Antenna module for a telematics control unit for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an antenna module (1) for a vehicle (2) comprising : - a first housing (10), - a second housing (11), - an electronic support (12), wherein said antenna module (1) comprises : - a metal part (13) in the form of slot so that the antenna module (1) is a flat slot antenna module, and - a connector (14) that is configured to connect the electronic support (12) to a telematics control unit (3).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna module for a telematics control unit for a vehicle. Such an antenna module, may be used, but not exclusively, in the automotive domain.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the automotive domain, an antenna module, well-known by the person skilled in the art, is configured to wirelessly communicate with different systems such as cloud services, other vehicles, base stations, infrastructures (such as traffic lights), pedestrians etc.

[0003] The antenna module is resting and thatched on a metallized cross member attached to the roof of the vehicle. The metallized cross member comprises a low cavity to accommodate the TCU. The TCU comprises a metal housing that is a rear plate that is screwed onto the cross member, and a plastic housing that is an upper plate and that closes the TCU to protect the antenna module and other electronic components of the TCU.

[0004] One problem of this prior art is that the antenna module horizontal radiations are hindered by the metallized cross member and the cavity of the roof, as they form metal obstruction which compromise the antenna module performance. The horizontal radiations reflect on this metallized cross member and the cavity. Only the upwards radiations are not hindered. As the lower elevation angles radiations are not able to radiate correctly, aka the horizontal radiations, it will reduce the communication of the TCU with other systems, in particular with other vehicles, traffic lights and pedestrians.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an antenna module for a telematics control unit for a vehicle, which resolves the problem above-stated.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To this end, it is provided an antenna module for a telematics control unit for a vehicle, said antenna module comprising : - - a first housing, a second housing, an electronic support, wherein said antenna module comprises : a metal part in the form of slot so that the antenna module is a flat slot antenna module, and a connector that is configured to connect the electronic support to a telematics control unit.

[0007] As we will see in further details, thanks to the metal part of the antenna module which is in the form of a slot, the antenna module can sit high up close to the roof, therefore improving lower elevation angle radiations, aka horizontal radiations, due to less obstruction. Moreover, thanks to the connector of the antenna module, it permits the antenna module to be independent from the TCU ; the TCU can be placed in another location different from the antenna module, and thus the volume of the room taken by only the antenna module below the roof is very small.

[0008] According to non-limitative embodiments of the invention, the antenna module further comprises the following characteristics.

[0009] In a non-limitative embodiment, said antenna module is a V2X antenna module.

[0010] In a non-limitative embodiment, said V2X antenna module is configured to work within a frequency band around 5.9 GHz.

[0011] In a non-limitative embodiment, said first housing is an upper housing and said second housing is a lower housing. The upper housing forms the top side of the antenna module, and is configured to be the nearest to the roof of the vehicle compared to the lower housing when the antenna module is arranged inside the vehicle. The lower housing forms the rear side of the antenna module, and is configured to be the farthest to the roof of the vehicle compared to the upper housing when the antenna module is arranged inside the vehicle.

[0012] In a non-limitative embodiment, said first housing is in metal and said second housing is in plastic.

[0013] In a non-limitative embodiment, said antenna module further comprises radiofrequency contacts that go from the metal part to the electronic support.

[0014] In a non-limitative embodiment, the radiofrequency contacts are metal springs or pogo pins.

[0015] In a non-limitative embodiment, said antenna module further comprises a flexible PCB transmission line that goes from the metal part down to the electronic support towards the connector.

[0016] In a non-limitative embodiment, said metal part of the antenna is configured to be placed along a same local plane as part of a roof of said vehicle.

[0017] In a non-limitative embodiment, the metal part is printed on the electronic support.

[0018] In a non-limitative embodiment, said first housing is in plastic and said second housing is in plastic.

[0019] In a non-limitative embodiment, said antenna module further comprises a transmission line that goes from the connector to the metal part.

