Communication equipment

Abstract

To facilitate wiring between a communication module and an antenna, to widen a space for arranging electronic components on a circuit board for mounting the communication module, and to reduce influences of a noise from these electronic components to the antenna and a signal received by the antenna.SOLUTION: A communication device comprises: an antenna 21 provided on a part other than on a first substrate 3; a second substrate 4 provided on a surface side where a communication module 31 is arranged, among surfaces of the first substrate 3, separatedly from the first substrate 3; a pattern line 43 provided on the second substrate to feed a power to the antenna 21; a first conductor 41 provided on the second substrate 4 so as to be connected with the pattern line 43; and a power feeding port 32 provided on the first substrate 3 so as to be extended from the communication module 31. The first conductor 41 and the power feeding port 32 are arranged in contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communicator. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a communication device in which an antenna is housed in a housing is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Also known as a communication device is one in which an antenna and a communication module for processing signals received by the antenna are arranged on the same circuit board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-130115 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the antenna and the communication module are arranged on the same circuit board, the space available for arranging electronic components other than the antenna and the communication module is narrowed. In addition, when the antenna and the communication module are arranged on the same circuit board, the wiring pattern connecting the communication module and the antenna must be routed in a way that avoids the electronic components arranged on the circuit board, which is troublesome. In addition, problems arise because noise from these electronic components is likely to enter the wiring pattern and the antenna.

[0005] One object of this disclosure is to provide a communication device that facilitates wiring between a communication module and an antenna, provides more space for arranging electronic components on the circuit board on which the communication module is mounted, and makes it possible to reduce the effect of noise from the electronic components on the signal received by the antenna and on the antenna. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above object is achieved by the combination of features recited in the independent claims, and the subclaims define further advantageous embodiments of the disclosure. The reference characters in parentheses in the claims indicate a correspondence with specific means described in the following embodiment as one aspect, and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a first communication device of the present disclosure is a communication device including a communication module (31) for processing a signal received by an antenna, and includes a first board (3) which is a circuit board on which the communication module is provided, antennas (21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) provided on a part other than the first board, a second board (4) which is a circuit board provided on the side of the first board on which the communication module is provided and spaced apart from the first board, and a pattern provided on the second board for feeding power to the antenna. The antenna includes a line (43, 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d), a first conductor (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) that is a conductor connected to the pattern line and provided on the second board, and a power supply port (32, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) that is wired from the communication module and provided on the first board, and is arranged so that the first conductor and the power supply port are in contact with each other. A plurality of antennas are provided, and a pattern line, a first conductor, and a power supply port are provided for each antenna. The pattern line is provided on a non-facing surface of the second substrate that does not face the communication module, and the first conductor is provided so as to protrude through the second substrate from the non-facing surface side connected to the pattern line to the facing surface side of the second substrate that faces the communication module, and is disposed so that a portion of the first conductor protruding toward the facing surface side comes into contact with the power supply port. do. In order to achieve the above object, a second communication device of the present disclosure is a communication device including a communication module (31) for processing a signal received by an antenna, the communication module being provided on a first board (3) which is a circuit board on which the communication module is provided, antennas (21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) provided on a surface other than the first board, a second board (4) which is a circuit board provided on a surface of the first board on which the communication module is provided and spaced apart from the first board, pattern lines (43, 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d) provided on the second board and used to feed power to the antenna, and first conductors (41, 41a, 41b, 41c) which are conductors connected to the pattern lines provided on the second board. the first board and the second board together; and a housing (2) covering the first board and the second board together; and a second conductor (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) which is a conductor that is in contact with an end point of the pattern line other than the end point that is in contact with the first conductor, the antenna is provided in the housing and is arranged to be in contact with the second conductor, and a plurality of antennas are provided, and the pattern line, the first conductor, the second conductor, and the power supply port are provided for each antenna. The pattern line is provided on a non-facing surface of the second substrate that does not face the communication module, and the first conductor is provided so as to protrude through the second substrate from the non-facing surface side connected to the pattern line to the facing surface side of the second substrate that faces the communication module, and is disposed so that a portion of the first conductor protruding toward the facing surface side comes into contact with the power supply port. do.

