Antenna System

Abstract

The present invention relates to an antenna system (2) for a vehicle outer wall, the antenna system having an antenna device (4), the antenna device having a housing (10), a substrate (8) made of an electrically insulating material, and a holding plate (6), wherein electronic components for a plurality of antenna modules are arranged on the substrate (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna system. Background Art

[0002] Due to new services and increasingly high requirements for the quality and data rate of wireless services, the number of antennas to be installed in a vehicle is constantly increasing. In contrast, the antennas should be installed as invisibly as possible for design reasons. Typical structural spaces include, in addition to the vehicle roof for the roof antenna, bumpers, spoilers or window glasses for telephone antennas, where the antennas are configured as structures printed on the window glass. The roof antenna offers the advantage here that it receives around the vehicle without interference for using Bluetooth, the telephone and a remotely operable parking heater. In addition, it can receive towards the sky for using satellite services. However, the roof antenna is visible to the user and has mostly a flat structure in the front area in terms of appearance.

[0003] Document DE 11 2015 003 498 T5 shows a vehicle antenna device.

[0004] Document EP 1 760 826 B1 discloses fixing a roof antenna by inserting a tool through a guiding device into the antenna support of a cover.

[0005] Document US 7,091,912 B2 shows a vehicle antenna with improved shielding.

[0006] Another vehicle antenna is known from document DE 10 2007 054 141 B4.

[0007] Document EP 3 561 952 A1 describes an antenna for a vehicle, which has an insulated antenna housing and a base made of plastic, and the antenna housing is fixed to the base.

[0008] Document US 2017 / 0062914 A1 describes an antenna device for a vehicle, which has a substrate made of resin.

[0009] Another antenna device is known from document US 2019 / 0006744 A1.

[0010] A roof antenna and a method for fixing the roof antenna to a vehicle body are known from document DE 10 2012 202 677 A1. Here, the roof antenna is assembled on an opening of the vehicle body and held on the vehicle body in a pre-assembly position. In addition, the roof antenna is fixed to the vehicle body by means of clamping plates in its final assembly position. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to compactly construct an antenna for a vehicle.

[0012] This object is achieved by an antenna system having the features of claim 1. Embodiments of the antenna system result from the dependent claims and the description.

[0013] The antenna system according to the invention is for a roof which serves as an outer wall of a vehicle and has an antenna device which has a housing, a base body made of an electrically insulating or non-conductive material, and a retaining plate. Here, electronic components for a plurality of antenna modules are arranged on the electrically insulating base body, wherein the antenna device has a fixing element, and wherein the fixing element fixes the retaining plate to the roof from the inner side of the roof inside the roof.

[0014] In one embodiment, the base body is formed of plastic. The plurality of antenna modules are different or different from each other, wherein the different antenna modules are configured for different radio technologies, for different transmission standards with electromagnetic waves, for example for different telecommunication services. Here, electromagnetic waves of different frequencies are transmitted and / or received by the different antenna modules, for example. The different antenna modules can operate independently of each other.

[0015] Furthermore, the antenna device has fixing elements for fixing the housing and the base body at, on and / or in the outer wall. Here, at least one first fixing element is configured pin-shaped, for example as a screw or a pin. At least one second fixing element can be configured as a flat disk, wherein the base body is clamped or can be clamped between the second fixing element and the retaining plate and is thus also fixed or can be fixed. Generally, the antenna system is configured to fix the antenna device to the outer wall.

[0016] The antenna system also has, in addition to the antenna device, a recess in the outer wall which is configured to receive the retaining plate in the outer wall.

[0017] The proposed antenna system is designed for an outer wall configured as a roof.

[0018] Furthermore, at least one electronic circuit unit is arranged on the base body. In this design, a plurality of separate electronic circuit units are arranged thereon as electronic components for a plurality of antenna modules.

[0019] Furthermore, a maximum spacing is provided between the electronic components, for example the circuit units, of two different antenna modules.

[0020] The different antenna modules of the antenna system are configured to use different radio technologies.

[0021] The antenna device of the antenna system described has a substrate and a retaining plate made of plastic, whereby additional structural space can be provided for the antenna module and / or electrical components within the antenna device. Here, a plurality of telephone transmitters, for example two telephone transmitters or at least three telephone transmitters, can be arranged as different antenna modules in the antenna device and thus installed or integrated into the antenna device.