[0020] In a non-limitative embodiment, the metal part of said antenna module is configured to be placed towards the back of a roof of said vehicle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Some embodiments of methods and / or system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1a is a schematic side view of an antenna module for a telematics control unit for a vehicle according to a first non-limitative embodiment of the invention, said antenna module comprising a first housing, a second housing, an electronic support, a metal part and a connector, Figure 1b is an upper view of the antenna module of figure 1a without the first housing and the second housing, Figure 1c is an upper view of the metal part of the antenna module of figures 1a and 1b, Figure 1d is an enlarged view of the antenna module of figure 1a and figure 1b, said antenna module further comprising radiofrequency contacts according to a first non-limitative variant of embodiment, Figure 1e is an enlarged view of the antenna module of figure 1a and figure 1b, said antenna module further comprising a transmission line according to a second non-limitative variant of embodiment, Figure 2a is a schematic side view of an antenna module for a telematics control unit for a vehicle according to a second non-limitative embodiment of the invention, said antenna module comprising a first housing, a second housing, an electronic support, a metal part and a connector, Figure 2b is an upper view of the antenna module of figure 2a without the first housing and the second housing, Figure 3a is a schematic upper view of a roof of a vehicle to which the antenna module of figures 1a and 1b is mounted to, said roof comprising an open slot, Figure 3b is a schematic upper view of the roof of a vehicle to which the antenna module of figures 2a and 2b is mounted to, said roof comprising an open slot, Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the roof of the vehicle of figure 3a below which the antenna module of figure 3a is mounted. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In the following description, well-known functions or constructions by the person skilled in the art are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

[0023] The present invention relates to an antenna module 1 for a telematics control unit 3 for a vehicle 2, said antenna module 1 being described in reference to figures 1a to 2b. In a non-limitative embodiment, the vehicle 2 illustrated in figure 4 is a motor vehicle. In non-limitative variants of embodiment, the motor vehicle has a combustion engine, an electric engine, or a hybrid engine. The telematics control unit is also referred to as TCU in the following.

[0024] In a non-limitative embodiment, the antenna module 1 is a V2X antenna module. Hence, the antenna module 1 is a high frequency antenna module that is used in particular for the TCU to wireless communicate with cloud services, other vehicles, base stations, infrastructures (such as traffic lights, buildings), pedestrians etc. to exchange information such as in non-limitative examples the position of the vehicle, the speed of the vehicle, engine data etc. In non-limitative examples, the TCU is used for the safety of the driver and passengers, to optimize the traffic flow and to make automatic emergency calls when an accident occurs.

[0025] In a non-limitative embodiment, the antenna module 1 is placed on any surface of the vehicle, such as the below surface of the roof, or a surface of the mirror cover of the vehicle etc.

[0026] In a non-limitative embodiment, the V2X antenna module 1 works at a frequency band of 5.9 GHz.

[0027] The antenna module 1 is independent from the TCU.

[0028] As illustrated in the figures 1a and 2a, the antenna module 1 comprises : a first housing 10, a second housing 11, an electronic support 12, a metal part 13, a connector 14.

[0029] The antenna module 1 is a flat antenna module compared to a metal stamped antenna module. It is not protruding from a vehicle surface and it is flushed with the vehicle surface.

[0030] The different elements of the antenna module 1 are described hereinafter.

[0031] The first housing 10 is an upper plate that is placed on top of the other elements of the antenna module 1 when the antenna module 1 is placed inside the vehicle 2. Hence, the first housing 10 forms here the top side of the antenna module 1. By "top", one means that it is the nearest to the roof 21 of the vehicle 2, compared to the other elements of the antenna module 1 such as the second housing 11 or the electronic support 12. Hence, it is also called upper housing. It is turned towards the roof 21. In non-limitative embodiments, the first housing 10 is in metal or in plastic.

[0032] The first housing 10 is configured to be placed in an opening 210 in the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 illustrated in figure 4. Thus, it is placed at the same level as the roof 21. In this manner, the metal part 13 of the antenna module 1 is either at the same level as the roof 21 or high up close to the roof 21 as will be described later in the following.

[0033] The second housing 11 is a back plate that is placed below all the other elements of the antenna module 1 when the antenna module 1 is placed inside the vehicle 2. Hence, the second housing 11 forms here the rear side of the antenna module 1. By "below" or "rear", one means that it is the farthest to the roof 21 of the vehicle 2, compared to the other elements of the antenna module 1, such as the first housing 10 or the electronic support 12. Hence, it is also called lower housing. It is turned towards the inside compartment of the vehicle 2.

