electronic equipment

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of reducing influences of disturbing waves to the inside of a housing.SOLUTION: A first antenna 350a and a second antenna 350b are provided on a front side surface of a resin plate 310. A first cable 360a connects the first antenna 350a and a communication substrate. A first fitting pawl 370a attaches the first cable 360a. A second cable 360b connects the second antenna 350b and the communication substrate. A second fitting pawl 370b attaches the second cable 360b. The first fitting pawl 370a is provided on at least one of the front side surface of the resin plate 310 and a first ground plate of the first antenna 350a. The second fitting pawl 370b is provided on at least one of the front side surface of the resin plate 310 and a second ground plate of the second antenna 350b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an antenna module, and particularly Electronic device with antenna module relates to

Background Art

[0002] When an electronic device such as an in-vehicle device has a communication function, an antenna is attached to the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a cable is connected to an antenna attached to a housing, a mounting claw for fixing the cable is provided on the housing. When the mounting claw is formed by cutting out the surface of the housing, through holes are generated in the housing. Due to the through holes, the interference radio waves generated in the vehicle interior can affect the circuits inside the housing.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for reducing the influence of interference waves on the inside of the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present disclosure The electronic device includes a housing, a front plate covering the opening of the housing, and an antenna module. The antenna module includes a resin plate that can be attached to the front plate of the housing from the front side, a first antenna and a second antenna provided on the front surface of the resin plate, a first cable that connects the first antenna and the communication substrate, a first mounting claw for mounting the first cable, a second cable that connects the second antenna and the communication substrate, and a second mounting claw for mounting the second cable. The first antenna includes a first ground plate connected to the front surface of the resin plate, a first standing wall erected forward from the first ground plate, and a first radiation plate connected to the first standing wall. The second antenna includes a second ground plate connected to the front surface of the resin plate, a second standing wall erected forward from the second ground plate, and a second radiation plate connected to the second standing wall. The first mounting claw is provided on at least one of the front surface of the resin plate and the first ground plate, and the second mounting claw is provided on at least one of the front surface of the resin plate and the second ground plate On the front surface of the resin plate, it further includes a first connection portion to which the first ground plate can be connected. The first connection portion can also connect a third antenna instead of the first antenna. The third antenna includes a third ground plate connected to the first connection portion, a third standing wall erected forward from the third ground plate, and a third radiation plate connected to the third standing wall. The third ground plate has the same shape as the first ground plate, and the third radiation plate has a different shape from the first radiation plate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the influence of the interfering waves given inside the housing can be reduced

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Before specifically describing the present disclosure, an overview will be described. The present embodiment relates to an electronic device covered with a metal housing and including an antenna for wireless communication. An example of the electronic device is an in-vehicle device that can be mounted on a vehicle or the like. For wireless communication, for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used. A dual-band antenna compatible with 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz is used for communication in the 2.4 GHz band for Bluetooth (registered trademark) and communication in the 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz band for wireless LAN. Conventionally, an antenna for Bluetooth (registered trademark) and 5 GHz band wireless LAN and an antenna for 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band wireless LAN have been separately mounted apart from each other. In such a configuration, the antenna alone is a plate-like component that is easily deformed, and transportation is performed in two packages. Also, after each antenna is attached, cable wiring work is required, and it is difficult to evaluate the antenna performance until the attachment is completed. Further, when each antenna is attached to the front side of the housing, attachment claws for fixing the cable must be provided on the housing. By providing the attachment claws on the housing by cutting, through holes are generated in the housing. Due to the through holes, interference waves generated in the vehicle interior can affect the circuits inside the housing.

[0010] In the present embodiment, an antenna module is provided in which two antennas are mounted on a resin plate and cables connected to the respective antennas are attached to the antennas or the resin plate. By modularization, the strength of the antenna is increased and transportation becomes one package. Also, cable wiring work after attaching the antenna module to the housing becomes unnecessary. It becomes possible to evaluate the performance of the antenna with the antenna module alone. Further, since the cable is attached to the resin plate, through holes in the housing are eliminated, so that the circuits inside the housing are less likely to be affected by interference waves generated in the vehicle interior.