[0022] Thus, by using a substrate made of a non-conductive material, the structural space available for the electronic components within the antenna device and / or of the antenna device can be expanded, where the substrate is made of plastic, for example, as a non-conductive material. This further contributes to the weight of the antenna device being able to be reduced and the cost being able to be further reduced.

[0023] The counterweight and / or the ground plane of the antenna device are provided by the retaining plate. Here, when installing the antenna device, starting from the inside, i.e., from the interior space of the vehicle, from the inside of the outer wall configured as the roof, for example from the roof lining, the retaining plate is fixed, for example screwed, to the outer wall. It is hereby stipulated that the retaining plate galvanically connects and / or capacitively connects the antenna device to the outer wall.

[0024] Based on this structure of the antenna device of the antenna system, additional structural space required for this purpose is additionally obtained for the electronic components and / or antenna modules to be arranged therein. The structural space surrounded by the antenna device or by the housing of the antenna device has a maximum extension dimension in the longitudinal direction, where the structural space has, for example, a first front end and, for example, a second rear end, where these two ends are arranged inside the housing. It is possible here that antenna modules are respectively arranged on each end, where the antenna modules to be arranged or arranged in this structural space are provided for different services and communicate via electromagnetic waves of different frequencies for different radio technologies. These two different antenna modules have the maximum possible spacing inside the structural space and / or inside the housing at the two said ends. Here, each antenna module is separated from each other by the substrate, where design parameters for separating the antenna modules are thereby formed. One of the two antenna modules can, for example, be configured as an LTE transmitter for the LTE standard. In addition, at least one antenna module can be configured for the fourth-generation 4G or fifth-generation 5G mobile communication standards.

[0025] In addition, an antenna module for a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) can be integrated / built into the antenna device or in its structural space. In addition, the antenna device and / or its structural space can be at least partially or partly sunk into an outer wall, such as the roof of a vehicle, thereby minimizing the influence of reflected and / or scattered position signals of the global navigation satellite system. In addition, a holding plate can be left below the structural space or the free space, thereby obtaining further design freedom.

[0026] The at least one antenna module can be configured and / or referred to as a telephone transmitter, and a bandwidth of a frequency such as from 617 megahertz to 5 gigahertz is set for the antenna module or for the telephone transmitter. Through the embodiment of the antenna device, two such telephone transmitters can be integrated into the antenna device and thus into the antenna system, and the two telephone transmitters use generally different frequencies within the mentioned bandwidth for communication.

[0027] The at least one antenna module can have an electronic printed circuit board (PCB) as an electronic component and / or can be configured as such a printed circuit board. Such an antenna module configured as a printed circuit board, for example, is directly arranged on a substrate made of an electrically insulating material.

[0028] The substrate or the antenna body of the antenna system is made of an insulating material, such as plastic. Here, the antenna module is located outside the vehicle, and the antenna body encloses a recess in the vehicle or an indentation in the outer wall of the vehicle, such as the roof. A holding plate made of, for example, metal in the automotive recess forms a counterweight relative to the antenna device and is used to connect the antenna device to the outer wall, such as on the roof, in direct current. Nevertheless, the cavity in the outer wall provided by the recess can be used as a structural space for the antenna device. The antenna module or the antenna transmitter can be partly sunk into the roof by means of a mechanical device.

[0029] Other advantages and design options of the present invention are derived from the description and the drawings.

[0030] It goes without saying that the features described above and those to be described later can be used not only in the respectively described combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0031] The present invention is schematically illustrated by means of embodiments in the drawings and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an antenna device disclosed by the prior art;

[0033] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of an antenna device according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of an antenna device according to the present invention. Detailed implementation

[0035] The drawings are described in an associated and general manner, and the same components are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0036] The antenna device 100 known from the prior art, schematically shown in FIG. 1, is constructed and / or shown as a telephone transmitter. Here, the antenna device 100 is arranged on the roof 102 of the vehicle, here arranged in the roof plane. The antenna device 100 has a die-cast body 104 made of zinc as a base plate. In addition, the antenna device 100 includes a housing 106 connected to the die-cast body 104, wherein the die-cast body 104 and the housing 106 enclose the structural space of the antenna device 100. A plane 108 is shown in FIG. 1 within the structural space above the die-cast body 104, in which a printed circuit board, not further shown, is arranged as an electronic component. Here, it is provided that the die-cast body 104 made of metal serves as a carrier for the printed circuit board (PCB). For the antenna profile, the structural space between the printed circuit board and the housing 106 is reserved as an antenna cover.

