Antenna amplifier and antenna device

Abstract

To prevent a connection terminal of an antenna amplifier from being damaged when attaching or detaching the antenna amplifier from a holder.SOLUTION: An antenna amplifier includes a housing, an electronic board, an amplifier terminal, and an elastic member. The housing has an opening at the bottom. The electronic board is provided inside the housing. The amplifier terminal is provided on the electronic board and is arranged to face the opening of the housing. The elastic member is provided inside the housing so as to be able to press against the electronic board. The antenna amplifier is also formed such that the amplifier terminal can be exposed from the opening of the housing by the elastic member pressing against the electronic board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna amplifier and an antenna device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a connector including a holder fixed to a window glass of a vehicle and an antenna amplifier built into the holder has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-27428 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connector of Patent Document 1, an opening is provided on the bottom surface of the antenna amplifier, and a resilient connection terminal protrudes downward. By incorporating the antenna amplifier into the holder, the resilience of the connection terminal connects the antenna connection terminal provided on the holder to the connection terminal of the antenna amplifier. The resilient connection terminal is, for example, a spring terminal, and because it protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the antenna amplifier, it may be subject to plastic deformation due to the application of an unintended external force, for example, when attaching or detaching the antenna amplifier.

[0005] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent damage to the connection terminals of an antenna amplifier when the antenna amplifier is attached to or detached from a holder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the technology of the present disclosure employs the following configuration. An antenna amplifier according to one aspect of the technology of the present disclosure includes a housing, an electronic board, an amplifier terminal, and an elastic member. The housing has an opening at the bottom. The electronic board is provided in the internal space of the housing. The amplifier terminal is provided on the electronic board and is arranged to face the opening of the housing. The elastic member is provided in the internal space of the housing so as to be able to press against the electronic board. Furthermore, the antenna amplifier is formed so that the amplifier terminal can be exposed from the opening of the housing by the elastic member pressing against the electronic board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the connection terminals of the antenna amplifier from being damaged when the antenna amplifier is attached to or detached from the holder. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an antenna device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the antenna amplifier according to the embodiment attached to the holder according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the holder according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna amplifier according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the antenna amplifier according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the antenna amplifier according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an elastic member according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an antenna amplifier and a holder according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an elastic member according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each configuration and their combinations in the present embodiments are merely examples, and addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configurations are possible as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments, but is limited only by the claims.

[0010] <Embodiment> [composition] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an antenna device 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of an antenna amplifier 10 according to an embodiment attached to a holder 5 according to an embodiment. The antenna device 1 according to the embodiment is installed in a vehicle, such as an automobile. The antenna device 1 includes a receiver 2, an antenna 3, a cable 4, a holder 5, and an antenna amplifier 10. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the antenna device 1 according to the embodiment is used by placing the antenna 3 on the windshield G of the vehicle (an example of the "windshield" in the present invention). FIG. 1(b) shows an enlarged view of the antenna amplifier 10. For convenience, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the insertion / removal direction of the connector 41 is defined as the X direction. In the X direction, the side of the insertion direction of the connector 41 is defined as the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the rear side. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the direction in which the holder 5 and the antenna amplifier 10 are stacked is defined as the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction. In this specification, the Y direction may be referred to as the width direction of the holder 5 and the antenna amplifier 10. In the Y direction, the side facing the first wall portion 52 of the holder 5 (the first wall portion 122 of the case 12) is the inside, and the opposite side is the outside. In the Z direction, the side on which the holder 5 is provided as viewed from the antenna amplifier 10 is the lower side, and the opposite side is the upper side. Note that the front side, rear side, upper side, underside, inside, and outside based on each axial direction and each direction merely indicate the relative positional relationship of each element in this embodiment.

[0011] The receiver 2 is, for example, an in-vehicle device such as an audio system, a head unit, a car navigation system, or an entertainment system that is installed on the dashboard of a vehicle. The receiver 2 is configured to be able to process and display information based on a signal received by an antenna 3 and amplified by an antenna amplifier 10.

