Vehicle film antenna device

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle film antenna device in which the module body is securely fixed even on a curved surface, eliminating the risk of poor contact due to misalignment. [Solution] The vehicle film antenna device consists of a film antenna element 10, a module body 20, a base portion 30, and a cushioning material 40. The film antenna element 10 is attached to the vehicle's glass 1 using a film 12. The module body 20, which extends in the longitudinal direction, has at least two module engagement portions located on each of its long sides. The base portion 30 is erected and fixed on the film 12 and has at least two base engagement portions 31 that engage with at least two module engagement portions 23 of the module body 20. The cushioning material 40 increases the engagement force between the module engagement portions 23 and the base engagement portions 31 through its repulsive force and absorbs the curved shape of the vehicle's glass 1.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle film antenna device, and more particularly, to a vehicle film antenna device disposed on a curved insulator of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As an antenna mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and capable of receiving circularly polarized waves represented by GPS, a patch antenna formed of a microstrip antenna is generally known. As an antenna capable of receiving circularly polarized waves, a film-type antenna having an element pattern arranged thereon has also been developed. Further, in order to support further frequency bands for such a vehicle film antenna device, for example, a film-type composite antenna device mounted with a plurality of antenna elements by the same applicant as the present applicant as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has also been developed.

[0003] In such a vehicle film antenna device, for example, a module body is connected to a thin plate-shaped connection terminal of the film antenna element. The module body is fixed to the film of the film antenna element using, for example, a double-sided tape, so as to be connected to the thin plate-shaped connection terminal. Here, the module body incorporates a transmission / reception circuit capable of transmitting and receiving signals via, for example, the film antenna element.

[0004] When the module body is fixed to the film of the film antenna element, a pedestal may be used for fixation so that maintenance, replacement, and the like of the circuit board can be performed. For example, in the antenna device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a pedestal is fixed to the film of the film antenna element with a double-sided tape, and a case portion having a circuit board is detachably fitted to the pedestal, so that the circuit board is electrically connected to the thin plate-shaped connection terminal.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-149054 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-058893 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In vehicle film antenna devices, the film antenna element is attached to a curved surface such as the windshield or rear window. In vehicle film antenna devices where the transmitting and receiving circuit is built into the module body, the module body tends to be large. Here, the module body must be positioned so as not to obstruct the driver's view, so it has to be elongated. By positioning the elongated module body along the edge of the glass and along the vehicle body, the driver's view is not obstructed. However, when attempting to position the elongated module body on the curved surface of the glass, there is a risk that both ends in the longitudinal direction will lift away from the glass surface. For example, when using a base such as that in Patent Document 2, both ends of the base may lift away from the glass surface, making it difficult to securely fix and potentially causing it to detach. Although it is possible to fix it by creating a base that matches the curvature of the glass for each vehicle, this would require creating a dedicated base for each vehicle, which would be costly. Furthermore, because the base needs to be precisely aligned with the thin plate-shaped connection terminal of the film antenna element and attached to the film, there was a risk of misalignment and poor contact.

[0007] Therefore, there was a need for the development of a vehicle film antenna device that could be securely fixed to the module body even on a curved surface, and that would eliminate the risk of poor contact due to misalignment.

[0008] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle film antenna device in which the module body is securely fixed even on a curved surface, and there is no risk of poor contact due to misalignment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above-described object of the present invention, the vehicle film antenna device according to the present invention comprises: a module body extending in the longitudinal direction, having a film antenna element attached to a curved insulator of a vehicle using a film and having a thin plate-shaped connection terminal; a signal processing circuit capable of transmitting and / or receiving signals via the film antenna element; and a signal processing circuit side connection terminal connected to the thin plate-shaped connection terminal of the film antenna element, the module body having at least two module engagement portions arranged on both long sides of the module body; a base portion erected and fixed on the film of the film antenna element and having at least two base engagement portions that engage with at least two module engagement portions of the module body, respectively; and a cushioning material interposed between the film and the module body in the portion where at least the base portion is not erected and fixed on the film, the cushioning material increasing the engagement force between the module engagement portion and the base engagement portion by repulsive force and absorbing the shape of the curved insulator of the vehicle.

[0010] Here, the base portion may further have base sidewalls positioned at locations corresponding to both short sides of the module body, and the base engagement portion and the base sidewalls should be erected and fixed on the film of the film antenna element in a state where they are divided along the longitudinal direction of the module body.

[0011] Furthermore, the module may be equipped with a cable connected to the main body, and the base side wall of the base may have a notch through which the cable or cable connector can be inserted.

[0012] Furthermore, the module engagement portion of the module body only needs to be positioned near the center of both long sides of the module body.

[0013] Furthermore, the base portion can be any type that is erected and fixed onto the film of the film antenna element by film insert molding.

