Antenna device

Abstract

To provide an antenna device capable of suppressing the degradation of antenna reception sensitivity.SOLUTION: The antenna device includes an antenna for receiving signals as radio waves, a housing for internally storing the antenna, and a vibration generator provided in the housing for vibrating the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna device. [Background technology]

[0002] An antenna with a vibrator attached to the snow-covered portion has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). The antenna disclosed in Patent Document 1 applies vibrations to the snow-covered portion of the antenna, making it possible to prevent snow from accumulating on the antenna. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-100403 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the antenna disclosed in Patent Document 1, the vibrator is directly attached to the antenna, causing the antenna to vibrate and reducing reception sensitivity.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna device that can suppress a decrease in the receiving sensitivity of the antenna. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An antenna device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an antenna for receiving radio waves, a housing for storing the antenna therein, and a vibration generator provided in the housing for vibrating the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of a signal receiving system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of an antenna device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG. 2 taken along line III-III. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an antenna device according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a modified example of the antenna device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a modified example of the antenna device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a mounting bracket provided in the antenna device shown in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, hereinafter, identical or corresponding components will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications. Various modifications other than these embodiments and modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0009] (Signal Receiving System) A configuration of a signal receiving system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main part of the signal receiving system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] The signal receiving system 100 is a system that receives a signal as a radio wave, and includes an antenna device 1 and a detection sensor 2, as shown in FIG.

[0011] The antenna device 1 includes an antenna 10 , a vibration generator 11 , and a control unit 12 .

[0012] The antenna 10 receives signals as radio waves and is, for example, a planar antenna placed on the roof of a ship, a house, etc. An example of a planar antenna is a phased array antenna in which multiple small antenna elements are arranged on a plane and the phase of each antenna element is electronically controlled.

[0013] As will be described later, the antenna 10 is surrounded by a housing 20, which is a so-called radome, and is stored inside the housing 20. The housing 20 protects the antenna 10 from the effects of rain, wind, snow, and sunlight, as well as from birds and other animals.

[0014] Vibration generator 11 is a device that generates a constant continuous or intermittent vibration, and an example of such a device is a vibrator. Vibration generator 11, which will be described later, is provided in housing 20. It is sufficient for vibration generator 11 to be able to generate a constant vibration throughout housing 20, and at least one vibration generator 11 is provided in housing 20.

[0015] In the antenna device 1, by activating the vibration generator 11 and vibrating the housing 20, it is possible to drop and remove rainwater, snow, and the like that has accumulated on the upper surface of the housing 20. In addition, by activating the vibration generator 11 and vibrating the housing 20, the antenna device 1 can also deter animals such as birds from approaching the antenna device 1.

[0016] The control unit 12 performs various controls on each part of the antenna device 1 and can be realized by, for example, a calculation processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 12 can control the phase of each antenna element included in the antenna 10 and can control the start and stop of the vibration generator 11.

[0017] The detection sensor 2 is a device that acquires information used to control the start or stop of the vibration generator 11. When the vibration generator 11 is started for the purpose of removing rainwater or snow that has accumulated on the upper surface of the housing 20, the detection sensor 2 can be an optical sensor that detects precipitation such as rain, snow, or hail. The optical sensor can detect precipitation such as rain, snow, or hail, for example, by irradiating a predetermined area with laser light and detecting particles such as rain or ice.

[0018] Furthermore, for example, when the vibration generator 11 is activated in order to prevent animals from approaching the antenna 10, the detection sensor 2 can be an imaging device that acquires images to determine the presence or absence of animals. The detection sensor 2 may also be configured to include the above-mentioned optical sensor and imaging device. The detection sensor 2 transmits the acquired information to the control unit 12 of the antenna device 1. Then, the control unit 12 controls the activation and deactivation of the vibration generator 11 based on the information received from the detection sensor 2.

[0019] That is, when the control unit 12 receives information from the detection sensor 2 indicating that precipitation such as rain, snow, or hail is occurring, the control unit 12 activates the vibration generator 11, and when it receives information indicating that precipitation has stopped, the control unit 12 stops the vibration generator 11. Alternatively, the control unit 12 analyzes the image received from the detection sensor 2, and when it determines that an animal is present near the antenna device 1, the control unit 12 activates the vibration generator 11, and when it determines that no animal is present near the antenna device 1, the control unit 12 stops the vibration generator 11.

[0020] 1, the antenna device 1 is configured to include the control unit 12. However, the control unit 12 may be provided separately from the antenna device 1. For example, the antenna device 1 is provided outdoors, such as on the roof of a ship, while the control unit 12 is provided indoors, such as inside the ship. The antenna device 1 and the control unit 12 may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, by wire.

[0021] As described above, antenna device 1 is configured to control the activation and stopping of vibration generator 11 based on information received from detection sensor 2. However, antenna device 1 may be configured to further include an operation unit (not shown) that receives input from a user, and to be able to control the activation and stopping of vibration generator 11 in accordance with instructions from the user input via the operation unit.

