Antenna device having double cover structure

Abstract

To provide an antenna device having a double cover structure which prevents rattling of an outer cover and deformation of a vehicle roof.SOLUTION: An antenna device having a vehicle double cover structure includes a base plate 10, a pad 20, an inner cover 30, and an outer cover 40. The pad 20 is attached to the base plate 10 and seals a space between the base plate 10 and a vehicle. The inner cover 30 is fixed onto the base plate 10 and covers at least a part of an antenna member. The inner cover 30 has a first engagement part 31 on an outer surface. The outer cover 40 has: a second engagement part 41 provided on an inner surface to fix the outer cover 40 to the inner cover 30 and configured to engage with the first engagement part 31; and a reaction force receiving rib 42 which contacts with the pad 20 to improve engagement force between the first engagement part 31 and the second engagement part 41, and covers the inner cover 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna device having a dual cover structure, and more particularly to an antenna device having a dual cover structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various antenna devices mounted on vehicles, such as pillar antenna devices, glass antenna devices, and roof-mounted antenna devices. In recent years, a so-called shark fin antenna device has become known as a low-profile roof-mounted antenna device. In shark fin antenna devices, the color of the cover is generally matched to the color of the vehicle body on which it is mounted. For this reason, the color of the cover of the shark fin antenna device is made uniform for each vehicle body color.

[0003] For example, an antenna device having a double cover structure is known, as shown in Patent Document 1. In an antenna device having a double cover structure, an antenna member placed on a base plate is covered with an inner cover for general use, and an outer cover with various shapes and colors to match the vehicle body on which it is mounted is placed over the inner cover. The outer cover is engaged and fixed to an engaging portion of the inner cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-010098 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, in a conventional antenna device having a double cover structure, the outer cover is locked to the locking portion of the inner cover. The locking by the locking portion can cause rattling in the vertical and front-rear directions due to the structure or manufacturing errors.

[0006] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the outer cover is designed to cover the outer periphery of the pad attached to the base plate. However, in the case of a structure in which the entire circumference of the opening of the outer cover presses against the pad attached to the base plate, if the position of the locking part shifts downward due to manufacturing errors, the outer cover may press excessively against the entire circumference of the pad, resulting in deformation of the vehicle roof.

[0007] For this reason, there has been a demand for the development of an antenna device with a double cover structure that would not cause rattling of the outer cover or deformation of the vehicle roof.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an antenna device having a double cover structure that does not cause rattling of the outer cover or deformation of the vehicle roof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, the antenna device having a double cover structure according to the present invention comprises a base plate on which at least a portion of an antenna member is placed, a pad attached to the base plate and sealing between the base plate and the vehicle, and an inner cover fixed to the base plate and covering at least a portion of the antenna member, the inner cover having a first engagement portion on its outer surface, a second engagement portion provided on its inner surface for fixing to the inner cover and engaging with the first engagement portion, and an outer cover which is placed over the inner cover.

[0010] Here, it is sufficient that the first locking portions of the inner cover and the second locking portions of the outer cover are disposed at a plurality of locations symmetrically on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the reaction force receiving rib of the outer cover may be arranged between the engaging positions of the first and second locking portions which are arranged at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] Additionally, the second engaging portion of the outer cover may also function as a reaction force receiving rib.

[0013] The pad may also have a thick portion at the position where the reaction force receiving rib abuts.

[0014] The pad may have thick fitting portions on both sides in the short side direction of the pad, the thick fitting portions being in contact with the inner wall surface of the outer cover.

[0015] The outer cover may also have an additional rib that abuts against the thick fitting portion.

[0016] The pad may be so large that it is hidden by the outer cover in a top view.

[0017] The antenna device may further include an outer cover having a gap therebetween. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The antenna device having the double cover structure of the present invention has the advantage that there is no rattle in the outer cover or deformation of the vehicle roof. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view, partly cut away, for explaining an antenna device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded top view for explaining the inner cover of the antenna device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded rear view for explaining the inside of the outer cover of the antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining the engagement position between the first and second locking portions of the antenna device of the present invention and the relationship between the reaction-force-receiving rib and the pad. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view for explaining another example of the pad with which the reaction-force-receiving rib of the antenna device of the present invention comes into contact. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining another example of the reaction-force-receiving rib of the antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view, partly cut away, for explaining another example of the antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view, partially in cross section, for explaining another example of the antenna device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The antenna device of the present invention has a double cover structure for a vehicle. The double cover structure specifically means a structure having two covers, an inner cover that liquid-tightly seals an antenna element, a circuit board, etc. inside, and an outer cover that defines the appearance. The antenna device of the present invention is fixed to a vehicle, for example. Specifically, it is a low-profile antenna device that is inserted into a mounting hole opened in, for example, the vehicle roof of the vehicle and fixed with a nut, etc.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic partially cutaway perspective view for explaining the antenna device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded top view for explaining the inner cover of the antenna device of the present invention. And FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded back view for explaining the inside of the outer cover of the antenna device of the present invention. In the figures, parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same objects. The antenna device shown in the figure is a so-called shark fin antenna device. The shark fin antenna device is arranged on the vehicle roof with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vehicle travel direction.