[0012] The antenna 3 is attached to the interior side of the vehicle's windshield G. In this embodiment, the antenna 3 is provided near the edge of the vehicle's windshield G so as not to obstruct the driver's field of view. The antenna 3 includes terminal connection portions 31a and 31b and an antenna pattern 32. Here, the terminal connection portions 31a and 31b are collectively referred to as the terminal connection portion 31. The terminal connection portion 31 is disposed, for example, in a position that does not obstruct the driver's field of view. The terminal connection portion 31 is formed to be electrically connectable to a holder terminal 511 (described later). The antenna pattern 32 is an antenna pattern formed, for example, of silver paste or the like, and is formed to be able to receive signals from GPS, television, radio, wireless LAN communication, and the like. However, the antenna 3 is not limited to being installed on the windshield G, and may be installed, for example, on other glass surfaces such as the rear windshield or other glass surfaces of the vehicle, or on the vehicle body. Furthermore, the location where the antenna 3 is installed is not particularly limited.

[0013] The cable 4 has a connector 41. The cable 4 connects the receiver 2 to an antenna amplifier 10, which will be described later. For example, a coaxial cable is used as the cable 4. The connector 41 is formed so as to be freely inserted into and removed from the antenna amplifier 10.

[0014] 3 is a side view of the holder 5 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 3, The holder 5 includes a bottom 51, a pair of first walls 52, and a second wall 53. The bottom 51 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. Holder terminals 511a and 511b are provided on the bottom 51. In this embodiment, the pair of first walls 52 are erected from the bottom 51 so as to face each other at a distance. The first wall 52 and the second wall 53 form side walls of the holder 5. The first wall 52 is formed of a plate-like member and forms a pair of walls facing each other in the Y direction. An engagement groove 521 is formed in the first wall 52.

[0015] The holder 5 has, for example, a substantially U-shaped configuration in the XY plane (as viewed from above) and is formed so that its rear side is open. In this manner, the holder 5 is formed so that the antenna amplifier 10 can be attached. That is, the antenna amplifier 10 is attached by being inserted inside the holder 5, and the antenna amplifier 10 can be freely inserted and removed from the holder 5 in the X direction. In this embodiment, the antenna amplifier 10 has an engaging protrusion 1222, and the holder 5 has an engaging groove 521 that can engage with the engaging protrusion 1222. When attaching the antenna amplifier 10 to the holder 5, the antenna amplifier 10 is slid forward in the X direction so that the engaging protrusion 1222 on the antenna amplifier 10 engages with the engaging groove 521 on the holder 5, thereby attaching the antenna amplifier 10 to the holder 5. Furthermore, when the antenna amplifier 10 is attached to the holder 5, the holder terminal 511a is electrically connected to the terminal connecting portion 31a, and the holder terminal 511b is electrically connected to the terminal connecting portion 31b. The holder terminals 511a and 511b are electrically connectable to amplifier terminals 1321a and 1321b provided on the electronic board 13 of the antenna amplifier 10 (described later). Here, the holder terminals 511a and 511b are collectively referred to as holder terminals 511. The holder terminal 511 is disposed on the bottom 51 of the holder 5, spanning both the inner and outer surfaces of the holder 5. The holder terminal 511 is a member formed by bending a plate-shaped contact terminal into a generally U-shape, and is made of a highly conductive metal such as copper. In this embodiment, the holder 5 is attached to the windshield G with adhesive B, which may be double-sided tape or an adhesive. The holder 5 is installed on the windshield G with the holder terminal 511 and the terminal connection portion 31 electrically connected. Therefore, when the holder 5 and the antenna amplifier 10 are coupled, the terminal connection portion 31 is electrically connected to the amplifier terminal 1321 via the holder terminal 511. 2, when the antenna amplifier 10 is attached to the holder 5, the holder terminal 511a, the amplifier terminal 1321a, and the terminal connection portion 31a are arranged so as to be stacked vertically. Similarly, when the antenna amplifier 10 is attached to the holder 5, the holder terminal 511b, the amplifier terminal 1321b, and the terminal connection portion 31b are arranged so as to be stacked vertically.However, the embodiment of holder 5 is just one example, and an embodiment may be adopted in which, for example, an opening is provided at the position of holder terminal 511, and holder terminal 511 is not provided. In other words, an embodiment may be adopted in which, when antenna amplifier 10 is attached to holder 5, amplifier terminal 1321 is inserted into the opening and amplifier terminal 1321 comes into direct contact with terminal connection portion 31. In this way, amplifier terminal 1321 and terminal connection portion 31 can be brought into direct contact, and amplifier terminal 1321 and antenna pattern 32 can be electrically connected without going through holder terminal 511.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna amplifier 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view of the antenna amplifier 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the antenna amplifier 10 according to the embodiment. The antenna amplifier 10 amplifies a signal received by an antenna 3 and outputs the amplified signal to a receiver 2 via a cable 4. The antenna amplifier 10 includes a cover 11, a case 12, an electronic board 13, and a spring 14. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the case 12 with the cover 11 removed. The antenna amplifier 10 according to the embodiment is formed so that the cover 11 and the case 12 can be fitted together in the Z direction. In this embodiment, a housing 100 that defines the outer shape of the antenna amplifier 10 is formed by combining the case 12 and the cover 11. When the cover 11 and the case 12 are joined together so as to overlap in the Z direction, an internal space 101 is formed inside the housing 100. The housing 1 The internal space 101 in the cover 11 is formed as a housing space for housing various components such as an electronic board 13 and a spring 14. The details of the spring 14 will be described later, but the spring 14 is disposed in the internal space 101 so as to be sandwiched between a lower surface 111 of the cover 11 and an upper surface 131 of the electronic board 13.

