ANTENNA MODULE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an antenna system comprising a housing in which a circuit board is arranged, and at least one antenna element, wherein the at least one antenna element is arranged within a cover, according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] A generic antenna system is known from DE 10 2012 208 303 A1.

[0003] The antenna system disclosed therein (referred to as an antenna module) comprises a housing in which a circuit board is arranged. This circuit board is referred to as the antenna board. Several similar or different antenna elements are arranged on the top side of the antenna board, each of which has its own feed point on the antenna board. Shielding plates are arranged between the antenna elements to prevent mutual interference between the high-frequency signals emitted and / or received by the respective antenna elements.

[0004] Electronic circuits are located on the underside of the antenna board. These further process the high-frequency signals received by the antenna elements or condition signals to be transmitted via the antenna elements. Further shielding plates are arranged beneath the antenna board to prevent high-frequency emissions from the antenna module or radiation entering the antenna module. The electronic circuits are in contact with the feed points of the antenna elements, so that the feed point (also called the base point) of the respective antenna element is directly connected to the corresponding electronic circuit.

[0005] The antenna elements are arranged beneath an outer cover. The antenna module, with its outer cover, is inserted through an opening in a vehicle's body panel. This allows the antenna elements to protrude above the surface of the body panel below the outer cover, allowing the antenna elements to receive the high-frequency signals. This also allows the antenna elements to radiate high-frequency signals without being hindered by the body panel, which is made of an electrically conductive material. The antenna module's housing is arranged beneath the body panel so that it can be installed and secured within this space.

[0006] The electronic circuits located on the antenna board therefore also operate in the high-frequency range, making it necessary to install shielding plates beneath the antenna board. Furthermore, the electronic circuits on the antenna board operate not only in the high-frequency range, but also in the intermediate or low-frequency range.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of improving a generic antenna system with regard to its structure so that the performance characteristics are improved.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, a main board without antenna elements is arranged within the housing and an antenna board is provided at a distance from this main board and outside the housing, wherein the at least one antenna element is arranged on the antenna board.

[0010] The outer cover represents an antenna hood. The antenna hood is placed over the outer cover. The antenna hood protects the outer cover against water, moisture, snow, and dirt particles. The antenna hood is attached to the housing. The outer cover is attached to the housing.

[0011] This advantageously allows the area in which high frequency is used to be separated from the area in which intermediate frequency and / or low frequency is used. This means that the main board with electronic circuits can advantageously be arranged in the housing and operates in the low frequency or intermediate frequency range and is shielded from high frequency signals by the housing. At the same time, the antenna board is present, which carries at least one antenna element, but also several antenna elements, and can thus be optimally tuned for operation in the high frequency range. Furthermore, this separation of the two boards enables an optimal arrangement of the antenna system within the available space.When the antenna system is used in a vehicle, the antenna board can be positioned at the same level as, or preferably slightly above, a body panel to achieve optimal transmission and / or reception characteristics. At the same time, the housing, with the main board located therein, can be positioned and secured below the body panel. This is advantageously achieved regardless of the antenna board's location if the corresponding connection points between the main board and the antenna board (i.e., the base point of an antenna element on the antenna board and the corresponding feed point on the main board) are not rigidly connected, but rather are flexibly connected via connectors.Due to the electrical connection between the respective feed points of the main board and the corresponding base points of the antenna board (in the case of the transmission of high-frequency signals, otherwise vice versa), the distance between these two boards can also be varied in order to optimally utilize the installation space, to compensate for tolerances and to be able to use body panels of different thicknesses when using the antenna system in a vehicle.

[0012] The housing has at least one opening for the passage of means for connecting the main circuit board to the antenna board. The at least one antenna element is arranged on the antenna board and has its base point on the antenna board. This is a conductive contact area on the antenna board. The main circuit board also has an associated contact point that is connected to a downstream electronic circuit. Connectors are provided through the opening in the housing to connect these two contact points, either to transmit signals from the electronic circuits via the antenna elements or to feed high-frequency signals received by the at least one antenna element to the associated electronic circuit.The at least one opening in the housing is chosen to be large enough to allow the means for connecting the main board to the antenna board to pass through, but not significantly larger in order to achieve good electrical shielding of the main board with its at least one electronic circuit in the case of a housing made of an electrically conductive material (such as die-cast zinc).

[0013] It is envisaged that the main board has a connector as a means of connection to the antenna board, and the antenna board has a connector corresponding to the connector. This makes it possible to design the antenna system in a modular manner so that it can be assembled more easily. The antenna board can be provided with antenna elements and associated connectors, forming a first module of the antenna system. Likewise, the main board is provided with electronic circuits and arranged in the housing, with connectors on the main board protruding through the opening in the housing. This forms a further module. Once the two modules are mounted in their installation location, the electrical connection between the antenna board and the main board can be established quickly and easily by simply plugging together the two corresponding connectors.For example, the antenna board, which may be located in a housing or beneath a cover, can be positioned and secured in its installation location. Once this is done, the second module is connected to the first module using the connectors and also positioned and secured in its intended location. The reverse procedure is, of course, also conceivable.

