Antenna sealing plug and vehicle antenna device

Abstract

To provide an antenna sealing plug for a flexible antenna interconnect device for an antenna device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.SOLUTION: An antenna sealing plug 2 comprises a sealing surface 220 extending substantially all the way round in the circumferential direction Ur of the antenna sealing plug for sealing a feed-through 9 of a vehicle. The feed-through 9 leads into the vehicle. A penetrating portion 110 of an antenna interconnect device 1 can be guided or is guided through the feed-through 9. The antenna sealing plug 2 further comprises a slot-like passage 210. The penetrating portion 110 of the antenna interconnect device 1 can be guided or is guided through the antenna sealing plug 2 in a sealing manner via the slot-like passage 210.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna sealing plug for a flexible antenna interconnection device of an antenna device for a vehicle, in particular for an automobile. The present invention further relates to an antenna device for a vehicle, in particular for an automobile, and to a vehicle add-on part, in particular a motor vehicle add-on part, preferably a spoiler. [Background technology]

[0002] Known antennas having flexible antenna interconnection devices that may be used in wet and / or moist areas of vehicles, particularly automobiles, such as spoilers, are often sealed to feedthroughs that guide the antenna interconnection device into the vehicle with hot melt adhesive. The problem with this is that the hot melt adhesive often does not meet the high temperature requirements of the vehicle, its sealing properties are not sufficient to meet the product requirements, and processing times are long. Tooling is additionally required to apply the hot melt adhesive.

[0003] CN104691452 discloses a mounting device on a roof of a vehicle for an antenna feed, which is for guiding the antenna feed to the interior of the vehicle and preventing water from entering the vehicle. In this case, a hollow stud is mounted on the roof, and a slot is arranged at the outer end of the hollow stud, through which the antenna feed is guided into the hollow stud and from there to the interior. The antenna feed is guided through a seal plug, which is arranged on the hollow stud and sealingly fitted to the inner wall of the hollow stud. A sealing material is further provided on the outer part of the hollow stud, and a watertight cap is attached to the outside of the hollow stud.

[0004] JP 2010-52499 A discloses an antenna arrangement in a vehicle spoiler, in which the antenna feed of the antenna arrangement is guided inwardly into the vehicle through a feed-through, the antenna cable including an electrical connector. To prevent moisture from entering the vehicle, a sealing rubber element is attached to the inner edge of the feed-through into the vehicle, which can be sealed by a screw-on cover. The antenna feed is guided through a bushing on the side of the rubber element and through the rubber element. During installation of the antenna arrangement, the bushing, in which the antenna cable is located, is sealed from the outside with hot melt adhesive to ensure that water does not enter the feed-through. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned options for mounting an antenna device, for example on a vehicle, in particular on a spoiler of an automobile, do not always meet the requirements of the vehicle and the specifications of the manufacturer. Moreover, the conventional methods are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to specify an improved antenna device and, based thereon, an improved vehicle add-on, for example a spoiler. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The object of the present invention is realized by an antenna sealing plug for a flexible antenna interconnection device of an antenna device for a vehicle, in particular for an automobile, by an antenna device for a vehicle, in particular for an automobile, and by a vehicle add-on, in particular an automobile add-on, preferably a spoiler. Advantageous developments, additional features and / or advantages of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0007] The antenna sealing plug according to the invention comprises a sealing surface extending over substantially the entire circumference of the antenna sealing plug for sealing a feed-through (through recess, opening, etc.) of a vehicle leading into the vehicle, through which a through-through of an antenna interconnection device can be or is guided, and the antenna sealing plug further comprises a slot-like passage through which the through-through of the antenna interconnection device can or is guided in a sealing manner through the antenna sealing plug. Such a flexible antenna interconnection device comprises, for example, a flexible substrate as an interconnection device or antenna carrier, a flexible conductive circuit structure or antenna structure, and a flexible insulating cover layer. The antenna interconnection device may be specifically configured as a populated antenna interconnection device, or in some cases may be configured as an unpopulated antenna interconnection device.

[0008] The antenna sealing plug is in particular not formed from a hot melt adhesive, but from, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer, a terpolymer or a synthetic rubber, so that the material of the antenna sealing plug also meets high requirements regarding environmental behavior (temperature requirements, sealing properties, etc.), durability and mechanical properties. Furthermore, this means that no forming tool for the antenna sealing plug is needed to provide the antenna sealing plug, i.e. to prefabricate or to mount the antenna device. Thus, no sealing tool is needed to process the entire antenna in the final assembly stage. That is, a quick mounting can be performed and no antenna interconnection device (antenna foil) needs to be placed in the tool.

[0009] The antenna sealing plug may be configured such that the slot-like passage is introduced in a first outer region of the antenna sealing plug and is again led out in a second outer region of the antenna sealing plug. Furthermore, the antenna sealing plug may be configured such that, at least in the mounting position of the antenna sealing plug, the slot-like passage is substantially completely surrounded in the circumferential direction by the material of the antenna sealing plug at at least one point along its path through the antenna sealing plug. The complete extension of the material of the antenna sealing plug around the penetration at at least one point ensures that the area locally upstream from this point (e.g. outside the antenna sealing plug, e.g. in a spoiler or another additional part) is tight relative to the area locally downstream from this point (e.g. outside the antenna sealing plug, e.g. in the vehicle).