[0017] The cover 11 is an upper member of the housing 100 and is a member that covers the upper side of the internal space 101. The cover 11 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member with a lower surface 111 and an upper surface 112, and is provided with a claw portion 113. A pressing portion 1111 is formed on the lower surface 111. In the internal space 101, the pressing portion 1111 and the flat portion 142 of the spring 14 are arranged to abut in the Z direction. The claw portions 113 are plate-like members provided at four locations so as to protrude downward from the edge of the cover 11. The claw portions 113 are formed with engagement holes 1131. The engagement holes 1131 are formed so as to be able to receive engagement protrusions 1221, which will be described later.

[0018] The case 12 is a lower member of the housing unit 100. The case 12 has a substantially U-shaped cross section in the YZ plane, and is formed so that it is open at the top and rear. The case 12 is also a member that defines the lower side of the internal space 101. The case 12 includes a bottom 121, a first wall 122, and a second wall 123.

[0019] Openings 1211a and 1211b are formed in the bottom 121 of the case 12. Here, the openings 1211a and 1211b are collectively referred to as opening 1211. The opening 1211 is a rectangular through-hole formed so that an amplifier terminal 1321 (described later) can be inserted therethrough, and is provided so as to face the amplifier terminal 1321 provided on the electronic board 13 (described later).

[0020] The case 12 has a pair of first walls 122 erected on the bottom 121. The pair of first walls 122 are disposed facing each other at an interval in the Y direction (width direction) and form side surfaces of the case 12. Each first wall 122 has an engaging protrusion 1221 formed on its outer surface. Each first wall 122 has a spring positioning portion 124 formed on its inner surface. The engaging protrusions 1221 are formed in four locations so as to correspond to the engaging holes 1131 of the cover 11. The spring positioning portion 124 is a quadrangular prism-shaped member formed to fit into a notch 141 of the spring 14, which will be described later. The spring positioning portion 124 is provided inside the first wall 122 so as to extend in the Z direction (up and down direction). This positions the spring 14 in the X and Y directions within the internal space 101. The spring positioning portion 124 also functions as a guide for sliding the flat portion 142 of the spring 14 in the Z direction, and extends along the Z direction. However, the spring positioning portion 124 is not limited to being provided on the first wall portion 122, and may be provided, for example, in a manner in which it stands upright from the bottom portion 121 or in a manner in which it hangs down from the cover 11.

[0021] In this embodiment, the cover 11 and the case 12 are configured to be connectable by, for example, snap fitting. More specifically, the cover 11 and the case 12 can be connected by engaging an engaging protrusion 1221 formed on the case 12 with an engaging hole 1131 formed in a claw portion 113 provided on the cover 11. However, the method for connecting the cover 11 and the case 12 is not limited to this, and for example, the cover 11 and the case 12 may be fixed to each other with an adhesive, or the like.