[0011] In the following description, "parallel" and "orthogonal" include not only perfect parallelism and orthogonality but also cases where they deviate from parallelism and orthogonality within the range of error. Also, "substantially" means being approximately the same within a certain range.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the electronic device 1000. FIG. 2 is a front view of the electronic device 1000 as viewed from the front side. As shown in FIG. 1, an orthogonal coordinate system composed of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis is defined. The x-axis and y-axis are orthogonal to each other. The z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis and extends in the height direction of the electronic device 1000. Also, the positive directions of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are defined as the directions of the arrows in FIG. 1, and the negative directions are defined as the directions opposite to the arrows. Here, the positive direction of the x-axis is also referred to as "front" and "front side", the negative direction of the x-axis as "rear" and "rear side", the positive direction of the y-axis as "right" and "right side", the negative direction of the y-axis as "left" and "left side", the positive direction of the z-axis as "up" and "upper side", and the negative direction of the z-axis as "down" and "lower side". Therefore, it can be said that the x-axis extends in the front-rear direction, the y-axis extends in the left-right direction, and the z-axis extends in the up-down direction.

[0013] The housing 100 has a hollow box shape. Inside the housing 100, circuits (not shown) for executing various functions of the electronic device 1000 are arranged. An opening 110 is provided on the front side of the housing 100, and the opening 110 is covered by a front plate 200 having a plate shape. A fixing portion 210, which is a depression capable of fixing the antenna module 300 from the front side, is provided at the central portion of the front side surface of the front plate 200. The structure of the antenna module 300 will be described later. A communication substrate 400 is attached to the front side of the antenna module 300. Circuits (not shown) for executing communication by wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are mounted on the communication substrate 400. The communication substrate 400 is covered by a front cover 500 from the front side.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the structure of the antenna module 300. The resin plate 310 has a shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. The resin plate 310 can be attached to the fixing portion 210 (FIG. 1) of the front plate 200 from the front side. A first antenna 350a is provided at the right end of the front surface of the resin plate 310. The first antenna 350a and the communication board 400 (FIG. 1) are connected by a first cable 360a. Specifically, a first cable connecting portion 362a and a first cable terminal 364a are provided at both ends of the first cable 360a. The first cable connecting portion 362a is connected to the first antenna 350a, and the first cable terminal 364a is connected to the communication board 400. The first cable 360a is attached to a first mounting claw 370a between the first cable connecting portion 362a and the first cable terminal 364a. Details of the first mounting claw 370a will be described later.

[0015] A second antenna 350b is provided at the left end of the front surface of the resin plate 310. The second antenna 350b and the communication board 400 (FIG. 1) are connected by a second cable 360b. Specifically, a second cable connection part 362b and a second cable terminal 364b are provided at both ends of the second cable 360b, and the second cable connection part 362b is connected to the second antenna 350b, and the second cable terminal 364b is connected to the communication board 400. The second cable 360b is attached to a second attachment claw 370b between the second cable connection part 362b and the second cable terminal 364b. Details of the second attachment claw 370b will be described later.

[0016] 4(a) and 4(b) show the structure of the first antenna 350a. FIG. 4(a) is a front view of the first antenna 350a, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the first antenna 350a. The first ground plate 352a of the first antenna 350a is connected to the front surface of the resin plate 310. A first standing wall 354a extends from the first ground plate 352a toward the front. A first cable connection portion 362a is provided on the first standing wall 354a. A first radiating plate 356a is connected to the first standing wall 354a and is disposed substantially parallel to the first ground plate 352a. The first ground plate 352a, the first standing wall 354a, and the first radiating plate 356a are manufactured, for example, by punching a single metal plate. A first mounting claw 370a is provided on the first ground plate 352a. Here, the number of first mounting claws 370a is one, but multiple first mounting claws 370a may be provided. Also, first mounting claws 370a may be provided only on first ground plate 352a, first mounting claws 370a may be provided only on the front surface of resin plate 310, or first mounting claws 370a may be provided on both first ground plate 352a and the front surface of resin plate 310.

[0017] 5(a) and 5(b) show the connection of the first antenna 350a to the resin plate 310. FIG. 5(a) shows a perspective view before connection, and FIG. 5(b) shows a perspective view after connection. A first connection portion 320a is disposed at the right end of the front surface of the resin plate 310. The first connection portion 320a has a first connection bottom 322a and a first connection support portion 324a. The first connection bottom 322a is a flat surface on the front surface of the resin plate 310 that has a shape that matches the first ground plate 352a. The first connection support portion 324a protrudes in a shape that matches the first standing wall 354a and the first radiation plate 356a. The first ground plate 352a is fitted into the first connection bottom 322a, and the first standing wall 354a and the first radiation plate 356a are supported by the first connection support portion 324a, whereby the first antenna 350a is connected to the resin plate 310.

