Vehicle window glass

Abstract

To provide a vehicle window glass that can receive radio waves in a predetermined frequency band with a desired gain. [Solution] The vehicle window glass 1 comprises a glass plate 10 and an antenna 30. The antenna 30 comprises a power supply unit 31 and an antenna element 32 electrically connected to the power supply unit 31. The antenna element 32 comprises a first vertical element 40 electrically connected to the power supply unit 31 and extending vertically, a first loop element 50 connected to the first vertical element 40 and forming a loop shape, provided on one side (first direction side) horizontally relative to the first vertical element 40, and a first folded element 60 connected to the first vertical element 40 and extending toward the other side (second direction side) horizontally relative to the first vertical element 40 and forming a folded shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a window glass for vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, automobiles have been equipped with window glass in which an antenna capable of receiving radio waves in various frequency bands such as AM broadcast waves, FM broadcast waves, Band III of European standard DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting), and terrestrial digital broadcast waves is formed.

[0003] The antenna formed in the opening of the window glass is formed in a pattern capable of obtaining a predetermined reception sensitivity according to the area of the opening of the window glass. For example, on the rear glass of an automobile, a defogger having a heating wire for heating the glass is arranged for anti-fogging and anti-icing, and an antenna pattern for obtaining a predetermined sensitivity in radio waves of a predetermined frequency band is formed in an area of the opening different from the defogger area.

[0004] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which a first broadcast frequency band and a desired second broadcast frequency band having a higher bandwidth than the first broadcast frequency band can be received.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when various antennas are aggregated on a glass plate as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the area for arranging antenna elements is limited due to space constraints, and there are cases where the reception gain in a predetermined frequency band cannot necessarily be increased.

[0007] The present invention provides a vehicle window glass that can receive radio waves in a predetermined frequency band with a desired gain, using an antenna pattern different from that formed on conventional glass plates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention comprises the following configuration. [1] A window glass for a vehicle comprising a glass plate and an antenna formed on the glass plate capable of receiving radio waves in a predetermined frequency band, wherein the antenna comprises a power supply unit and an antenna element electrically connected to the power supply unit, and when the glass plate is mounted on a window frame and viewed from above, the direction parallel to the horizontal plane is defined as the horizontal direction and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction is defined as the vertical direction, then the antenna element comprises a first vertical element electrically connected to the power supply unit and extending in the vertical direction, a first loop element connected to the first vertical element and forming a loop shape, provided on one side of the first vertical element in the horizontal direction, and a first folded element connected to the first vertical element and extending toward the other side of the first vertical element in the horizontal direction and forming a folded shape.

[0009] [2] The vehicle window glass according to [1], wherein the first loop element comprises a first element extending from the first vertical element to one side in the horizontal direction, a second element extending from one end of the first element in the horizontal direction to one side in the vertical direction away from the power supply unit, and a third element extending from one end of the second element in the vertical direction to the other side in the horizontal direction and connected to the first vertical element.

[0010] [3] The third element is connected to one end of the first vertical element in the vertical direction, as described in [2].

[0011] [4] The first folded element is connected to the contact point between the first vertical element and the third element, as described in [2] or [3].

[0012] [5] The vehicle window glass according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first folded element comprises a fourth element extending from the first vertical element to the other side in the horizontal direction, a fifth element extending from the other side of the fourth element in the horizontal direction to the other side in the vertical direction adjacent to the power supply unit, and a sixth element extending from the other side of the fifth element in the vertical direction to one side in the horizontal direction.

[0013] [6] The vehicle window glass according to [5], wherein the first folded element comprises a seventh element extending from one horizontal end of the sixth element to the other vertical end, and an eighth element extending from the other vertical end of the seventh element to the other horizontal end.

[0014] [7] The first folded element comprises a ninth element extending from the first vertical element to the other side in the horizontal direction, a tenth element extending from the other end of the ninth element in the horizontal direction in an elevation direction that moves away from the first vertical element and approaches the power supply unit in the vertical direction, an eleventh element extending from the end of the tenth element in the elevation direction to the other side in the vertical direction or to one side in the horizontal direction, a twelfth element extending from the end of the eleventh element in the other side in the vertical direction or to one side in the horizontal direction in a dip direction that moves away from the power supply unit in the vertical direction as it approaches the first vertical element, and a thirteenth element extending from the end of the twelfth element in the dip direction to one side in the horizontal direction, as described in any one of [1] to [6].

[0015] [8] The vehicle window glass according to any one of [1] to [7], comprising a lead-out element extending in the horizontal direction from the power supply part, wherein the first vertical element is connected to the lead-out element.

[0016] [9] The vehicle window glass according to any one of [1] to [8], comprising a second loop element that is connected to the first vertical element to form a loop shape and is provided on the other side of the first vertical element in the horizontal direction.

[0017]

[10] The vehicle window glass according to any one of [1] to [9], comprising a second folding element that is connected to the first folding element and forms a folding shape in the vertical direction.

