conducting element. The metal plate is configured for receiving a GPS signal. The first electric conducting element has one end coupled to the metal plate, and the other end coupled to the ground portion of the circuit board. The second electric conducting element is configured for feeding the GPS signal to the circuit board, and has one end coupled to the metal plate and the other end coupled to the signal feeding portion of the circuit board.

The invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an illustration showing a conventional receiving device for a global positioning system.

FIG. 1B is an illustration showing another conventional receiving device for the global positioning system.

FIG. 2A is a schematically exploded view showing a receiving device for a global positioning system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is an illustration showing an antenna structure of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram showing the receiving device for the global positioning system.

FIG. 2D is a schematically assembled view showing the receiving device for the global positioning system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a radiation pattern of the receiving device of FIG. 2D in the X-Z plane.

FIG. 3B shows a radiation pattern of the receiving device of FIG. 2D in the Y-Z plane in the.

FIG. 3C shows a radiation pattern of the receiving device of FIG. 2D in the X-Y plane.

FIG. 4A is a schematically exploded view showing a receiving device for a global positioning system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is an illustration showing an antenna structure of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a schematically exploded view showing a receiving device for a global positioning system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B is an illustration showing an antenna structure of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONFirst Embodiment

FIG. 2A is a schematically exploded view showing a receiving device 300 for a global positioning system according to a first embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2A, the receiving device 300 for the global positioning system includes a housing 310, a circuit board 320, an antenna structure 330 and a display 340. The circuit board 320 and the antenna structure 330 are disposed inside the housing 310. The display is exposed out of the housing 310 for displaying a data image. In this embodiment, the antenna structure 330 is a planar inverted F antenna (PIFA). The antenna structure 330 includes a metal plate 331, a first electric conducting element 335 and a second electric conducting element 336. The metal plate 331 is disposed on one side of the circuit board 320 for receiving a GPS signal transmitted from a satellite. The first electric conducting element 335 has one end coupled to the metal plate 331, and the other end coupled to a ground portion G of the circuit board 320. The second electric conducting element 336 is configured for feeding the GPS signal to the circuit board 320, and has one end coupled to the metal plate 331 and the other end coupled to a signal feeding portion F of the circuit board 320.

In this invention, the ground plane of the circuit board 320 serves as a ground of the antenna structure 330. However, the shape of the ground plane of the circuit board 320 does not have any great influence on the antenna structure 330 of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the first electric conducting element 335 and the second electric conducting element 336 are coupled to one corner of the metal plate 331. The first electric conducting element 335 and the second electric conducting element 336 are preferably disposed at the corner close to the center position C (pointed by the arrow) of the receiving device 300 for the global positioning system.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the first electric conducting element 335 and the second electric conducting element 336 are pogo pins. A distal end of the pogo pin is fixed to the circuit board 320, and a copper ball on a tip end of the pogo pin may tightly press against the metal plate 331 through a spring inside the pogo pin.

In order to avoid the interferences from other electrical elements or metal elements, the metal plate 331 may be distant from other electrical elements or metal elements according to the actual conditions. As show in FIG. 2A, the metal plate 331 of this embodiment is configured to have an L-shaped structure to be distant from a metal mark 390 on an external side surface of the housing 310.

The metal plate 331 is disposed on an inner side surface of the housing 310. The metal plate 331 only has to be disposed inside a redundant and available space in the existing space without changing the original spatial design.

In addition, the metal plate 331 has a positioning hole 331c, and the housing 310 has a positioning pin 311. The positioning pin 311 is inserted into the positioning hole 331c to fix the metal plate 331 to the inner side surface of the housing 310. Preferably, the metal plate 331 is a phosphor bronze metal sheet, and a gold film is coated on a surface of the metal plate 331 to prevent the metal plate 331 from being oxidized and to facilitate the signal transmission.

FIG. 2B is an illustration showing the antenna structure of FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 2B, the metal plate 331 has a first lateral side 331a and a second lateral side 331b, which are adjacent to each other and form an external side edge of the metal plate 331. The sum of the length W331a of the first lateral side 331a and the length W331b of the second lateral side 331b is substantially equal to one fourth of the wavelength of the GPS signal so that the GPS signal can be received. In this embodiment, the frequency of the GPS signal is about 1575.42 MHz. The length W331a of the first lateral side 331a and the length W331b of the second lateral side 331b of the metal plate 331 may be adjusted according to the frequency of the GPS signal so that the GPS signal can be correctly received.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram showing the receiving device for the global positioning system. Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, a satellite 700 outputs a GPS signal S to the antenna structure 330, the GPS signal S is transmitted to the circuit board 320 through the second electric conducting element 336, and the antenna structure 330 is coupled to the ground portion G through the first electric conducting element 335.

FIG. 2D is a schematically assembled view showing the receiving device for the global positioning system of FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2D, the antenna structure 330 is hidden inside the housing 310 after the housing 310 is assembled. Thus, the exterior of the receiving device 300 for the global positioning system can be kept complete, and it is possible to prevent the antenna structure 330 from being damaged by collision.