[0014] Further embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0015] These embodiments are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0016] The figures show the preferred application of the antenna system according to the invention as its installation in a vehicle.

[0017] A vehicle is therefore preferred with an antenna system which has a housing in which a circuit board is arranged, and at least one antenna element, wherein the at least one antenna element is arranged within a cover, wherein a main circuit board without an antenna element is arranged within the housing arranged on one side of a body panel of the vehicle, and wherein an antenna circuit board is provided which is arranged on the other side of the body panel of the vehicle at a distance from the main circuit board and outside the housing, wherein the at least one antenna element is arranged on the antenna circuit board.

[0018] Although this application of the antenna system according to the invention is preferred in a vehicle, the following description applies specifically to this application but is not limited to it.

[0019] Figure 1shows, as far as shown in detail, a three-dimensional view of an antenna system 1 having a housing 2. An antenna hood 3 is provided, which is visible when viewed from the outside of the vehicle (for example, on the roof of the vehicle). Furthermore, the antenna system 1 has an outer cover 4. Reference numeral 5 designates a top side of the housing 2, and reference numeral 6 designates a bottom side of the optional antenna hood 3. Reference numeral 7 designates an outer contour of the outer cover 4.

[0020] Figure 2 shows the three-dimensional representation of the antenna system 1 from a different perspective, whereby the Figure 1 described elements are recognizable.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a detailed representation of the antenna system 1, based on the Figure 1 and 2shown illustrations. Here it is particularly evident that an antenna element projects above the top side 5 of the housing 2. Although in Figure 3 Although only one antenna element 8 is shown schematically, several antenna elements of the same type or different from one another may also be present.

[0022] The Figure 3 It can thus be seen that an antenna board (not yet shown here) with the at least one antenna element 8 is arranged within the outer cover 4. This has the advantage that the at least one antenna element 8 is protected from external influences. These external influences can be mechanical impairments during assembly or storage of the antenna system 1.

[0023] In Figure 3It is shown that the outer cover 4 is formed by struts 9 with recesses 10 therebetween and has an opening for inserting the antenna board with the at least one antenna element 8. Such a strut-like outer cover 4 offers mechanical protection for the elements underneath, in particular the at least one antenna element 8 and also the antenna board. Since such a strut-like outer cover 4 does not protect against water, moisture, snow, dirt particles and the like, it is necessary that the Figure 3The antenna hood shown is slipped over it. According to the invention, both the outer cover 4 and the antenna hood 3 are fastened to the housing 2, thus assembling the entire antenna system as a single module. However, it is also conceivable for the outer cover 4 to be fixed to the housing 5 and this module to be mounted, with the antenna hood 3 subsequently being mounted to completely protect the underlying elements.

[0024] The outer cover 4 with the struts 9 can be manufactured as a single-piece component, for example, by a plastic injection molding process. The manner in which the struts 9 and the openings 10 located therebetween are realized depends in particular on the mechanical forces acting on the outer cover 4 from the outside.

[0025] In Figure 4Finally, the structure of the antenna system 1 can be clearly seen in the cross-section. This figure explains the structure and assembly of the antenna system 1 using the example of a vehicle not shown in detail. However, it is also conceivable to illustrate the basic structure of the Figure 4 The antenna system 1 shown can also be installed elsewhere, i.e. outside the vehicle.

[0026] A main board 11 is arranged in the housing 2, which does not carry a single antenna element. Instead, the main board 8 comprises one or more electronic circuits with which it is possible to condition signals supplied to such a circuit so that they can be radiated at high frequency via the one antenna element 8. Alternatively or additionally, high-frequency signals received via the at least one antenna element 8 can be supplied to an associated electronic circuit, prepared or processed there, and supplied to subsequently connected electronic devices. An antenna board 12 is provided at a distance from the main board 11 and outside the housing 2, wherein the at least one antenna element 8, preferably as in Figure 4shown, several antenna elements 8 are arranged on the antenna board 12. In principle, it is shown that at least one contact point of an electronic circuit on the main board 11 is fed to a connector 13 and, analogously, a contact point (preferably the base point) of an antenna element 8 is fed to a connector 14 of the antenna board 12. The two connectors 13, 14 are used to establish electrical contact between the electronic circuit on the main board 11 and the associated antenna element 8 on the antenna board 12. However, apart from the claimed subject matter, the main board 11 can also have one or more antenna elements, for example for WiFi, Bluetooth or the like, even if not shown.