[0010] The sealing slot-like passage itself may be configured as a curved, straight and / or undulating slot-like passage. For example, in pre-fabrication or in a pre-mounting position for final assembly, the slot-like passage may be configured as a slot-like passage open in the radial direction of the antenna sealing plug (see Figs. 9 and 10). The sealing slot-like passage may include, in the axial portion, at least one passage section (radius, progression, end) in the mounting direction of the feed-through. Such an embodiment may be combined with the coding of the antenna sealing plug and / or the straight or undulating slot-like passage (see below), and of course also with other embodiments.

[0011] The longitudinal portion of the sealing slot-like passage may be completely circumferentially closed (see Figures 1 and 2), open on one side (see Figures 6-8), or open on two sides (see Figures 3-5). If the slot-like passage is open in the circumferential direction, when the penetration is inserted into the slot-like passage and the antenna sealing plug is installed, the slot-like passage is closed in the circumferential direction so as to be liquid-tight or substantially liquid-tight.

[0012] The cross section of the sealing slot-like passage may or may not be adapted to the cross section of the penetration. In the first case, the cross section of the slot-like passage, for example, has a similar cross section, for example as the enlarged rectangular cross section of the penetration. In the second case, the slot-like passage, for example, is only defined by two approximately parallel faces.

[0013] The sealing slot-like passage may pass completely through the antenna sealing plug (see, e.g., Figures 1, 2, 5-8). Furthermore, a centerline of a slot-like passage that passes completely through the antenna sealing plug may pass through the antenna sealing plug in a radial direction and / or an axial direction of the antenna sealing plug. The sealing slot-like passage may pass completely through the antenna sealing plug (see, e.g., Figures 6-8). Furthermore, a centerline of a slot-like passage that extends partway into the antenna sealing plug may extend into the antenna sealing plug substantially in a radial direction of the antenna sealing plug.

[0014] The surface of the antenna sealing plug that is spanned by the slot-like passage can extend within the antenna sealing plug in the radial and axial directions of the antenna sealing plug (see, for example, Figures 1, 2 and 5). This surface can be configured as a curved surface within the antenna sealing plug with a straight section as a generatrix. That is, the surface of the slot-like passage is configured as a developable surface. Furthermore, this surface can extend at least partially within the antenna sealing plug in the circumferential direction of the antenna sealing plug. That is, the surface of the slot-like passage is configured as a circumferential section of a funnel or cone or as a funnel or cone.

[0015] The curved surface spanned by the sealing slot-like passage in the antenna sealing plug can begin or end radially outside the antenna sealing plug, proceed substantially radially in the radially outer region of the antenna sealing plug, gradually curve within the antenna sealing plug in the axial direction of the antenna sealing plug, proceed substantially axially in the axially outer region of the antenna sealing plug, and / or end or begin axially outside the antenna sealing plug.

[0016] The surface that the slot-like passage extends through in the antenna sealing plug can extend from an axially outer position of the antenna sealing plug into the antenna sealing plug. Here, the surface can extend in the axial direction of the antenna sealing plug as a substantially flat or corrugated surface. Furthermore, here, the straight line portion as the generatrix of the surface can extend into the antenna sealing plug substantially only in the radial direction of the antenna sealing plug (see, for example, Figures 6 to 8). Furthermore, the surface can reach the central axis of the antenna sealing plug or intersect with this central axis. That is, in the latter case, the surface extends into the antenna sealing plug beyond the central axis. Furthermore, the surface may "go past" the central axis.

[0017] The antenna sealing plug may consist of two mutually connectable or connected parts, where the two parts are separated from each other or separable from each other by a plane that extends substantially only in the radial direction of the antenna sealing plug (see Figs. 3-5). Alternatively, the two parts may be separated from each other by a possibly curved, e.g. corrugated, half-plane, which starts in the antenna sealing plug and extends in the radial and / or axial direction of the antenna sealing plug (see Figs. 6-8). The two parts may be configured to at least partially complement each other and / or may be joined to each other at least partially in a form-fitting manner (see Figs. 3-8).

[0018] The antenna sealing plug may be substantially composed of two parts, namely a plug head and a plug body adjacent to the plug head, where the plug body may include a substantially full circumferential sealing surface for sealing the feedthrough. The plug head or the transition portion from the plug body to the plug head may further include an end of a slot-like passage for the penetration. Furthermore, the slot-like passage may start from the plug head and extend into the plug body, penetrating the plug head and the plug body.

[0019] The antenna sealing plug can comprise two mutually connectable parts, namely a plug cap and a cup-shaped plug part. Here, a dividing surface of the antenna sealing plug can be located at the plug head, which divides the antenna sealing plug into the plug cap and the cup-shaped plug part. The plug cap and the cup-shaped plug part can be considered as two mutually separate parts and formed separately from each other. Furthermore, the plug cap and the cup-shaped plug part can be considered as a single part and formed together. The plug cap and the cup-shaped plug part can be connected to each other via a hinge, in particular a film hinge.

