Antenna module for a telematics control unit of a vehicle
By designing a flat slot-shaped antenna module, the problem of obstruction to the antenna module by the metallized crossbeam and the roof cavity was solved, improving communication performance and reducing space occupation, and realizing the independent arrangement of the antenna module and TCU.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511437636.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-10-09
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-10
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the horizontal radiation of the antenna module is obstructed by the metallized crossbeam and the roof cavity, resulting in a decrease in communication performance, especially affecting communication with other vehicles, traffic lights and pedestrians.
Design a flat slot antenna module, including metal parts and connectors. The antenna module is located high on the roof of the vehicle, independent of the TCU, and is connected to the TCU through a flexible PCB transmission line or radio frequency contacts to avoid interference from obstacles.
It improves the low elevation angle radiation of the antenna module, enhances communication performance with other systems, reduces space occupation, and allows for flexible TCU placement in the vehicle.
Smart Images
Figure CN121840170A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna module for a telematics control unit of a vehicle. Such an antenna module can be, but is not exclusively, used in the automotive field. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the automotive field, antenna modules known to the person skilled in the art are configured to communicate wirelessly with different systems, such as cloud services, other vehicles, base stations, infrastructures such as traffic lights, pedestrians, etc.
[0003] The antenna module rests and covers on a metallized crossbar attached to the roof of the vehicle. The metallized crossbar comprises a lower cavity which houses the TCU. The TCU comprises a metal casing which is a back plate screwed to the crossbar and a plastic casing which is an upper plate and which closes the TCU to protect the antenna module and other electronic components of the TCU.
[0004] One problem of this prior art is that the horizontal radiation of the antenna module is hindered by the metallized crossbar and the cavity of the roof, as they form a metal obstacle, which impairs the performance of the antenna module. The horizontal radiation is reflected on this metallized crossbar and cavity. Only the upward radiation is not hindered. As the lower angle radiation, also called horizontal radiation, cannot radiate correctly, it will reduce the communication of the TCU with other systems, in particular with other vehicles, traffic lights and pedestrians.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an antenna module for a telematics control unit of a vehicle which solves the above-mentioned problems. SUMMARY
[0006] To this end, there is provided an antenna module for a telematics control unit of a vehicle, said antenna module comprising:
[0007] - a first casing,
[0008] - a second casing,
[0009] - an electronic support,
[0010] wherein said antenna module comprises:
[0011] - a metal part in the form of a slot, so that the antenna module is a flat slot antenna module, and
[0012] - a connector configured to connect the electronic support to the telematics control unit.
[0013] As we will see in further details, thanks to the metal part of the antenna module in the form of a slot, the antenna module can be located close to the high of the roof of the vehicle, thus improving the lower elevation radiation, also called horizontal radiation, due to less obstacles. Moreover, thanks to the connector of the antenna module, it allows the antenna module to be independent from the TCU; the TCU can be placed in another location different from the antenna module and thus the volume of the space only occupied by the antenna module under the roof of the vehicle is very small.
[0014] According to non-limiting embodiments of the application, the antenna module further comprises the following features.
[0015] In non-limiting embodiments, the antenna module is a V2X antenna module.
[0016] In non-limiting embodiments, the V2X antenna module is configured to operate in a frequency band around 5.9 GHz.
[0017] In non-limiting embodiments, the first housing is an upper housing and the second housing is a lower housing. The upper housing forms the top side of the antenna module and is configured to be the closest to the roof of the vehicle compared to the lower housing when the antenna module is arranged inside the vehicle. The lower housing forms the back side of the antenna module and is configured to be the furthest from the roof of the vehicle compared to the upper housing when the antenna module is arranged inside the vehicle.
[0018] In non-limiting embodiments, the first housing is metallic and the second housing is plastic.
[0019] In non-limiting embodiments, the antenna module further comprises a radio frequency contact from the metal part to the electronic support.
[0020] In non-limiting embodiments, the radio frequency contact is a metal spring or a spring probe.
[0021] In non-limiting embodiments, the antenna module further comprises a flexible PCB transmission line extending from the metal part down to the electronic support and towards the connector.
[0022] In non-limiting embodiments, the metal part of the antenna is configured to be placed along the same local plane as a portion of the roof of the vehicle.
[0023] In non-limiting embodiments, the metal part is printed on the electronic support.
[0024] In non-limiting embodiments, the first housing is plastic and the second housing is plastic.
