Relay device, relay system, and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a relay device, a relay system and a carrying tool. The relay device comprises a first antenna arranged on the glass piece; the circuit board is arranged on the glass piece; and the relay circuit is arranged on the circuit board, is coupled with the first antenna, and is used for processing the radio-frequency signal received by the first antenna and then sending the radio-frequency signal to at least one receiving end. By adopting the scheme, the relay of the radio frequency signal received by the antenna on the glass piece can be realized, so that the problem of poor signal quality in the vehicle is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and particularly to a relay device, a relay system, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of new-generation information technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and big data, the automotive industry is comprehensively promoting the networking and intelligentization of new energy vehicles, and intelligent connected vehicles are showing a strong development momentum. As one of the core radiation components for wireless communication in intelligent connected vehicles, the performance of vehicle-mounted antennas directly affects the communication quality of the communication system of intelligent connected vehicles.

[0003] However, with the development of intelligent connected vehicles, the glass coverage area on vehicles is increasing, and the glass with Low-E (English full name: Low Emissivity) film has a strong attenuation effect on radio signals, resulting in poor signal quality inside the vehicle and affecting the communication of in-vehicle terminal devices. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a relay device, a relay system, and a vehicle for the above technical problems.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a relay device, which includes:

[0006] A first antenna disposed on a glass member;

[0007] A circuit board disposed on the glass member;

[0008] A relay circuit disposed on the circuit board, coupled to the first antenna, to perform signal processing on the radio frequency signal received by the first antenna and then send it to at least one receiving end.

[0009] In one embodiment, the relay circuit includes: an amplifier circuit and a power divider; a first end of the amplifier circuit is coupled to the first antenna, a second end of the amplifier circuit is connected to a first end of the power divider, and a second end of the power divider is connected to each receiving end.

[0010] In one embodiment, the receiving end includes a second antenna, and the relay circuit further includes an attenuator; the attenuator is disposed between the power divider and the second antenna.

[0011] In one embodiment, the receiving end includes a controller, and the relay circuit further includes a radio frequency connector; the radio frequency connector is disposed between the power divider and the controller.

[0012] In one embodiment, the relay circuit further includes a coupler; the coupler is disposed between the power divider and the radio frequency connector.

[0013] In one embodiment, the relay circuit further includes a temperature sensor; the temperature sensor is connected to the coupler.

[0014] In one embodiment, the relay circuit further includes a power supply circuit, which is arranged between the power divider and the amplifier circuit to supply power to the amplifier circuit by using the electric energy output by the power divider.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second antenna is arranged on the circuit board.

[0016] In one embodiment, the radio frequency signal is a GNSS signal.

[0017] In one embodiment, the glass member includes a first glass member and a second glass member. The first glass member includes a first surface and a second surface, and the second glass member includes a third surface and a fourth surface. The first surface is away from the third surface, the second surface is close to the third surface, the third surface is close to the second surface, and the fourth surface is away from the second surface; the first antenna and the circuit board are first arranged on any one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a relay system, which includes at least one receiving end and the relay device described in any one of the above first aspects; each receiving end is connected to the relay device.

[0019] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a vehicle, which includes the relay system described in the above second aspect.

[0020] The above relay device includes: a first antenna arranged on the glass member; a circuit board arranged on the glass member; a relay circuit arranged on the circuit board, and the relay circuit is coupled to the first antenna to perform signal processing on the radio frequency signal received by the first antenna and then send it to at least one receiving end, that is, through the relay circuit, the relay of the radio frequency signal received by the antenna on the glass member is realized, thereby solving the problem of poor in-vehicle signal quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or related technologies, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present application or related technologies. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first relay device in one embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second relay device in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the third relay device in an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the fourth relay device in an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the fifth relay device in an embodiment.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0028] 100 - glass component, 200 - first antenna, 300 - circuit board, 400 - relay circuit, 500 - receiving end, 600 - attenuator, 700 - RF connector, 800 - coupler, 900 - temperature sensor, 1000 - power supply circuit;

[0029] 101 - first glass component, 102 - second glass component, 201 - shielding cover, 401 - amplifier circuit, 402 - power divider. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer and more understandable, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.

[0032] It can be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. used in this application can be used herein to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the first element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of this application, the first resistor can be called the second resistor, and similarly, the second resistor can be called the first resistor. Both the first resistor and the second resistor are resistors, but they are not the same resistor.

[0033] It can be understood that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0034] In the description of this application, it should be understood that in this application, "electrical connection" can be understood as physical contact and electrical conduction between components; it can also be understood as the form in which different components in the circuit structure are connected through physical lines such as printed circuit board (PCB) copper foil or wires that can transmit electrical signals. "Coupling" can be understood as electrical conduction through air through indirect coupling. Among them, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the coupling phenomenon refers to the phenomenon that there is close cooperation and mutual influence between the input and output of two or more circuit elements or electrical networks, and energy is transmitted from one side to the other through interaction.