[0020] The antenna sealing plug or plug body may comprise a receptacle for a connector. The connector may in particular be a connector for a flexible antenna interconnection device. Here, the antenna interconnection device may comprise an electrical terminal, in particular a terminal that is crimped to the antenna interconnection device and received in the connector. The receptacle of the antenna sealing plug may be configured to at least partially complement the connector. The connector may be insertable, insertable, placeable or placed in the receptacle at least in a form-fitting manner. Here, at least one internal dimension of the receptacle is smaller than a corresponding external dimension of the connector. The elastic material of the antenna sealing plug allows the connector to be received in the receptacle in a simple clamping manner. Depending on the requirements for receiving the connector into the antenna sealing plug, the material of this antenna sealing plug (in terms of its hardness and / or other properties) can be adapted to the properties of the connector and / or the subsequent properties of the part and / or vehicle, whereby the unit comprising the antenna sealing plug with the antenna interconnection device and the connector can be directly sealed and produce an electrical connection in the intended part or vehicle.

[0021] The antenna sealing plug is preferably configured as a molded part, for example in an injection molding procedure. That is, the antenna sealing plug is formed before it is attached to the feed-through of the antenna interconnection device (prefabrication) and of course before it is attached to the feed-through of the vehicle (final assembly). Thus, the antenna sealing plug does not have to be formed during prefabrication of the antenna device or during installation of the antenna device. Thus, in the normal procedure, if any problems occur after the injection molding process, the interconnection device is not totally defective, i.e. handling is improved.

[0022] On the one hand, the antenna arrangement can be assembled just before mounting on the intended part. On the other hand, a completely pre-mounted antenna arrangement can be provided to the customer, to the assembly line or for installation, and only needs to be fitted. In case of repair, in the worst case scenario, only the sealing plug has to be replaced, not the whole antenna interconnection arrangement. Reuse (re-detaching or dismantling the antenna arrangement for reuse or further use) is made even easier. Overall, costs are significantly reduced due to the elimination of processes and sealing with hot melt adhesives.

[0023] Furthermore, the antenna sealing plug preferably has a one-piece construction. One-piece construction is understood to mean a construction of the antenna sealing plug that has only one part and cannot be divided without destruction. The antenna sealing plug is produced from a single initial mass (plastic melt), which must be one-piece in itself for the antenna sealing plug. Such a fully functional antenna sealing plug is held together only by gluing and / or adhesion. Furthermore, the antenna sealing plug may be composed of one part or several parts, in particular two parts.

[0024] Furthermore, the antenna sealing plug is preferably free of hot melt adhesive. The antenna sealing plug is in particular formed from an elastic material, preferably an elastomer. The antenna sealing plug can be provided with a fastening means at the pre-attached position of the flexible antenna interconnection device or its feed-through, by means of which a mechanical contact pressure can be applied to the antenna interconnection device or the feed-through. Such fastening means can be formed, for example, as a fastening ring, a snap ring, an O-ring, a clamp, a (spring) clip or the like. Here, the fastening means attached is preferably attached to the outside of the antenna sealing plug and extends around the outside of the antenna sealing plug, preferably over at least a part of its circumference, in particular as an O-ring.

[0025] The material of the antenna sealing plug may be selected, for example, according to the manufacturing specifications and / or subsequent requirements, especially regarding hardness, flexibility, (permanent) elasticity, environmental requirements, and / or temperature conditions. Here, the antenna sealing plug can be adapted to the requirements of the intended component. Interconnection devices and / or signal carriers (ribbon conductors, printed cables, sensor lines) can be placed in the penetrations, HBLs with flat ribbon cables being one possible application. The antenna sealing plug is provided and pre-tightened on the antenna interconnection device for quicker and easier installation, and no additional sealing operations are required apart from the installation of the antenna sealing plug.

[0026] The strain relief device, the positioning aid and / or the fastening means can be integrated into the antenna interconnection device or into the foil of the antenna interconnection device, which facilitates the mounting of the antenna interconnection device in the antenna sealing plug and / or ensures the position of the antenna interconnection device in the antenna sealing plug. The strain relief device, the positioning aid and / or the fastening means can be provided or arranged in the penetration and / or can be provided or arranged in the penetration adjacent, in particular directly adjacent, the antenna sealing plug. This can be realised in each case, for example, by at least one protrusion on the axial top of the antenna interconnection device and on the axial bottom of the antenna interconnection device, which protrusion receives, for example, the antenna sealing plug therebetween.

[0027] The antenna device according to the invention comprises an antenna interconnection device and an antenna sealing plug, the antenna sealing plug being constructed according to the invention. The antenna sealing plug may be pre-attached to a penetration of the antenna interconnection device. Furthermore, the penetration, and therefore the antenna interconnection device, may penetrate the antenna sealing plug completely. Furthermore, the penetration may be arranged in the antenna sealing plug such that it is substantially or completely liquid-tight, i.e. there is a region of the antenna sealing plug that extends almost completely around the penetration and remains substantially dry when liquid acts on the antenna sealing plug as a whole.

[0028] The vehicle add-on according to the invention, in particular the automobile add-on according to the invention, preferably a spoiler, comprises an antenna sealing plug and / or an antenna device, the antenna sealing plug and / or the antenna device being configured according to the invention. The vehicle is understood to be an automobile (road vehicle), a rail vehicle, a water vehicle or an aircraft. Here, the automobile can be equipped with an internal combustion engine and / or an electric traction engine.

[0029] The present invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, which are schematic and not to scale. Parts, elements, components, units, components and / or patterns having the same, unique or similar configuration and / or function are identified with the same reference numbers in the description of the drawings (see below), the description of the symbols, the claims and the figures of the drawings. Possible alternatives, static and / or kinematic inversions, combinations, etc., which are not described, illustrated and / or are not determinative in the description of the present invention (see above) for the exemplary embodiments of the present invention or its components, patterns, units, structural parts, elements or parts, can be further inferred from the description of the symbols and / or the description of the drawings.