[0018]

[11] The vehicle window glass according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the antenna can receive radio waves in a first frequency band and radio waves in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band as radio waves in the predetermined frequency band.

[0019]

[12] The vehicle window glass according to

[11] , wherein the first frequency band is the frequency band of FM broadcast waves.

[0020]

[13] The vehicle window glass according to

[11] or

[12] , wherein the second frequency band is the frequency band of Band III of the DAB standard.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, with an antenna pattern different from the antenna pattern formed on a conventional glass plate, radio waves in a predetermined frequency band can be received with a desired gain.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a plan view of a vehicle window glass according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is an enlarged plan view of an antenna according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a plan view of a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a graph showing the measured results of the antenna gain in a predetermined frequency band of a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a graph showing the measured results of the antenna gain in a predetermined frequency band of a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For ease of understanding, the scales of each part in the drawings may be different from the actual ones. In directions such as parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up and down, left and right, etc., a deviation that does not impair the effects of the embodiment is allowed. The shape of the corners is not limited to right angles and may be rounded in an arc shape. Parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical may include substantially parallel, substantially right angle, substantially orthogonal, substantially horizontal, and substantially vertical. In particular, the shape of the antenna element described later is shown as a straight line in the drawings, but it is not limited to a straight line and may be rounded in an arc shape.

[0024] Furthermore, in the following, when a vehicle window glass is mounted in a window frame and viewed from above, the direction parallel to the horizontal plane is defined as the horizontal direction, and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction is defined as the vertical direction. The horizontal and vertical directions each include two opposing directions, and when referring to one of these two opposing directions, they are defined as the first direction, second direction, third direction, and fourth direction. The relationship between the horizontal and vertical directions and the first, second, third, and fourth directions is defined in the embodiment. In addition, the "~" indicating a numerical range means that the values ​​written before and after it are included as the lower and upper limits, respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, when describing the various components of an antenna (such as the feed point and antenna elements), the term "connected" simply refers to both physical and electrical connections. Specifically, when "electrically connected" is specified, at least an electrical connection is required; a physical connection is not necessary. For example, if elements A and B are "electrically connected," an element C may be interposed to physically and electrically connect elements A and B. In other words, when "electrically connected" is specified, elements A and B do not necessarily have to be directly physically connected.

[0026] Furthermore, the following describes an example of applying a vehicle window glass according to an embodiment of the present invention to the rear window of a vehicle, but it can also be applied to the windshield (front glass) at the front of the vehicle and the side windows at the sides of the vehicle.

[0027] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a plan view of a vehicle window glass 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle window glass 1 shown in Figure 1 is attached to a window frame 2 at the rear of the vehicle body. In Figure 1, the opening of the window frame 2 is indicated by a dotted line. Also in Figure 1, the vehicle window glass 1 attached to the window frame 2 is shown from an inside view (in-vehicle view). Outside the opening indicated by the dotted line in Figure 1, the peripheral edge of the main surface of the glass plate 10 and the window frame 2, which is a flange that is a metal part, are attached with an adhesive such as urethane resin (not shown). The glass plate 10 may have a light-shielding layer of a predetermined width formed on the peripheral edge of the surface on the inside of the vehicle, which is made of a color ceramic layer such as black, dark, or white, or a color ink layer printed with organic or inorganic ink. The glass plate 10 is attached to the window frame 2 by an adhesive applied to the light-shielding layer. When the light-shielding layer is a color ceramic layer, the light-shielding layer is formed by printing and firing a ceramic paste containing glass frit and black or dark pigment using screen printing or the like.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle window glass 1 of this embodiment comprises a glass plate 10, a defogger 20, and an antenna 30. The defogger 20 and antenna 30 are formed, for example, by printing and firing a silver paste containing silver powder and glass frit onto the interior surface of the glass plate 10. However, the antenna 30 may be formed from a conductive material such as copper on a transparent resin film and attached to the interior surface of the glass plate 10. Note that the defogger 20 is not essential if the vehicle window glass 1 is a window glass other than the rear window. The glass plate 10 has a substantially rectangular outer shape in plan view. The outer edge of the glass plate 10 includes an upper edge 11 and a lower edge 12 that are vertically opposed when the glass plate 10 is attached to the window frame 2, and a left edge 13 and a right edge 14 that are horizontally opposed.

[0029] Vehicle window glass 1 is made by printing ceramic paste onto a glass plate 10, drying it to form a color ceramic paste coating, then printing silver paste and drying it to form a silver paste coating. Subsequently, the glass plate 10 may be heated to 600-700°C to bake the color ceramic paste coating and the silver paste coating, forming a light-shielding layer, a defogger 20, and an antenna 30. The glass plate 10 may be bent into a predetermined shape when heated. Known methods such as press molding and gravity molding can be used for bending. Furthermore, if the glass plate 10 is a rear window, after heating to 600-700°C, the glass plate 10 may be rapidly cooled to 300°C or below to make tempered glass.

