Mounting of a modular roof antenna

Abstract

Module (1) of a receiving system, comprising fastening means arranged on a base plate (2) of the module (1) to permanently fix the module (1) in its intended position on a body part of a vehicle, characterized in that the fastening means comprise a rotating plate (3) and a screw (4) cooperating with the rotating plate (3) as well as fixing lugs (5, 6) on the base plate (2), wherein the rotating plate (3) has a projection (7) and the fixing lugs (5, 6) have such different lengths that the projection (7) slides along one fixing lug (5) when the screw (4) is turned and thus also when the rotating plate (3) rotates, but comes into contact with the other fixing lug (6) when the rotating plate (3) rotates further.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the fastening of a module of a receiving system to a body part of a vehicle, according to the features of the preambles of the two independent patent claims.

[0002] The module of the receiving system is, for example, a roof antenna having fastening means, wherein the fastening means are arranged on a base plate of the roof antenna and interact with the body part of the vehicle, in particular the vehicle roof, in order to permanently arrange and fix the roof antenna in its desired position on the vehicle roof.

[0003] From DE 10 2011 011 072 A1 a device with high-frequency properties, a system with such a device and a method for mounting a device with high-frequency properties on a vehicle component are known.

[0004] DE 10 2009 031 254 A1 discloses an arrangement for fastening a vehicle antenna on a vehicle roof, wherein an antenna base can be fastened by means of an assembly process and the necessary screw and clamping means are pre-mounted on the antenna base before it is placed on it.

[0005] From WO 2008 / 086903 A1 an antenna base is known which is designed to attach an antenna to a support surface of a body of a motor vehicle.

[0006] DE 10 2011 010 290 A1 discloses an antenna housing for mounting on a mounting and receiving opening on a wall or body part.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of improving a module of a receiving system, in particular a roof antenna, with regard to its attachment to a vehicle body part. In particular, the module's attachment means should be compact so that they can be inserted through the smallest possible opening in the body part.

[0008] According to the invention, a module of a reception system of a vehicle, for example a roof antenna, is provided, which has fastening means, wherein the fastening means are arranged on a base plate of the roof antenna and which interact with a body part of the vehicle, in particular the vehicle roof, in order to arrange and fix the roof antenna permanently in its desired position on the vehicle roof, characterized in that in a finished manufacturing state of the module one side of a rotating plate is arranged parallel to fixing webs of the base plate, that during fixing the rotating plate moves by screwing on, for example by 45° and then remains at this angle of rotation, for example because it comes into contact with the fixing web with a protruding projection, and that the screw is moved downwards in the direction of the base plate.

[0009] The object is achieved in particular in that the fastening means comprise a rotary plate and a screw which interacts with the rotary plate, as well as fixing webs on the base plate, wherein the rotary plate has a projection and the fixing webs have different lengths such that the projection slides along one fixing web when the screw is turned and thus also when the rotary plate rotates, but comes into contact with the other fixing web when the rotary plate rotates further. Due to this configuration, a module is realized which represents a manufacturing state or delivery state with which it can be arranged as intended at its installation location and permanently fixed. The screw which interacts with the rotary plate ensures that the rotary plate is held in a first intended position.In this position, it is possible for the underside of the base plate together with the rotating plate to be passed through an opening in the receiving element (such as a body panel or a vehicle roof), causing the underside of the base plate to come into contact with the top side of the receiving element. This does not yet provide the intended permanent fastening of the module. However, it is conceivable that pre-fixing is provided by appropriate locking devices, such as locking hooks that grip behind the underside of the receiving element. After the module has been inserted into the opening and, if necessary, pre-fixed by locking devices, the screw is actuated (screwed on), causing the rotating plate to rotate.This also causes the projection on the turntable to rotate, which can slide over the shorter fixing bar until it comes into contact with the longer fixing bar. From the start to the end of this rotation of the turntable, the turntable is arranged at a distance from the underside of the base plate, which, among other things, makes it possible for the projection on the turntable to slide over the shorter fixing bar. This distance will remain almost the same during this rotation or will only decrease slightly to such an extent that the projection can still slide over the shorter fixing bar. In contrast, the length of the longer fixing bar is selected so that as the turntable rotates further, the projection comes into contact with this longer fixing bar. This prevents the turntable from continuing the rotation when the screw is turned further.The rotating movement of the turntable is then blocked, but the screw is not. If the screw is turned further, when the projection of the turntable rests on the longer fixing web, the distance between the turntable and the base plate decreases. There is sufficient space between the two fixing webs for this to happen. If the screw is turned further, the turntable comes into contact with the underside of the base plate. Ideally, the two fixing webs and the cross web connecting them are designed in such a way that the underside of the projection of the turntable also comes into contact with the top side of this cross web when the turntable has come into contact with the underside of the base plate. The corresponding frictional connection (on the one hand the turntable rests on the underside of the base plate and / or on the other hand the projection rests on the cross web) further fixes the position of the turntable.By means of a corresponding contact geometry of the turntable in relation to the two fixing webs with their cross web, a further positional fixation of the turntable is achieved when it has reached its intended final position, whereby the module is permanently (and if necessary also releasably) fixed to the receiving element (such as the body panel or the vehicle roof).