[0034] The second housing 11 is configured to close the antenna module 1 in the back so that nobody can access the different elements of the antenna module 1, in particular none of the passengers of the vehicle 2. So, it acts as a cover to protect the different elements of the antenna module 1 from being degraded by somebody, in particular the metal part 13.. In non-limitative embodiments, the second housing 11 is in plastic.

[0035] The second housing 11 is attached to the first housing 10. In a non-limitative embodiment, it screwed with the first housing 10. In other non-limitative embodiments, it is clipped with the first housing 10 or glued to the first housing 10 on a circumferential border in a non-limitative example.

[0036] In a non-limitative embodiment, the electronic support 12 is a printed circuit board assembly referred to as PCBA. It is placed between the first housing 10 and the second housing 11 as illustrated in the side views of figures 1a and 2a.

[0037] The metal part 13 of the antenna module 1 is configured to be mounted towards the back of the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 or along the same plane A-A' to which the roof 21 locally extends. This plane is called a local plane A-A'. It is to be understood that the roof 21 has a curvature and thus extends along different local planes.

[0038] The metal part 13 is in the form of a slot so that the antenna module 1 is a slot antenna module. The metal part 13 is very thin so that the antenna module 1 is a flat slot antenna module. The slot antenna module 1 is flush with the considered surface of the vehicle 2, here the roof 21 in a non-limitative example. It is conformal to the considered surface of the vehicle 2.

[0039] The metal part 13 is now described according to a first non-limitative embodiment illustrated in figures 1a to 1d.

[0040] In this first non-limitative embodiment, as illustrated in figure 1a, in a first variant non-limitative of embodiment, the metal part 13 is part of the first housing 10. In this first embodiment, the first housing 10 is in metal. In a second variant non-limitative of embodiment, the metal part 13 is a separate part of the first housing 10 and extends along the same plane as the first housing 10. In this second embodiment, the first housing 10 is in plastic in a non-limitative embodiment.

[0041] As illustrated in figure 1b, the metal part 13 is a slot cut on metal.

[0042] As the metal housing 10 to which the metal part 13 is part of is placed in the opening 210 of the roof 21, the metal part 13 is placed at the same level than the other parts of the metal housing 10. Hence, it permits the antenna module 1 to be at the same level as the roof 21 itself, which generates a better radiation pattern.

[0043] Indeed, the antenna module 1 can radiate towards the horizon outside the vehicle 2 in every direction without any obstructions and attain the other antenna modules of other systems. Thus, the radiation pattern improves, in particular the lower elevation angle radiations improve and there is better coverage in the lower elevation angle. Thus, the antenna module 1 permits the TCU to have better communication with other systems, in particular with other vehicles that are moving on the same road than the vehicle 2 for example, or that are parked for example at the same level than the vehicle 2, or with pedestrian systems in another non-limitative example.

[0044] The metal part 13 is illustrated in figure 1c.

[0045] In non-limitative embodiments, the metal part 13 is metal stamped or molded or printed on the first housing 10. It is in the form of a slot as mentioned. Thus, the antenna module 1 is a flat slot antenna module. Hence, it is also called slot V2X antenna module 1 in the case of the V2X antenna module. This form of a slot permits to match a corresponding form 210 (described later) in the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 when the antenna module 1 is installed in the vehicle 2.

[0046] As illustrated in figure 1d, in a first non-limitative variant of embodiment, the antenna module 1 further comprises radiofrequency contacts 15 referred to as RF ("Radiofrequency") contacts 15 that go from the metal part 13 to the electronic support 12. It permits to connect the antenna module 1 to the TCU, in particular to a communication module 30 (illustrated in figure 4a) of the TCU via the connector 14. In non-limitative embodiments, the RF contacts are metal springs or pogo pins. In a non-limitative example, there is one RF contact for the feeding, and one RF contact for the ground.

[0047] As illustrated in figure 1e, in a second non-limitative variant of embodiment, the antenna module 1 further comprises a flexible PCB ("Printed Circuit Board") transmission line 16 (also referred to as FBC transmission line) that goes from the metal part 13 down to the electronic support 12 towards the connector 14. It permits to connect the antenna module 1 to the TCU, in particular to a module 30 of the TCU via the connector 14. The flexible transmission line is a solid connection which can avoid vibrations when the vehicle 2 is moving.

[0048] The metal part 13 is now described according to a second non-limitative embodiment illustrated in figures 2a and 2b.