[0022] The housing 100 of this embodiment is made of, for example, resin. However, the material of the housing 100 is not limited to this, and it may be made of any insulating material. The antenna amplifier 10 (housing 100) of this embodiment can be inserted into and removed from the holder 5 in the X direction. When attaching the antenna amplifier 10 (housing 100) to the holder 5, the antenna amplifier 10 is inserted into the holder 5 until the second wall 123 of the case 12 abuts against the second wall 53 of the holder 5. However, the above-mentioned method of attaching the antenna amplifier 10 (housing 100) to the holder 5 is just an example. For example, the holder 5 and the antenna amplifier 10 (housing 100) may be attached with double-sided tape, adhesive, etc. Furthermore, the antenna amplifier 10 (housing 100) may be attached directly to the windshield G with double-sided tape, etc., so that the terminal connection portion 31 and an amplifier terminal 1321, which will be described later, are directly and electrically connected without providing the holder 5.

[0023] The electronic board 13 is, for example, a printed circuit board on which an electric circuit including a semiconductor or the like is formed. The electronic board 13 is a plate-shaped printed circuit board having an upper surface 131 and a lower surface 132. The electronic board 13 is also equipped with, for example, an amplifier circuit that amplifies a signal received by the antenna 3, and is capable of amplifying the signal received by the antenna 3 and transmitting the amplified signal to the receiver 2. The electronic board 13 has a connector 1311, amplifier terminals 1321a and 1321b, and a ground circuit 133.

[0024] The connector 1311 is disposed on the upper surface 131 of the electronic board 13. The connector 1311 is fixed to the upper surface 131 via solder, for example, so as to be electrically connected to the electrical circuit of the electronic board 13. The connector 1311 is also formed so that the above-mentioned connector 41 can be inserted and removed freely. By connecting the connector 1311 and the connector 41, it becomes possible to send and receive electrical signals between the receiver 2 and the antenna 3 via the antenna amplifier 10.

[0025] Here, the amplifier terminals 1321a and 1321b are collectively referred to as amplifier terminals 1321. The amplifier terminals 1321 are disposed on the lower surface 132 of the electronic substrate 13. The amplifier terminals 1321 are fixed to the lower surface 132 of the electronic substrate 13 by soldering so as to be electrically connected to an electrical circuit formed on the electronic substrate 13. For example, the amplifier terminals 1321 are formed of a highly conductive metal such as gold or copper. In one embodiment, the amplifier terminals 1321 are rectangular prism-shaped contact terminals formed of a rigid body that is resistant to deformation. However, the method of fixing the amplifier terminals 1321 is not limited to soldering, and any method may be used as long as the amplifier terminals 1321 are electrically connected to the electrical circuit formed on the electronic substrate 13. The amplifier terminals 1321 are formed so as to be exposed from the opening 1211 at least when the antenna amplifier 10 is attached to the holder 5. In other words, the amplifier terminals 1321a and 1321b can be inserted into the openings 1211a and 1211b of the case 12, respectively. Therefore, by attaching the antenna amplifier 10 to the holder 5, the amplifier terminal 1321 can be electrically connected to the holder terminal 511. The shape of the amplifier terminal 1321 is not limited to a rectangular prism, and it may be, for example, a cylindrical shape or a shape with a dome-shaped tip.