[0027] In the case of the antenna system 1 being mounted on a vehicle, it is shown that this takes place in the area of ​​a body panel 15. The body panel 15 of the vehicle can be, for example, a roof, a trunk lid, or similar. In order for the means for connecting the main circuit board 11 (more precisely, its electronic circuits) to the antenna board 12 (more precisely, its antenna elements 8) to be able to pass through the body panel 15, it is necessary that at least this body panel 15 has an opening 16. In addition, the housing 2 also has an opening so that the two corresponding connectors 13, 14 can be passed through the opening in the body panel 15 and the opening in the housing 2 for mating. It is also conceivable for the connector 14 to be arranged on the antenna board 12, while a cable, at the end of which the connector 13 is arranged, is led out of the housing 2.This increases the flexibility of mounting the housing 2 below the body panel 15. It is also possible for the connector 13 to protrude from the housing 2 and the connector 14 to be arranged at the end of a cable, the other end of which is connected to the antenna board 12. It is also conceivable for a cable to extend from both the main board 11 and the antenna board 12, with the connectors 13, 14 being arranged at the end of each cable. The variants with the cable are particularly advantageous when the housing 2 is not, as in . Figure 4 shown, in the immediate vicinity of the antenna board 12, but is arranged away from it. Figure 4 The configuration shown with the two directly plugged-together connectors 13, 14, which are each arranged on the main board 11 and the antenna board 12, is particularly preferred due to the associated short signal paths.

[0028] Not shown, but present, the antenna circuit board 12 is arranged and secured to the main circuit board 11 and / or to the housing 2 and / or to the body panel 15 via connecting means. Such connecting means, such as screws, snap-in connections, or the like, are required to realize the entire antenna system 1 as a one-piece system in the finished state, thereby simplifying the assembly of such a one-piece antenna system 1. For assembly, the entire unit (the antenna module) is mounted from the inside (inside the vehicle) to the outside (outside the vehicle), with pre-locking provided by clips.

[0029] In Figure 4For the sake of simplicity, the outer cover 4 is not shown, but is present in principle. If the outer cover 4 is formed over the entire surface and is provided with an opening for inserting the antenna board 12 with the at least one antenna element 8, an additional outer cover 3 can be omitted apart from the claimed subject matter. Nevertheless, it can be present in the full-surface design of the outer cover 4. The outer cover 3 is present when the outer cover 4 is formed by struts 9 with recesses 10 located therebetween, as shown in Figure 3is shown. In these cases, the opening 16 in the body panel can then also be selected to be larger and at least correspond to the outer contour 7 of the outer cover 4. This has the advantage that the outer cover 4 can be passed from below through the opening 16 in the body panel 5 in order to be able to mount the housing 2, which carries the outer cover 4, below the body panel 15. Once this has been done, the antenna hood 3 can be arranged and fastened from above on the body panel 15. It is also conceivable for the antenna hood 3 to already be slipped over the outer cover 4 and the opening 16 in the body panel 15 to have the outer contour of the antenna hood 3. The antenna system 1 with the outer cover 4 and the slipped-over antenna hood 3 can then be passed downwards through the opening 16 in the body panel 15 and the housing 2 can be secured below the body panel 15.For this purpose, appropriate fastening means such as screws, snap-in connections, adhesive connections or the like are available, but are not shown in the figures. List of reference symbols

[0030] 1.Antenna system 2.Housing 3.Antenna hood 4.Outer cover 5.Top (of housing 2) 6.Bottom (of antenna hood 3) 7.Outer contour (of outer cover 4) 8.Antenna element 9.Struts 10.Recesses 11.Main board 12.Antenna board 13.Connector 14.Connector 15.Body panel 16.Opening

Claims

1. Antenna system (1) which has a housing (2), in which a printed circuit board is arranged, and at least one antenna element (8), wherein the at least one antenna element (8) is arranged inside an outer cover (4), wherein a main printed circuit board (11) without an antenna element (8) is arranged inside the housing (2) and an antenna printed circuit board (12) is arranged at a distance from the main printed circuit board (11) and also outside the housing (2), wherein the at least one antenna element (8) is arranged on the antenna printed circuit board (12), wherein the housing (2) has at least one opening for means for connecting the main printed circuit board (11) to the antenna printed circuit board (12) to pass through and, as means for connecting the main printed circuit board (11) to the antenna printed circuit board (12), the main printed circuit board (11) has a plug-in connector (13) and the antenna printed circuit board (12) has a plug-in connector (14) corresponding to the plug-in connector (13), characterized in that there is an outer hood (3) in addition to the outer cover (4), wherein the outer cover (4) is formed by struts (9) with cutouts (10) between them and also has an opening for inserting the antenna printed circuit board (12) having the at least one antenna element (8), in that the outer hood (3) constitutes an antenna hood (3), and in that the antenna hood (3) is placed over the outer cover (4), wherein the antenna hood (3) protects the outer cover (4) from water, moisture, snow and particles of dirt, in that the antenna hood (3) is fastened to the housing (2), and in that the outer cover (4) is fastened to the housing (2).

2. Antenna system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the antenna printed circuit board (12) is arranged on and fastened to the main printed circuit board (11) and / or the housing (2) using connecting means.

3. Vehicle comprising an antenna system (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2.