[0010] The process described above can of course also be reversed to dismantle the module.

[0011] Further embodiments of the module according to the invention and a method according to the invention for assembling such a module are specified in the subclaims and the further independent patent claim.

[0012] An embodiment showing the structural elements of the module according to the invention as well as the delivery state and the assembled final state of the module according to the invention is shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and described below.

[0013] Components of the module and functional description (with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2): 1) A module 1 of a receiving system (e.g. roof antenna) is mounted on a receiving element (e.g. vehicle roof 11) using the following elements: a) Turntable 3 b) Screw 4 c) Fixing bars 5, 6 and optional screw dome 12 on a support of module 1 (for example base plate 2 of the roof antenna) 2) In the module 1, there is at least one opening through which one or more cables 9 lead out of the module 1. In this area or areas, the rotating plate 3 is locally cut back (recess 8). 3) An opening (hole) in the receiving element (body part of the vehicle, for example vehicle roof 11) has essentially a square or rectangular shape, whereby elements of the contour can be placed inside or outside the hole, for example to ensure coding or incorrect installation protection. 4) How it works: In the finished manufacturing state or upon delivery of module 1 to a customer, one side of the rotating plate 3 is arranged parallel to the fixing webs 5, 6 of the base plate 2. This allows the module 1 to be inserted into the hole in the mounting plate (vehicle sheet metal or vehicle roof 11). The rotating plate 3 is positioned higher in the direction of the screw axis, i.e., at a distance from the base plate 2. During fastening, screw 4 is screwed on. When screwed on, the rotating plate 3 moves by 45°, for example, and then remains at this angle of rotation, for example because it comes into contact with the fixing web 6 with a protruding projection 7, and is moved downwards towards the base plate 2 by the screw 4. The fact that the rotating plate 3 is carried along in the rotational movement by the screw 4 when screwed on is ensured by a clamping effect between the rotating plate 3 and the screw 4. The level of this clamping effect is limited in the level of its frictional force. This means that when the rotating plate 3 hits a fixing web provided for it (fixing web 6, which is longer than the fixing web 5, over which the rotating plate 3 can slide during its rotational movement), the rotating plate 3 remains stationary and the screw 4 continues to rotate.This clamping effect can be achieved, for example, by inserting an O-ring between the rotating plate 3 and the screw 4 or by slightly compressing the hole in the rotating plate 3 and the screw shaft. These measures also ensure the axial hold of the rotating plate 3 to the screw 4. As the screwing continues, the rotating plate 3 eventually moves flat against the receiving element (e.g., vehicle roof 11) due to its movement along the longitudinal axis of the screw 4 and is tightened until the maximum torque is reached on the tool for operating the screw 4. When the rotating plate 3 is tightened, points (in particular, three points) formed at the corners (in particular, three corners) of the rotating plate 3 pierce the vehicle paint and ensure an electrical-galvanic connection between the module 1 and the receiving element (e.g., vehicle roof 11). 5) Maintaining the parallel position of the rotating plate 3 to the fixing webs 5, 6 (of the base plate 2) in the delivery position is achieved, for example, by an anti-twist device on the screw 4. This can be ensured, for example, by designing the screw 4 with a self-tapping thread. Then, the self-locking force between the screw thread and the thread formed by the screw 4 of the optional screw boss 12 of the base plate 2 is high, and the screw 4 does not rotate in the thread boss on its own, but only when screwed in. The anti-twist device between the rotating plate 3 and the screw 4 is implemented as described under point 4). As an alternative to the thread-forming screw 4, it would be possible to insert another friction element (e.g. O-ring) near the end of the screw shaft between the screw 4 and the base plate 2, which then ensures the anti-twist protection between the screw 4 and the base plate 2 in the delivery position. Another possibility, instead of using a thread-forming screw 4, would be to apply a thread locking varnish or a thread coating to the screw thread or the already existing thread of the screw boss 12. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the elements of the module 1, which becomes effective in the assembled final state of this module 1, is described with reference to Fig. 2. In this Fig. 2 shows that the rotating plate 3 is rotated by a certain angle (ideally 45°) relative to the Fig.1 has been rotated. During this rotation, the rotating plate 3 has also come into contact with the underside of the vehicle roof 11, so that the module 1 is held on the vehicle roof 11 by a corresponding flat contact through a press fit. The external geometry of the rotating plate 3, starting from the projection 7, is designed such that the side surfaces of the rotating plate 3 extending from the end of the projection 7 come into contact with the two fixing webs 5, 6. In addition to the press fit of the rotating plate 3 to the underside of the vehicle roof 11 by means of the screw 4, any further rotational movement of the rotating plate 3, regardless of the direction, is prevented. In addition, the projection 7, just like the other projections of the rotating plate 3 (not shown in more detail), contributes to securing the module 1 to the vehicle roof 11 by means of a press fit.A renewed rotational movement of the rotating plate 3 is only possible when the screw 4 is actuated so that the rotating plate 3 lifts off the underside of the vehicle roof 11 to such an extent that, depending on the direction of rotation, the rotating plate 3 can slide over the protruding end of the shorter fixing web 5 and / or, if the dimension is further increased, over the protruding end of the longer fixing web 6. 6) Elements to facilitate the installation of module 1 into the receiving element (e.g. vehicle roof) Retaining elements, such as locking hooks 13, can be attached to the module 1. These elastically bend when the module 1 is inserted into the receiving hole (in the vehicle sheet metal of the vehicle roof 11) and then snap back when the module 1 comes to rest on the receiving element. These retaining elements can enable pre-fastening of the module 1 (pre-fixing) until the actual screwing process is started or completed. These retaining elements do not interfere with the movements (rotational and axial) of the rotating plate 3 because the rotating plate 3 lies above these elements in the as-delivered state and comes to rest next to these retaining elements during screwing and also during a generally possible disassembly due to the 45° position of the rotating plate 3, which is ensured by the fixing webs 5, 6e of the module 1. 7) Elements for securing the cables 9 against damage Retaining elements 14 or guide elements can be attached to the module 1. These retaining elements 14 or guide elements hold or guide the cables 9 in their position and thus prevent, for example, the cables 9 from rubbing against the edge of the receiving element (e.g., the edge of the opening in the vehicle roof 11) and thus becoming damaged. It is particularly advantageous if the retaining elements from 6) and the retaining elements from 7) are designed as a single part. 8) An optionally required seal between an interior area (for example passenger compartment) and exterior area (external environment) of the vehicle (for example the vehicle roof 11) can be provided by a circumferential seal 10, which is arranged and fastened on the inside, for example on the surface of the floor panel 2, which points in the direction of the vehicle roof 12, in particular glued, injection-molded or foamed. 9) Another design variant for the cables 9 involves the implementation of connectors that are mounted on the module side instead of the cables 9. The space for the connectors themselves and the mating connectors would have to be created by recesses in the module 1 and in the rotating plate 3, similar to the implementation with cables 9 shown here. List of reference symbols 1 module of a receiving system 2 base plate 3 Turntable 4 screw 5 Fixing bar 6 Fixing bar 7 lead 8 Recess 9 cables 10 Seal 11 Vehicle roof 12 screw dome 13 locking hooks 14 Holding element