[0035] With the rapid development of new generation information technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and big data, the automotive industry is comprehensively promoting the networking and intelligence of new energy vehicles, and intelligent connected vehicles are showing a strong development momentum. As one of the core radiation components for wireless communication of intelligent connected vehicles, the performance of vehicle antennas directly affects the communication quality of the intelligent connected vehicle communication system. In particular, for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antennas, their performance directly affects the autonomous driving function of intelligent connected vehicles.

[0036] However, with the development of intelligent connected vehicles, the glass coverage area on vehicles is getting larger and larger, and the glass with Low-E (English full name: Low Emissivity, Chinese: low radiation) film has a strong attenuation effect on radio signals, which makes the signal quality inside the car poor and affects the communication of terminal devices in the car. For example, it will affect the communication of users' mobile phones and the automatic driving function of intelligent connected vehicles.

[0037] Based on this, it is necessary to propose effective technical means to solve the above problems. The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. In addition, the following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments.

[0038] In one embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, a relay device is provided, which includes: a first antenna 200 arranged on a glass piece 100; a circuit board 300 arranged on the glass piece 100; a relay circuit 400 arranged on the circuit board 300, coupled to the first antenna 200, so as to process the radio frequency signal received by the first antenna 200 and send it to at least one receiving end 500.

[0039] Among them, the glass part 100 can be a sunroof glass, a front windshield, a rear windshield or a side window glass. Optionally, the glass part 100 is a laminated glass, including a first glass part 101 and a second glass part 102. The first glass part 101 includes a first surface and a second surface, and the second glass part 102 includes a third surface and a fourth surface. The first surface is away from the third surface, the second surface is close to the third surface, the third surface is close to the second surface, and the fourth surface is away from the second surface. When the glass part 100 is installed on a vehicle, when looking from the interior space of the vehicle to the outside of the window, they are the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface respectively. The glass part 100 may further include an intermediate layer, and the material of the intermediate layer may be selected as PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral), which can bond the first glass part 101 and the second glass part 102 together through a laminating process to form a laminated glass, which can effectively improve the strength and toughness of the glass part 100, and at the same time can also improve the anti-collision ability and safety performance of the glass part 100.

[0040] The first antenna 200 can be a circularly polarized antenna that realizes coverage of multiple frequency bands of GNSS or GPS (Global Positioning System) L1, L2, and L5. Specifically, the first antenna 200 can be a ceramic antenna or an antenna composed of at least one radiator.

[0041] Optionally, the first antenna 200 is disposed on any one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface of the glass part 100. Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, the first antenna is disposed on the second surface or the third surface of the glass part 100, that is, disposed in the interlayer of the glass part 100. In this way, on the one hand, it can reduce the interference of the body sheet metal and other active devices, and on the other hand, the antenna is completely encapsulated in the glass interlayer, which can effectively prevent moisture and dust from entering, greatly enhancing the durability and service life of the antenna.

[0042] The circuit board 300 can be a PCB board, which is disposed on any one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface of the glass part 100. The circuit board 300 can be coplanar with the first antenna 200 or non-coplanar. Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, the circuit board 300 is disposed on the fourth surface of the glass part 100. In this way, on the one hand, the distance from the first antenna 200 is relatively close, which is convenient for coupling and feeding, and on the other hand, it is convenient for disassembly and replacement after the circuit board 300 is damaged.

[0043] Optionally, both the first antenna 200 and the circuit board 300 are disposed within the black edge area of the glass part 100 to avoid affecting the light transmittance of the glass part 100.

[0044] The relay circuit 400 includes an amplification circuit, which is disposed on the circuit board 300 and coupled to the first antenna 200, and is used to amplify the radio frequency signal received by the first antenna 200 and then send it to at least one receiving end 500. Wherein, when the first antenna 200 is a GNSS antenna, the radio frequency signal is a GNSS signal; when the first antenna 200 is a GPS signal, the radio frequency signal is a GPS signal.

[0045] The receiving end 500 can be a second antenna or a controller. When the receiving end 500 is the second antenna, the second antenna transmits after receiving the radio frequency signal amplified by the relay circuit 400, so as to realize in-vehicle wireless coverage and meet the requirements of in-vehicle terminal devices for radio frequency signals. When the receiving end 500 is a controller, the controller analyzes the radio frequency signal amplified by the relay circuit 400, and then uses the analysis result as the output data of the autonomous driving algorithm, thus ensuring the normal operation of the autonomous driving system.