[0018] 6(a) and 6(b) show the structure of the second antenna 350b. FIG. 6(a) is a front view of the second antenna 350b, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view of the second antenna 350b. The second ground plate 352b of the second antenna 350b is connected to the front surface of the resin plate 310. A second standing wall 354b extends from the second ground plate 352b toward the front. A second cable connection portion 362b is provided on the second standing wall 354b. A second radiating plate 356b is connected to the second standing wall 354b and is disposed substantially parallel to the second ground plate 352b. The second ground plate 352b, the second standing wall 354b, and the second radiating plate 356b are manufactured, for example, by punching a single metal plate. A second mounting claw 370b is provided on the second ground plate 352b. Here, the number of second mounting claws 370b is one, but multiple second mounting claws 370b may be provided. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, multiple second mounting claws 370b are provided on the front surface of resin plate 310. Second mounting claws 370b may be provided on only one of second ground plate 352b and the front surface of resin plate 310.

[0019] A second connection portion 320b (not shown) is disposed at the left end of the front surface of the resin plate 310. The second connection portion 320b has a second connection bottom 322b and a second connection support portion 324b. The second connection bottom 322b and the second connection support portion 324b have the same shapes as the first connection bottom 322a and the first connection support portion 324a. The second ground plate 352b is fitted into the second connection bottom 322b, and the second standing wall 354b and the second radiation plate 356b are supported by the second connection support portion 324b, thereby connecting the second antenna 350b to the resin plate 310.

[0020] First mounting claws 370a and second mounting claws 370b are provided on two or more of the front surface of resin plate 310, first ground plate 352a, and second ground plate 352b. By providing first mounting claws 370a and second mounting claws 370b, it is possible that a through hole will be formed in at least one of the front surface of resin plate 310, first ground plate 352a, and second ground plate 352b. However, such a through hole does not exist in front plate 200. Therefore, even if jamming waves are generated at the antenna, the effect of the jamming waves on the circuitry inside the housing is suppressed.

[0021] 7(a)-(f) show the structures of the third to eighth antennas 350c to 350h. 7(a) shows the third antenna 350c, 7(b) shows the fifth antenna 350e, and 7(c) shows the sixth antenna 350f. The third antenna 350c includes a third ground plate 352c, a third standing wall 354c, and a third radiating plate 356c. The fifth antenna 350e includes a fifth ground plate 352e, a fifth standing wall 354e, and a fifth radiating plate 356e. The sixth antenna 350f includes a sixth ground plate 352f, a sixth standing wall 354f, and a sixth radiating plate 356f.

[0022] The third ground plate 352c, the fifth ground plate 352e, and the sixth ground plate 352f have the same shape as the first ground plate 352a, and the third standing wall 354c, the fifth standing wall 354e, and the sixth standing wall 354f have the same shape as the first standing wall 354a. Therefore, the third antenna 350c, the fifth antenna 350e, and the sixth antenna 350f can be connected to the first connection portion 320a instead of the first antenna 350a.

[0023] On the other hand, the third radiating plate 356c, the fifth radiating plate 356e, the sixth radiating plate 356f, and the first radiating plate 356a have different shapes from one another, and therefore the third antenna 350c, the fifth antenna 350e, the sixth antenna 350f, and the first antenna 350a have different directivities from one another.

[0024] 7(d) shows the fourth antenna 350d, 7(e) shows the seventh antenna 350g, and 7(f) shows the eighth antenna 350h. The fourth antenna 350d includes a fourth ground plate 352d, a fourth standing wall 354d, and a fourth radiating plate 356d. The seventh antenna 350g includes a seventh ground plate 352g, a seventh standing wall 354g, and a seventh radiating plate 356g. The eighth antenna 350h includes an eighth ground plate 352h, an eighth standing wall 354h, and an eighth radiating plate 356h.

[0025] The fourth ground plate 352d, the seventh ground plate 352g, and the eighth ground plate 352h have the same shape as the second ground plate 352b, and the fourth standing wall 354d, the seventh standing wall 354g, and the eighth standing wall 354h have the same shape as the second standing wall 354b. Therefore, the fourth antenna 350d, the seventh antenna 350g, and the eighth antenna 350h can be connected to the second connection portion 320b instead of the second antenna 350b.