[0026] The ground circuit 133 on the electronic board 13 is formed on the upper surface 131 of the electronic board 13, and is electrically connected to the spring 14 and the ground of the connector 1311. The ground circuit 133 is arranged in a manner that does not conduct electricity to the amplifier circuit, semiconductors, etc. on the electronic board 13. The ground circuit 133 is a circuit for protecting the amplifier circuit, semiconductors, etc. formed on the electronic board 13 when an ESD current flows into the antenna amplifier 10 via the spring 14.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spring according to an embodiment. FIG. 7(a) illustrates spring 14, and FIG. 7(b) illustrates spring 14A, which is a modified version of spring 14. Spring 14 is an example of an elastic member according to the present invention and is a flat spring made of a metal such as brass. Spring 14 includes a flat portion 142 having a notch 141, legs 143, and a tip portion 144. When viewed from the Y direction, spring 14 is formed to have an arched shape with the flat portion 142 as its apex. The flat portion 142 of spring 14 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape in the XY plane. One notch 141 is provided at each end of flat portion 142 in the Y direction. The notches 141 are formed to fit into the spring positioning portions 124 described above. Furthermore, the legs 143 of spring 14 extend downward from the four corners of flat portion 142. The spring 14 is configured so that the upper surface of the flat portion 142 abuts against the pressing portion 1111 of the cover 11. The spring 14 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the lower surface 111 of the cover 11 and the upper surface 131 of the electronic board 13. As a result, the spring 14 is pressed by the pressing portion 1111, and the leg portion 143 elastically deforms, thereby generating an elastic force in the Z direction. This allows the spring 14 to function as a pressing member that can press the electronic board 13 downward in the internal space 101 of the antenna amplifier 10 (housing 100). Furthermore, the tip portion 144 located at the lower tip of the leg portion 143 of the spring 14 is soldered to, for example, the ground circuit 133 of the electronic board 13. As a result, the spring 14 is physically fixed to the electronic board 13 and electrically connected to the ground circuit 133. However, if an ESD protection element or the like is mounted on the electronic board 13 to provide a measure against ESD current, the material of the spring 14 is not limited to a metal material. The spring 14 is not limited to a particular form as long as it functions as a pressing member capable of pressing the electronic board 13 downward, and may be, for example, an elastic member made of a material such as resin or rubber.

[0028] The shape of the spring 14 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7(a). For example, a shape like the spring 14A shown in FIG. 7(b) may be adopted. The following description will focus on differences from the spring 14 described in FIG. 7(a). Furthermore, among the components constituting the spring 14A, those common to the spring 14 are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail. The spring 14A is an example of an elastic member of the present invention and is a leaf spring made by sheet metal cutting metal such as brass. The spring 14A includes a notch 141, a leg portion 143A, a tip portion 144, a top portion 145, a connecting portion 146, and a base portion 147. The base portion 147 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. In the spring 14A, the leg portions 143A extend downward from the four corners of the base portion 147. The leg portions 143A connect the tip portion 144 and the base portion 147. Furthermore, in top view, the spring 14A has a top 145 located approximately in the center of the base 147. In side view of the spring 14A, the top 145 is formed to protrude upward from the base 147. The top 145 is connected to the base 147 by a connecting portion 146. The spring 14A is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the lower surface 111 of the cover 11 and the upper surface 131 of the electronic board 13. The top 145 is disposed so as to abut against the pressing portion 1111 of the cover 11. When the spring 14A is pressed by the pressing portion 1111 of the cover 11, the connecting portion 146 elastically deforms, thereby generating an elastic force in the Z direction. This allows the spring 14A to press the electronic board 13 downward in the internal space 101.

[0029] [Operation] As described above, the spring 14 is formed so as to be able to press the electronic board 13 downward. In the internal space 101, the pressing portion 1111 of the cover 11 is formed to abut against the flat portion 142 of the spring 14. As a result, when the cover 11 and the case 12 are joined, the pressing portion 1111 of the cover 11 presses the spring 14 downward, generating an elastic force in the spring 14. In the housing 100, the spring 14 is housed in the internal space 101 with an elastic force being applied to the spring 14. The elastic force applied to the spring 14 presses the electronic board 13, which is arranged below the spring 14, downward. In other words, the spring 14 presses the electronic board 13 in a direction in which the amplifier terminal 1321 protrudes from the opening 1211 to the outside of the internal space 101. As a result, amplifier terminal 1321 arranged on the lower surface of electronic board 13 is inserted into opening 1211 of case 12, and amplifier terminal 1321 can be exposed or protruded to the outside of case 12 through opening 1211.