[0030] In the present invention, a feature (part, element, structural part, unit, component, function, variable, etc.) may be a positive feature, i.e., present, or a negative feature, i.e., not present. In this specification (description (description of the invention (see above)), description of the drawings (see below), explanation of symbols, claims, drawings), a negative feature is not explicitly described as a feature if its absence is not essential to the present invention. That is, the present invention, which was actually created and was not constructed by the prior art, consists in omitting said feature.

[0031] The features of the specification may be utilized in other ways and / or manners (separation, combination, substitution, addition, uniqueness, omission, etc.) in addition to the manner and / or manner specified. In particular, features in the claims and / or specification may be substituted, added, or omitted in the specification, the description of the symbols, the claims, and / or the drawings based on the reference symbols and the features assigned thereto, or the features and the reference symbols assigned thereto. Furthermore, this allows the features in the claims to be described and / or specified in more detail.

[0032] The features herein may also be interpreted as optional features (in view of the (initially little known) prior art). That is, each feature may be considered as an optional, optional, or preferred feature, i.e., as a non-binding feature. Thus, features may be separated from the exemplary embodiment, possibly including its surroundings, and then said features may be transformed into a generalized inventive concept. Absence of a feature (negative feature) in an exemplary embodiment indicates that the feature is optional with respect to the present invention. Furthermore, in the case of a type term for a feature, a general term for the feature (possibly further hierarchical classification into subgenera, etc.) may also be implicitly understood, which allows for generalization of the feature, e.g., considering comparable effects and / or equivalents. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a two-dimensional side view of a first embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention for a flexible antenna interconnection device (FIG. 1). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention for a flexible antenna interconnect device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 5 is a two-dimensional side view of a second embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention in a closed state (FIGS. 3 and 4 including a flexible antenna interconnection device). [Figure 4] FIG. 5 is a two-dimensional side view of a second embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention in a closed state (FIGS. 3 and 4 including a flexible antenna interconnection device). [Diagram 5] FIG. 6 is a two-dimensional side view of a second embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention in an open state (FIG. 5). [Figure 6] 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention for a flexible feedthrough of an antenna interconnection device. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a two-dimensional side view of a fifth embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 13 is a perspective view of an antenna sealing plug according to the present invention, according to a third, fourth or fifth embodiment, in which the area of ​​the antenna interconnection device of the antenna device is shown. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to five different embodiments (FIGS. 1 and 2, 3 to 5, 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10) of an exemplary embodiment of an elastic antenna sealing plug 2 for a flexible feed-through 110 of a substantially flexible antenna interconnection device 1 (FIG. 11) of an antenna device 0 for a vehicle, in particular for an automobile. The antenna interconnection device 1 is preferably configured as an antenna interconnection device 1 in particular with the actual transmitting and / or receiving antenna and having a flat extent. Here, the flexible, preferably flat per se feed-through 110 can or should be attached to a vehicle feed-through 9 leading into the vehicle. Here, the antenna sealing plug 2 should or must, on the one hand, seal the feedthrough 9 against liquids and, on the other hand, should or must seal the penetration 110 against liquids.

[0035] The antenna arrangement 0 with the flexible interconnection device 1 (see FIG. 11 ) can be attached or is attached to a vehicle add-on, in particular an automobile add-on, such as a spoiler or other add-on. Furthermore, the vehicle add-on can be attached or is attached to the vehicle, the flexible penetration 110 of the antenna interconnection device 1 can be attached or is attached to a feed-through 9 by means of an antenna sealing plug 2, with a part of the antenna interconnection device 1 protruding into the vehicle. In this case, the antenna interconnection device 1, which is configured, for example, as a signal carrier, ribbon cable carrier, printed cable, sensor line, etc., preferably comprises a connector 3, for example for the on-board electronics of the vehicle.

[0036] The present invention will be described and illustrated in more detail with the aid of preferred exemplary embodiments, which are of a more fundamental nature, however, the present invention is not limited by the disclosed exemplary embodiments, which are of a more fundamental nature. Other variants can be derived from the exemplary embodiments and / or from the above (description of the invention) without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, the description of the present invention below, which refers to the drawings, concerns the axial or central axis Ar, the radial direction Rr and the circumferential direction Ur of the antenna sealing plug 2. The present invention can be used in general in the field of vehicle antennas, in particular in external or integrated roof antenna modules for automobiles. The drawings show only the spatial part of the subject matter of the present invention that is necessary for the understanding of the present invention.

[0037] The antenna sealing plug 2 (see drawing) comprises two mutually distinct sealing parts or areas, on the one hand, the antenna sealing plug 2 comprises a sealing surface 220 extending substantially over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction Ur for sealing against the vehicle feed-through 9. Here, the circumference may have any shape in principle, although an approximately circular or elliptical shape is naturally preferred.

[0038] On the other hand, the antenna sealing plug 2 comprises a slot-like passage 210. The flexible feedthrough 110 of the antenna interconnection device 1 can be or is guided in a sealing manner through the antenna sealing plug 2 via this slot-like passage 210. That is to say, when the feedthrough 110 is mounted in the slot-like passage 210, liquid cannot flow through the slot-like passage 210 from one axial side of the antenna sealing plug 2 to the other axial side of the antenna sealing plug 2.

