Punch antenna forming technique

Abstract

The present invention relates to stamp antenna forming techniques. A vehicle, an antenna assembly for a vehicle, and a method of assembling an antenna are disclosed. The vehicle includes a housing having a passage formed therethrough. A circuit board is disposed within the housing. An antenna element is coupled to the circuit board and passes through the passage. A plug fills an annular volume of the passage between the antenna element and the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to antenna design for automotive vehicles, and more particularly to antenna elements and methods for attaching antenna elements to an antenna circuit board of a vehicle, the antenna elements protecting the circuit board from external components. Background Technology

[0002] Automotive vehicles typically include antennas for communicating electromagnetic signals. To seal / protect the antenna from any external environmental factors, a plastic cover conforming to the antenna's shape is usually shrink-wrapped around it. Because antennas can have their own unique designs, which can be complex in some cases, shrink-wrapping can be an expensive process. Therefore, there is a need for a cost-effective antenna assembly that can support multiple antenna designs while maintaining adequate environmental protection. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one exemplary embodiment, a method for assembling an antenna is disclosed. A circuit board is disposed within a housing having a channel formed therethrough. An antenna element, including a plug, is coupled to the circuit board by passing an antenna element through the channel. The annular volume between the antenna element and the channel is filled by the plug.

[0004] In addition to one or more features described herein, the plug also includes an O-ring, and the method further includes filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel with the O-ring. The antenna element includes a connector, and the plug is coupled to a portion of the antenna element near the connector. The method further includes filling the channel with the plug when the connector is assembled into a socket on the circuit board. The method further includes soldering the connector into the socket. The method further includes placing a cover on the housing to form a barrier area for the antenna element. The method further includes forming the antenna element using a stamping process. The method further includes sealing and isolating the circuit board from the external environment through the plug in the channel.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, an antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a circuit board, an antenna element, and a plug. The circuit board is disposed within a housing having a channel formed therethrough. The antenna element is coupled to the circuit board and passes through the channel. The plug fills the annular volume of the channel between the antenna element and the housing.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the antenna assembly includes an O-ring for filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel. The antenna element includes a connector, and the plug is coupled to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, filling the channel when the connector is assembled into a socket on the circuit board. In an embodiment, the connector is soldered into the socket. The antenna assembly also includes a cover that forms a barrier area for the communication end of the antenna element. In an embodiment, the antenna element is a stamped element. The plug seals the circuit board within a housing to protect it from external environmental influences.

[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes: a housing having a channel formed therethrough; and a circuit board disposed within the housing. An antenna element is coupled to the circuit board and passes through the channel. A plug fills the annular volume of the channel between the antenna element and the housing.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the plug includes an O-ring for filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel. The antenna element includes a connector, and the plug is coupled to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, filling the channel when the connector is fitted into a socket on the circuit board. The vehicle also includes a cover that forms a barrier area for the communication end of the antenna element. In an embodiment, the antenna element is a stamped element. The plug seals the circuit board within a housing, protecting it from external environmental influences.

[0009] Option 1: A method for assembling an antenna, comprising:

[0010] The circuit board is housed within a housing, which has a channel extending therethrough.

[0011] The antenna element is connected to the circuit board by passing it through the channel; the antenna element includes a connector; and

[0012] The plug is used to fill the annular volume between the antenna element and the channel.

[0013] Option 2: According to the method of Option 1, wherein the plug further includes an O-ring, and the method further includes filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel with the O-ring.

[0014] Option 3: According to the method of Option 1, wherein the antenna element includes a connector and the plug is coupled to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, and the method further includes filling the channel with the plug when the connector is assembled into a socket on the circuit board.

[0015] Option 4, according to the method of Option 3, further includes soldering the connector to the socket.

[0016] Option 5, according to the method of Option 1, further includes placing a cover on the housing to form a barrier area for the antenna element.

[0017] Option 6: The method according to Option 1 further includes forming the antenna element using a stamping process.

[0018] Option 7: The method according to Option 1 further includes sealing the circuit board from external environmental influences through the plug in the channel.

[0019] Option 8: An antenna assembly, comprising:

[0020] A circuit board disposed within a housing, the housing having a channel formed therethrough;

[0021] Antenna element, the antenna element being coupled to the circuit board and passing through the channel; and

[0022] A plug that fills the annular volume of the channel between the antenna element and the housing.

[0023] Option 9: The antenna assembly according to Option 8 further includes an O-ring for filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel.

