Antenna arrangement for a vehicle as well as a vehicle with such an antenna arrangement

Abstract

Antenna arrangement (402, 404) for a vehicle (100), comprising: a printed circuit board (502) that can be attached to a support surface (202) of a spoiler (110) of the vehicle (100), wherein the support surface (202) forms a cavity (306, 308) with a cover (204) of the spoiler (110); a support beam (504) extending from the circuit board (502); and an antenna (506) at one end of the support beam (504) opposite the circuit board (502), wherein the antenna (506) is arranged within the cavity (306, 308); characterized by the fact that the support beam (504) carries the antenna (506) at a point near the cover (204).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna arrangement suitable for a vehicle and in particular to an antenna arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, as is known essentially from WO 2020 / 230 696 A1.

[0002] Further details of the state of the art can be found in the publications WO 2020 / 105 370 A1 and CN 2 06 059 635 U.

[0003] Vehicles typically include an entertainment system, such as a radio, that receives signals transmitted via radio waves. An antenna is required to receive these signals. The low-frequency antenna is usually a rod-shaped structure extending from the surface of the hood or roof. In this configuration, the antenna is exposed to external forces or objects that could damage it. Another design involves printing the low-frequency antenna onto a vehicle window. However, this design detracts from the vehicle's aesthetic appeal. Therefore, it is desirable to shield the antenna from these external forces or objects. SUMMARY

[0004] According to the invention, an antenna arrangement for a vehicle is presented, which is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the antenna includes at least one AM / FM radio frequency antenna and one DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) antenna. The antenna extends along the length of the cavity. The support surface is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. The antenna is a folded antenna. The covering is either electrically non-conductive or electrically non-conductive with an electrically conductive coating.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, a spoiler for a vehicle is disclosed. The spoiler comprises a support surface, a cover that can be attached to the support surface to form a cavity, and an antenna arrangement that is located in the cavity.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the antenna arrangement comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) attachable to the substrate, a support beam extending from the PCB, and an antenna at one end of the support beam opposite the PCB, the antenna being located within the cavity. The antenna comprises an AM / FM radio frequency antenna and / or a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) antenna. The antenna extends over a length of the cavity. The support beam carries the antenna at a location near the cover. The antenna is a folded antenna. The cover is either electrically non-conductive or electrically non-conductive with an electrically conductive coating.

[0008] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a spoiler with a support surface and a cover that can be attached to the surface to form a cavity, and an antenna arrangement according to claim 1, which is arranged in the cavity.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the antenna arrangement comprises a printed circuit board that can be attached to the substrate, a support beam extending from the printed circuit board, and an antenna at one end of the support beam opposite the printed circuit board, the antenna being located within the cavity. The antenna comprises an AM / FM radio frequency antenna and / or a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) antenna. The antenna extends over a length of the cavity. The antenna is a folded antenna.

[0010] The aforementioned features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the invention, are readily apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Further features, advantages and details are listed only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a vehicle which, in a design suitable for concealing a radio antenna arrangement; Fig. 2 a spoiler of the vehicle from Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view; Fig. 3 shows the spoiler in a perspective view; Fig. 4 shows the spoiler in a transparent perspective view; Fig. 5 shows a first antenna arrangement located in a first cavity of the spoiler in a top view from above; Fig. 6 the first antenna arrangement in the first cavity in a side sectional view along line 6-6 of Fig. 4 shows; Fig. 7 shows a second antenna arrangement located in a second cavity of the spoiler, in a top view from above; and Fig. 8 the second antenna arrangement in the second cavity in a side sectional view along line 8-8 of Fig. 4 shows. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following description is for illustrative purposes only. It is understood that in the drawings, corresponding reference symbols denote identical or equivalent parts and features.