[0049] In this second non-limitative embodiment, the metal part 13 is part of the electronic support 12 and hence extends along the same plane as the electronic support 12. It permits obtaining a thinner antenna module 1 than the first non-limitative embodiment. In a non-limitative embodiment, the metal part 13 is printed on the electronic support 12. It permits to reduce the cost of the antenna module 1 as one doesn't need any springs contacts or pogo contacts. It permits the reduction of time manufacturing also.

[0050] In this second non-limitative embodiment, the first housing 10 is in plastic and the second housing 11 is also in plastic in a non-limitative embodiment. The first housing 10 and the second housing 11 permit to seal the antenna module 1 to protect the printed metal part 13 from external elements such as dust or water.

[0051] In this second embodiment, the antenna module 1 further comprises a transmission line 17 from the connector 14 to the metal part 14. It permits the antenna module 1 to communicate with the TCU, in particular a module 30 of the TCU.

[0052] In this second embodiment, the metal part 13 is configured to be placed towards the back of part of the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 and in regards to an opening 210 of the roof 21 of the vehicle 2. The metal part 13 doesn't here extends along the same local plane A-A' of the roof 21 and thus is less high up than in the first non-limitative embodiment, but it is still sitting high up close to the roof 21 so that the lower elevation angle radiations are not obstructed. Hence, the antenna module 1 can radiate towards the horizon outside the vehicle 2 in every direction without any obstructions and attain the other antenna modules of other systems. Thus, the lower elevation angle radiations improve and there is a better coverage

[0053] The connector 14 is now described. It connects the antenna module 1 to the TCU, in particular to a communication module 30 of the TCU. In the case of a V2X antenna module 1, the module 30 of the TCU is a V2X module. The V2X module 30 permits the transmission of the signals received from the V2X antenna module 1 to other vehicles, pedestrians, or infrastructure antennas. As it is well-known by the man skilled in the art, it is not described here. It is to be noted that the TCU can also comprise other antennas such as cellular antennas. The cellular antennas are configured to receive and transmit signals from and to a cellular base station. It is used in particular for the TCU to communicate data and voice signals.

[0054] The vehicle 2 where the antenna module 1 is installed is now described.

[0055] As illustrated in figures 4a and 4b, the vehicle 2 comprises a surface 21 where the antenna module 1 is placed. In a non-limitative embodiment, the surface 21 is the roof of the vehicle 2. This non-limitative embodiment of the roof is taken in the following as a non-limitative example.

[0056] As illustrated in figures 3a and 3b, the roof 21 comprises : a body 210, an open slot 211.

[0057] The body 210 doesn't comprise any low cavity. The body 210 is in metal.

[0058] The open slot 211 is made in the body 210. It permits placing the metal part 13 of the antenna module 1 in regards to. In other words, the open slot 211 is configured to be positioned in regards to the metal part 13, said metal part 13 being in the form of a slot so that the antenna module 1 is a flat slot antenna module.

[0059] The open slot 211 has the same form as the metal part 13. Hence, in the first non-limitative embodiment of the metal part 3 of figure 1b, the open slot 211 has the same form as illustrated in figure 3a. In the same manner, in the second non-limitative embodiment of the metal part 3 of figure 2b, the open slot 211 has the same form as illustrated in figure 3b. The dimensions of the open slot 211 are slightly greater than those of the metal part 13. Hence, all the radiations, the upwards Ru and the horizontal Rh ones, of the antenna module 1 are able to pass through this open slot 211 and go outside the vehicle 2 without any obstruction or any reflections on any part of the vehicle 2.

[0060] In a non-limitative embodiment illustrated in figures 4a and 4b, the vehicle 2 further comprises brackets 22 that are configured to allow the antenna module 1 to be mounted to the roof 21. In a non-limitative variant of embodiment, the brackets 22 are part of the roof 21 or a fixed to the roof 21. In non-limitative variants of embodiment, the brackets 22 are in metal or plastic. As illustrated in the figure 4, the antenna module 1 rests on these brackets 22. In other non-limitative embodiments not illustrated, the antenna module 1 is clipped to the roof 21, or glued to the roof 21, snapped to the roof 21 etc.