[0014] Further, the pedestal portion may have a base portion for reinforcing the fixing force to the film.

[0015] Further, the pedestal portion may have a runner. [Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0016] The vehicular film antenna device of the present invention has the advantage that the module main body can be reliably fixed even on a curved surface, and there is no risk of poor contact due to positional displacement. [Brief Description of Drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view for illustrating the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic top view for illustrating the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view for illustrating another example of the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic top view for illustrating the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic top view for illustrating the pedestal portion of the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic front view for illustrating a case where the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention has a cable. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic top view for illustrating a specific example of the pedestal portion of the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the pedestal portion of the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic top view for illustrating another example of the base portion of the pedestal portion of the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a schematic top view for explaining still another example of the pedestal portion of the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated examples. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view for explaining the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic top view for explaining the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention. In the drawings, parts denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same components. The vehicular film antenna device of the present invention is arranged on a curved insulator of a vehicle. Specifically, it is arranged on the curved glass 1. Further, the curved insulator of the vehicle is not limited to glass, and may be a resin body, a resin part, or the like. As shown in the figure, the vehicular film antenna device of the present invention is mainly composed of a film antenna element 10, a module main body 20, a pedestal portion 30, and a cushion material 40.

[0019] The film antenna element 10 has a thin-plate-shaped connection terminal 11. The thin-plate-shaped connection terminal 11 may be a hot terminal or a ground terminal of the film antenna element 10. Although the shape of the film antenna element 10 is omitted in the illustrated example, it may be any desired shape. Further, the film antenna element 10 may be a composite antenna element compatible with a plurality of frequency bands. In that case, a plurality of hot terminals may be provided corresponding to the plurality of frequency bands. The film antenna element 10 is attached to a curved insulator of a vehicle, for example, the glass 1 using a film 12. The film 12 has, for example, an adhesive layer on the surface on the glass 1 side, and fixes the metal element portion of the film antenna element 10 onto the glass 1. The film 12 may cover only the metal element portion of the film antenna element 10, or may be a rectangular or similar member that covers the entire arrangement region.

[0020] The module body 20 extends in the longitudinal direction as shown in the figure. That is, the module body 20 has an elongated shape. The module body 20 has a signal processing circuit 21 and a signal processing circuit side connection terminal 22. The signal processing circuit 21 is a circuit for transmitting and / or receiving signals via the film antenna element 10. The signal processing circuit 21 can be anything, such as an amplifier circuit or a processing circuit for transmitting and receiving signals. Specifically, the signal processing circuit 21 can be anything, such as a circuit that processes signals in a communication network for LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The signal processing circuit 21 can be anything, such as a circuit that transmits and receives signals according to the standards used in the communication network, such as the Sigfox standard, the ELTRES standard, or the transmission of sensor information. The signal processing circuit side connection terminal 22 is connected to the thin plate-shaped connection terminal 11 of the film antenna element 10. The signal processing circuit side connection terminal 22 can be anything, such as a spring terminal. As will be described later, when the module body 20 engages with the base portion 30, the signal processing circuit side connection terminal 22 is pressed against the thin plate-shaped connection terminal 11, thereby electrically connecting them. The module body 20 has at least two module engagement portions 23. The module engagement portions 23 are arranged on both long sides of the module body 20. That is, the module engagement portions 23 should be arranged at predetermined positions on the long sides, which are the sides facing the longitudinal direction of the elongated module body 20. The module engagement portions 23 can be, for example, locking grooves. Here, as shown in the figure, it is preferable that the module engagement portions 23 of the module body 20 be arranged near the center of both long sides of the module body 20. When the module body 20 is placed on the curved surface of the glass 1, because the module body 20 is elongated, the change in distance to the surface of the glass 1 becomes larger as it approaches the short side. Therefore, by positioning the module engagement portion 23 near the center of both long sides of the module body 20, it is possible to stably engage the module body 20 with the base portion 30 with minimal change in distance to the surface of the glass 1. It should be noted that the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention is not necessarily limited to two module engagement portions 23, and more module engagement portions 23 may be provided as needed.

[0021] The base portion 30 has at least two base engagement portions 31. Each base engagement portion 31 engages with at least two module engagement portions 23 of the module body 20. The base engagement portion 31 may consist of, for example, a locking claw that engages with the module engagement portion 23, which consists of a locking groove. The base engagement portion 31 should be positioned in a location corresponding to the location where the module engagement portion 23 is positioned. The base portion 30 is erected and fixed on the film 12 of the film antenna element 10. More specifically, the base portion 30 may be erected and fixed on the film 12 of the film antenna element 10 by film insert molding, for example. That is, the base portion 30 may be molded integrally with the film 12. In the case of film insert molding, the adhesive strength can be increased by molding both the film 12 and the base portion 30 from a resin material. The resin material does not necessarily have to be the same for the film 12 and the base portion 30. The present invention is not limited thereto, and the base portion 30 may be erected and fixed on the film 12 using an adhesive or the like.