[0025] In non-limiting embodiments, the antenna module further comprises a transmission line from the connector to the metal part.
[0026] In a non-limiting embodiment, the metal part of the antenna module is configured to be placed towards the back of the roof of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] Some embodiments of methods and / or systems according to embodiments of the application will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which:
[0028] Figure 1a is a schematic side view of an antenna module for a telematics control unit of a vehicle according to a first non-limiting embodiment of the application, the antenna module comprising a first housing, a second housing, an electronic support, a metal part and a connector,
[0029] Figure 1b is a top view of the antenna module of Figure 1a ,
[0030] Figure 1c is a top view of the metal part of the antenna module of Figure 1a and 1b ,
[0031] Figure 1d is a magnified view of the antenna module of Figure 1a and Figure 1b ,
[0032] Figure 1e is a magnified view of the antenna module of Figure 1a and Figure 1b ,
[0033] Figure 2a is a schematic side view of an antenna module for a telematics control unit of a vehicle according to a second non-limiting embodiment of the application, the antenna module comprising a first housing, a second housing, an electronic support, a metal part and a connector,
[0034] Figure 2b is a top view of the antenna module of Figure 2a without the first housing and the second housing,
[0035] Figure 3a is a schematic top view of a roof of a vehicle, Figure 1a and Figure 1b the antenna module of is mounted to this roof, the roof comprising an open slot,
[0036] Figure 3b Figure 2a is a schematic top view of a roof of a vehicle, Figure 2bThe antenna module is mounted to the roof of the vehicle, said roof comprising an open slot,
[0037] Figure 4 is Figure 3a a schematic side view of the roof of a vehicle, Figure 3a The antenna module is mounted under the roof of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] In the following description, functions or structures well known to the person skilled in the art are not described in detail in order not to obscure the present application with unnecessary detail.
[0039] The present application relates to an antenna module 1 for a telematics control unit 3 of a vehicle 2, said antenna module 1 being described with reference to Figures 1a to 2b In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 shown in figure 4 is a motor vehicle. In a non-limiting variant of the embodiment, the motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or a hybrid engine. The telematics control unit is also referred to hereinafter as TCU.
[0040] In a non-limiting embodiment, the antenna module 1 is a V2X antenna module. Thus, the antenna module 1 is a high-frequency antenna module, which is used in particular for wireless communication of the TCU with cloud services, other vehicles, base stations, infrastructure such as traffic lights, buildings, pedestrians, etc., in order to exchange information such as, in non-limiting examples, the position of the vehicle, the speed of the vehicle, engine data, etc. In non-limiting examples, the TCU is used for the safety of the driver and passengers, to optimize traffic flow and to make an automatic emergency call in the event of an accident.
[0041] In a non-limiting embodiment, the antenna module 1 is placed on any surface of the vehicle, for example the lower surface of the roof, or the surface of the cover of the rearview mirror of the vehicle, etc.
[0042] In a non-limiting embodiment, the V2X antenna module 1 operates in the frequency band of 5.9 GHz.
[0043] The antenna module 1 is independent of the TCU.
[0044] As shown in figures 1 and 2, Figure 1a and Figure 2a the antenna module 1 comprises:
[0045] - a first housing 10,
[0046] - a second housing 11,
[0047] - an electronic support 12,
[0048] - a metal part 13,
[0049] - a connector 14
[0050] The antenna module 1 is a planar antenna module compared to a metal stamped antenna module. It does not protrude from the vehicle surface and is flush with the vehicle surface.
[0051] The different elements of the antenna module 1 are described hereinafter.
[0052] The first housing 10 is an upper plate that lays on top of the other elements of the antenna module 1 when the antenna module 1 is placed inside the vehicle 2. It thus forms the top side of the antenna module 1. By “top”, it is meant that it is the closest to the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 compared to the other elements of the antenna module 1 such as the second housing 11 or the electronic support 12. It is thus also called upper housing. It turns towards the roof 21. In non-limiting embodiments, the first housing 10 is metallic or plastic.
[0053] The first housing 10 is configured to be placed in an opening 210 in the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 shown in figure 4. It is thus placed at the same height as the roof 21. In this way, the metallic parts 13 of the antenna module 1 are either at the same height as the roof 21 or are located at a high level close to the roof 21 as described hereinafter.