Claims

[1] Module (1) of a receiving system, comprising fastening means arranged on a base plate (2) of the module (1) in order to permanently fix the module (1) in its desired position on a body part of a vehicle, characterized by in that the fastening means comprise a rotating plate (3) and a screw (4) cooperating with the rotating plate (3) as well as fixing webs (5, 6) on the base plate (2), the rotating plate (3) having a projection (7) and the fixing webs (5, 6) having different lengths such that the projection (7) slides along one fixing web (5) when the screw (4) is turned and thus also when the rotating plate (3) rotates, but comes to rest on the other fixing web (6). [2] Module (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that an O-ring is inserted between the rotating plate (3) and the screw (4). [3] Module (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat a compression is provided between a hole in the rotary plate (3) and a screw shaft of the screw (4). [4] Module (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the screw (4) is designed as a thread-forming screw. [5] Module (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that a further friction element, for example an O-ring, is inserted near the shaft end of the screw (4) between the screw (4) and the base plate (2). [6] Module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that there is at least one opening in the module (1) through which one or more cables (9) are led out of the module (1) to the outside, for which purpose the rotating plate (3) is locally cut back via a recess (8) in this area or areas. [7] Module (1) according to claim 6, characterized bythat holding elements (14) or guide elements are attached to the module (1) which hold or guide the cables (9) in their position. [8] Method for mounting a module (1) of a receiving system, comprising fastening means arranged on a base plate (2) of the module (1) in order to permanently fix the module (1) in its desired position on a body part of a vehicle, characterized byin that, in a delivered state of the module (1), one side of a rotating plate (3) is arranged parallel to fixing webs (5, 6) of the base plate (2), the rotating plate (3) being located at a distance from the base plate (2), the screw (4) being screwed on and the rotating plate (3) moving as a result of the screwing on and then coming into contact with its projecting projection (7) against a fixing web (6), the rotating plate (3) being moved downwards in the direction of the base plate (2) by the screw (4), the rotating plate (3) then coming to a stop when the rotating plate (3) strikes the fixing web (6) provided for it, which is longer than another fixing web (5) over which the rotating plate (3) can slide during its rotating movement, the rotating plate (3) stops and the screw (4) continues to rotate. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized bythat when screwing further, the rotating plate (3) moves flat against the receiving element due to its movement along the longitudinal axis of the screw (4) and is tightened until the maximum torque on the tool for operating the screw (4) is reached. [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by that the parallel position of the rotating plate (3) to the fixing webs (5, 6) of the base plate (2) is maintained in the delivery position by means of an anti-twist device on the screw (4).

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