[0013] According to an exemplary design, Fig. 1. A vehicle 100 suitable for concealing a radio antenna arrangement. In one embodiment, the vehicle 100 is a small truck comprising, among other things, a cabin 102 and a loading platform 104. The roof 106 of the cabin 102 is located at a vertical distance above the loading platform 104. A rear wall 108 of the cabin 102 extends from the roof 106 to the loading platform 104, providing a vertical surface between the roof and the loading platform. At the upper and rear end of the roof 106 is a spoiler 110 extending towards the rear of the vehicle 100. Without the spoiler 110, the airflow over the roof 106 is interrupted at the rear surface 108, creating a vortex behind the cabin 102 that generates air resistance on the vehicle 100.The presence of the spoiler 110 directs the airflow over the roof 106 onto a more even path, thereby reducing the vortex flow behind the cabin 102 and the resulting air resistance on the vehicle 100.

[0014] Fig. 2 shows spoiler 110 of Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view. The spoiler 110 comprises a support surface 202, which is attached to the roof 106 of the vehicle 100. The support surface 202 has a flat surface, which is generally at an angle of approximately 40 degrees to approximately 45 degrees to a horizontal plane, which represents the roof 106. A cover 204 is coupled to the support surface 202 by means of one or more fastening devices (not shown). When the cover 204 is attached or fastened to the support surface 202, it forms an enclosed area 206 or an enclosed chamber between the support surface 202 and the cover 204. In various embodiments, the cover 204 is electrically non-conductive. However, the cover 204 may also include a paint layer on its outer surface, which may be electrically conductive.

[0015] Fig. Figure 3 shows the spoiler 110 of vehicle 100 of Fig. 1 in a perspective view. The spoiler 110 includes a rear lighting system 302 and may also include rear cameras 304. The rear lighting system 302 divides the enclosed area 206 into a first cavity 306 on a left side of the vehicle 100 and a second cavity 308 on a right side of the vehicle 100.

[0016] Fig. Figure 4 shows the spoiler in a transparent perspective view. Fig. Figure 4 shows illustrative antenna arrangements enclosed by the cover 204 of the spoiler 110. The first cavity 306 contains a first antenna arrangement 402, and the second cavity 308 contains a second antenna arrangement 404. In various embodiments, the first antenna arrangement 402 is an AM / FM radio frequency antenna, and the second antenna arrangement 404 is a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) antenna. The antenna design for the first antenna arrangement 402 differs from the antenna design for the second antenna arrangement 404.

[0017] Each antenna array can be contained in its entirety within its respective cavity.

[0018] Fig. Figure 5 shows the first antenna arrangement 402, which is arranged in the first cavity 306, in a top view. Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the first antenna assembly 402 in the first cavity 306. The first antenna assembly 402 comprises a printed circuit board 502, a support beam 504, and an antenna 506. The support beam 504 and the antenna 506 are a single, integrated component. The support beam 504 holds the antenna 506 at a distance from the printed circuit board 502. The printed circuit board 502 includes various electrical components for the operation of the first antenna assembly 402. The printed circuit board 502 is generally a flat or planar object and can be attached to the support surface 202 by means of one or more fastening devices 508. The support beam 504 extends perpendicular or orthogonal to the plane of the circuit board 502 and the antenna 506 is arranged at one end of the support beam 504 opposite the circuit board 502.The electrical wiring for the antenna 506 connects the circuit board 502 to the antenna 506 at a connection point between the support beam 504 and the circuit board 502. Since the support surface 202 is generally metallic, the support beam 504 carries or holds the antenna 506 at a height h1 from the support surface 202, which, given the limitations imposed by the cover 204 on the dimensions of the first cavity 306, is as far away from the support surface 202 as possible.

[0019] The antenna 506 is a folded antenna defining a rectangle with a length w1 and a width w2. The length w1 is aligned along a line extending perpendicularly between the left and right sides of the vehicle 100. The antenna 506 comprises an electrically conductive rod 510 extending from a first end 512 to a second end 514. The electrically conductive rod 510 is folded serpentinely and has multiple arms 516 extending longitudinally. The first end 512 of the electrically conductive rod 510 is connected to one end of the support beam 504 opposite the circuit board 502.