[0008] According to this, since the pattern line used for feeding power to the antenna is provided on a second board different from the first board on which the communication module is provided, it is possible to make the space on the circuit board on which the communication module is provided larger in which electronic components can be arranged. In addition, since this pattern line is provided on a second board different from the first board on which the communication module is provided, it is less susceptible to noise from electronic components on the circuit board on which the communication module is provided. Since the antenna is also provided on a board other than the first board, it is less susceptible to noise from the electronic components. Therefore, the signal received by the antenna and the antenna are less susceptible to noise from the electronic components. Furthermore, since the antenna is fed with power by contact between the power feed port provided on the first board and wired from the communication module, and the first conductor provided on the second board and connected to the pattern line, it is possible to feed power even if the wiring from the communication module to the power feed port is short. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the hassle of having to wire around the electronic components on the circuit board on which the communication module is provided. As a result, it becomes easier to wire the communication module and the antenna, it becomes possible to provide more space for placing electronic components on the circuit board on which the communication module is mounted, and it becomes possible to reduce the effect of noise from these electronic components on the signal received by the antenna. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a general configuration of a communication device 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A number of embodiments for disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of description, in a number of embodiments, parts having the same functions as parts shown in the drawings used in the previous description may be given the same reference numerals and their description may be omitted. For parts given the same reference numerals, the description in other embodiments may be referred to.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) <General configuration of communication device 1> Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 1 includes a housing 2, a first board 3, and a second board 4. This communication device 1 corresponds to a communication device. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the communication device 1 is shown in a schematic manner by increasing the distance between members that are actually in contact. Members indicated by dotted arrows in FIG. 1 are actually in contact with each other. In this embodiment, a case where the communication device 1 is used in a vehicle will be described as an example. The communication device 1 is used, for example, inside or under the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0012] <Overall configuration of case 2> The housing 2 covers the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4 together. The housing 2 may be made of, for example, resin. In the example of FIG. 1, the housing 2 is in the shape of a bottomless box. In this case, the first substrate 3 is the bottom of the box, and the housing 2 covers the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4. In the example of FIG. 1, the housing 2, the first substrate 3, and the second substrate 4 are arranged in the order of the housing 2 as an upper cover, the second substrate 4, and the first substrate 3 as a bottom, from above, when the direction corresponding to the bottom of the box is downward. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the upward direction is the direction toward the ceiling of the vehicle, and the downward direction is the direction toward the floor of the vehicle.

[0013] The housing 2 is provided with an antenna 21. That is, the communication device 1 also includes the antenna 21. In the example of FIG. 1, the antenna 21 is provided on a surface (hereinafter, the housing top surface) 2U of the housing 2 located in the direction of the ceiling of the vehicle. More specifically, the antenna 21 may be provided on the inner surface of the housing 2 of the housing top surface 2U. The antenna 21 may be configured to be integral with the housing 2. For example, the antenna 21 is configured to be integral with the housing 2 by insert molding. In the example of FIG. 1, the antennas 21 include an antenna 21a, an antenna 21b, an antenna 21c, and an antenna 21d. That is, the communication device 1 in the example of FIG. 1 is an integrated communication device that centrally manages multiple antennas. Examples of these antennas 21 include a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) antenna, a telephone antenna, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) antenna, and the like. The antenna 21 may include multiple telephone antennas that transmit and receive radio waves of different frequencies.

[0014] <Schematic configuration of first substrate 3> The first substrate 3 is a circuit substrate. The first substrate 3 has, for example, a substantially rectangular planar shape. A predetermined wiring pattern is formed on the surface of an insulating base material of the first substrate 3. The first substrate 3 is fixed to the housing 2 with a fixing member such as a screw. The first substrate 3 is disposed lower than the second substrate 4 in the communication device 1. The height from the surface of the first substrate 3 to the housing upper surface 2U may be, for example, about 20 mm.

[0015] 1, the first substrate 3 is provided with a communication module 31 and a power supply port 32. That is, the communication device 1 also includes the communication module 31 and the power supply port 32. The communication module 31 and the power supply port 32 are provided on an upper surface of the first substrate 3 (hereinafter, the front surface).

[0016] The communication module 31 processes a signal received by the antenna 21. The communication module 31 is a module composed of a plurality of electronic components. The communication module 31 also includes a heat generating element that generates heat when powered.