[0030] The defogger 20 is a conductive pattern provided on the glass plate 10. The defogger 20 shown in Figure 1 is of the electrically heated type and includes a pair of vertically extending busbars, a first busbar 21a and a second busbar 21b, and a plurality of horizontally extending heater wires 22 positioned between the first busbar 21a and the second busbar 21b. The defogger 20 may also include a short-circuit wire (not shown) that extends vertically and short-circuits at least a portion of the plurality of heater wires 22.

[0031] The heater wire 22 is positioned between the first busbar 21a and the second busbar 21b, and the glass plate 10 is heated by applying a voltage (DC voltage) through the first busbar 21a and the second busbar 21b. When the glass plate 10 is heated, condensation (fogging) on ​​the glass plate 10 is removed.

[0032] The first busbar 21a and the second busbar 21b are positioned at both ends of the glass plate 10 in the horizontal direction. The first busbar 21a extends vertically along the left edge 13 of the glass plate 10. The second busbar 21b extends vertically along the right edge 14 of the glass plate 10. The first busbar 21a and the second busbar 21b supply power to a plurality of heater wires 22 that extend horizontally parallel to each other. The number of heater wires 22 is not particularly limited. It is preferable that the first busbar 21a and the second busbar 21b are formed on a light-shielding layer.

[0033] Antenna 30 is configured to receive radio waves in a predetermined frequency band. Antenna 30 is configured to receive radio waves in two different frequency bands. The two different frequency bands may be a combination in which some frequency bands overlap, or a combination in which frequency bands do not overlap at all. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, Antenna 30 is described as being configured to receive radio waves in two different frequency bands as radio waves in a predetermined frequency band, and resonating at the frequencies in those two different frequency bands, and the same applies to each antenna from the second embodiment onward in this specification. For example, Antenna 30 is configured to receive radio waves in the VHF band (30MHz to 300MHz).

[0034] The antenna 30 of this embodiment receives radio waves in the VHF band, such as FM broadcast waves (76MHz to 108MHz). Furthermore, the antenna 30 of this embodiment also receives radio waves in the VHF band, such as DAB standard Band III (174MHz to 240MHz). The antenna 30 may also receive radio waves in the UHF band (300MHz to 3GHz), such as terrestrial digital television broadcast waves (470MHz to 710MHz), or in the MF band, such as AM broadcast waves (522kHz to 1710kHz).

[0035] The antenna 30 is a glass antenna provided on the glass plate 10. When the glass plate 10 is attached to the window frame 2, the antenna 30 is positioned in the area above the defogger 20. However, the position of the antenna 30 is not limited to the area above the defogger 20; it may also be positioned in the area below it. The antenna 30 has a feed unit 31 and an antenna element 32 electrically connected to the feed unit 31. A gap of dimension D1 is formed between the antenna 30 (the lower end of the antenna element 32) and the defogger 20 (the uppermost heater wire 22). Dimension D1 is, for example, 30 mm or more.

[0036] The antenna 30 shown in Figure 1 is a diversity antenna and comprises a first antenna 30A positioned on the left and a second antenna 30B positioned on the right in the region of the glass plate 10 above the defogger 20. Since the structures of the first antenna 30A and the second antenna 30B are symmetrical, the following description will focus on the structure of the first antenna 30A, and the structure of the second antenna 30B will be omitted to avoid repetition. Note that the structures of the first antenna 30A and the second antenna 30B are not limited to symmetrical and may be different. Furthermore, the antenna 30 does not have to be a diversity antenna, in which case either the first antenna 30A or the second antenna 30B may be omitted.

[0037] Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the leftward direction in the horizontal direction is defined as the first direction, the rightward direction in the horizontal direction as the second direction, the downward direction in the vertical direction as the third direction, and the upward direction in the vertical direction as the fourth direction. Note that the definitions of the first, second, third, and fourth directions correspond to the first antenna 30A, and in the case of the second antenna 30B, the definitions of the first and second directions are reversed.

[0038] Furthermore, the first direction is defined as an angle θ1 relative to the horizontal direction, which may include 0°≦θ1≦15° in absolute value, be in the range of 0°≦θ1≦10°, be in the range of 0°≦θ1≦5°, be in the range of 0°≦θ1≦3°, or be θ1=0°. The aesthetic appeal of the antenna 30 improves as the angle θ1 extending in the first direction approaches 0°. The second direction is defined similarly.

[0039] The third direction is defined by an angle θ2 relative to the vertical, where the absolute value is such that it may include 0°≦θ2≦15°, be within the range of 0°≦θ2≦10°, be within the range of 0°≦θ2≦5°, be within the range of 0°≦θ2≦3°, or be θ2=0°. The aesthetic design of the antenna 30 improves as the angle θ2 extending in the third direction approaches 0°. The fourth direction is defined similarly.

[0040] The power supply section 31 is, for example, a rectangular conductor pattern and is electrically connected to one end of a power supply line (not shown). The shape of the power supply section 31 may be a circle or other polygon. In Figure 1, the power supply section 31 is located near the upper edge 11 on the left edge 13 side of the glass plate 10.