[0030] When the antenna amplifier 10 is attached to the holder 5, the amplifier terminal 1321 exposed to the outside through the opening 1211 of the case 12 is electrically connected to the holder terminal 511. At this time, the elastic force of the spring 14 presses the amplifier terminal 1321 against the holder terminal 511. Since the holder terminal 511 is electrically connected to the terminal connection part 31, the amplifier terminal 1321 is electrically connected to the terminal connection part 31, and the electronic board 13 is electrically connected to the antenna pattern 32. As a result, the antenna amplifier 10 functions as an antenna The signal received by the antenna 3 is amplified by an antenna amplifier 10 and transmitted to the receiver 2 via a cable 4.

[0031] [Action and effect] The antenna device 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 100 including a cover 11 and a case 12, an electronic board 13, an amplifier terminal 1321, and a spring 14. An opening 1211 is formed in a bottom 121 of the case 12 of the housing 100. The electronic board 13 is provided in an internal space 101 of the housing 100. The amplifier terminal 1321 is provided on a lower surface 132 of the electronic board 13 so as to face the opening 1211 of the case 12. The spring 14 is provided in the internal space 101 of the housing 100 so as to be able to press against the electronic board 13. Furthermore, the antenna amplifier 10 is formed so that the amplifier terminal 1321 can be exposed from the opening 1211 of the case 12 by the spring 14 pressing against the electronic board 13. This makes it possible to press the amplifier terminal 1321 toward the lower side of the antenna amplifier 10 without using a spring terminal that is used in conventional antenna amplifiers. Furthermore, by providing the spring 14 and the amplifier terminal 1321 separately, the amplifier terminal 1321 can be formed of a rigid body without applying elastic force to the amplifier terminal 1321. This makes it possible to prevent the amplifier terminal 1321 from being damaged by plastic deformation or the like even if an external force is applied to the amplifier terminal 1321.

[0032] Moreover, the antenna device 1 of this embodiment includes the antenna amplifier 10 and a holder 5 formed so that the antenna amplifier 10 can be attached. The holder 5 has a holder terminal 511 electrically connected to the amplifier terminal 1321. In the antenna amplifier 10 of this embodiment, the electronic board 13 is pressed downward by the spring 14, and therefore the amplifier terminal 1321 is also pressed downward. In this way, the amplifier terminal 1321 is pressed against the holder terminal 511 of the holder 5. As a result, the antenna amplifier 10 can be freely inserted into and removed from the holder 5, and sufficient contact pressure is generated between the amplifier terminal 1321 and the holder terminal 511, thereby ensuring favorable conductivity.

[0033] Furthermore, in the antenna device 1 of this embodiment, the holder 5 is provided on the windshield G of the vehicle. The antenna 3 is also provided on the windshield G. At this time, the holder terminal 511 of the holder 5 and the terminal connection portion 31 of the antenna 3 are electrically connected. By attaching the antenna amplifier 10 to the holder 5, the holder terminal 511 is electrically connected to both the terminal connection portion 31 of the antenna 3 and the amplifier terminal 1321 of the electronic board 13. This electrically connects the electronic board 13 to the antenna 3. This makes it possible to prevent plastic deformation of the amplifier terminal 1321 while ensuring sufficient conductivity.

[0034] Furthermore, in the antenna device 1 of this embodiment, a ground circuit 133 is provided on the electronic board 13, and the spring 14 made of a metal material is electrically connected to the ground circuit 133. As a result, even if an ESD current flows into the antenna amplifier 10, the ESD current can be preferentially released to the spring 14. This makes it difficult for the ESD current to flow into the amplifier circuit or semiconductor mounted on the electronic board 13, and the electronic board 13 can be suitably protected.

[0035] Furthermore, in the antenna device 1 of this embodiment, the spring 14 is made of a metal material, which improves heat dissipation. Conventionally, in order to eliminate heat generation in the amplifier circuit mounted on the electronic board 13, it was necessary to increase the size of the electronic board 13 itself or the amplifier circuit. In contrast, in the antenna amplifier 10 of this embodiment, the spring 14 made of a metal material is arranged on the upper side of the electronic board 13, which can promote heat dissipation from the electronic board 13. This allows the antenna amplifier 10 itself to be made smaller and less expensive.