[0039] Here, the slot-like passage 210 can be arranged in various ways in the antenna sealing plug 2. In the following, four of these embodiments are described in more detail. In this regard, for example, the slot-like passage 210 can be configured as a channel that is circumferentially completely closed at least in a longitudinal part, for example with an enlarged rectangular cross section (see FIG. 2) (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Here, the slot-like passage 210 comprises at least or exactly two openings in the antenna sealing plug 2, and the penetration 110 entering from one such opening moves through the slot-like passage 210 to be attached.

[0040] Furthermore, the antenna sealing plug 2 (see Figs. 3-5) may be formed mainly or substantially in two parts, whereby the slot-like passage 210 may be arranged between these two parts of the antenna sealing plug 2 when the penetration 110 is installed, and is arranged between these two parts of the antenna sealing plug 2. For this, the penetration 110 is arranged in one of the two parts, and the second part closes the first part, so that the antenna sealing plug 2 is fully operable.

[0041] The slot-like passage 210 that may be located between the two parts may be suitable for only one circumferential position of the penetration 110 with respect to the antenna sealing plug 2 or multiple circumferential positions. For example, a circumferential position may be established between the two parts, which may be provided once or multiple times with an offset of about 30°, 45°, 60°, or 90°. Furthermore, a continuous region of circumferential positions of the penetration 110 of about 45°, 60°, 90°, 135°, 150°, 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°, 360°, i.e., less than 360°, may be provided, in which the penetration 110 may be located between the two parts.

[0042] For example, it is further possible to configure the slot-like passage 210 of the antenna sealing plug 2 as a laterally open slot-like channel (see FIG. 6). Here, the slot-like channel extends laterally into the antenna sealing plug 2 in the radial direction Rr and preferably completely through the antenna sealing plug 2 in the axial direction Ar. Here, the slot-like passage 210 comprises three openings in the antenna sealing plug 2, the penetration 110 entering from one such opening, in particular the lateral opening, moving into the antenna sealing plug 2 (lateral opening) or through the antenna sealing plug 2 (axial side opening). In the latter exemplary embodiment, the antenna sealing plug 2 may already be attached to the feedthrough 9.

[0043] Furthermore, the slot-like passage 210 arranged substantially linearly in the antenna sealing plug 2 in Fig. 6 may not only be arranged linearly in the antenna sealing plug 2. With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, the slot-like passage 210 in Fig. 6 is arranged as a corrugated slot-like passage 210 in the antenna sealing plug 2. Here, the number of corrugations is arbitrary, naturally starting from one. Naturally, other options for arranging the slot-like passage 210 in the antenna sealing plug 2 may be used according to the present invention.

[0044] A preferred embodiment of the antenna sealing plug 2 (see Figs. 1 to 8) is divided into at least two portions, namely, a plug head 21 that is wide in the radial direction Rr, and a plug body 22 that is narrower than the plug head in the radial direction Rr. As a result, the antenna sealing plug 2 has a mushroom-like appearance and has a preferably flat plug head 21 whose outer diameter is preferably constant in the axial direction Ar, and a plug body 22 that is preferably somewhat narrow but tall instead, whose outer diameter is preferably approximately constant in the axial direction Ar at least in a certain portion (sealing means).

[0045] Here, the plug body 22 preferably comprises, on the radial outside Rr, a sealing surface 220 extending substantially over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction Ur for sealing the feedthrough 9. The sealing surface 220 may be arranged partially or almost completely (not shown) over the entire outer axial length Ar of the plug body 22. The sealing surface 220 comprises, for example, an integral sealing means, such as a sealing lip, a sealing rib, etc., extending substantially over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction Ur.

[0046] On the one hand, the slot-like passage 210 enters (at the top in both cases of Figs. 1-6 and at the bottom in both cases of Figs. 7 and 8, with respect to the oriented plane of the drawings) the plug head 21 or the transition (not shown) between the plug head 21 and the plug body 22. The slot-like passage 210 may be introduced or led out at its opening into the plug head 21 in a generally radial direction Rr (see Figs. 1-5) or in a generally axial direction Ar (see Figs. 6-8). Naturally, a combination of the radial direction Rr and the axial direction Ar, i.e. an angled or inclined (not shown) introduction or lead-out relative to the plug head 21, is also applicable.

[0047] On the other hand, the slotted passage 210 enters the plug body 22 (at the bottom in both cases of Figs. 1-6 and at the top in both cases of Figs. 7 and 8, with respect to the oriented plane of the drawings). Here, the slotted passage 210 may be introduced or led out in a substantially axial direction Ar (see drawings) at its opening into the plug head 21. Naturally, a combination of the radial direction Rr and the axial direction Ar, i.e. an angular or inclined (not shown) introduction or lead out relative to the plug body 22, is also applicable. In particular, the slotted passage 210 of the plug body 22 leads into a receptacle 223 for the connector 3 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 7-10).

[0048] The antenna sealing plug 2 can be considered as a substantially single part (see Figs. 1, 2, 6-8) or as a substantially two-part part (see Figs. 5-7). In the case of a single-part integral construction, the antenna sealing plug 2 can be configured as an antenna sealing plug 2 in which the slot is formed from the outside. The corresponding slot, i.e. the slot-like passage 210, seen on the outside of the sealing plug 2 appears only in the radial direction Rr at the plug head 21 (see Figs. 1 and 2) or at the transition between the plug head 21 and the plug body 22 (not shown), and only in the axial direction Ar at the plug body 22 (see Figs. 6-8), and possibly in the radial direction Rr at the plug body 22 (not shown, but see Figs. 6-8).