[0017] The power supply port 32 is wired from the communication module 31. The power supply port 32 is connected to the communication module 31 by a patterned line provided on the surface of the first substrate 3. The patterned line is a signal line formed of copper foil or the like, through which an electric signal flows. The power supply port 32 uses a conductor as its material. The power supply port 32 may be a pattern of a metal conductor including foil, or may be a metal conductor provided around a through hole provided in the first substrate 3. In other words, the power supply port 32 can be called a power supply point. The power supply port 32 is electrically connected to a ground (hereinafter, GND). This GND may be provided on a lower surface (hereinafter, back surface) of the first substrate 3, or may be provided on the surface.

[0018] 1, power feeding ports 32a to 32d are provided corresponding to the multiple antennas 21a to 21d. It is preferable that the power feeding port 32 is provided near the communication module 31 so that wiring from the communication module 31 can be easily performed.

[0019] <Schematic Configuration of Second Substrate 4> The second board 4 is also a circuit board. The second board 4 is also, for example, of a substantially rectangular planar shape. A predetermined wiring pattern is formed on the surface of an insulating base material of the second board 4. The second board 4 is also fixed to the housing 2 with a fixing member such as a screw. The second board 4 is disposed above the first board 3 in the communication device 1. That is, the second board 4 is disposed on the front side of the surface of the first board 3 on which the communication module 31 is disposed, and is spaced apart from the first board 3. The height from the surface of the second board 4 to the housing upper surface 2U may be, for example, about 5 mm.

[0020] The first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4 are arranged so that their surfaces are parallel to each other, as shown in Fig. 1. The first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4 may be arranged so that one surface is inclined with respect to the other surface, as long as the positional relationship allows contact between a first conductor 41 and a power supply port 32, which will be described later. The second substrate 4 is preferably arranged between the antenna 21 and the first substrate 3 so as to block the antenna 21 when viewed from the first substrate 3 side.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the second substrate 4 is provided with a first conductor 41, a second conductor 42, and a patterned line 43. That is, the communication device 1 also includes the first conductor 41, the second conductor 42, and the patterned line 43. The second conductor 42 and the patterned line 43 are provided on the upper surface (hereinafter, the front surface) of the second substrate 4. The front surface of the second substrate 4 corresponds to the non-opposing surface. The first conductor 41 will be described later. A GND is provided on the lower surface (hereinafter, the back surface) of the second substrate 4. The back surface of the second substrate 4 corresponds to the opposing surface. This GND is preferably a flat metal conductor including foil. In addition, this GND is preferably provided on the entire back surface of the second substrate 4. The second substrate 4 is disposed so as to block the antenna 21 when viewed from the first substrate 3 side, and a flat metal conductor functioning as a GND is provided on the back surface, thereby making it possible to shield the antenna 21 from the influence of noise from electronic components provided on the first substrate 3.

[0022] The first conductor 41 is a conductor connected to the pattern line 43. The first conductor 41 is arranged so as to contact the power supply port 32 in the communication device 1. The first conductor 41 is arranged so as to contact the power supply port 32 provided on the first board 3 in a state in which the first board 3 and the second board 4 are assembled in the housing 2. In other words, the power supply port 32 is arranged so as to contact the first conductor 41 in the communication device 1. In the example of this embodiment, the first conductor 41 is provided so as to protrude from the front side to the back side of the second board 4 connected to the pattern line 43, penetrating the second board 4. The first conductor 41 is arranged so as to protrude from the front side to the back side of the second board 4. The first conductor 41 is arranged so that the part protruding to the back side and the power supply port 32 are in contact with each other. The first conductor 41 may be a gasket, a spring contact, a pin, a press-fit terminal, or the like, which is made of a conductor. As an example, the first conductor 41 is a pin.

[0023] 1, first conductors 41a to 41d are provided corresponding to the multiple antennas 21a to 21d. First conductor 41a contacts power feed port 32a. First conductor 41b contacts power feed port 32b. First conductor 41c contacts power feed port 32c. First conductor 41d contacts power feed port 32d.

[0024] The second conductor 42 is also a conductor connected to the pattern line 43. The second conductor 42 contacts an end point of the pattern line 43 that is different from the end point that contacts the first conductor 41. The second conductor 42 is arranged so as to contact the antenna 21 in the communication device 1. The second conductor 42 is arranged so as to contact the antenna 21 provided on the housing 2 in a state in which the second board 4 is assembled to the housing 2. In other words, the antenna 21 is arranged so as to contact the second conductor 42. The second conductor 42 can be a gasket, a spring contact, or the like, which is made of a conductor. As an example, the second conductor 42 is a spring contact.