[0041] The antenna element 32 is electrically connected to the feed point 31 and includes a first vertical element 40 extending vertically, a first loop element 50 connected to the first vertical element 40 to form a loop shape and provided on one horizontal side (first direction side) relative to the first vertical element 40, and a first folded element 60 connected to the first vertical element 40 and extending toward the other horizontal side (second direction side) relative to the first vertical element 40 to form a horizontal folded shape.

[0042] The first loop element 50 and the second folded element 60 are positioned on both sides of the first vertical element 40, sandwiching it horizontally. This prevents the dimensions of the antenna element 32 from being larger on only one side of the first vertical element 40 in the horizontal direction.

[0043] The first vertical element 40 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a third direction from the lower right corner of the power supply section 31. The first vertical element 40 includes a first contact section 41, a second contact section 42, and a third contact section 43. The first contact section 41 is provided at the end of the first vertical element 40 in the fourth direction. The first contact section 41 connects the power supply section 31 to the end of the first vertical element 40 in the fourth direction.

[0044] The second contact point 42 is located in the middle of the first vertical element 40. The middle of the first vertical element 40 can be any part excluding both ends of the first vertical element 40, and preferably means the middle region when the total length of the first vertical element 40 is divided into three equal parts. At the second contact point 42, the first vertical element 40 is connected to one end of the first loop element 50 (first element 51).

[0045] The third contact point 43 is provided at the end of the first vertical element 40 in the third direction. The third contact point 43 connects the first vertical element 40 to the other end of the first loop element 50 (third element 53) and to one end of the first folded element 60 (fourth element 61). The first loop element 50 and the first folded element 60 do not extend below the third contact point 43, thereby enabling performance within a compact antenna area in the vertical direction.

[0046] The first loop element 50 is connected to the first vertical element 40 to form a loop shape. Here, the loop shape is defined as a closed loop, and it does not have to be a loop shape formed with the same line width, but may also have a part with a thicker line width. The shape of the first loop element 50 may be circular, such as a circle, a nearly circle, an ellipse, or a nearly ellipse, or it may be a rectangular or polygonal shape such as a square, a nearly square, a rectangle, a nearly rectangle, a parallelogram, a nearly parallelogram, a rhombus, or a nearly rhombus.

[0047] The first loop element 50 shown in Figure 2 comprises a first element 51 extending in a first direction from the first vertical element 40, a second element 52 extending in a third direction away from the power supply unit 31 from the first end of the first element 51, and a third element 53 extending in a second direction from the third end of the second element 52 and connected to the first vertical element 40.

[0048] Specifically, the first element 51 is connected to the second contact portion 42. The first element 51 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a first direction from the second contact portion 42. The second element 52 is connected to the first end of the first element 51 in the first direction. The second element 52 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a third direction from the first end of the first element 51 in the first direction.

[0049] A third element 53 is connected to the end of the second element 52 in the third direction. The third element 53 is a linear conductor pattern extending in the second direction from the end of the second element 52 in the third direction. The end of the third element 53 in the second direction is connected to the third contact portion 43. In other words, the third element 53 is connected to the end of the first vertical element 40 in the third direction.

[0050] One end of the first folded element 60 is connected to the third contact portion 43, similar to the third element 53. On the other hand, the other end of the first folded element 60 is not connected to the first vertical element 40 and is an open end 60a. The first folded element 60 has a conductor pattern that forms a semi-loop shape with the open end 60a. The semi-loop shape includes shapes such as U-shape, C-shape, J-shape or L-shape in a plan view of the glass plate 10.

[0051] The first folded element 60 shown in Figure 2 comprises a fourth element 61 extending in a second direction from the first vertical element 40, a fifth element 62 extending in a fourth direction from the second end of the fourth element 61, and a sixth element 63 extending in a first direction from the fourth end of the fifth element 62. Thus, the first folded element 60 has a horizontal folded shape. This enables performance to be achieved within a compact antenna area in the horizontal direction.

[0052] Specifically, the fourth element 61 is connected to the third contact portion 43. The fourth element 61 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a second direction from the third contact portion 43. The fifth element 62 is connected to the end of the fourth element 61 in the second direction. The fifth element 62 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a fourth direction from the end of the fourth element 61 in the second direction. The fifth element 62 is provided to be the same length as the second element 52, but they may be different. If the fifth element 62 and the second element 52 are the same length, the design is improved.

[0053] A sixth element 63 is connected to the fourth end of the fifth element 62. The sixth element 63 is a linear conductor pattern extending in the first direction from the fourth end of the fifth element 62. The first end of the sixth element 63 is positioned with a horizontal gap relative to the first vertical element 40. In other words, the first end of the sixth element 63 is an open end 60a.