[0036] <Modifications of the embodiment> Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an antenna amplifier 10A and a holder 5A according to a modified example of the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a spring 14B according to a modified example of the embodiment. The antenna amplifier 10A and the holder 5A according to a modified example of the embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Note that the description of this modified example will focus on differences from the antenna amplifier 10 and the holder 5 described in Figs. 1 to 6 and differences from the spring 14 described in Fig. 7. Furthermore, of the members constituting the antenna amplifier 10A, the holder 5A, and the spring 14B, members that are common to the antenna amplifier 10, the holder 5, and the spring 14 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 9, spring 14B includes exposed pieces 141B, a flat portion 142, legs 143, and a tip portion 144. Spring 14B is an example of an elastic member of the present invention and is a flat spring made of a metal such as brass. Spring 14B differs from spring 14 shown in Fig. 7(a) in that exposed pieces 141B protrude from both ends of flat portion 142 in the width direction (Y direction) instead of the notches 141 described above, but is otherwise the same as spring 14. The pair of exposed pieces 141B provided at both ends of flat portion 142 of spring 14B can also be considered as protruding pieces that protrude like tabs further outward in the width direction (Y direction) of spring 14B than the legs 143.

[0038] The antenna amplifier 10A includes a cover 11, a case 12A, an electronic board 13, and a spring 14B. In this modification, the case 12A and the cover 11 are combined to form a housing 100A that defines the outer shape of the antenna amplifier 10A. The case 12A has a pair of first wall portions 122A each having an exposure opening 1223 that allows the exposed piece 141B of the spring 14B to be exposed to the outside of the case 12A. The case 12A is similar to the above-described case 12 in that it includes a bottom 121, a second wall portion 123, and the like. The exposure openings 1223 formed in each of the first wall portions 122A of the case 12A are formed as rectangular openings with an opening width substantially equal to the width of the exposed piece 141B, for example. The spring 14B is stored in the housing 100A with the pair of exposed pieces 141B protruding to the outside through the exposure openings 1223 in the case 12A. 8, the opening height of the exposing opening 1223 is greater than the member thickness of the exposing piece 141B, allowing the exposing piece 141B to move up and down along the vertical direction (Z direction) of the exposing opening 1223. For example, the exposing piece 141B of the spring 14B is slidable up and down along the vertical direction (Z direction) of the exposing opening 1223.

[0039] The holder 5A according to this modification includes a bottom 51, a pair of first walls 52A, and a second wall 53. The pair of first walls 52A are erected from the bottom 51 so as to face each other with a gap between them. The first walls 52A and the second walls 53 form side walls of the holder 5A. In this modification, each of the first walls 52A of the holder 5A is formed with an engagement groove 521A that can engage with the exposed piece 141B of the spring 14B (see FIG. 8). In this modification as well, the antenna amplifier 10A can be inserted into and removed from the holder 5A in the X direction.

[0040] When mounting the antenna amplifier 10A on the holder 5A, the exposed piece 141B of the spring 14B is configured to engage with the engagement groove 521A when the antenna amplifier 10A is slid forward in the X direction. The groove width in the up-down direction of the engagement groove 521A gradually narrows toward the front in the X direction. When the antenna amplifier 10A is slid forward in the X direction relative to the holder 5A, the exposed piece 141B that has entered the engagement groove 521 is guided by the engagement groove 521 and pressed downward. As described above, with the operation of mounting the antenna amplifier 10A on the holder 5A, the exposed piece 141B of the spring 14B is guided by the engagement groove 521A of the holder 5A, and finally the exposed piece 141B engages with the engagement groove 521A. At this time, the exposed piece 141B is pressed downward as it enters the engagement groove 521A. Therefore, the leg portion 143 of the spring 14B elastically deforms, generating an elastic force in the Z direction. As a result, the spring 14B can press downward on the electronic board 13 housed in the internal space 101 of the housing 100A. As described above, this modification employs a configuration in which the spring 14B of the antenna amplifier 10A elastically deforms due to interference with the engagement groove 521A of the holder 5A. In other words, by attaching the antenna amplifier 10A to the holder 5A, an elastic force is applied to the spring 14B, or the applied elastic force increases. In this modification, when the antenna amplifier 10A is attached to the holder 5A, the holder 5A presses the exposed piece 141B, thereby applying an elastic force to the spring 14B, or the applied elastic force increases. Therefore, when the antenna amplifier 10A is removed from the holder 5A, no elastic force is applied to the spring 14B, and no downward pressing force is generated on the electronic board 13. Therefore, when the antenna amplifier 10A is detached from the holder 5A, the amplifier terminal 1321 of the electronic board 13 may not protrude to the outside through the opening 1211 of the antenna amplifier 10A. Furthermore, for example, although not shown, another elastic member may be disposed between the bottom 121 of the case 12A and the electronic board 13. Here, the elastic force of the other elastic member may be greater than the elastic force of the spring 14B when no elastic force is applied to the spring 14B or when the elastic force applied to the spring 14B is small. In this way, when the antenna amplifier 10A is not attached to the holder 5A, the other elastic member may push the electronic board 13 upward, so that the amplifier terminal 1321 is retracted into the internal space 101 of the housing 100A through the opening 1211.