[0049] In the case of a two-part configuration, the antenna sealing plug 2 may be configured as an integral part (hinge 27, in particular film hinge 27, see Figs. 3-5) or as two parts (not shown). Here, the antenna sealing plug 2 (see Figs. 3-5) can be divided into a plug cap 25; 25, 21 and a cup-shaped plug part 26; 26, 21, 22. Here, the plug cap 25 can divide the plug head 21 into two axial Ar parts (division surface), one part of the plug head 21 forms the plug cap 25, and the other part of the plug head 21 forms the cup-shaped plug part 26; 26, 21, 22 together with the plug body 22.

[0050] In the case of an integral configuration of the plug cap 25 and the cup-shaped plug portion 26 (see Figures 3 to 5), the integral hinge 27, in particular the integral film hinge 27, is arranged on the antenna sealing plug 2 on the one hand, radially outside Ra and / or axially outside Ar of the plug cap 25 and on the radially outside Ra and / or axially outside Ar of the cup-shaped plug portion 26. In the case of a two-part configuration of the plug cap 25 and the cup-shaped plug portion 26, they can be configured relative to each other such that the plug cap 25 can be pressed / pushed into the cup-shaped plug portion 26 at any circumferential position.

[0051] Furthermore, plug cap 25 and cup-shaped plug portion 26 are preferably configured relative to one another to ensure that the two parts automatically remain connected to one another when plug cap 25 is pressed / pushed onto cup-shaped plug portion 26. That is, for example, plug cap 25 may latch onto cup-shaped plug portion 26 when plug cap 25 and cup-shaped plug portion 26 are joined together, and / or plug cap 25 and cup-shaped plug portion 26 may be connected to one another in another manner such that they are fixed to one another.

[0052] The slot-like passage 210 of the antenna sealing plug 2 can start or end outside the plug head 21 in the radial direction Rr (see Figures 1-5 of the drawings) or outside the axial direction Ar (see Figures 6-8 of the drawings). Similarly, the slot-like passage 210 can start or end outside the plug head 21 in the axial direction Ar (see Figures 1-8 of the drawings), and the slot-like passage 210 can start or end at the receptacle 223 for the connector 3. Between the start and end or between the end and start of the slot-like passage 210 of the antenna sealing plug 2, the slot-like passage 210 can penetrate the antenna sealing plug 2 in essentially any desired manner.

[0053] In particular, a radius can be used to prevent twisting of the penetration 110 as it enters the passageway and into / through / out of the antenna sealing plug 2. Thus, for example (see Figs. 1 and 2 (similar to Figs. 3-5)), the penetration 110 can enter the antenna sealing plug 2 at the top in a radial direction Rr. Thereafter, within the antenna sealing plug 2, the penetration 110 gradually bends in the axial direction Ar at a relatively large or substantially maximum radius and exits the antenna sealing plug 2 in substantially the axial direction Ar.

[0054] The use of radii so that the slot-like passage 210 does not twist may also depend, inter alia, on the environment of the feedthrough 9. Thus, for example, the embodiment according to Figures 6 to 8 can be advantageously used if the through-through 110 enters from the axial direction Ar. And the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 5 can be used more advantageously, for example, if the through-through 110 enters from the radial direction Rr (see Figures 1 to 4). Of course, the exception here is a through-through 110 which can already be bent with a small radius or already has such a small radius (twisted).

[0055] The plug body 22 may include, at its axially Ar free end, a receptacle 223 for the connector 3. Here, the receptacle 223 should preferably be configured such that the connector 3 can be clamped to the receptacle 223. This can be done, for example, by configuring a part of the receptacle 223 in a form-fitting manner relative to the connector 3. Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one internal dimension of the receptacle 223 is smaller than a corresponding external dimension of the connector 3, so that the elastic material of the receptacle 223 allows the connector 3 to be clamped to the receptacle 223, in particular in a form-fitting manner.

[0056] The antenna sealing plug 2 pre-mounted in the feedthrough 110 and / or mounted in the feedthrough 9 during final assembly may further comprise fastening means 290 (see e.g. above), by means of which a mechanical contact pressure can be applied to the feedthrough 110. This is only shown in Figure 8 but can be applied to all embodiments of the invention.

[0057] 9 and 10 show an embodiment of the antenna sealing plug 2 (pre-mounted position) with an open slotted passage 210. Thus, the penetration 110 can be simply and precisely positioned in the slotted passage 210 and the antenna sealing plug 2, which can then be pre-mounted (e.g. by fastening means 290) or mounted in final assembly (to the feedthrough 9).

[0058] The open slot-like passage 210 extends, in particular, completely through the antenna sealing plug 2 in the axial direction Ar and, in particular, in the antenna sealing plug 2 in the radial direction Rr, and in the pre-mounted position, the open slot-like passage 210 extends, in the antenna sealing plug 2, in particular, in the radial direction Rr so as to taper, i.e., the slot-like passage 210 opens outward in the radial direction Rr. In a plan view of the antenna sealing plug 2, the open slot-like passage 210 has a substantially triangular shape.

