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

Abstract

A vehicle includes a window with an antenna assembly. The window comprises a glass surface and a metal frame along one perimeter of the glass surface. The antenna assembly is located on the glass surface and includes an antenna, a feed point, and a ground plane. The antenna has a first end and a second end opposite the first end and is located in a visible area of ​​the window. The feed point is located at the first end of the antenna. The ground plane is connected to the antenna at the first end. The metal frame is located on at least part of the ground plane, and the ground plane is electrically coupled to the metal frame.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to antennas used in vehicles, and in particular to an antenna arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, as is known essentially from WO 2024 / 117 114 A1.

[0002] Further details of the state of the art can be found in the publications JP 2013-026 800 A and JP S63 - 52 305 U.

[0003] Vehicles incorporate antennas for transmitting various signals, such as radio signals, satellite signals, etc. As antennas have become smaller, more options for their placement have emerged. However, placing an antenna on the rear window of a vehicle is hampered by the presence of defroster wires, which occupy a significant portion of the window's surface. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an antenna array that can be positioned to fit and function within the remaining area of ​​the rear window unoccupied by the defroster wires. SUMMARY

[0004] According to the invention, an antenna arrangement for a window of 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 metal frame is located above the first recess, the second recess and the connecting section, or part of the connecting section is located in the visible area of ​​the window.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the conductive adhesive layer includes a urethane adhesive.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the antenna is a monopole antenna or a dipole antenna.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the window is a rear window with a group of defroster wires, and the antenna is located in an antenna area between the group of defroster wires and an upper edge of the metal frame.

[0009] Furthermore, a vehicle window is described. The window comprises a glass surface, a metal frame along the perimeter of the glass surface, and an antenna arrangement mounted on the glass surface. The antenna arrangement includes an antenna, a feed point, and a ground plane. The antenna has a first end and a second end opposite the first end and is located in a visible area of ​​the window. The feed point is located at the first end of the antenna. The ground plane is connected to the antenna at its first end. The metal frame is located on at least a portion of the ground plane, and the ground plane is electrically coupled to the metal frame.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the mass plane includes a first recess and a second recess along a boundary of the mass plane, wherein the first recess and the second recess define a connecting section of the mass plane.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the metal frame is located above the first recess, the second recess and the connecting section, or part of the connecting section is located in the visible area of ​​the window.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, wherein the ground plane is arranged in a separation gap between the glass surface and the metal frame, the window further comprises a conductive adhesive layer in the separation gap which electrically couples the ground plane to the metal frame.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the conductive adhesive layer includes a urethane adhesive.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the antenna is a monopole antenna or a dipole antenna.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the window is a rear window with a group of defroster wires, and the antenna is located in an antenna area between the group of defroster wires and an upper edge of the metal frame.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the invention, a vehicle is presented which is characterized by the features of claim 3.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the metal frame is located above the first recess, the second recess and the connecting section, or part of the connecting section is located in the visible area of ​​the window.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the conductive adhesive layer includes a urethane adhesive.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the antenna is a monopole antenna or a dipole antenna.

[0020] 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

[0021] 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 according to an exemplary design, Fig. 2 the window of the vehicle in a top view design, Fig. 3 shows the antenna arrangement in an exemplary design in a top view, Fig. 4 shows the upper left corner of the window in a close-up view of an exemplary design, Fig. Figure 5 shows the window and antenna arrangement in an exemplary design in a side view. Fig. 6 shows the upper left corner of the window in a close-up view of another exemplary design, and Fig. 7 the antenna of Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 6 shows an exemplary design in a close-up view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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.