[0022] As shown in the figure, the antenna device of the present invention is mainly composed of a base plate 10, a pad 20, an inner cover 30, and an outer cover 40. In the illustrated example, the antenna element, the circuit board, etc. are all sealed within the inner cover 30, and are not shown in the figure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the antenna element may be disposed on the front surface side of the inner cover 30.

[0023] The base plate 10 is a plate on which at least a part of an antenna member is placed. The antenna member is an antenna element, a circuit board, or the like. The antenna element may be, for example, an AM / FM composite antenna element, or an antenna element for TEL or GNSS. The antenna member does not have to be placed directly on the base plate 10, and may be appropriately arranged floating from the base plate 10 by a pillar or the like. The base plate 10 may be a metal base or a resin base. It may also be a composite base of metal and resin. The back side of the base plate 10 may be provided with a fixing screw boss that is appropriately inserted into a mounting hole in the vehicle roof.

[0024] The pad 20 is attached to the base plate 10. The pad 20 seals between the base plate 10 and the vehicle. Specifically, the pad 20 is located between the base plate 10 and the vehicle roof. The pad 20 is provided with a through hole through which the fixing screw boss of the base plate 10 passes. A waterproof rib is provided around the through hole and configured to seal the mounting hole of the vehicle roof. The pad 20 in the illustrated example has a size that protrudes from the base plate 10 when viewed from above. That is, the pad 20 extends from the lower side to the upper side of the base plate 10. More specifically, for example, the peripheral portion of the pad 20 is an annular bracket, and the peripheral portion of the base plate 10 is inserted into the annular bracket of the pad 20, so that the pad 20 is attached to the base plate 10. Because the base plate 10 is inserted into the annular bracket of the pad 20, the pad 20 has a size that protrudes from the base plate 10 when viewed from above. Also, for example, the pad 20 may be interposed between an inner cover 30 described below and the base plate 10, thereby liquid-tightly sealing the antenna member placed on the base 10. Also, the pad 20 is preferably made of an elastic material so as to function as a sealing member. As the elastic material, it is possible to use elastomers, polyolefins, polyurethanes, etc. that can be melt-molded by injection molding or the like.

[0025] The inner cover 30 is fixed on the base plate 10. The inner cover 30 may be fixed to the base plate 10 by suitable screws or the like. The inner cover 30 covers at least a part of the antenna member. In order to seal the inside of the inner cover 30 liquid-tightly, a seal member such as a pad 20 may be interposed between the inner cover 30 and the base plate 10. That is, for example, the circuit board and antenna element of the antenna member may be stored in the internal space of the inner cover 30 and these may be sealed liquid-tightly. The inner cover 30 has a first locking portion 31 on its outer surface. The first locking portion 31 is, for example, a locking claw, and is engaged with a second locking portion described later. In the illustrated example, the first locking portion 31 is symmetrically arranged at a plurality of positions on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the base plate 10. In this specification, the longitudinal direction of the base plate 10 is the vehicle travel direction, and both sides of the longitudinal direction mean the left and right sides of the vehicle travel direction. In the illustrated example, two first locking portions 31 are disposed on each of the left and right sides in the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0026] The outer cover 40 is placed on the inner cover 30. The outer cover 40 determines the appearance of the antenna device, and may be given various shapes and colors according to the vehicle in which it is mounted. The outer cover 40 has a second locking portion 41 that engages with the first locking portion 31. The second locking portion 41 is provided on the inner surface of the outer cover 40 in order to fix the outer cover 40 to the inner cover 30. In the illustrated example, the second locking portions 41 are symmetrically arranged at multiple locations on both sides of the base plate 10 in the longitudinal direction in correspondence with the arrangement positions of the first locking portions 31. That is, in the illustrated example, an example is shown in which two second locking portions 41 are arranged on each of the left and right sides in the vehicle travel direction.

[0027] As described above, for example, if the first locking portion 31 is made of a locking claw, the second locking portion 41 may be made of, for example, a loop hook. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41 may be configured to engage with each other, for example, so long as the locking claws engage with each other.