[0059] The inner flanks (not shown) of the open slotted passage 210 may be aligned towards the center of the slotted passage 210 and may not extend to or beyond the center of the slotted passage (not shown), or at least one inner flank may extend in this way (schematically shown in FIG. 10), or both inner flanks may extend in this way (not shown). The antenna sealing plug 2 may be configured with the open slotted passage 210 as a rotationally symmetrical body or simply as an approximately rotationally symmetrical body in a specific form for its function, which is also applicable to other embodiments of the present invention. If such an antenna sealing plug 2 is configured only as a substantially rotationally symmetrical body, it is preferred that it is configured to have a substantially rotationally symmetrical shape when the slot-like passage 210 is closed.

[0060] The open slot-like passage 210 is closed during installation or pre-installation of the antenna sealing plug 2. This closed position can be realized and guaranteed by the fastening means 290 and / or the feed-through 9. The open slot-like passage 210 can be combined in particular with the embodiment according to figures 6 to 8. Furthermore, the antenna sealing plug 2 can have any desired form, as long as it can be placed in the feed-through 9 such that the penetration 110 is sealed against the sealing plug 2 itself and the sealing plug 2 is sealed against itself.

[0061] 9 and 10 each further show a corrugated slot-like passage 210. Here, the corrugations of the slot-like passage 210 are preferably arranged in the antenna sealing plug 2 in at least one axial Ar outer region (212) or inner region (222) of the antenna sealing plug 2, so that the penetration 110 of the antenna interconnection device 1 can be guided or is guided in a desired direction. That is, the passage parts 212, 222 of the outer corrugations or inner corrugations (seen in the axial direction) of the corrugated slot-like passage 210 are arranged in the antenna sealing plug 2 in such a way that the passage parts 212, 222 allow the penetration 110 of the antenna sealing carrier 1 to be oriented in the direction of the mounting position. Naturally, this is also applicable to the slot-like passage 210 without corrugations.

[0062] For example, the radiused portions 212, 222, progression portions 212, 222, or ends 212, 222 of the outer corrugations (212) and / or inner corrugations (222) (passage portions 212, 222) located in the antenna sealing plug 2 or the outer and / or inner portions (passage portions 212, 222) of the penetration portion 110 in the antenna sealing plug 2 can be arranged such that, on the one hand, the penetration portion 110 can be guided without deflection, e.g. with a large radius or at a relatively small angle, relative to the remaining part of the antenna interconnection device 1 (passage portion 212, see FIG. 11), and / or, on the other hand, the penetration portion 110 can be guided without deflection, e.g. with a relatively large radius, relative to the connector 3 in the antenna sealing plug 2 (see FIG. 9), another connector (not shown), or a vehicle connection portion (not shown).

[0063] 10 further shows the coding 211 of the antenna sealing plug 2. Here, the coding 211 is configured as a coding 211 extending into the antenna sealing plug 2 in the radial direction Rr. Of course, radial protrusions as coding 211 may be used as well. In this example, the coding 211 is arranged on the plug head 211, but of course it may also or instead be provided on the plug body 22, the plug cap 25 and / or the cup-shaped plug part 26. In all embodiments of the invention, the coding 211 may or may not be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 0 Antenna device for vehicles, especially automobiles 1 Antenna device 0 (flexible) antenna interconnect device 2 (elastic) antenna sealing plug for antenna interconnection device 1 3 Antenna interconnect device 1 connector 9 Feedthrough (connected to inside the vehicle) 110 (flexible) penetration of antenna interconnect device 1 21 Plug Head 22 Plug body 25 Plug cap 26 Cup-shaped plug part 27 Hinges, especially film hinges 210 (seal) slot-shaped passage 211 Coding 212 Passage in the direction of the installation position 220 (substantially all around) sealing surface 222 Passage in the direction of the insertion position 223 Receptacle for Connector 3 290 Fixing means Ar axial direction, central axis of antenna sealing plug 2 Rr Radial direction of antenna sealing plug 2 Ur Circumferential direction of antenna sealing plug 2

Claims

1. An antenna sealing plug (2) for a flexible antenna interconnection device (1) of a vehicle antenna device (0) or an automobile antenna device (0), comprising: An antenna sealing plug (2) comprising a sealing surface (220) extending over substantially the entire circumference in a circumferential direction (Ur) of the antenna sealing plug (2) for sealing a feed-through (9) of the vehicle, the feed-through (9) leading into the vehicle, through which a penetration (110) of the antenna interconnection device (1) can be or is guided, The antenna sealing plug (2) further comprises a slot-like passage (210) via which the through-hole (110) of the antenna interconnection device (1) can be or is guided in a sealing manner through the antenna sealing plug (2), The slotted passage (210) itself may be configured as a curved, straight, and / or corrugated slotted passage (210); the slotted passage (210) extends completely through the antenna sealing plug (2) or partway into the antenna sealing plug (2); The antenna sealing plug (2) is substantially composed of a plug head (21) and a plug body (22, 26) adjacent to the plug head (21); the plug body (22, 26) includes a substantially circumferential sealing surface (220) for sealing against the feedthrough (9), and the sealing surface (220) of the plug body (22, 26) includes a plurality of sealing lips; The plug body (22, 26) of the antenna sealing plug (2) has a receptacle (223) for a connector (3), The receptacle (223) is configured such that at least one internal dimension of the receptacle (223) is smaller than a corresponding external dimension of the connector (3) such that the connector (3) is insertable into the receptacle (223) at least partially in a form-fit manner. Antenna sealing plug (2).