[0046] The relay device further includes a shielding cover 201, which is fixed on the circuit board 300 and covers the relay circuit 400 to prevent the relay circuit 400 from being interfered by the outside world.

[0047] In this embodiment, the relay device includes: the first antenna 200 disposed on the glass member 100; the circuit board 300 disposed on the glass member 100; the relay circuit 400 disposed on the circuit board 300, and the relay circuit 400 is coupled to the first antenna 200 to perform signal processing on the radio frequency signal received by the first antenna 200 and then send it to at least one receiving end 500, that is, through the relay circuit 400, the relay of the radio frequency signal received by the first antenna on the glass member 100 is realized, thereby solving the problem of poor in-vehicle signal quality.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, a relay circuit is provided. The relay circuit 400 includes: an amplification circuit 401 and a power splitter 402; the first end of the amplification circuit 401 is coupled to the first antenna 200, the second end of the amplification circuit 401 is connected to the first end of the power splitter 402, and the second end of the power splitter 402 is connected to each receiving end 500.

[0049] Wherein, the amplification circuit 401 includes a filter and an amplifier. The first end of the filter is coupled to the first antenna 200, the first end of the filter is connected to the input end of the amplifier, and the output end of the amplifier is connected to the first end of the power splitter 402.

[0050] The filter is used to filter the received radio frequency signal, that is, to suppress out-of-band interference signals, such as wifi signals, 4G signals or 5G signals.

[0051] The amplifier is used to boost the power level of the radio frequency signal, achieving amplification of the radio frequency signal, so as to ensure that the radio frequency signal can effectively reach the receiving end 500 and ensure the coverage of the radio frequency signal transmitted through the receiving end 500.

[0052] The power splitter 402 is used to distribute the radio frequency signal to each receiving end 500.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, a relay circuit is provided. The receiving end 500 includes a second antenna, and the relay circuit 400 further includes an attenuator 600; the attenuator 600 is disposed between the power splitter 402 and the second antenna. The receiving end 500 includes a controller, and the relay circuit 400 further includes a radio frequency connector 700; the radio frequency connector 700 is disposed between the power splitter 402 and the controller.

[0054] Among them, the second antenna includes a linearly polarized antenna or a circularly polarized antenna, which is used to transmit the signal received from the attenuator 600. The second antenna can be an on-board antenna disposed on the circuit board 300.

[0055] The attenuator 600 is used to reduce the power of the radio frequency signal output from the power splitter 402, achieving attenuation of the radio frequency signal, and ensuring that the radio frequency signal reaches the required level within a specific range. The magnitude of the attenuation of the radio frequency signal by the attenuator 600 is not limited here, and it can be calculated according to the design of the radio frequency link, as long as it ensures that the radio frequency link has no self-oscillation phenomenon.

[0056] The attenuator 600 is disposed between the power splitter 402 and the second antenna. That is, the first end of the attenuator 600 is connected to the second end of the power splitter 402, and the second end of the attenuator 600 is connected to the second antenna. Among them, the first end of the attenuator 600 and the second end of the power splitter 402 are electrically connected, and the second end of the attenuator 600 and the second antenna can be coupled or electrically connected.

[0057] The controller includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and the ECU is a dedicated microcomputer controller for automobiles.

[0058] The radio frequency connector 700 can be, for example, a Fakra connector, which is used to realize the transmission of the radio frequency signal between the power splitter 402 and the controller.

[0059] The radio frequency connector 700 is disposed between the power splitter 402 and the controller. That is, the first end of the radio frequency connector 700 is connected to the second end of the power splitter 402, and the second end of the radio frequency connector 700 is connected to the controller. Among them, the first end of the radio frequency connector 700 and the second end of the power splitter 402 are electrically connected, and the second end of the radio frequency connector 700 and the controller are electrically connected, specifically by a radio frequency cable to connect to the controller.

[0060] In this embodiment, the radio frequency signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 401 enters the power splitter 402. One of the radio frequency signals passes through the attenuator 600 and enters the second antenna to transmit the radio frequency signal, realizing wireless coverage inside the vehicle and meeting the requirements of in-vehicle terminal devices for radio frequency signals; the other radio frequency signal passes through the radio frequency connector 700 and enters the controller, realizing effective and stable transmission of the radio frequency signal to the controller, and ensuring the reliability and stability of the controller.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, a relay circuit is provided. The relay circuit 400 further includes a coupler 800; the coupler 800 is disposed between the power splitter 402 and the radio frequency connector 700. The relay circuit further includes a temperature sensor 900; the temperature sensor 900 is connected to the coupler 800.