[0025] 1, second conductors 42a to 42d are provided corresponding to the multiple antennas 21a to 21d as the second conductor 42. The second conductor 42a contacts the antenna 21a. The second conductor 42b contacts the antenna 21b. The second conductor 42c contacts the antenna 21c. The second conductor 42d contacts the antenna 21d.

[0026] The pattern line 43 is used to feed power to the antenna 21. In this embodiment, the pattern line 43 is used to indirectly feed power to the antenna 21 via the second conductor 42. The pattern line is a signal line formed of copper foil or the like, through which an electric signal flows. The pattern line 43 can be referred to as an RF line.

[0027] As the pattern line 43, as shown in Fig. 1, pattern lines 43a to 43d are provided corresponding to the multiple antennas 21a to 21d. The pattern line 43a contacts the first conductor 41a at one end point and contacts the second conductor 42a at the other end point. The pattern line 43b contacts the first conductor 41b at one end point and contacts the second conductor 42b at the other end point. The pattern line 43c contacts the first conductor 41c at one end point and contacts the second conductor 42c at the other end point. The pattern line 43d contacts the first conductor 41d at one end point and contacts the second conductor 42d at the other end point.

[0028] In the state where the first board 3 and the second board 4 are assembled in the housing 2, the communication device 1 is electrically connected as follows. The antenna 21a is electrically connected to the communication module 31 via the second conductor 42a, the patterned wire 43a, the first conductor 41a, and the power feed port 32a. The antenna 21b is electrically connected to the communication module 31 via the second conductor 42b, the patterned wire 43b, the first conductor 41b, and the power feed port 32b. The antenna 21c is electrically connected to the communication module 31 via the second conductor 42c, the patterned wire 43c, the first conductor 41c, and the power feed port 32c. The antenna 21d is electrically connected to the communication module 31 via the second conductor 42d, the patterned wire 43a, the first conductor 41d, and the power feed port 32d.

[0029] <Summary of the First Embodiment> According to the configuration of the first embodiment, the pattern line 43 used to feed power to the antenna 21 is provided on the second board 4 separate from the first board 3 on which the communication module 31 is provided, so that the space in which electronic components can be arranged on the circuit board on which the communication module 31 is arranged can be made wider. In addition, since the pattern line 43 is provided on the second board 4 separate from the first board 3 on which the communication module 31 is provided, the antenna 21 is less susceptible to noise from electronic components on the circuit board on which the communication module 31 is arranged. The antenna 21 is also provided on the housing 2 other than the first board, so that the antenna 21 is less susceptible to noise from the electronic components. Therefore, the signal received by the antenna 21 and the antenna 21 are less susceptible to noise from the electronic components. Therefore, the signal received by the antenna 21 is less susceptible to noise from the electronic components. Furthermore, since power is supplied to the antenna 21 by contact between the power supply port 32, which is wired from the communication module 31 provided on the first board 3, and the first conductor 41, which is connected to the pattern line 43 provided on the second board 4, power can be supplied even if the wiring from the communication module 31 to the power supply port is short. This makes it possible to reduce the hassle of having to avoid the electronic components on the circuit board on which the communication module 31 is arranged. As a result, it is possible to facilitate the wiring connecting the communication module 31 and the antenna 21, to increase the space in which the electronic components can be arranged on the circuit board on which the communication module 31 is arranged, and to make it difficult for noise from the electronic components to affect the signal received by the antenna 21. The above-mentioned effects become more prominent as the number of antennas 21 provided in the communication device 1 increases.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the configuration of embodiment 1, heat generated by electronic components such as the communication module 31 provided on the first substrate 3 is easily transferred to the GND of the second substrate 4 through the first conductor 41, for example, and is therefore easily dissipated.

[0031] (Embodiment 2) In the above embodiment, the antenna 21 is provided on the housing upper surface 2U of the housing 2, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the antenna 21 may be provided on a surface of the housing 2 that corresponds to a side surface. Alternatively, the antenna 21 may be provided on the second substrate 4. In this case, the antenna 21 may be provided integrally with the second conductor 42, or the antenna 21 and the pattern line 43 may be directly connected without providing the second conductor 42.