FIG. 3A shows a radiation pattern of the receiving device of FIG. 2D in the X-Z plane. FIG. 3B shows a radiation pattern of the receiving device of FIG. 2D in the Y-Z plane. FIG. 3C shows a radiation pattern of the receiving device of FIG. 2D in the X-Y plane. Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C and 2D, the receiving device 300 for the global positioning system receives the GPS signal through the antenna structure 330 and the radiation patterns in various directions are measured with the frequency of 1575 MHz. The hidden antenna structure 330 of this embodiment has the gain ranging from about âˆ’10 dBi to 5 dBi in each direction, and has the pattern similar to a circular shape so that the antenna structure is adapted to the receiving of the GPS signal. According to the measured result, the antenna structure 330 in the receiving device for the global positioning system according to this embodiment can obtain an excellent signal receiving quality at various angles.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4A is a schematically exploded view showing a receiving device 400 for a global positioning system according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4B is an illustration showing an antenna structure 430 of FIG. 4A. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the difference between the receiving device 400 according to this embodiment and the receiving device 300 according to the first embodiment resides in the antenna structure 430, and other elements similar to those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same symbols in FIGS. 2A so that detailed descriptions for other elements in this embodiment will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the antenna structure 430 includes a metal plate 431, a first electric conducting element 335 and a second electric conducting element 336. The metal plate 431 includes a main body plate 432, a first extension plate 433 and a second extension plate 434. One end of the first electric conducting element 335 and one end of the second electric conducting element 336 are coupled to the main body plate 432. The first extension plate 433 is bent on one side of the main body plate 432 and disposed adjacent to a top end of a housing 310. A normal of the first extension plate 433 is substantially perpendicular to a normal of the main body plate 432. The second extension plate 434 is bent on the other side of the main body plate 432 and disposed adjacent to a side end of the housing 310. A normal of the second extension plate 434 is substantially perpendicular to the normal of the main body plate 432.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5A is a schematically exploded view showing a receiving device 500 for a global positioning system according to a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5B is an illustration showing an antenna structure 530 of FIG. 5A. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the difference between the receiving device 500 according to this embodiment and the receiving device 300 according to the first embodiment resides in the antenna structure 530, and the other elements similar to those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same symbols in FIGS. 2A so that detailed descriptions for other elements in this embodiment thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the antenna structure 530 includes a metal plate 531, a first electric conducting element 535 and a second electric conducting element 536. The metal plate 531 has a rectangular structure and is supported on a supporting member 510 disposed on a housing 310. The supporting member 510 may be made of any material, which cannot influence the GPS signal receiving ability of the antenna structure 530. Preferably, the supporting member 510 is made of a plastic material. The supporting member 510 for supporting the metal plate 531 can further prevent other elements from contacting the metal plate 531 and thus influencing the function thereof.

In addition, the first electric conducting element 535 and the second electric conducting element 536 may be implemented by elastic metal sheets, which may also achieve the function of electrical connection and can be easily bonded to the circuit board 320.

According to the three embodiments mentioned hereinabove, the illustrated metal plate of the invention has the L-shaped structure or the rectangular structure. However, the shape of the metal plate may also be adjusted according to the measured result in this invention. Any modification cannot depart from the scope of the invention as long as a PIFA antenna structure is disposed inside the housing to achieve the object of receiving the GPS signal.

According to the three embodiments mentioned hereinabove, the first electric conducting element and the second electric conducting element illustrated in this invention are pogo pins. However, the first electric conducting element and the second electric conducting element may also be metal probes or metal screws. Any modification cannot depart from the scope of the invention as long as electric connectors are provided to serve as the first electric conducting element and the second electric conducting element so that the metal plate is electrically connected to the ground portion of the circuit board and the signal feeding portion of the circuit board.

In the receiving device for the global positioning system and the antenna structure thereof according to each embodiment of the invention, the antenna structure is hidden inside the housing to achieve the object of receiving the GPS signal. Accordingly, the following advantages can be obtained.

First, the conventional patch antenna only can receive the GPS signal at some angles. The first and second electric conducting elements of the antenna structure of each embodiment are disposed at the corner of the metal plate so that the radiation pattern of the antenna structure approaches the circular shape and the antenna structure can receive the GPS signal at the angle wider than that of the conventional antenna structure. Of course, the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector may further be adjusted so that the radiation pattern is concentrated to the top, and the GPS signal receiving ability can be enhanced.

Second, the conventional antenna to be used has to be turned and bent so that its surface faces the sky. However, the antenna structure can be used without the need of adjusting the angle of the antenna structure. Thus, it is very convenient to the user who wants to use the antenna structure.

Third, the designed quality of the ground plane of the conventional antenna greatly influences the signal receiving quality of the antenna. The ground plane of the circuit board is used as the ground plane of the antenna structure in this invention, and the shape of the ground plane of the circuit board does not have the significant influence on the antenna structure of the invention.

Fourth, the conventional antenna is disposed in an externally added manner, so the space has to be provided to accommodate the antenna. In this invention, however, the antenna structure only has to be integrated into the redundant and available space in the existing space without changing the originally spatial design. Thus, the product of the invention may be designed more easily.

Fifth, the antenna structure of the invention is hidden inside the housing. Thus, the overall exterior cannot be influenced and the antenna structure of the invention cannot be easily damaged.

While the invention has been described by way of examples and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.