[0022] Furthermore, the antenna device 1 may be configured to be able to acquire weather information observed by a weather radar (not shown), and based on the acquired weather information, the control unit 12 may be configured to control the start and stop of the vibration generator 11. For example, the control unit 12 may start the vibration generator 11 during a period when precipitation is predicted based on the acquired weather information, and may stop the vibration generator 11 during other periods.

[0023] (antenna device) Next, the configuration of the antenna device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the antenna device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 2, the antenna 10, vibration generator 11, and vibration-isolating member 30 stored inside the housing 20 are indicated by dashed lines. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna device 1 shown in Figure 2 taken along line III-III.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the antenna 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with its height shorter than its horizontal length, and as shown in Figure 3, the top surface of the antenna 10 is provided with a radio wave receiving unit 10a consisting of multiple antenna elements that receives radio waves.

[0025] The housing 20 is a protective member that protects the antenna 10 from the effects of rain, wind, snow, and sunlight, as well as from animals such as birds. The housing 20 encloses the antenna 10 and stores it inside. The housing 20 is made of a material that is highly impact-resistant and durable and does not interfere with the propagation of radio waves received by the antenna 10. Examples of materials that can be used to form the housing 20 include polycarbonate.

[0026] 2 and 3, the housing 20 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is larger than the antenna 10, and as shown in Fig. 3, the top surface of the housing 20 has an inclined portion 20a that is inclined so that the height decreases from one side to the other when viewed from the side. The top surface of the housing 20 may also be water-repellent.

[0027] As described above, housing 20 has inclined portion 20a on its upper surface, which makes it easier for rainwater or snow that accumulates on the upper surface of housing 20 to fall downward. The synergistic effect of the vibrations generated by vibration generator 11 and inclined portion 20a on the upper surface causes rainwater or snow to fall downward on the upper surface of housing 20, preventing rainwater or snow from accumulating on the upper surface of housing 20. Furthermore, because the upper surface of housing 20 is water-repellent, housing 20 can more effectively cause rainwater or snow that accumulates on the upper surface to fall downward.

[0028] 2 and 3 has an upper surface with an inclined portion 20a that decreases in height from one side surface of the housing 20 to the other side surface, but is not limited to this configuration. The upper surface of the housing 20 may have an inclined portion 20a on at least a portion thereof. Alternatively, the upper surface of the housing 20 may have an inclined portion 20a that decreases in height symmetrically from the center to one side and the other side in a side view, in other words, an inclined portion 20a that tapers upward.

[0029] Alternatively, the upper surface of housing 20 may be configured to have an inclined portion 20a that is hemispherical and convex upward, in other words, dome-shaped, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of antenna device 1 according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 4, antenna 10, vibration generator 11, and vibration-isolating member 30 stored inside housing 20 are indicated by dashed lines. Figure 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of antenna device 1 shown in Figure 4.

[0030] In this way, even if the inclined portion 20a on the upper surface of the housing 20 is hemispherical and convex upward, rain or snow that has accumulated on the upper surface of the housing 20 can be dropped downward and removed.

[0031] 2 or 4, a plurality of vibration generators 11 are provided on the inner wall of each of the four side surfaces of housing 20 so as to surround the side surfaces of antenna 10, and at positions below radio wave receiving unit 10a as shown in FIG. 3 or 5. In this manner, antenna device 1 is configured such that a plurality of vibration generators 11 are provided in housing 20, and therefore the influence of vibrations generated by vibration generators 11 on antenna 10 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which vibration generators 11 are provided directly on antenna 10. Therefore, antenna device 1 can suppress a decrease in the reception sensitivity of antenna 10.

[0032] Vibration generator 11 is configured to be provided on the inner wall of the side surface of housing 20, but may also be provided on the outer wall of the side surface. However, a configuration in which vibration generator 11 is provided on the inner wall of housing 20, as in antenna device 1, is advantageous over a configuration in which vibration generator 11 is provided on the outer wall of housing 20 in that it can suppress the effects of the external environment, such as rain, wind, snow, and sunlight, and the effects of animals, and in that a cable or the like for supplying power to vibration generator 11 can be wired without being exposed to the outside.

[0033] Furthermore, since the vibration generator 11 is positioned below the radio wave receiving section 10a of the antenna 10 in the housing 20, the vibration generator 11 can be prevented from interfering with the reception of signals (radio waves) at the radio wave receiving section 10a.

[0034] 2 to 5, a vibration-isolating member 30 is provided inside the housing 20 between the antenna 10 and the housing 20. More specifically, the vibration-isolating member 30 is provided between the antenna 10 and the housing 20 on a propagation path along which vibrations of the housing 20 are transmitted toward the antenna 10.

[0035] The vibration-isolating member 30 is a member that absorbs vibrations transmitted from the housing 20 to the antenna 10. The vibration-isolating member 30 can be made of, for example, rubber, silicone, or urethane. For example, the vibration-isolating member 30 can be made of αGEL (registered trademark), a gel-like material whose main ingredient is silicone.