[0041] Of course, even when the antenna amplifier 10A is removed from the holder 5A, the spring 14B may still be exerting an elastic force, and the spring 14B may be pressing the electronic board 13 downward from this initial state. When the antenna amplifier 10A is attached to the holder 5A, the exposed piece 141B of the spring 14B may enter the engagement groove 521A of the holder 5A, increasing the amount of elastic deformation of the spring 14B. As a result, the elastic force exerted by the spring 14B and, ultimately, the downward pressing force on the electronic board 13 may increase. According to this modification, before the antenna amplifier 10A is attached to the holder 5A, the elastic force of the spring 14B is not exerted, or the elastic force can be relatively smaller than after attachment. Therefore, for example, in the former case, the amplifier terminal 1321 can be completely housed in the internal space 101. Also, in the latter case, the amount of protrusion of the amplifier terminal 1321 to the outside can be reduced. This reduces the chance and extent of external force acting on amplifier terminal 1321, and more preferably prevents amplifier terminal 1321 from being damaged by plastic deformation or the like.

[0042] Although the embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described above, each aspect disclosed in this specification can be combined with any other feature disclosed in this specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1: Antenna device 2: Receiver 3: Antenna 4: Cable 5,5A: Holder 10,10A: Antenna amplifier 100: Housing G: Windshield

Claims

1. a housing having an opening at the bottom; an electronic substrate provided in the internal space of the housing; an amplifier terminal provided on the electronic board and arranged to face the opening of the housing; an elastic member provided in the internal space of the housing and capable of pressing the electronic board; Equipped with When the elastic member presses the electronic board, the amplifier terminal is pressed in a direction in which it protrudes outward from the opening. Antenna amplifier.

2. The antenna amplifier according to claim 1; a holder configured to allow the antenna amplifier to be attached; Equipped with the holder has a holder terminal electrically connected to the amplifier terminal, By attaching the antenna amplifier to the holder, the amplifier terminals are electrically connected. Antenna device.

3. The antenna amplifier according to claim 1; an antenna mounted on a windshield of the vehicle; a holder provided on the window glass, the holder being configured to allow the antenna amplifier to be attached thereto; Equipped with the antenna has a terminal connection portion; the holder has an opening formed so that an amplifier terminal provided on the antenna amplifier can be inserted therethrough, By attaching the antenna amplifier to the holder, the amplifier terminal is electrically connected to the terminal connection portion. Antenna device.

4. The elastic member is By attaching the antenna amplifier to the holder, an elastic force is imparted to the elastic member, or the elastic force imparted thereto is increased.

4. The antenna device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a part of the elastic member having an exposed piece exposed to the outside of the housing; When the antenna amplifier is attached to the holder, the holder presses the exposed piece, thereby applying an elastic force to the elastic member or increasing the applied elastic force.

5. The antenna device according to claim 4.

6. When the antenna amplifier is not attached to the holder, the amplifier terminal is pulled into the internal space of the housing through the opening.

5. The antenna device according to claim 4.

7. The electronic board is provided with a ground circuit, The elastic member is made of a metal material, The ground circuit and the elastic member are electrically connected.

2. The antenna amplifier according to claim 1.

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