[0054] The second housing 11 is a back plate that lays below all the other elements of the antenna module 1 when the antenna module 1 is placed inside the vehicle 2. It thus forms the back side of the antenna module 1. By “below” or “back”, it is meant that it is the furthest from the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 compared to the other elements of the antenna module 1 such as the first housing 10 or the electronic support 12. It is thus also called lower housing. It turns towards the interior cabin of the vehicle 2.
[0055] The second housing 11 is configured to close the antenna module 1 at the back so that no one can access the different elements of the antenna module 1, in particular the passengers of the vehicle 2. It thus acts as a cover to protect the different elements of the antenna module 1 from human damage, in particular the metallic parts 13 from human damage. In non-limiting embodiments, the second housing 11 is plastic.
[0056] The second housing 11 is attached to the first housing 10. In non-limiting embodiments, it is screwed to the first housing 10. In other non-limiting embodiments, it is snap connected to the first housing 10 or, in non-limiting examples, glued to the first housing 10 on a circumferential edge.
[0057] In non-limiting embodiments, the electronic support 12 is a printed circuit board assembly, called PCBA. It is placed between the first housing 10 and the second housing 11 as shown in the side view of figures Figure 1a and Figure 2a .
[0058] The metal part 13 of the antenna module 1 is configured to be mounted towards the back of the roof 21 of the vehicle 2, or along the same plane A-A' where the roof 21 locally extends. This plane is called the local plane A-A'. It should be understood that the roof 21 has a curvature and thus extends along different local planes.
[0059] The metal part 13 is in the form of a slot, so that the antenna module 1 is a slot antenna module. The metal part 13 is very thin, so that the antenna module 1 is a flat slot antenna module. The slot antenna module 1 is flush with the considered surface of the vehicle 2, here the roof 21 in the non-limiting example. It is conformal with the considered surface of the vehicle 2.
[0060] The metal part 13 is now described according to Figures 1a to 1d a first non-limiting embodiment.
[0061] In this first non-limiting embodiment, as Figure 1a shown, in a first variant non-limiting embodiment, the metal part 13 is part of the first housing 10. In this first embodiment, the first housing 10 is metallic. In a second variant non-limiting embodiment, the metal part 13 is a separate part of the first housing 10 and extends along the same plane as the first housing 10. In this second embodiment, in the non-limiting embodiment, the first housing 10 is plastic.
[0062] As Figure 1b shown, the metal part 13 is a slot cut in metal.
[0063] When the metal part 13 is placed in the opening 210 of the roof 21 as part of the metal housing 10, the metal part 13 is placed at the same height as the other parts of the metal housing 10. It thus allows the antenna module 1 to be at the same height as the roof 21 itself, which results in a better radiation scheme.
[0064] Indeed, the antenna module 1 can radiate in every direction towards the horizon outside the vehicle 2 without any obstruction and reach other antenna modules of other systems. The radiation scheme is thus improved, in particular the lower elevation angle radiation is improved and there is a better coverage in lower elevation angles. The antenna module 1 thus allows a better communication of the TCU with other systems, in particular with for example other vehicles moving on the same road as the vehicle 2, or for example other vehicles parked at the same level as the vehicle 2, or in another non-limiting example with pedestrian systems.
[0065] The metal part 13 is shown in Figure 1c .
[0066] In a non-limiting embodiment, the metal part 13 is a metal stamped or molded or printed on the first housing 10. It is in the form of a slot as described above. Thereby, the antenna module 1 is a flat slot antenna module. Thus, in the case of a V2X antenna module, it is also called a slot-shaped V2X antenna module 1. This form of slot allows matching with a corresponding form 210 (described later) in the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 when the antenna module 1 is installed in the vehicle 2.
[0067] As shown in Figure 1d , in a first non-limiting variant of the embodiment, the antenna module 1 also comprises radio frequency contacts 15, called RF (“Radio Frequency”) contacts 15, which extend from the metal part 13 to the electronic support 12. It allows connecting the antenna module 1 to the TCU, in particular to the communication module 30 of the TCU (as shown in Figure 4a , via the connector 14. In a non-limiting embodiment, the RF contacts are metal springs or spring probes. In a non-limiting example, there is one RF contact for the feed and one RF contact for the ground.