2. The antenna sealing plug (2) is the slot-like passage (210) is introduced at a first outer region of the antenna sealing plug (2) and is again led out at a second outer region of the antenna sealing plug (2); and / or the slot-like passage (210) is configured such that, at least at the mounting position of the antenna sealing plug (2), at least at one point along a path through the antenna sealing plug (2), the slot-like passage (210) is substantially completely surrounded in a circumferential direction by material of the antenna sealing plug (2). The antenna sealing plug (2) according to claim 1.

3. in a pre-mounted position, said slotted passage (210) is configured as a slotted passage (210) open in the radial direction (Rr) of said antenna sealing plug (2); the longitudinal portion of said slot-like passage (210) is circumferentially completely closed, open on one side or open on two sides, and / or characterised in that said slot-like passage (210) comprises, in its axial (Ar) portion, at least one passage section (212, 222) in the mounting direction of said penetration (110); The antenna sealing plug (2) according to claim 1.

4. the centerline of the slotted passage (210), which passes completely through the antenna sealing plug (2), passes through the antenna sealing plug (2) in the radial (Rr) and / or axial (Rr) directions of the antenna sealing plug (2); or characterised in that the centre line of the slot-like passage (210) which extends partway into the antenna sealing plug (2) extends into the antenna sealing plug (2) substantially in the radial direction (Rr) of the antenna sealing plug (2); The antenna sealing plug (2) according to claim 1.

5. The surface of the antenna sealing plug (2) that is covered by the slot-like passage (210) is: - extending within said antenna sealing plug (2) in the radial (Rr) and axial (Ar) directions of said antenna sealing plug (2); - configured as a curved surface within said antenna sealing plug (2) with a straight section as a busbar; characterised in that it extends at least partially within said antenna sealing plug (2) in said circumferential direction (Ur) of said antenna sealing plug (2); The antenna sealing plug (2) according to claim 1.

6. the curved surface covered by the slotted passage (210) in the antenna sealing plug (2) - starting or ending radially (Rr) outside the antenna sealing plug (2), - proceeding substantially radially (Rr) in the radially outer region (Rr) of said antenna sealing plug (2), - gradually bends in the antenna sealing plug (2) in the axial direction (Ar) of the antenna sealing plug (2), - proceeding substantially in the axial direction (Ar) in the outer region of the antenna sealing plug (2), and / or characterised in that it ends or starts axially (Ar) outside the antenna sealing plug (2), The antenna sealing plug (2) according to claim 1.

7. The surface of the antenna sealing plug (2) that is covered by the slot-like passage (210) extends from an axially (Ar) outer position of the antenna sealing plug (2) into the antenna sealing plug (2); - extending in the axial direction (Ar) of the antenna sealing plug (2) as a substantially planar or corrugated surface, the straight generatrices of the surfaces extend into the antenna sealing plug (2) substantially only in the radial direction (Rr) of the antenna sealing plug (2); and / or said surface is characterized in that it reaches or intersects with the central axis (Ar) of said antenna sealing plug (2); The antenna sealing plug (2) according to claim 1.

8. The antenna sealing plug (2) is composed of two parts connectable or connected to each other, - said two parts are separated or separable from each other by a plane extending substantially only in the radial direction (Rr) of said antenna sealing plug (2); - said two parts are separated from each other by a possibly curved half-plane, said half-plane starting within said antenna sealing plug (2) and extending in said radial (Rr) and / or axial (Ar) directions of said antenna sealing plug (2); and / or characterised in that the two parts are at least partially configured to complement each other and can be joined to each other at least partially in a form-fitting manner; An antenna sealing plug (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The transition from the plug head (21) or the plug body (22) to the plug head (21) includes an end of the slotted passage (210) for the through-hole (110), or The slot-like passage (210) starts at the plug head (21) and extends into the plug body (22), penetrating the plug head (21) and the plug body (22). Characterized in that An antenna sealing plug (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A part of the plug head (21) of the antenna sealing plug (2) is configured as a plug cap (25), The plug cap (25) and the plug body (22, 26) are connected to each other via a film hinge (27). Characterized in that An antenna sealing plug (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. The antenna sealing plug (2) is formed from an elastic material. An antenna sealing plug (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. The antenna sealing plug (2) is - constructed as a moulded part, - have a one-piece or multi-part construction, - Does not contain hot melt adhesives - made from an elastomer and / or characterised in that it comprises fastening means (290) by means of which a mechanical contact pressure can be exerted on said penetration (110); An antenna sealing plug (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. An antenna device (0) for a vehicle or an automobile, comprising an antenna interconnection device (1) and an antenna sealing plug (2), The antenna sealing plug (2) is Characterized in that it is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Antenna device (0).

14. - said antenna sealing plug (2) is pre-attached to the penetration (110) of said antenna interconnection device (1); - said penetration (110) and therefore said antenna interconnection device (1) completely penetrates said antenna sealing plug (2); and / or the penetration (110) is arranged in the antenna sealing plug (2) in a substantially or completely liquid-tight manner; An antenna arrangement (0) according to claim 13.

15. A vehicle add-on, or automobile add-on, or spoiler, having an antenna sealing plug (2), The antenna sealing plug (2) is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Vehicle add-ons.

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