[0037] In Figure 2 a first embodiment of the antenna system 2 schematically shown, which includes an antenna device 4 having a holding plate 6 on which a base body 8 made of an electrically insulating or non-conductive material (here made of plastic) is arranged. In addition, the antenna device 4 includes a housing 10, which in turn has an inner cover 12 and a contour cover 14. Here, the inner cover 12 and the holding plate 6 enclose the structural space of the antenna device 4. In addition, the contour cover 14 encloses the inner cover 12.

[0038] The antenna system 2 proposed here is provided for an outer wall of a vehicle configured as a roof 16, wherein the roof 16 has a recess 18, which is arranged on the outer side of the roof and / or integrated into the roof 16. Here, the holding plate 6 is arranged in the recess 18. Here, it is possible that the recess 18 is also constructed as part of the proposed embodiment of the antenna system 2 according to the definition. In addition, the antenna system 2 has a plurality of fixing elements 20, and the holding plate 6 and thus the antenna device 4 are fixed to the roof 16 by these fixing elements, that is, here fixed in the recess 18 of the roof 16. Here, it is stipulated that when installing the antenna device 4, the holding plate 6 is arranged in the recess 18. The fixing elements 20 are guided through an opening inside the roof from the inner side of the roof 16, whereby the antenna device 4 is fixed to the roof 16 via the fixing elements 20.

[0039] The recess 18 in the roof 16 can be defined according to a configuration and / or be referred to as an indentation or a roof indentation, which has dimensions configured to arrange the retaining plate 6, for example, completely within the roof 16. In addition, the antenna device 4 can be securely and waterproofly screwed onto the roof 16 by means of a fixing element 20, where the retaining plate 6 is screwed onto the roof 16 and / or inside the roof 16 from below the roof by a fixing element 20 configured as a screw.

[0040] The dimensions of the antenna device 4, the curvature of the roof 16, and the pre-pressed part of the recess 18 in the roof 16 (where the recess 18 is directed upward or outward here) allow for additional structural space for the antenna module, which is implemented or referred to as a transmitter, only in the front, here flat, area of the antenna device 4 by providing a base body 8 that can be implemented as a plastic carrier or at least partially a plastic carrier.

[0041] The antenna device 4 is hereby defined to have a first front end 22 and a second rear end 24. It is hereby stipulated that the height of the structural space at the front end 22 is less than the height of the structural space in or at the rear end 24. Overall, the height of the structural space enclosed by the housing 10 and the retaining plate 6 increases from the first front end 22 towards the second rear end 24. Here, the housing 10 of the antenna device 4 is aerodynamically configured, where the first front end 22 is arranged in front of the second rear end 24 along the forward driving direction of the vehicle.

[0042] In the embodiment of the antenna system 2 presented here, physical structural space for a first antenna module is provided in the region of the first front end 22 and physical structural space for a second antenna module is provided in the region of the second rear end 24. The corresponding antenna modules can be configured and / or referred to as transmitters. Here, the corresponding antenna modules are arranged in the regions of the respective ends 22, 24 on the base body 8. The maximum longitudinal distance extends within the structural space between the two ends 22, 24, thereby ensuring that the antenna modules are sufficiently separated within the antenna device 4.

[0043] In Figure 3 The second embodiment of the antenna system 32 schematically shown in includes an antenna device 34, which has a retaining plate 36, on which a base body 38 made of an electrically insulating or non-conductive material, here plastic, is arranged. In addition, the antenna device 34 includes a housing 40, which in turn has an inner cover 42 and a contour cover 44. Here, the inner cover 42 and the retaining plate 36 enclose the structural space of the antenna device 34. In addition, the contour cover 44 encloses the inner cover 42.

[0044] The antenna system 32 described herein is provided for the outer wall configured as a roof 46 of a vehicle, wherein the roof 46 has a recess 48 which is arranged on the outer side of the roof and / or integrated into the roof 46. Herein, a retaining plate 36 is arranged within the recess 48. It is possible here that the recess 48 is also configured as part of the embodiment of the antenna system 32 described herein according to the definition. Furthermore, the antenna system 32 has a plurality of fixing elements 50, 51, and the retaining plate 36 and thus the antenna device 34 are fixed to the roof 46 by means of these fixing elements, that is, fixed herein within the recess 48 of the roof 46. Herein, three first fixing elements 50 are configured as screws or pins. The second fixing element 51 is configured herein as a flat plate or disk. It is hereby specified that when installing the antenna device 34, the retaining plate 36 is arranged within the recess 48. The first fixing elements 50 are guided through an opening within the roof 46 starting from the inner side of the roof 46. Furthermore, the base body 38 is clamped between the retaining plate 36 and the second flat fixing element 51. The base body 38, the retaining plate 36 and the second fixing element 51 are fixed to the roof 46 within the recess 48 of the roof 46 by means of the first fixing elements 50.