[0054] In the antenna element 32 with the above configuration, the shortest path length from the first contact point 41 to the open end 60a (the sum of the lengths of the first vertical element 40, the fourth element 61, the fifth element 62, and the sixth element 63) can be designed to receive, for example, FM broadcast waves (76MHz to 108MHz) in the first frequency band. When the shortest path length of the antenna element 32 is L, if the antenna 30 receives FM broadcast waves (76MHz to 108MHz), it is desirable that the following relationship (1) is satisfied, where λ is the wavelength in the air and k is the wavelength shortening factor of the glass plate 10. 0.50×(1 / 4)×λ×k ≦ L ≦ 2.0×(1 / 4)×λ×k …(1)

[0055] Furthermore, the shortest path length L of the antenna element 32 is, 0.75×(1 / 4)×λ×k ≦ L ≦ 1.5×(1 / 4)×λ×k …(2) Satisfying this condition is preferable.

[0056] Furthermore, in the antenna element 32, the longest path length from the first contact point 41 to the open end 60a when passing through the first loop element 50 (the sum of the lengths from the first contact point 41 to the second contact point 42, the first element 51, the second element 52, the third element 53, the fourth element 61, the fifth element 62, and the sixth element 63) can be designed to receive, for example, radio waves in the second frequency band, which is Band III of the DAB standard. In this case, similar to the above relations (1) and (2), by making the longest path length of the antenna element 32 approximately (1 / 4) × λ × k of the wavelength of the second frequency band, a broadband antenna 30 with multiple resonance points can be made.

[0057] As described above, the vehicle window glass 1 of this embodiment comprises a glass plate 10 and an antenna 30 formed on the glass plate 10 and capable of receiving radio waves in a predetermined frequency band. The antenna 30 comprises a power supply unit 31 and an antenna element 32 electrically connected to the power supply unit 31. When the glass plate 10 is mounted on the window frame 2 and viewed from above, if the direction parallel to the horizontal plane is defined as the horizontal direction and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction is defined as the vertical direction, then the antenna element 32 comprises a first vertical element 40 electrically connected to the power supply unit 31 and extending in the vertical direction, a first loop element 50 connected to the first vertical element 40 and forming a loop shape, provided on one side of the first vertical element 40 in the horizontal direction (first direction side), and a first folded element 60 connected to the first vertical element 40 and extending toward the other side of the first vertical element 40 in the horizontal direction (second direction side) and forming a folded shape. With this configuration, the antenna pattern with the shortest path length from the first contact point 41 to the open end 60a can receive FM broadcast waves (76MHz~108MHz) in the first frequency band, and the antenna pattern with the longest path length from the first contact point 41 to the open end 60a via the first loop element 50 can receive the second frequency band, such as DAB standard band III (174MHz~240MHz), or it can be adjusted to have multiple resonance points to receive FM broadcast waves (76MHz~108MHz) in the first frequency band over a wide bandwidth. This makes it possible to provide a vehicle window glass 1 that can receive radio waves in a predetermined frequency band with a desired gain.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first loop element 50 includes a first element 51 extending from the first vertical element 40 to one side in the horizontal direction (first direction), a second element 52 extending from one end of the first element 51 in the horizontal direction to one side in the vertical direction (third direction) away from the power supply unit 31, and a third element 53 extending from one end of the second element 52 in the vertical direction to the other side in the horizontal direction (second direction) and connected to the first vertical element 40.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third element 53 is connected to one end of the first vertical element 40 in the vertical direction (third direction). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first folded element 60 is connected to the contact point (third contact point 43) between the first vertical element 40 and the third element 53.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first folded element 60 includes a fourth element 61 extending from the first vertical element 40 to the other side in the horizontal direction (second direction), a fifth element 62 extending from the other end of the fourth element 61 in the other side in the horizontal direction to the other side in the vertical direction (fourth direction) closer to the power supply unit 31, and a sixth element 63 extending from the other end of the fifth element 62 in the other side in the vertical direction to one side in the horizontal direction (first direction).

[0061] By having the above configuration, the vehicle window glass 1 can achieve performance within a compact antenna area in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0062] [Second Embodiment] Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereafter, as with the first embodiment, the leftward direction in the horizontal direction is defined as the first direction, the rightward direction in the horizontal direction as the second direction, the downward direction in the vertical direction as the third direction, and the upward direction in the vertical direction as the fourth direction, and the third to eighth embodiments described later will be explained based on the same definitions. In addition, in Figure 3 and Figures 4 to 10 described later, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as in the embodiments described above.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the first folded element 60 of the second embodiment includes a seventh element 64 extending from one horizontal end of the sixth element 63 to the other vertical end, and an eighth element 65 extending from the other vertical end of the seventh element 64 to the other horizontal end.

[0064] Specifically, the end of the sixth element 63 in the first direction is not an open end 60a, and the seventh element 64 is connected to it. The seventh element 64 is a linear conductor pattern that extends in the fourth direction from the end of the sixth element 63 in the first direction. The seventh element 64 is provided to be the same length as the first contact portion 41 to the second contact portion 42, but it may be different. When the seventh element 64 and the first contact portion 41 to the second contact portion 42 are the same length, the design is improved.