[0020] With reference to Fig. As indicated, the support beam 504 extends perpendicularly or orthogonally to the plane of the circuit board 502 and has a height h1. In various embodiments, the support beam 504 also extends perpendicularly or orthogonally to the plane of the antenna 506. The height h1 of the support beam 504 is chosen such that it keeps the antenna 506 close to the cover 204 and away from the support surface 202. In various embodiments, the inner surfaces of the cover 204 are not parallel to the support surface 202 and therefore not parallel to the plane of the antenna 506. Fig. Figure 6 shows a cover 204 comprising a first inner surface 602 and a second inner surface 604, which meet at a corner 606. The first end 512 of the antenna 506 is located near or at the first inner surface 602, and the second end 514 of the antenna is located at the second inner surface 604. Even when the antenna 506 is positioned in this way, a gap remains between the antenna and the cover 204.

[0021] In one exemplary configuration, the antenna has a length w1 = 29.2 cm and a width w2 = 4.60 cm. The height of the support beam is h1 = 4.98 cm. The first antenna arrangement 402 with these dimensions has operating frequencies between approximately 530 kHz and approximately 1710 kHz for the AM band and between approximately 76 MHz and approximately 108 MHz for the FM band. Compared to a conventional mast antenna, which has a length of 78.7 cm, the antenna arrangement 402 is compact and has a low profile.

[0022] Fig. Figure 7 shows the second antenna arrangement 404 in the second cavity 308 in a top view 700 from above. Fig. Figure 8 shows a side view of the second antenna assembly 404 in the second cavity 308. The second antenna assembly 404 comprises a printed circuit board 702, a support beam 704, and an antenna 706. The support beam 704 and the antenna 706 are a single, integrated unit. The support beam 704 holds the antenna 706 at a distance from the printed circuit board 702. The printed circuit board 702 may include electrical components for the operation of the second antenna assembly 404. The printed circuit board 702 is secured to the support surface 202 of the vehicle 100. The support beam 704 extends perpendicular or orthogonal to a plane of the printed circuit board 702. The antenna 706 is located at one end of the support beam 704 opposite the printed circuit board 702. The electrical wiring for the antenna 706 connects the circuit board 702 to the antenna 706 at a connection point between the support beam 704 and the circuit board 702.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. In figure 8, the antenna 706 comprises a folded surface with a first side 710 and a second side 712, which meet at a vertex 714. As shown in the side view of Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the antenna 706 is attached to the support beam 704 at the apex 714. The first side 710 rests against a first wall 802 of the cover 204 or is located near it, and the second side 712 is located near or rests against a second wall 804 of the cover.

[0024] Antenna 706 is a monopole folding antenna with a roof-mounted load. A length w3 of antenna 706 is aligned along a line extending perpendicularly between the left and right sides of vehicle 100. In one configuration, the length w3 of antenna 706 is 20.3 cm and the width w4 is 5.12 cm. The support beam has a height h2 of 5.66 cm. The second antenna arrangement 404 with these parameters operates at frequencies in the DAB band between approximately 174 MHz and approximately 240 MHz. Considering the low operating frequency compared to a conventional DAB antenna arrangement, antenna 404 is compact and has a low profile.

Claims

[1] Antenna arrangement (402, 404) for a vehicle (100), comprising: a printed circuit board (502) that can be attached to a support surface (202) of a spoiler (110) of the vehicle (100), wherein the support surface (202) forms a cavity (306, 308) with a cover (204) of the spoiler (110); a support beam (504) extending from the circuit board (502); and an antenna (506) at one end of the support beam (504) opposite the circuit board (502), wherein the antenna (506) is arranged within the cavity (306, 308); characterized by , that the support beam (504) carries the antenna (506) at a point near the cover (204). [2] Antenna arrangement (402, 404) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (506) comprises (i) an AM / FM radio frequency antenna and / or (ii) a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) antenna. [3] Antenna arrangement (402, 404) according to claim 1, wherein the support surface (202) is located at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. [4] Vehicle (100), comprising: a spoiler (110) with a support surface (202) and a cover (204) that can be attached to the surface (202) to form a cavity (306, 308); and an antenna arrangement (402, 404) according to claim 1, which is arranged in the cavity (306, 308). [5] Vehicle (100) according to claim 4, wherein the antenna (506) comprises (i) an AM / FM radio frequency antenna and / or (ii) a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) antenna.

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