[0045] The recess 48 within the roof 46 can be configured and / or referred to as a concave or roof concave according to the definition, and the concave or roof concave has dimensions configured for arranging the retaining plate 36, for example, completely arranged within the roof 46. Furthermore, the antenna device 34 can be screwed reliably and watertightly to the roof 46 by means of the fixing elements 50, 51, wherein the retaining plate 36 is screwed to the roof 46 and / or inside the roof 46 from below the roof or from the inner side of the roof 46 by means of the first fixing elements 50 and the second fixing element 51.

[0046] The dimensions of the antenna device 34, the curvature of the roof 46, and the pre-stamped portion of the recess 48 in the roof 46 (the recess 48 is oriented upward or outward herein) allow additional structural space for the antenna module, which is implemented or referred to as a transmitter, to be used in the front, herein flat, area of the antenna device 34 by providing a base body 48 that can be implemented as a plastic carrier or a partial plastic carrier.

[0047] The antenna device 34 has a first front end portion 52 and a second rear end portion 54 according to the definition herein. It is hereby specified that the height of the structural space at the front end portion 52 is less than the height of the structural space in or at the rear end portion 54. Generally speaking, the height of the structural space surrounded by the housing 40 and the retaining plate 36 increases from the first front end portion 52 towards the second rear end portion 54. Herein, the housing 40 of the antenna device 34 is configured aerodynamically, wherein the first front end portion 52 is arranged in front of the second rear end portion 54 along the forward driving direction of the vehicle.

[0048] In the embodiment described here of the antenna system 32, a physical structure space for the first antenna module is provided in the region of the first front end 52 and a physical structure space for the second antenna module is provided in the region of the second end 54. The respective antenna modules can be configured and / or referred to as transmitters. Here, the respective antenna modules are arranged in the regions of the respective ends 52, 54 on the substrate. The greatest longitudinal distance extends within the structure space between the two ends 52, 54, thereby ensuring sufficient separation of the antenna modules.

[0049] List of reference numerals

[0050] 2 Antenna system

[0051] 4 Antenna device

[0052] 6 Retaining plate

[0053] 8 Substrate

[0054] 10 Housing

[0055] 12 Inner cover

[0056] 14 Contour cover

[0057] 16 Roof

[0058] 18 Recess

[0059] 20 Fixing element

[0060] 22, 24 Ends

[0061] 32 Antenna system

[0062] 34 Antenna device

[0063] 36 Retaining plate

[0064] 38 Substrate

[0065] 40 Housing

[0066] 42 Inner cover

[0067] 44 Contour cover

[0068] 46 Roof

[0069] 48 Recess

[0070] 50, 51 Fixing elements

[0071] 52, 54 Ends

[0072] 100 Antenna device

[0073] 102 Roof

[0074] 104 Substrate

[0075] 106 Housing

[0076] 108 Plane

Claims

1. An antenna system for a vehicle, which is configured as an outer wall of a vehicle roof (16, 46), the antenna system having an antenna device (4, 34), the antenna device having a housing (10, 40), a substrate (8, 38) made of an electrically insulating material, and a holding plate (6, 36). Wherein, electronic components for a plurality of antenna modules are arranged on the substrate (8, 38), wherein the antenna device (4, 34) has fixing elements (20, 50, 51), which, during installation, fix the holding plate (6, 36) to the outer wall, wherein the holding plate (6, 36) is configured to be received in a recess in the outer wall, wherein, during installation, fixing from the inner side of the outer wall inside the outer wall fixes the holding plate (6, 36) to the outer wall, the antenna device is electrically connected and / or capacitively connected to the outer wall, and wherein the holding plate (6, 36) is made of metal so as to serve as a counterweight and / or a ground plane of the antenna device.

2. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein, the substrate (8, 38) is made of plastic.

3. The antenna system according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to be fixed to a vehicle roof (16, 46).

4. The antenna system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, at least one electronic circuit unit is arranged on the substrate (8, 38).

5. The antenna system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, a maximum spacing is provided between the electronic components of two different antenna modules.

6. The antenna system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the different antenna modules are configured to use different radio technologies.

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