[0065] An eighth element 65 is connected to the fourth-direction end of the seventh element 64. The eighth element 65 is a linear conductor pattern extending in the second direction from the fourth-direction end of the seventh element 64. The eighth element 65 is provided to be the same length as the sixth element 63, but it may be different. If the eighth element 65 and the sixth element 63 are the same length, the design is improved. The second-direction end of the eighth element 65 is an open end 60a. With the above configuration, the length of the first folded element 60 can be adjusted by making it meander.

[0066] [Third Embodiment] Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, the antenna element 32 of the third embodiment includes a lead-out element 70 extending horizontally from the feed section 31, and a second loop element 80 connected to the first vertical element 40 to form a loop shape, and provided on the other side (second direction side) in the horizontal direction relative to the first vertical element 40.

[0067] The lead-out element 70 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a second direction from the power supply unit 31. The lead-out element 70 is connected to the first contact portion 41 of the first vertical element 40. This configuration increases the degree of freedom in the placement of the power supply unit 31, allowing it to be positioned, for example, near the left edge 13 of the glass plate 10.

[0068] The second loop element 80 is connected to the first vertical element 40 to form a loop shape. The second loop element 80 shown in Figure 2 comprises a first element 81 extending in a second direction from the first vertical element 40, a second element 82 extending in a third direction from the end of the first element 81 in the second direction, and a third element 83 extending in a first direction from the end of the second element 82 in the third direction and connected to the first vertical element 40.

[0069] Specifically, the first element 81 is connected to the first contact portion 41. The first element 81 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a second direction from the first contact portion 41. The second element 82 is connected to the end of the first element 81 in the second direction. The second element 82 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a third direction from the end of the first element 81 in the first direction.

[0070] A third element 83 is connected to the end of the second element 82 in the third direction. The third element 83 is a linear conductor pattern extending in the first direction from the end of the second element 82 in the third direction. The end of the third element 83 in the first direction is connected to the second contact portion 42. With the above configuration, the variation in the path length of the antenna element 32 is increased, making it possible to create a broadband antenna 30 with multiple resonance points.

[0071] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the first folded element 60 of the fourth embodiment has a conductor pattern that extends in an oblique direction.

[0072] The first folded element 60 includes a ninth element 66a extending in a second direction from the first vertical element 40, a tenth element 66b extending in an elevation direction from the end of the ninth element 66a in the second direction, which moves away from the first vertical element 40 and approaches the power supply unit 31 in the vertical direction, an eleventh element 67 extending in a fourth direction from the end of the tenth element 66b in the elevation direction, a twelfth element 68a extending in a downward angle direction from the end of the eleventh element 67 in the fourth direction, which moves away from the power supply unit 31 in the vertical direction as it approaches the first vertical element 40, and a thirteenth element 68b extending in a first direction from the end of the twelfth element 68a in the downward angle direction.

[0073] Specifically, the ninth element 66a is connected to the third contact portion 43. The ninth element 66a is a linear conductor pattern extending in a second direction from the third contact portion 43. The tenth element 66b is connected to the second end of the ninth element 66a. The tenth element 66b is a linear conductor pattern extending in the elevation direction from the second end of the ninth element 66a. Here, the elevation direction can be in the range of 15° < θ3 < 75°, 20° ≤ θ3 ≤ 70°, 30° ≤ θ3 ≤ 60°, 40° ≤ θ3 ≤ 50°, or θ3 = 45°, with the horizontal direction being 0°. The aesthetic design of the antenna 30 is improved as the elevation angle θ3 approaches 45°.

[0074] An eleventh element 67 is connected to the elevation-direction end of the tenth element 66b. The eleventh element 67 is a linear conductor pattern extending in the fourth direction from the elevation-direction end of the tenth element 66b. In Figure 5, the eleventh element 67 extends in the fourth direction, but it may also extend in the first direction, as shown in the folded shape of the first antenna 30A in Figure 11, which will be described later.

[0075] The 12th element 68a is connected to the fourth end of the 11th element 67. The 12th element 68a is a linear conductor pattern that extends in the inclination direction from the fourth end of the 11th element 67. Here, the inclination direction can be in the range of -15° < θ4 < -75°, -20° ≤ θ4 ≤ -70°, -30° ≤ θ4 ≤ -60°, -40° ≤ θ4 ≤ -50°, or θ4 = -45°, with the horizontal direction being 0°. The aesthetic design of the antenna 30 is improved as the angle θ4 in the inclination direction approaches -45°.

[0076] The 13th element 68b is connected to the end of the 12th element 68a in the direction of inclination. The 13th element 68b is a linear conductor pattern that extends in the first direction from the end of the 11th element 67 in the fourth direction. The end of the 13th element 68b in the first direction is positioned with a horizontal gap from the second loop element 80. In other words, the end of the 13th element 68b in the first direction is an open end 60a. According to the above configuration, for example, even if a part of the defogger 20 has a shape that protrudes upward, the antenna element 32 can be positioned to conform to that shape.

[0077] [Fifth Embodiment] Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, in the fifth embodiment, the sixth element 63 of the first folded element 60 of the antenna element 32 is positioned close to the third element 83 of the second loop element 80 with a vertical distance D2 between them. With this configuration, the first folded element 60 and the second loop element 80 can be capacitively joined, enabling stable antenna gain.