[0022] Furthermore, in the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention, a cushioning material 40 is interposed between the film 12 and the module body 20. The cushioning material 40 only needs to be positioned to avoid the base portion 30. That is, it is positioned on the film 12 in the portion where the base portion 30 is not erected and fixed on the film 12, and is configured to be pressed by the module body 20. In addition, the cushioning material 40 may be appropriately cut out so that the thin plate-shaped connection terminal 11 and the signal processing circuit side connection terminal 22 can come into contact. The cushioning material 40 acts to increase the engagement force between the module engagement portion 23 and the base engagement portion 31 by its repulsive force. This makes it possible to securely fix the module body 20 to the base portion 30. Furthermore, the cushioning material 40 acts to absorb the curved shape of the glass 1. That is, even if the distance from the module body 20 to the surface of the glass 1 differs near the center and near the short side, the cushioning material 40 interposed in between can fill that space. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent noise caused by vibrations while the vehicle is in motion.

[0023] With this configuration, the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention ensures that the module body 20 is securely fixed even on a curved surface. Furthermore, because the module body 20 is fixed by engaging the module engaging portion 23 with the base engaging portion 31 of the base portion 30, the module body 20 and the base portion 30 will not shift positions. Therefore, there is no risk of poor contact due to misalignment.

[0024] Next, a structure for further preventing misalignment between the module body 20 and the base portion 30 will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic side view illustrating another example of the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the module engaging portion 23 consists of a locking claw and the base engaging portion 31 has a locking groove. Figure 4 is a schematic top view illustrating the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, Figure 5 is a schematic top view illustrating the base portion of the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention shown in Figure 3. In the figures, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 represent the same parts.

[0025] As shown in these figures, the base portion 30 may further have base side walls 32. The base side walls 32 are positioned at locations corresponding to the two short sides of the module body 20. In the illustrated example, the base side walls 32 are shown to be positioned to cover both short sides of the module body 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be positioned to cover each of the four corners of the module body 20. In other words, the base side walls 32 should be positioned in a location that allows for alignment of both short sides of the module body 20. By providing the base side walls 32, the module body 20 will fit securely into the base portion 30, and alignment will be easier.

[0026] In particular, as shown in Figure 5, the base engagement portion 31 and the base side wall portion 32 of the base portion 30 only need to be erected and fixed on the film 12 in a state where they are divided along the longitudinal direction of the module body 20. That is, the base engagement portion 31 and the base side wall portion 32 only need to be erected and fixed independently along the longitudinal direction. The base side wall portion 32 also needs to be erected and fixed on the film 12 by film insert molding. Because the base side wall portion 32 is erected and fixed independently of the base engagement portion 31, the base side wall portion 32 will not float even if the film 12 is attached to the curved surface of the glass 1. Therefore, even if the base portion 30 has a base side wall portion 32, it is possible to reliably attach the film 12 to the curved surface.

[0027] Here, we will explain, for example, the case of connecting a cable to the module body. Figure 6 is a schematic front view illustrating the case in which the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention has a cable. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 3 represent the same parts. The vehicle film antenna device in this example has a cable 50 that is connected to the module body 20. The cable 50 may be, for example, a power cable or a signal cable. The cable 50 may be connected to the signal processing circuit 21 inside the module body 20 by soldering or the like, or it may be connected via a cable connector. When such a cable 50 is used, the base side wall portion 32 of the base portion 30 only needs to have a notch 33 through which the cable 50 can be inserted. By fitting the cable 50 into the notch 33, it is possible to route the cable without it being obstructed by the base side wall portion 32. If a cable connector is used, the cable connector may be fitted into the notch 33.

[0028] Next, the specific structure of the base portion 30, which is erected and fixed to the film, will be described using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a schematic top view illustrating a specific example of the base portion of the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the base portion of the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention shown in Figure 7. In the figures, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 5 represent the same parts. As shown in the figures, the base portion 30 may have a base portion 34. The base portion 34 is used to increase the fixing force of the base portion 30 with the film 12. The base engagement portion 31 and the base side wall portion 32 are erected and fixed on the film 12, for example by film insert molding. The base portion 34 for increasing the fixing force is used at the fixing position. The base portion 34 is provided at the bottom of the base engagement portion 31 and the base side wall portion 32, and increases the contact area with the film 12. In other words, the base portion 34 is configured to have a larger contact area with the film 12 than the base engagement portion 31 and the base side wall portion 32, while its thickness only needs to be sufficient. For example, if the base side wall portions 32 are arranged to cover each of the four corners as shown in Figure 7, the contact area with the film 12 will be small because the base side wall portions 32 are small. However, by providing the base portion 34, the base side wall portions 32 will be securely erected and fixed on the film 12.