[0061] It is to be noted that figure 4a illustrated the roof 21 of the vehicle 1 that integrates the antenna module 1 with the metal plate 13 on its same local plane A-A' (illustrated in figure 4b) according to the first non-limitative embodiment of figure 1b, but of course by replacing the metal plate 13 of this first non-limitative embodiment by the second non-limitative embodiment, this figure 4a can also be applied to the antenna module 1 with the metal plate 13 sitting close to the roof 1 according to the second non-limitative embodiment of figure 2b.

[0062] It is to be noted that the TCU referred to as 3 in figure 4a is placed in another location different than the location where the antenna module 1 is placed and is connected to the antenna module 1 via the connector 14 via a cable 23 (illustrated in figure 4a). Hence, it can be placed anywhere in the vehicle 2, either under the roof 21 next to the antenna module 1 or under the roof 21 but a little far away, or in another part of the vehicle 2 far away from the antenna module 1.

[0063] In a non-limitative embodiment illustrated in figure 4b, the vehicle 2 further comprises a plastic cover 212 to cover the antenna module 1 when it is mounted in the vehicle 2. It permits a protection of the antenna module 1 against external elements such as dust or rain. The plastic cover 212 has dimensions slightly greater than the dimensions of the open slot 210 of the roof 21 so as to close it. The plastic cover 212 is part of the roof 21 and extends along the metal body 210 of the roof 21.

[0064] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned application, embodiments and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. In this respect, the following remarks are made.

[0065] Hence, some embodiments of the invention may comprise one or a plurality of the following advantages: it provides an antenna module 1 with better performance radiations, in particular regarding its horizontal radiations Rh that are not anymore obstructed, so that the TCU to which it is connected has better performance for communicating with other systems, it provides an antenna module 1 with a low profile that addresses the room constraints (in particular in height) under the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 where the antenna module 1 is arranged, as the antenna module 1 is not integrated in the TCU but is independent from the TCU, it permits to place the TCU anywhere in the vehicle 2 and not necessarily under the roof 21 of the vehicle 2 as it is traditionally arranged. Thus, there are less constraints on the TCU itself in terms of dimensions, It provides an antenna module 1 that is a flat antenna arranged differently from an antenna that has parts arranged in form of meander and put in a cavity arrangement and below a considered surface of a vehicle that is a roof. It provides an antenna module 1 that is more efficient in term of the horizontal radiations than the cavity arrangement, especially in term of a V2X antenna module.

Claims

1. Antenna module (1) for a telematics control unit (3) for a vehicle (2), said antenna module (1) comprising : - a first housing (10), - a second housing (11), - an electronic support (12), wherein said antenna module (1) comprises : - a metal part (13) in the form of slot so that the antenna module (1) is a flat slot antenna module, and - a connector (14) that is configured to connect the electronic support (12) to a telematics control unit (3).

2. Antenna module (1) according to claim 1, wherein said antenna module (1) is a V2X antenna module.

3. Antenna module (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said V2X antenna module (1) is configured to work within a frequency band around 5.9 GHz.

4. Antenna module (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first housing (10) is an upper housing and said second housing (11) is a lower housing.

5. Antenna module (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein said metal part (13) is part of the first housing (10).

6. Antenna module (1) according to claim 5, wherein said first housing (10) is in metal and said second housing (11) is in plastic.

7. Antenna module (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said antenna module (1) further comprises radiofrequency contacts (15) that go from the metal part (13) to the electronic support (12).

8. Antenna module (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the radiofrequency contacts (15) are metal springs or pogo pins.

9. Antenna module (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said antenna module (1) further comprises a flexible PCB transmission line (16) that goes from the metal part (13) down to the electronic support (12) towards the connector (14).

10. Antenna module (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said metal part (13) of the antenna (1) is configured to be placed along a same local plane (A-A') as part of a roof (21) of said vehicle (2).

11. Antenna module (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein said metal part (13) is part of the electronic support (12).

12. Antenna module (1) according to claim 11, wherein the metal part (13) is printed on the electronic support (12).

13. Antenna module (1) according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said first housing (10) is in plastic and said second housing (11) is in plastic.

14. Antenna module (1) according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 13, wherein said antenna module (1) further comprises a transmission line (17) that goes from the connector (14) to the metal part (13).

15. Antenna module (1) according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 14, wherein the metal part (13) of said antenna module (1) is configured to be placed towards the back of a roof (21) of said vehicle (2).

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