[0068] As shown in Figure 1e , in a second non-limiting variant of the embodiment, the antenna module 1 also comprises a flexible PCB (“Printed Circuit Board”) transmission line 16, also called FBC transmission line, which extends from the metal part 13 down to the electronic support 12 and towards the connector 14. It allows connecting the antenna module 1 to the TCU, in particular to the module 30 of the TCU, via the connector 14. The flexible transmission line is a solid connection which can avoid vibrations when the vehicle 2 moves.
[0069] The metal part 13 is now described according to the second non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b .
[0070] In this second non-limiting embodiment, the metal part 13 is part of the electronic support 12, thus extends along the same plane as the electronic support 12. This allows obtaining a thinner antenna module 1 than in the first non-limiting embodiment. In a non-limiting embodiment, the metal part 13 is printed on the electronic support 12. It allows reducing the cost of the antenna module 1 as no spring contacts or spring probes are needed. It also allows reducing the manufacturing time.
[0071] In this second non-limiting embodiment, the first housing 10 is plastic and the second housing 11 is also plastic in a non-limiting embodiment. The first housing 10 and the second housing 11 allow sealing the antenna module 1 to protect the printed metal part 13 from external factors such as dust or water.
[0072] In this second embodiment, the antenna module 1 also includes a transmission line 17 from the connector 14 to the metal component 14. This allows the antenna module 1 to communicate with the TCU (specifically, the TCU module 30).
[0073] In this second embodiment, the metal component 13 is configured to be positioned facing the back of a portion of the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 and corresponding to the opening 210 of the roof 21. Here, the metal component 13 does not extend along the same local plane A-A' of the roof 21 and therefore is not as tall as in the first non-limiting embodiment, but it is still positioned near the height of the roof 21, ensuring that lower elevation radiation is not obstructed. Therefore, the antenna module 1 can radiate towards the horizon outside the vehicle 2 in every direction without any obstruction, and reach other antenna modules of other systems. Thus, lower elevation radiation is improved, and better coverage is achieved.
[0074] Connector 14 will now be described. It connects antenna module 1 to the TCU, and more particularly to communication module 30 of the TCU. In the case of V2X antenna module 1, module 30 of the TCU is a V2X module. V2X module 30 allows signals received from V2X antenna module 1 to be transmitted to other vehicle, pedestrian, or infrastructure antennas. As is known to those skilled in the art, it will not be described here. It should be noted that the TCU may also include other antennas, such as cellular antennas. Cellular antennas are configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to cellular base stations. They are specifically used by the TCU to transmit data and voice signals.
[0075] The vehicle 2 with antenna module 1 installed is now described.
[0076] like Figure 4a and 4b As shown, vehicle 2 includes a surface 21 on which antenna module 1 is placed. In a non-limiting embodiment, surface 21 is the roof of vehicle 2. This non-limiting embodiment of the roof is regarded as a non-limiting example below.
[0077] like Figure 3a and 3b As shown, the roof 21 includes:
[0078] -Main body 210,
[0079] -Opening groove 211.
[0080] The main body 210 does not include any lower cavity. The main body 210 is metallic.
[0081] An opening slot 211 is formed in the body 210. This allows the metal component 13 of the antenna module 1 to be positioned relative to it. In other words, the opening slot 211 is configured to be positioned relative to the metal component 13, which is in the form of a slot, such that the antenna module 1 is a flat slot antenna module.
[0082] The opening slot 211 has the same form as the metal part 13. Therefore, in Figure 1b In a first non-limiting embodiment of the metal component 3, the opening slot 211 has a... Figure 3a The same form is shown. In the same way, in... Figure 2b In a second non-limiting embodiment of the metal component 3, the opening slot 211 has a... Figure 3b It has the same form as shown. The size of the opening slot 211 is slightly larger than the size of the metal part 13. Therefore, all the radiation (upward radiation Ru and horizontal radiation Rh) of the antenna module 1 can pass through the opening slot 211 and reach the outside of the vehicle 2 without any obstruction or reflection on any part of the vehicle 2.
[0083] exist Figure 4a and Figure 4b In the non-limiting embodiment shown, vehicle 2 further includes a bracket 22 configured to allow antenna module 1 to be mounted to roof 21. In a non-limiting variation of the embodiment, bracket 22 is part of or fixed to roof 21. In a non-limiting variation of the embodiment, bracket 22 is made of metal or plastic. As shown in FIG. 4, antenna module 1 rests on these brackets 22. In other non-limiting embodiments not shown, antenna module 1 is snapped to roof 21, glued to roof 21, clipped onto roof 21, etc.