[0028] Furthermore, the outer cover 40 has a reaction force receiving rib 42. The reaction force receiving rib 42 abuts against the pad 20 so as to increase the engagement force between the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41. By providing the reaction force receiving rib 42 on the outer cover 40, after the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41 engage with each other, the outer cover 40 receives a reaction force in the direction opposite to the engagement direction. Therefore, since the second locking portion 41 is pressed in the direction opposite to the engagement direction of the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41, no rattling occurs even if there is a manufacturing error.

[0029] As shown in the figure, the reaction force receiving rib 42 may be disposed between the engagement positions of the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41, which are disposed at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction. That is, the reaction force receiving rib 42 may be disposed at a position where the reaction force can be efficiently applied to the engagement position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first locking portion 31, the second locking portion 41, and further the reaction force receiving rib 42 may be disposed at any appropriate position according to the shape and structure of the antenna device.

[0030] In the illustrated example, through holes are appropriately provided in the base plate 10 and the pad 20 at positions corresponding to the engagement positions of the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41. These are provided so that a tool can be inserted through the through holes to release the engagement of the second locking portion 41 when, for example, it is desired to change the outer cover 40 after the antenna device is assembled. Also, if water gets between the inner cover 30 and the outer cover 40, it can be appropriately drained through the through holes. However, the antenna device of the present invention is not limited to this, and the through holes may not be provided.

[0031] Furthermore, the reaction force receiving rib 42 of the antenna device of the present invention may be a reinforcing rib appropriately provided on the outer cover 40. That is, when the size of the outer cover 40 is large, a reinforcing rib for reinforcing the outer cover 40 is generally provided on the inner surface of the outer cover 40. This reinforcing rib may be configured to abut against the pad 20 to increase the engagement force between the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41. This allows the reinforcing rib to be used as the reaction force receiving rib as well.

[0032] The pad 20 in the illustrated example has a size that is hidden by the outer cover 40 in a top view. That is, the pad 20 is configured to be completely covered by the outer cover 40. As a result, when the antenna device of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle and viewed from the side, the pad 20 is hidden inside the outer cover 40, so that the color of the pad 20 cannot be seen from the outside, and the sense of unity between the vehicle and the antenna device is increased. In addition, since the pad 20 is hidden by the outer cover 40, the pad 20 is not pressed on the entire circumference of the opening of the outer cover 40, and the pad 20 is not interposed between the vehicle and the entire circumference of the opening of the outer cover 40. Therefore, it is sufficient to provide a gap between the outer cover 40 and the vehicle so that the outer cover 40 does not abut against the vehicle. As a result, the outer cover 40 does not abut against the vehicle, and it is possible to prevent distortion or damage to the vehicle caused by the outer cover 40. Furthermore, since the antenna device of the present invention has a double cover structure, and the circuit board and antenna element of the antenna member are appropriately liquid-tight sealed on the inner cover 30 side, there is no problem even if a gap is provided between the outer cover 40 and the vehicle.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view for explaining the engagement position of the first and second locking parts of the antenna device of the present invention and the relationship between the reaction force receiving rib and the pad. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same objects. Also, only the engagement position of the first and second locking parts 31 and 41, the reaction force receiving rib 42 and the pad 20 are shown, and the others are omitted. As shown, the reaction force receiving rib 42 receives a reaction force from the pad 20 by contacting the pad 20. In the illustrated example, a thick portion 21 is provided at the position of the pad 20 where the reaction force receiving rib 42 contacts. By providing the thick portion 21, it is possible to increase the reaction force received by the reaction force receiving rib 42.

[0034] In the illustrated example, the reaction force receiving rib 42 is configured to abut against the thick portion 21 that is configured integrally with the pad 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thick portion 21 may be provided separately on the base plate 10, separate from the pad 20.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which no thick portion is provided, the reaction force receiving rib 42 directly contacts the pad 20, and the reaction force is received by the thickness of the pad 20.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining another example of the reaction force receiving rib of the antenna device of the present invention. In the figure, the parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same objects. Also, only the engagement position of the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41, the reaction force receiving rib 42 and the pad 20 are shown, and the other parts are omitted. As shown in the figure, the second locking portion 41 may be configured to function as the reaction force receiving rib 42 as well. That is, it is sufficient to configure the portion below the engagement position of the second locking portion 41 to abut against the pad 20. In the illustrated example, the pad 20 is provided with a thick portion 21 and configured to abut against the lower portion of the second locking portion 41. At the same time that the second locking portion 41 engages with the first locking portion 31, the second locking portion 41 receives the reaction force from the thick portion 21. In other words, the second locking portion 41, which also functions as a reaction force receiving rib 42, receives the reaction force from the pad 20, and as in the illustrated example described above, the second locking portion 41 is pressed in the direction opposite to the engagement direction, making it possible to prevent rattling.