[0023] According to an exemplary design, Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a window 102 with an antenna assembly 104 embedded therein for communication purposes. The window 102 is shown as the rear window of the vehicle 100, but in various configurations, it can be any window of the vehicle. The window 102 divides the space around the vehicle 100 into an outer area 106 outside the vehicle (i.e., behind the window 102) and an inner area 108 inside the vehicle (i.e., in front of the window). A coordinate system 112 is shown for the antenna assembly 104. The x-axis and the z-axis define a plane of the window 102 and the antenna assembly 104. The movement or placement of an object along the x-axis is indicated by the terms "left" and "right," while the movement or placement of an object along the z-axis is indicated by the terms "above" and "below."The y-axis points out of the plane of window 102 and into the outer area 106. The placement of a first object "over" a second object is indicated by the first object being in a more positive position along the y-axis than the second object.

[0024] The antenna arrangement 104 is coupled to a communication device 110, e.g., a receiver of a Global Positioning System (GPS) or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). In various configurations, the antenna arrangement 104 is capable of communicating in a range between 600 megahertz (MHz) and 6 gigahertz (GHz).

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 shows the window 102 of the vehicle in a plan view 200. The window 102 comprises a glass surface 202 (or glass layer) and a metal frame 204, which secures the glass surface 202 to the vehicle. The metal frame 204 is located around the perimeter of the glass surface 202 and includes an upper edge 206, a lower edge 208, a left edge 210, and a right edge 212. The upper edge 206 and the lower edge 208 each form a horizontal edge of the window 102, while the left edge 210 and the right edge 212 each form a vertical edge of the window. Although not shown, the edges of the glass surface 202 can extend below the respective edges of the metal frame 204. A group 214 of defroster wires fills an area of ​​the window 102. An upper wire 216 of the group 214 of defroster wires is separated from the upper edge 206 of the metal frame 204 by an antenna area 218.The antenna array 104 is located in the antenna area 218 in an upper left corner of the window 102 (i.e., in a corner defined by the intersection of the upper edge 206 and the left edge 210). The glass surface 202, the antenna array 104, and the metal frame 204 are located in different layers along the y-axis, as shown here with respect to . Fig. 5 is discussed.

[0026] Fig. Figure 3 shows the antenna arrangement 104 in an exemplary embodiment in a top view 300. The antenna arrangement 104 comprises an antenna 302 and a ground plane 304. The antenna 302 can be a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, etc. The antenna arrangement 104 (including the antenna 302 and the ground plane 304) is symmetrically arranged around an antenna axis 306. The antenna 302 comprises a first end 308 and a second end 310 opposite the first end. The first end 308 has a curved convex contour 312. A feed point 314 for the antenna 302 is located between the antenna and the ground plane 304 along the curved convex contour 312 of the first end 308 on the antenna axis 306. The feed point 314 makes it possible to connect the antenna 302 to the communication device 110 via a feed line (not shown) in such a way that an RF signal can be transmitted and / or received.

[0027] The ground plane 304 is connected to the antenna 302 at the feed point 314. The ground plane 304 comprises a semi-rectangular plate 316 with three linear edges 317 and one non-linear edge 318. A first recess 320 and a second recess 322 of the ground plane are formed in the non-linear edge 318. The first recess 320 and the second recess 322 are arranged symmetrically around the antenna axis 306 and define a connecting section 324 along the antenna axis 306.

[0028] Fig. Figure 4 shows the upper left corner of window 102 in an exemplary embodiment in a close-up view 400. The close-up view 400 shows the upper edge 206 and the left edge 210 of the metal frame 204. The upper edge 206 includes a horizontal cover line 402 and a recess cover line 403. The horizontal cover line 402 defines a separation between a visible area of ​​the window and a portion of the window concealed beneath the upper edge 206. A frame recess 405 is formed at the upper edge 206, extending from the horizontal cover line 402 to the recess cover line 403. A portion of the window is visible within the frame recess 405. A vertical cover line 404 defines a separation between a visible portion of the window and the portion of the window concealed beneath the left edge 210.

[0029] The antenna assembly 104 is arranged on an outer surface of the window 102, with the antenna 302 visible and the ground plane partially located beneath the metal frame 204. The antenna 302 is positioned such that its first end 308 is located at the horizontal cover line 402 and its second end 310 is located away from the upper edge 206. The curved convex contour 312 of the first end 308 intersects the horizontal cover line 402 tangentially. The feed point 314 is located along the horizontal cover line 402. The second end 310 of the antenna 302 is located in the area of ​​the upper wire 216 of the group 214 of defroster wires. Part of the connecting section 324 is visible in the frame recess 403.