[0062] Among them, the temperature sensor 900 can be a fiber Bragg grating temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor 900 is disposed around at least one of the amplifier circuit 401, the power splitter 402, the attenuator 600, and the second antenna. The temperature sensor 900 sends the detected temperature signal to the controller in real time through the coupler 800 and the radio frequency connector 700, realizing real-time detection and control of the temperature of the relay device by the controller. For example, when the controller determines based on the temperature signal that the temperature of the relay device exceeds the temperature threshold, an alarm message will be reported.

[0063] In this embodiment, the working environment temperature of the relay device changes violently, especially in the high-temperature environment in summer. By setting the temperature sensor 900, real-time detection and control of the temperature of the relay device are realized, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the working state of the relay device.

[0064] In addition, through the coupler 800 and the radio frequency connector 700, the radio frequency signal and the temperature signal output by the power splitter 402 can be sent to the controller together without additional signal lines being set.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, a relay circuit is provided. The relay circuit 400 further includes a power supply circuit 1000. The power supply circuit 1000 is disposed between the power splitter 402 and the amplifier circuit 401 to supply power to the amplifier circuit 401 using the electric energy output by the power splitter 402.

[0066] Among them, the power supply circuit 1000 includes a linear voltage regulator circuit, such as an LDO (Low Dropout Regulator).

[0067] The power supply circuit 1000 is arranged between the power splitter 402 and the amplifier circuit 401. That is, the input end of the power supply circuit 1000 is connected to the second end of the power splitter 402, and the output end of the power supply circuit 1000 is connected to the power supply end of the amplifier circuit 401.

[0068] The principle of the power supply circuit 1000 to supply power to the amplifier circuit 401 is as follows: The power supply circuit 1000 obtains the DC electrical signal on the power splitter 402, and through DC level conversion and power supply ripple processing, meets the requirements of the amplifier circuit 401 for DC power.

[0069] In one embodiment, the present application further provides a relay system, which includes at least one receiving end and the relay device described in any one of the above relay device embodiments; each receiving end is connected to the relay device.

[0070] The relay system provided by the embodiments of the present application includes the relay device in the above embodiments. Therefore, the relay system provided by the embodiments of the present application also has the beneficial effects described in the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0071] In one embodiment, the present application further provides a vehicle, including the relay system described in the above relay system.

[0072] Among them, the vehicle may include land vehicles, water vehicles, air vehicles, industrial equipment, agricultural equipment, or entertainment equipment, etc. For example, the vehicle may be a vehicle, which is a vehicle in a broad sense and may be a transportation vehicle (such as a commercial vehicle, a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle, a flying car, a train, etc.), an industrial vehicle (such as a forklift, a trailer, a tractor, etc.), an engineering vehicle (such as an excavator, a bulldozer, a crane, etc.), agricultural equipment (such as a lawn mower, a harvester, etc.), entertainment equipment, a toy vehicle, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the type of vehicle. Again, the vehicle may be an aircraft, a ship, or other transportation vehicles.

[0073] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brief description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as the combinations of these technical features do not conflict, they should all be considered as the scope recorded in the present application.

[0074] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the patent scope of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A relay device, characterized in that: The relay device comprises: A first antenna disposed on the glass member; A circuit board disposed on the glass member; The relay circuit disposed on the circuit board is coupled to the first antenna to process the radio frequency signal received by the first antenna and then send the processed signal to at least one receiving end.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The relay circuit includes: an amplifier circuit and a power divider; The first end of the amplifier circuit is coupled to the first antenna, the second end of the amplifier circuit is connected to the first end of the power divider, and the second end of the power divider is connected to each of the receiving ends.

3. The relay device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The receiving end includes a second antenna, and the relay circuit also includes an attenuator; The attenuator is arranged between the power divider and the second antenna.

4. The relay device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The receiving end includes a controller, and the relay circuit also includes a radio frequency connector; The radio frequency connector is arranged between the power divider and the controller.

5. The relay device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The relay circuit also includes a coupler; The coupler is arranged between the power divider and the radio frequency connector.

6. The relay device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The relay circuit also includes a temperature sensor; the temperature sensor is connected to the coupler.

7. The relay device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The relay circuit also includes a power supply circuit, which is arranged between the power divider and the amplifier circuit to use the electric energy output by the power divider to power the amplifier circuit.

8. The relay device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The glass piece includes a first glass piece and a second glass piece, the first glass piece includes a first surface and a second surface, the second glass piece includes a third surface and a fourth surface, the first surface is far from the third surface, the second surface is close to the third surface, the third surface is close to the second surface, and the fourth surface is far from the second surface; The first antenna and the circuit board are first arranged on any one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface and the fourth surface.

9. A relay system, characterized in that: The relay system comprises at least one receiving end and the relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; each of the receiving ends is connected to the relay device.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Includes the relay system described in claim 9.

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