[0032] (Embodiment 3) In the above embodiment, the communication device 1 is provided with a plurality of antennas 21, but this is not necessarily limited to the above. For example, the communication device 1 may be provided with one antenna 21.

[0033] (Embodiment 4) In the above embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the pattern line 43 is provided on the surface of the second substrate 4 that does not face the communication module 31 of the first substrate 3, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the first conductor 41 and the pattern line 43 may be provided on the back surface of the second substrate 4 that faces the communication module 31 of the first substrate 3. In this case, for example, the second conductor 42 may be provided penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the second substrate 4, and connected to the pattern line 43.

[0034] (Embodiment 5) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a flat metal conductor functioning as a GND is provided on the second substrate 4 has been described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the GND provided on the second substrate 4 may be a metal conductor having a shape other than a flat plate. Also, a configuration in which a GND is not provided on the second substrate 4 may be used.

[0035] (Embodiment 6) In the above embodiment, the communication device 1 is used with its upper side facing the ceiling of the vehicle, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the communication device 1 may be used with its upper side facing the floor of the vehicle, or may be used with its upper side facing another direction.

[0036] (Embodiment 7) In the above embodiment, the communication device 1 is configured to be used in a vehicle, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the communication device 1 may be configured to be used in a moving object other than a vehicle. Also, the communication device 1 may be configured to be used in an object other than a moving object.

[0037] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 communication device, 2 housing, 2U housing top surface, 3 first board, 4 second board, 21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d antenna, 31 communication module, 32, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d power supply port, 41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d first conductor, 42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d second conductor, 43, 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d pattern line

Claims

1. A communication device comprising a communication module (31) for processing signals received by an antenna, A first board (3) which is a circuit board on which the communication module is provided; An antenna (21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) provided on a substrate other than the first substrate; a second substrate (4) which is a circuit substrate provided on a surface of the first substrate on which the communication module is disposed, the second substrate (4) being spaced apart from the first substrate; A pattern line (43, 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d) provided on the second substrate and used to feed power to the antenna; A first conductor (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) which is a conductor provided on the second substrate and connected to the pattern line; a power supply port (32, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) provided on the first board and wired from the communication module; The first conductor and the power supply port are arranged to be in contact with each other, A plurality of the antennas are provided, The pattern line, the first conductor, and the power supply port are provided for each antenna, The pattern line is provided on a non-facing surface of the second substrate that does not face the communication module, the first conductor is provided so as to protrude through the second substrate from the non-opposing surface side connected to the pattern line to an opposing surface side of the second substrate which is a surface of the second substrate facing the communication module, A communication device in which a portion of the first conductor protruding toward the opposing surface is arranged so as to be in contact with the power supply port.

2. A communication device comprising a communication module (31) for processing signals received by an antenna, A first board (3) which is a circuit board on which the communication module is provided; An antenna (21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) provided on a substrate other than the first substrate; a second substrate (4) which is a circuit substrate provided on a surface of the first substrate on which the communication module is disposed, the second substrate (4) being spaced apart from the first substrate; A pattern line (43, 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d) provided on the second substrate and used to feed power to the antenna; A first conductor (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) which is a conductor provided on the second substrate and connected to the pattern line; a power supply port (32, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) provided on the first board and wired from the communication module; The first conductor and the power supply port are arranged to be in contact with each other, A housing (2) that collectively covers the first substrate and the second substrate; a second conductor (42, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) provided on the second substrate and contacting an end point of the pattern line other than an end point contacting the first conductor; the antenna is provided in the housing and is arranged to be in contact with the second conductor; A plurality of the antennas are provided, The pattern line, the first conductor, the second conductor, and the power supply port are provided for each antenna, The pattern line is provided on a non-facing surface of the second substrate that does not face the communication module, the first conductor is provided so as to protrude through the second substrate from the non-opposing surface side connected to the pattern line to an opposing surface side of the second substrate which is a surface of the second substrate facing the communication module, A communication device in which a portion of the first conductor protruding toward the opposing surface is arranged so as to be in contact with the power supply port.

3. In claim 2, It can be used in a vehicle, The antenna is a communication device provided on the upper surface (2U) of the housing, which is the surface that faces the ceiling of the vehicle when the housing is installed in the vehicle.

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, the second substrate is disposed between the antenna and the first substrate so as to block the antenna when viewed from the first substrate side, A communication device in which the second substrate is provided with a flat metal conductor that functions as a ground.

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