[0036] 2 to 5, the antenna 10 is provided on the installation surface via the bottom of the housing 20. Therefore, when vibration occurs in the housing 20, the vibration is transmitted from the bottom of the housing 20 to the bottom of the antenna device 1.

[0037] Therefore, in the antenna device 1, the vibration-isolating member 30 is provided between the bottom of the housing 20 and the bottom of the antenna 10. Therefore, the antenna 10 can suppress the influence of vibrations transmitted from the housing 20.

[0038] If it is necessary to fix the antenna 10 inside the housing 20 so that it does not move, for example, as shown in Fig. 6, the vibration-isolating member 30 itself may serve as a fixing member that fills the gap between the housing 20 and the antenna 10 and fixes the antenna 10 inside the housing 20. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a modified example of the antenna device 1 shown in Fig. 5.

[0039] 6, the vibration-isolating members 30 are L-shaped members that cover the corners of the antenna 10 and have a thickness that allows them to fill the gaps between the corners of the antenna 10 and the housing 20. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the vibration-isolating members 30 are arranged at the four corners of the bottom of the antenna 10 and the four corners of the top of the antenna 10.

[0040] In this manner, by configuring the vibration-isolating members 30 so as to be sandwiched between each corner of the antenna 10 and the housing 20, the four corners of the antenna 10 can be fixed within the housing 20. This makes it possible to prevent the antenna 10 from moving inside the housing 20. Furthermore, because the antenna 10 is configured to be in contact with the housing 20 via the vibration-isolating members 30, it is possible to suppress transmission of vibrations generated in the housing 20 to the antenna 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the antenna device 1 may be configured to include a plurality of mounting brackets 40 as fixing members, and the plurality of mounting brackets 40 may be used to fix the antenna 10 inside the housing 20. In such a configuration, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, a mounting bracket 40 may be provided at each of the four corners of the bottom of the antenna 10, and the antenna 10 may be fixed to the housing 20 via vibration-isolating members 30. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a modified example of the antenna device 1 shown in Fig. 5.

[0042] More specifically, the mounting bracket 40 can be configured as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the mounting bracket 40 provided in the antenna device 1 shown in Fig. 7.

[0043] That is, the mounting bracket 40 includes a mounting plate 41 , a male screw 42 , a press plate 43 , and a nut 44 .

[0044] The mounting plate 41 is a generally oval flat plate member having a pair of screw holes 41a and a male screw 42 protruding upward. The lower surface of the mounting plate 41 abuts against the upper surface of the bottom of the housing 20, and is fixed to the bottom of the housing 20 by screws (not shown) inserted through each of the screw holes 41a. In addition, a cylindrical vibration-damping member 30 having openings through which the male screws 42 are inserted is disposed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 41.

[0045] The press plate 43 is a disk-shaped member provided with an opening through which the male screw 42 is inserted, and is provided on the upper surface side of the vibration-damping member 30. A nut 44 that screws onto the male screw 42 is provided on the upper surface of the press plate 43. When the nut 44 is screwed onto the male screw 42 and tightened, a compressive force acts on the press plate 43, sandwiching and fixing the vibration-damping member 30 between the press plate 43 and the mounting plate 41.

[0046] Furthermore, the male screw 42 is threaded into a female screw (not shown) provided at the bottom of the antenna 10 , thereby fastening the antenna 10 to the mounting bracket 40 .

[0047] As described above, a plurality of mounting brackets 40 are provided, and antenna 10 can be fixed to housing 20 via vibration-damping member 30 using each of the plurality of mounting brackets 40. This makes it possible to fix vibration-damping member 30 inside housing 20 so that it does not move, and also makes it possible to suppress transmission of vibrations generated in housing 20 to antenna 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Antenna device 2 detection sensors 10 Antennas 10a Radio wave receiving unit 11 Vibration Generator 12 Control Unit 20. Housing 20a Slope section 30 Vibration-proof member 40 Mounting bracket 41 Mounting plate 41a screw hole 42 Male thread 43 Push plate 44 Nut 100 Signal Receiving System

Claims

1. an antenna for receiving radio waves; a housing for storing the antenna therein; a vibration generator provided in the housing and vibrating the housing.

2. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration-isolating member provided between the antenna and the housing, for absorbing vibrations of the housing generated by the vibration generator.

3. a fixing member for fixing the antenna within the housing; 3. The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the fixing member is formed of the vibration-isolating member.

4. a fixing member for fixing the antenna within the housing; The antenna device according to claim 2 , wherein the fixing member fixes the antenna within the housing via the vibration-isolating member.

5. the antenna includes a radio wave receiving unit on an upper surface thereof for receiving the radio waves; The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration generator is provided at a position on the housing that is lower than the signal receiving unit.

6. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the housing has an upwardly convex, hemispherical slope.

7. The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the upper surface of the housing has a slope.

8. 8. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the upper surface of the housing is water-repellent.

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