[0037] As described above, the antenna device of the present invention is structured so that the pad 20 is pressed by the reaction force receiving rib 42, rather than by the entire circumference of the opening of the outer cover 40. Therefore, even if there is a manufacturing error, only the reaction force receiving rib 42 presses the pad 20, so the outer cover 40 does not press the entire circumference of the pad excessively. Therefore, there is no possibility of the vehicle roof being deformed.

[0038] In the above-mentioned illustrated example, the reaction force from the pad 20 is received by the reaction force receiving rib 42 to prevent rattling mainly in the up-down direction. In the following illustrated example, a description will be given of a further prevention of rattling in the front-rear direction. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view, partly broken away, for explaining another example of the antenna device of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic side view, partly in cross section, for explaining another example of the antenna device of the present invention. In the figures, parts with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 represent the same things.

[0039] As shown in the figure, the pad 20 of the antenna device of the present invention has the fitting thick parts 22, 23. The fitting thick parts 22, 23 are provided on both sides of the short side direction of the pad 20. In this specification, the short side direction of the pad 20 is a direction perpendicular to the vehicle traveling direction, and both sides of the short side direction mean the front and rear sides in the vehicle traveling direction. In the illustrated example, the fitting thick part 22 is provided on the front side in the vehicle traveling direction, and the fitting thick part 23 is provided on the rear side in the vehicle traveling direction. As shown in FIG. 8 in particular, the fitting thick parts 22, 23 are configured to abut against the inner wall surface of the outer cover 40. That is, the fitting thick parts 22, 23 are provided on the inner wall surfaces of the front and rear parts so as to fit into the opening of the outer cover 40. Since the pad 20 is attached to the base plate 10, the base plate 10 serves as a core material, and the fitting thick parts 22, 23 do not bend inward. Therefore, the thick fitting portions 22, 23 come into contact with the inner wall surface of the outer cover 40 sufficiently to prevent rattling in the front-rear direction.

[0040] 8, an additional rib 43 that abuts against the fitting thick portion 23 may be provided on the outer cover 40. The additional rib 43 has the same function as the reaction force receiving rib 42 described above, and abuts against the fitting thick portion 23 provided on the pad 20 so as to increase the engagement force between the first locking portion 31 and the second locking portion 41. In the illustrated example, the additional rib 42 is only shown to abut against the fitting thick portion 23 on the rear side in the vehicle travel direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an additional rib that abuts against the fitting thick portion 22 on the front side in the vehicle travel direction may be further provided.

[0041] Incidentally, the antenna device having a double cover structure of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned illustrated example, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 Base plate 20 Pads 21 Thick part 22,23 Thick fitting part 30 Inner cover 31 First locking portion 40 Outer cover 41 Second locking portion 42 Reaction receiving rib 43 Extra Ribs

Claims

1. An antenna device having a dual cover structure for a vehicle, the antenna device comprising: a base plate on which at least a portion of the antenna member is mounted; A pad attached to the base plate for sealing between the base plate and a vehicle; an inner cover fixed on the base plate and covering at least a part of the antenna member, the inner cover having a first engaging portion on an outer surface thereof; an outer cover that is fitted over the inner cover and has a second locking portion that is provided on an inner surface thereof and engages with the first locking portion in order to be fixed to the inner cover, and a reaction force receiving rib that abuts against a pad so as to increase an engagement force between the first locking portion and the second locking portion; An antenna device comprising:

2. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion of the inner cover and the second engaging portion of the outer cover are disposed at a plurality of positions symmetrically on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base plate.

3. 3. The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the reaction force receiving rib of the outer cover is arranged between the engagement positions of the first and second engaging portions arranged at multiple locations in the longitudinal direction.

4. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the second engaging portion of the outer cover also functions as a reaction force receiving rib.

5. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein said pad has a thick portion at a position where said pad abuts against said reaction force receiving rib.

6. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein said pad has thick fitting portions on both sides in a direction of a short side of said pad, said thick fitting portions being in contact with an inner wall surface of an outer cover.

7. 7. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the outer cover has an additional rib that abuts against the thick fitting portion.

8. 8. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the pad has a size such that it is hidden by an outer cover when viewed from above.

9. 9. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein a gap is provided between the outer cover and the vehicle.

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