[0024] Option 10: The antenna assembly according to Option 8, wherein the antenna element includes a connector and the plug is coupled to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, and wherein the plug fills the channel when the connector is assembled into a socket on the circuit board.

[0025] Option 11: The antenna assembly according to Option 10, wherein the connector is soldered into the socket.

[0026] Option 12, the antenna assembly according to Option 8, further includes a cover that forms a blocking area for the communication end of the antenna element.

[0027] Option 13: The antenna assembly according to Option 8, wherein the antenna element is a stamped element.

[0028] Option 14: The antenna assembly according to Option 8, wherein the plug seals the circuit board within the housing to protect it from external environmental influences.

[0029] Option 15: A vehicle comprising:

[0030] A housing having a channel formed therethrough;

[0031] Circuit board disposed within the housing;

[0032] Antenna element, the antenna element being coupled to the circuit board and passing through the channel; and

[0033] A plug that fills the annular volume of the channel between the antenna element and the housing.

[0034] Option 16: The vehicle according to Option 15, wherein the plug further includes an O-ring for filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel.

[0035] Option 17: The vehicle according to Option 15, wherein the antenna element includes a connector and the plug is coupled to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, and wherein the plug fills the channel when the connector is assembled into a socket on the circuit board.

[0036] Option 18, the vehicle according to Option 15, further includes a cover that forms a blocking area for the communication end of the antenna element.

[0037] Option 19: The vehicle according to Option 15, wherein the antenna element is a stamped element.

[0038] Option 20: The vehicle according to Option 15, wherein the plug seals the circuit board within the housing to protect it from external environmental influences.

[0039] The above-described features and advantages of this disclosure, as well as other features and advantages, will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Other features, advantages, and details are presented by way of example only in the following detailed description, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0041] Figure 1 It is a vehicle with integrated antenna components;

[0042] Figure 2 It is support Figure 1 A side view of the housing of the antenna element;

[0043] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Side view of the antenna element;

[0044] Figure 4 A side view of an antenna element is shown, which is coupled to a circuit board of an antenna assembly to form the antenna assembly; and

[0045] Figure 5 A perspective view of the cover of the antenna assembly is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The following description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. It should be understood that in all the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 Vehicle 100 is shown. Vehicle 100 includes an antenna element 102. A cover 104 is attached to the outer surface of vehicle 100 to surround the antenna element 102. The cover 104 and the outer surface of vehicle 100 form a barrier region 106 within which the antenna element 102 is housed, and the barrier region 106 protects the antenna element from environmental influences. The barrier region 106 is large enough to accommodate the antenna element 102. Generally, the geometry of the barrier region 106 does not conform to the geometry of the antenna element 102.

[0048] Figure 2 The support at 100 points on the vehicle is shown. Figure 1 A side view of the housing 200 of the antenna element 102. The housing 200 may be an attachment to the vehicle 100 or an integrated component of the vehicle. The housing 200 includes an upper housing member 202 and a lower housing member 204. An O-ring seal 206 may be used to engage the upper housing member 202 to the lower housing member 204 to form an environmentally friendly seal. In various embodiments, the upper housing 202 and the lower housing 204 may be made of plastic. The upper housing 202 forms a cavity 208 therein for accommodating a circuit board 210. The cavity 208 and the circuit board 210 are exposed to the external environment 214 through a channel 212 in the upper housing 202.

[0049] Circuit board 210 is disposed within cavity 208 of upper housing 202. Circuit board 210 includes circuitry for communicating signals via antenna element 102, such as by receiving radio frequency signals, GPS satellite signals, etc. Circuit board 210 includes mounting slot 216 for antenna element 102. When circuit board 210 is disposed in cavity 208, socket 216 is aligned with channel 212.

[0050] Figure 3 Show Figure 1A side view 300 of antenna element 102. Antenna element 102 is typically a metal element, which may be a stamped element or formed using a stamping process. Antenna element 102 includes a communication portion 302 and a connector 304. Connector 304 is designed to be mounted into a mounting slot 216 of circuit board 210. Mounting slot 216 and connector 304 are designed to have similar geometries so that the connector can be locked or mounted in a secure and stable position within the mounting slot. Connector 304 can be soldered into place within mounting slot 216. Two different antenna elements may have different designs for their communication portions while still having the same design or geometry for their connectors. Thus, a first antenna element with a communication portion of a first design can be attached to circuit board 210 as easily as a second antenna element with a communication portion of a second design. A plug 308 is disposed around the portion of the communication portion 302 of antenna element 102 that includes connector 304. Plug 308 is a generally annular ring that is mounted around the communication portion 302 without covering connector 304. One or more O-rings 310 may be wrapped around the plug 308.