[0084] It should be noted that Figure 4a It shows according to Figure 1b The first non-limiting embodiment of the vehicle 1 has a roof 21 that integrates the antenna module 1 and the metal plate 13 on the same local plane A-A' (in Figure 4b (as shown in the diagram), but of course, by replacing the metal plate 13 of the first non-limiting embodiment with a second non-limiting embodiment, the... Figure 4a It can also be applied to according to Figure 2b The metal plate 13 of the second non-limiting embodiment is located near the antenna module 1 on the roof 21.
[0085] It should be noted that, Figure 4a The TCU, referred to as 3, is placed in a different location than the antenna module 1, and is connected via cable 23 (in Figure 4a(As shown in the figure) It is connected to the antenna module 1 via connector 14. Therefore, it can be placed anywhere in the vehicle 2, either near the antenna module 1 under the roof 21, or under the roof 21 but slightly further away, or in another part of the vehicle 2 away from the antenna module 1.
[0086] exist Figure 4b In the non-limiting embodiment shown, vehicle 2 also includes a plastic cover 212 to cover antenna module 1 when it is installed in vehicle 2. This allows protection of antenna module 1 from external factors such as dust or rain. The plastic cover 212 is slightly larger than the opening 210 of roof 21 to allow it to be closed. The plastic cover 212 is part of roof 21 and extends along the metal body 210 of roof 21.
[0087] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above applications, and various embodiments, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All statements herein describing the principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to cover their equivalents. In this regard, the following description is provided.
[0088] Therefore, some embodiments of the present invention may include one or more of the following advantages:
[0089] It provides an antenna module 1 with better radiation performance, particularly regarding its unblocked horizontal radiation Rh, enabling the connected TCU to have better performance for communication with other systems.
[0090] - It provides an antenna module 1 with a low profile, which solves the space constraints, especially the height constraints, below the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 where the antenna module 1 is arranged.
[0091] Since the antenna module 1 is not integrated into the TCU but is independent of the TCU, it allows the TCU to be placed anywhere in the vehicle 2, and not necessarily under the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 as is traditionally done. Therefore, there are fewer constraints on the size of the TCU itself.
[0092] It provides an antenna module 1, which is a planar antenna arranged differently from a conventional antenna. This antenna has components arranged in a meandering manner, housed within a cavity arrangement and located below a vehicle surface considered to be the roof. It provides an antenna module 1 that is more efficient in horizontal radiation than a cavity arrangement, particularly in the context of V2X antenna modules.
Claims
1. An antenna module (1) for a telematics control unit (3) of a vehicle (2), the antenna module (1) comprising: - First shell (10). -Second shell (11) - Electronic support component (12). The antenna module (1) includes: - A slotted metal component (13) makes the antenna module (1) a flat slot antenna module, and - Connector (14), which is configured to connect the electronic support (12) to the telematics control unit (3).
2. The antenna module (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The antenna module (1) is a V2X antenna module.
3. The antenna module (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The V2X antenna module (1) is configured to operate in a frequency band around 5.9 GHz.
4. The antenna module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first housing (10) is the upper housing, and the second housing (11) is the lower housing.
5. The antenna module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The metal component (13) is part of the first housing (10).
6. The antenna module (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The first housing (10) is metal, and the second housing (11) is plastic.
7. The antenna module (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The antenna module (1) also includes radio frequency contacts (15) extending from the metal component (13) to the electronic support (12).
8. The antenna module (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The radio frequency contact (15) is a metal spring or a spring probe.
9. The antenna module (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The antenna module (1) also includes a flexible PCB transmission line (16) extending downward from the metal component (13) to the electronic support (12) and toward the connector (14).
10. The antenna module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The metal component (13) of the antenna (1) is configured to be placed along a local plane (A-A') that is the same as a portion of the roof (21) of the vehicle (2).
11. The antenna module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The metal component (13) is part of the electronic support (12).
12. The antenna module (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The metal component (13) is printed on the electronic support (12).
13. The antenna module (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The first housing (10) is made of plastic, and the second housing (11) is made of plastic.
14. The antenna module (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The antenna module (1) also includes a transmission line (17) extending from the connector (14) to the metal component (13).
15. The antenna module (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, The metal component (13) of the antenna module (1) is configured to be placed on the back of the roof (21) of the vehicle (2).