[0029] Figure 9 is a schematic top view illustrating another example of the base of the pedestal portion of the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 7 represent the same parts. As shown in the figure, for example, a base portion 34 for increasing the fixing force is provided to connect the two pedestal engaging portions 31. Alternatively, for example, the base portion 34 may be provided to connect the two pedestal side wall portions 32. Even if the base portion 34 is used to connect the two pedestal engaging portions 31 or the two pedestal side wall portions 32, the pedestal engaging portions 31 are independent of the pedestal side wall portions 32 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even if the film 12 is attached to the curved surface of the glass 1, the pedestal side wall portions 32 will not float. In other words, even if the pedestal engaging portions 31 and the pedestal side wall portions 32 are integrated in the short-side direction, the problem of floating cannot occur. Furthermore, by providing a base portion 34 that connects the two base engagement portions 31, this base portion 34 can also be used as a runner in injection molding. This makes it possible to form both base engagement portions 31 and the runner / base portion 34 with just one sprue, even when the two base engagement portions 31 are formed using film insert molding. Similarly, by connecting the two base sidewall portions 32 with the runner / base portion 34, the number of sprues can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to increase the fixing force while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0030] Furthermore, Figure 10 is a schematic top view illustrating yet another example of the base portion of the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in Figure 9 represent the same parts. As shown in the figure, the base portion 30 has a runner 35. Unlike the base portion 34 which is also used as a runner as shown in Figure 9, the runner 35 shown in Figure 10 does not function as a base portion 34. By connecting the base engagement portion 31, the base side wall portion 32, and the base portion 34 using the runner 35, it becomes possible to film insert mold all of the base engagement portion 31, the base side wall portion 32, and the base portion 34 with just one sprue. Note that since the runner 35 is provided in the longitudinal direction, it may appear that the base engagement portion 31 and the base side wall portion 32 are not independent in the longitudinal direction. However, since the runner 35 only needs to be thin enough to serve as a flow path for molten resin during injection molding, it does not create resistance when attached to the curved surface of the glass 1, and no problem with lifting occurs. In other words, the runner 35 only needs to be thick enough so that it doesn't cause problems with buoyancy.

[0031] It should be noted that the vehicle film antenna device of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 glass 10 Film antenna elements 11 Thin plate-shaped connector 12 film 20 Module Body 21 Signal Processing Circuits 22 Signal processing circuit side connection terminals 23 Module engagement section 30 Base 31 Pedestal engagement part 32. Side wall section of the base 34 Base 35 Runners 40 cushioning material 50 Cables

Claims

1. A vehicle film antenna device positioned on a curved insulator of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle film antenna device is A film antenna element is attached to a curved insulator of a vehicle using a film and has a thin plate-shaped connecting terminal, A module body extending in the longitudinal direction having a signal processing circuit capable of transmitting and / or receiving signals via the film antenna element, and a signal processing circuit side connection terminal connected to a thin plate-shaped connection terminal of the film antenna element, wherein the module body has at least two module engagement portions arranged on each of its long sides, A base portion is erected and fixed on the film of the film antenna element and has at least two base engagement portions that engage with at least two module engagement portions of the module body, A cushioning material interposed between the film and the module body in at least the portion where the base portion is not erected and fixed on the film, the cushioning material which increases the engagement force between the module engagement portion and the base engagement portion by repulsive force and absorbs the curved shape of the insulator of the vehicle, A vehicle film antenna device characterized by comprising the following:

2. In the vehicle film antenna device according to claim 1, The base portion further includes base side wall portions positioned at locations corresponding to both short sides of the module body, The base engagement portion and the base side wall portion are erected and fixed on the film of the film antenna element in a state where they are divided along the longitudinal direction of the module body. A vehicle film antenna device characterized by the following features.

3. A vehicle film antenna device according to claim 2, further comprising a cable connected to the module body, The base side wall of the base portion has a notch through which a cable or cable connector can be inserted. A vehicle film antenna device characterized by the following features.

4. A vehicle film antenna device according to claim 1, characterized in that the module engagement portion of the module body is located near the center of both long sides of the module body.

5. A vehicle film antenna device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base portion is erected and fixed on the film of the film antenna element by film insert molding.

6. A vehicle film antenna device according to claim 5, characterized in that the base portion has a base portion for reinforcing the fixing force with the film.

7. A vehicle film antenna device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the base portion is characterized by having a runner.

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