[0078] Furthermore, when the first folded element 60 and the second loop element 80 are capacitively coupled, dimension D2 is preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 20 mm or less. In addition, there is no particular lower limit for dimension D2, but it may be 1 mm or more, 3 mm or more, or 5 mm or more.

[0079] [Sixth Embodiment] Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the antenna element 32 of the sixth embodiment includes a second loop element 80 which has a connecting element 84 that connects to the first folded element 60.

[0080] The connecting element 84 is a linear conductor pattern extending in a third direction from the connection portion between the second element 82 and the third element 83 of the second loop element 80. The connecting element 84 includes a fourth contact portion 85 and a fifth contact portion 86. The fourth contact portion 85 is provided at the end of the connecting element 84 in the fourth direction. At the fourth contact portion 85, the end of the second element 82 of the second loop element 80 in the third direction and the end of the third element 83 in the second direction are connected.

[0081] The fifth contact point 86 is provided at the end of the connecting element 84 in the third direction. At the fifth contact point 86, the end of the connecting element 84 in the third direction is connected to the fourth element 61 of the first folded element 60. By connecting the end of the connecting element 84 in the third direction to the fourth element 61 of the first folded element 60, the second loop element 80 forms two closed loops. This further increases the variation in the path length of the antenna element 32, making it possible to create a broadband antenna 30 with multiple resonance points.

[0082] [Seventh Embodiment] Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the first folded element 60 of the seventh embodiment includes a fourth element 61a extending in a second direction from the third contact portion 43 of the first vertical element 40, a fifth element 62a extending in a third direction from the end of the fourth element 61a in the second direction, and a sixth element 63a extending in a first direction from the end of the fifth element 62a in the third direction. If there is sufficient vertical antenna area, the first folded element 60 may be extended and folded back on the side opposite to the feed portion 31, as shown in Figure 8.

[0083] [Eighth Embodiment] Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view of the antenna 30 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, the first folded element 60 of the eighth embodiment is connected to the second contact portion 42 of the first vertical element 40. The first folded element 60 of the eighth embodiment includes a fourth element 61b extending in a second direction from the second contact portion 42 of the first vertical element 40, a fifth element 62b extending in a third direction from the second end of the fourth element 61b, and a sixth element 63b extending in a first direction from the third end of the fifth element 62b. Thus, the first folded element 60 may be connected to the second contact portion 42.

[0084] Although the vehicle window glass according to embodiments of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be freely modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, parts or all of the embodiments may be combined and implemented. [Examples]

[0085] The effects of the present invention will be further clarified by the following examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without altering its essence.

[0086] Figure 10 is a plan view of a vehicle window glass 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle window glass 1 of the first embodiment has the antenna 30 described above located in the area below the defogger 20. In this embodiment, the shape of the antenna 30 is reversed vertically compared to each of the embodiments described above, so the leftward direction in the horizontal direction is defined as the first direction, the rightward direction in the horizontal direction as the second direction, the downward direction in the vertical direction as the fourth direction, and the upward direction in the vertical direction as the third direction.

[0087] The first antenna 30A has substantially the same configuration as the fourth embodiment, and the first folded element 60 includes a portion that extends diagonally. The second antenna 30B is connected to the first folded element 60 and includes a second folded element 90 that forms a vertical folded shape. By including the second folded element 90 that folds vertically in this way, the path length of the antenna element 32 may be adjusted.

[0088] Figure 11 is a graph showing the measured antenna gain of a vehicle window glass 1 in a predetermined frequency band according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 11, the horizontal axis represents frequency [MHz] and the vertical axis represents gain [dB]. "No. 1" refers to the first antenna 30A positioned on the left edge 13 side of the glass plate 10, and "No. 2" refers to the second antenna 30B positioned on the right edge 14 side of the glass plate 10.

[0089] Furthermore, "H" represents horizontal polarization, and "V" represents vertical polarization. Figure 11 shows the gain [dB] when horizontal and vertical polarization are combined, labeled as "HV combination". "FM1" indicates the gain when receiving only FM broadcast waves, and "FM2 / DAB" indicates the gain when receiving two frequency bands: FM broadcast waves and Band III of the DAB standard. Referring to Figure 11, it was confirmed that both the first antenna 30A and the second antenna 30B have high antenna gain (receiving gain) for the FM broadcast wave frequency band and for the two frequency bands of FM broadcast waves and Band III of the DAB standard.

[0090] Figure 12 is a graph showing the measured antenna gain of a vehicle window glass 1 in a predetermined frequency band according to one embodiment of the present invention. Unlike Figure 11, Figure 12 has gain [dBi] on the vertical axis and shows the gain of vertical polarization only as "V polarization". Referring to Figure 12, it was confirmed that both the first antenna 30A and the second antenna 30B exhibited high antenna gain in vertical polarization. This confirmed that reception with the desired gain was possible for Band III of the DAB standard.