[0051] Figure 4 A side view 400 of antenna element 102 is shown, which is coupled to circuit board 210 of antenna assembly. The communication portion 302 of antenna element 102 is fitted through channel 212 of upper housing 202 to allow connector 304 to be fitted into mounting slot 216 of circuit board 210. When connector 304 of antenna element passes through channel 212 to fit into mounting slot 216, plug 308 fills the annular volume between antenna element 102 and inner wall 402 of channel 212. One or more O-rings 310 fill any gaps between plug 308 and inner wall 402. Thus, plug 308 and O-rings 310 seal the circuit board against external environmental influences. Communication end 304 extends outside upper housing 202.

[0052] Figure 5 A perspective view 500 of the antenna assembly cover 104 is shown. The size or profile of the cover 104 differs from or does not follow the size or profile of the antenna or the communication end 304 of the antenna. Instead, the cover 104 forms a "blocking zone" (KOZ) with a sufficiently large volume to house the antenna regardless of the specific design of the communication end. To replace the first antenna with the second antenna, the cover 104 is removed from the housing or vehicle, the first antenna is removed from the circuit board, the second antenna is attached to the circuit board, and then the cover is reattached to the housing or vehicle. The KOZ is capable of accommodating the profiles of the communication ends of both the first and second antennas.

[0053] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements therein without departing from its scope. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A method for assembling an antenna, comprising: The circuit board is housed within a housing, which has a channel extending therethrough. The antenna element is connected to the circuit board by passing it through the channel. The antenna element includes a plug that directly contacts the sidewall of the communication portion of the antenna element. The antenna element also includes a connector that extends directly from the bottom of the communication portion and can be inserted into a mounting slot on the circuit board. The antenna element and the plug can be removed as a whole through the channel of the housing. as well as The plug is used to fill the annular volume between the antenna element and the channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The plug further includes an O-ring, and the method further includes filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel with the O-ring.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The plug is connected to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, and the method further includes filling the channel with the plug when the connector is assembled into a mounting slot on the circuit board.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising welding the connector into the mounting groove.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing a cover on the housing to form a barrier region for the antenna element.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the antenna element using a stamping process.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sealing the circuit board against external environmental influences through the plug in the channel.

8. An antenna assembly, comprising: A circuit board disposed within a housing, the housing having a channel formed therethrough; An antenna element is attached to the circuit board and passes through the channel. The antenna element also includes a connector that extends directly from the bottom of the communication section of the antenna element and is capable of being inserted into a mounting slot on the circuit board. as well as A plug that fills the annular volume of the channel between the antenna element and the housing, the plug being in direct contact with the sidewall of the communication portion of the antenna element. The antenna element and the plug can be removed as a whole through the channel of the housing.

9. The antenna assembly of claim 8, further comprising an O-ring for filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel.

10. The antenna assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The plug is connected to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, and wherein the plug fills the channel when the connector is assembled into a mounting slot on the circuit board.

11. The antenna assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The connector is soldered into the mounting slot.

12. The antenna assembly of claim 8, further comprising a cover forming a blocking region for a communication end of the antenna element.

13. The antenna assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The antenna element is a stamped element.

14. The antenna assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The plug seals the circuit board within the housing, protecting it from external environmental influences.

15. A vehicle comprising: A housing having a channel formed therethrough; Circuit board disposed within the housing; An antenna element is attached to the circuit board and passes through the channel. The antenna element also includes a connector that extends directly from the bottom of the communication section of the antenna element and is capable of being inserted into a mounting slot on the circuit board. as well as A plug that fills the annular volume of the channel between the antenna element and the housing, the plug being in direct contact with the sidewall of the communication portion of the antenna element. The antenna element and the plug can be removed as a whole through the channel of the housing.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein, The plug also includes an O-ring for filling the gap between the plug and the wall of the channel.

17. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein, The plug is connected to a portion of the antenna element near the connector, and wherein the plug fills the channel when the connector is assembled into a mounting slot on the circuit board.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a cover forming a blocking area for the communication end of the antenna element.

19. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein, The antenna element is a stamped element.

20. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein, The plug seals the circuit board within the housing, protecting it from external environmental influences.

Images