[0030] Fig. Figure 5 shows the window 102 and the antenna assembly 104 in an exemplary embodiment in a side view 500. The y-axis is shown relative to the window 102. The side view 500 includes a glass layer 502 with the glass surface 202, an antenna layer 504 with the antenna assembly 104, a conductive adhesive layer 506, and the metal frame 204. The metal frame 204 is separated from the glass surface by a separation gap h. In various embodiments, the separation gap h is approximately 6 millimeters. The antenna assembly 104 shows the antenna 302 and the ground plane 304. The ground plane 304 is located on the glass surface 202 and within the separation gap h. The conductive adhesive layer 506 is located within the separation gap h to secure the ground plane 304 to the metal frame 204. The conductive adhesive layer 506 electrically couples the ground plane 304 to the metal frame 204 and thus grounds the antenna 302.In various embodiments, the conductive adhesive layer 506 comprises a urethane adhesive.

[0031] With renewed reference to Fig. 4 The first recess 320 and the second recess 322 are located in the separation gap between the metal frame 204 and the glass surface 202 and are therefore hidden by the upper edge 206 of the metal frame 204. In addition, the connecting section 324 of the mass plane 304 is covered by the upper edge 206.

[0032] Fig. Figure 6 shows the upper left corner of the window in another exemplary embodiment in a close-up view 600. The antenna assembly 104 is arranged on an outer surface of the window 102, with the antenna 302 visible. A first part 602 of the connector section 324 is located in the separation gap and is therefore concealed by the metal frame 204. A second part 604 of the connector section 324 is visible or extends into the visible area of ​​the window. The feed point 314 is therefore also located in the visible area of ​​the window. The second end 310 of the antenna 302 is located in the area of ​​the upper wire 216 of the group 214 of defroster wires.

[0033] Fig. Figure 7 shows antenna 302 from Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig.Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment in close-up view 700. The antenna 302 comprises a net 702 of electrical wires, surrounded by a border 704 that frames the net. The border 704 consists of wires that are thicker than the electrical wires of the net 702. The feed point 314 is shown at the first end 308.

[0034] The antenna arrangements can be formed on the glass surface 202 using various methods. In one method, the antenna is printed onto a transparent wire or applicator, which is coated on one side with an adhesive for attachment to the glass surface 202. In another embodiment, the antenna is printed directly onto the glass itself.

Claims

[1] Antenna arrangement (104) for a window (102) of a vehicle (100), comprising: an antenna (302) arranged on a glass surface (202) of the window (102), wherein the antenna (302) has a first end (308) and a second end (310) opposite the first end (308) and is arranged in a visible area of ​​the window (102), a feed point (314) at the first end of the antenna (302), and a ground plane (304) which is arranged on the glass surface (202) and is connected at the first end (308) to the antenna (302), wherein a metal frame (204) of the window (102) is located on at least a part of the ground plane (304) and the ground plane (304) is electrically coupled to the metal frame (204); characterized by , that the ground plane (304) is arranged in a separation gap (h) between the glass surface (202) and the metal frame (204), further comprising a conductive adhesive layer in the separation gap (h) which electrically couples the ground plane (304) to the metal frame (204). [2] Antenna arrangement (104) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (302) is (i) a monopole antenna or (ii) a dipole antenna. [3] Vehicle (100), comprising: a window (102) with a glass surface (202) and a group of defrosting wires, a metal frame (204) along a perimeter of the glass surface (202), wherein an upper edge of the metal frame (204) and the group of defrosting wires define an antenna area, and an antenna arrangement (104) according to claim 1. [4] Vehicle (100) according to claim 3, wherein the antenna (302) is (i) a monopole antenna or (ii) a dipole antenna.

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