[0091] Thus, according to the above embodiment, we were able to provide a vehicle window glass 1 that can receive radio waves of two different frequency bands with a desired gain.

[0092] Furthermore, it is possible to replace the components in the above embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0093] For example, the antenna 30 may be equipped with a grounding section. This makes the antenna 30 a so-called dipole antenna having a feed section 31 (hot side) and a grounding section (earth side). A grounding element may extend from the grounding section in a predetermined direction.

[0094] For example, the numbers such as the 1st element to the 13th element, or the 1st contact point to the 5th contact point, distinguish each component, and these numbers may be increased, decreased, or reassigned as appropriate depending on the purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1. Vehicle window glass 2 Window frame 11 Upper edge 12 Lower edge 13 Left edge 14 Right edge 20 Defogger 21a First bus bar 21b Second bus bar 22 Heater wires 30 Antennas 30A First Antenna 30B Second Antenna 31 Power supply section 32 Antenna Elements 40. First vertical element 41 First contact point 42 Second contact point 43 Third contact point 50 First Loop Element 51 First Element 52 Second Element 53 Third Element 60 First Folding Element 60a open end 61. The Fourth Element 61a Fourth element 61b Fourth element 62. The Fifth Element 62a Fifth element 62b Fifth element 63 Sixth Element 63a Sixth element 63b Sixth element 64. The 7th Element 65. The 8th Element 66a 9th element 66b 10th element 67 The Eleventh Element 68a Element 12 68b 13th element 70 drawer elements 80 Second Loop Element 81 First Element 82 Second Element 83 Third Element 84 connection elements 85 Fourth contact point 86 Fifth contact point 90 Second folded element D1 Dimension D2 Dimensions

Claims

1. A glass plate and The glass plate comprises an antenna formed thereon, which is capable of receiving radio waves in a predetermined frequency band, The antenna comprises a power supply unit and an antenna element electrically connected to the power supply unit. When the aforementioned glass plate is mounted on the window frame and viewed from above, if we define the direction parallel to the horizontal plane as the horizontal direction and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction as the vertical direction, The aforementioned antenna element is The first vertical element, which is electrically connected to the power supply unit and extends in the vertical direction, A first loop element is connected to the first vertical element to form a loop shape, and is provided on one side of the horizontal direction relative to the first vertical element, The system comprises a first folded element connected to the first vertical element and extending toward the other side in the horizontal direction relative to the first vertical element to form a folded shape, Vehicle window glass.

2. The first loop element is, A first element extending from the first vertical element to one side in the horizontal direction, A second element extends from one end of the first element in the horizontal direction to one side in the vertical direction, away from the power supply section, The second element comprises a third element that extends from one end in the vertical direction to the other end in the horizontal direction and is connected to the first vertical element, Vehicle window glass according to claim 1.

3. The third element is connected to one end of the first vertical element in the vertical direction. The vehicle window glass according to claim 2.

4. The first folded element is connected to the contact point between the first vertical element and the third element. Vehicle window glass according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The first folded element is, A fourth element extending from the first vertical element to the other side in the horizontal direction, A fifth element extends from the other end of the fourth element in the horizontal direction to the other side in the vertical direction, which is close to the power supply section, The fifth element comprises a sixth element extending from the other end of the fifth element in the vertical direction to one side in the horizontal direction, Vehicle window glass according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The first folded element is, A seventh element extending from one end of the sixth element in the horizontal direction to the other end in the vertical direction, The system comprises an eighth element extending from the other end of the seventh element in the vertical direction to the other end in the horizontal direction, The vehicle window glass according to claim 5.

7. The first folded element is, A ninth element extending from the first vertical element to the other side in the horizontal direction, A tenth element extends from the other end of the ninth element in the horizontal direction, and as it moves away from the first vertical element, it approaches the power supply section in the vertical direction. An eleventh element extending from the elevation end of the tenth element to the other side in the vertical direction or to one side in the horizontal direction, A 12th element extends from the other end of the 11th element in the vertical direction or one end in the horizontal direction, in a downward angle direction that moves away from the power supply section in the vertical direction as it approaches the first vertical element, The device comprises a thirteenth element extending from the end of the twelfth element in the inclination direction to one side in the horizontal direction, Vehicle window glass according to claim 2 or 3.

8. The power supply unit is provided with an extension element that extends horizontally, The first vertical element is connected to the drawer element, A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The first vertical element is connected to the second loop element which forms a loop shape, and the second loop element is provided on the other side of the first vertical element in the horizontal direction. A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The second folded element is connected to the first folded element and forms the vertical folded shape, A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. The antenna is capable of receiving radio waves in the predetermined frequency band, namely, radio waves in the first frequency band and radio waves in the second frequency band which are higher than the first frequency band. A vehicle window glass according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. The vehicle window glass according to claim 11, wherein the first frequency band is the frequency band of FM broadcast waves.

13. The vehicle window glass according to claim 11, wherein the second frequency band is the frequency band of Band III of the DAB standard.

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