[0026] On the other hand, the fourth radiating plate 356d, the seventh radiating plate 356g, the eighth radiating plate 356h, and the second radiating plate 356b have different shapes from one another, so that the fourth antenna 350d, the seventh antenna 350g, the eighth antenna 350h, and the second antenna 350b have different directivities from one another.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first antenna, the second antenna, the first cable, and the second cable are mounted on a resin plate and integrated into a module, and the first and second mounting claws are provided on the module, thereby eliminating the need for a through-hole in the front plate. Furthermore, since the through-hole in the front plate is eliminated, the impact of interference waves on the inside of the housing can be reduced. Furthermore, since the first antenna, the second antenna, the first cable, and the second cable are modularized by mounting them on a resin plate, the strength of the antennas can be increased. Furthermore, since the first antenna, the second antenna, the first cable, and the second cable are modularized by mounting them on a resin plate, they can be transported in a single package.

[0028] Furthermore, because the first antenna, second antenna, first cable, and second cable are modularized by mounting them on a resin plate, it is possible to eliminate the need for cable wiring work after attaching the antenna module to the housing. Also, because the first antenna, second antenna, first cable, and second cable are modularized by mounting them on a resin plate, it is possible to evaluate the antenna performance using the antenna module alone. Furthermore, because the communication board is attached to the front of the antenna module, it is possible to shorten the length of the cable connecting the antenna and communication board.

[0029] Furthermore, since the third ground plate has the same shape as the first ground plate and the third radiation plate has a different shape from the first radiation plate, a third antenna having a different directivity from the first antenna can be used in place of the first antenna. Furthermore, since the fourth ground plate has the same shape as the second ground plate and the fourth radiation plate has a different shape from the second radiation plate, a fourth antenna having a different directivity from the second antenna can be used in place of the second antenna.

[0030] An overview of one embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows. An antenna module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a resin plate attachable to a front panel of a housing from the front side, a first antenna and a second antenna attached to the front surface of the resin plate, a first cable connecting the first antenna to a communication board, a first attachment claw for attaching the first cable, a second cable connecting the second antenna to the communication board, and a second attachment claw for attaching the second cable. The first antenna includes a first ground plate connected to the front surface of the resin plate, a first standing wall extending from the first ground plate toward the front side, and a first radiation plate connected to the first standing wall. The second antenna includes a second ground plate connected to the front surface of the resin plate, a second standing wall extending from the second ground plate toward the front side, and a second radiation plate connected to the second standing wall. The first attachment claw is provided on at least one of the front surface of the resin plate and the first ground plate, and the second attachment claw is provided on at least one of the front surface of the resin plate and the second ground plate.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the first and second mounting claws are provided on a module in which the first antenna, the second antenna, the first cable, and the second cable are mounted on a resin plate and integrated, so that there is no through hole in the front plate, and the impact of interference waves on the inside of the housing can be reduced.

[0032] The front surface of the resin plate may further include a first connection portion to which the first ground plate can be connected. The first connection portion may also be capable of connecting a third antenna instead of the first antenna, and the third antenna may include a third ground plate connected to the first connection portion, a third standing wall extending from the third ground plate toward the front, and a third radiating plate connected to the third standing wall. The third ground plate may have the same shape as the first ground plate, and the third radiating plate may have a different shape from the first radiating plate. In this case, since the third ground plate has the same shape as the first ground plate and the third radiating plate has a different shape from the first radiating plate, the third antenna having a different directivity from the first antenna can be used in place of the first antenna.

[0033] The front surface of the resin plate may further include a second connection portion to which a second ground plate can be connected. The second connection portion may also be capable of connecting a fourth antenna instead of the second antenna, and the fourth antenna may include a fourth ground plate connected to the second connection portion, a fourth standing wall extending from the fourth ground plate toward the front, and a fourth radiating plate connected to the fourth standing wall. The fourth ground plate may have the same shape as the second ground plate, and the fourth radiating plate may have a different shape from the second radiating plate. In this case, since the fourth ground plate has the same shape as the second ground plate and the fourth radiating plate has a different shape from the second radiating plate, the fourth antenna having a different directivity from the second antenna can be used in place of the second antenna.

[0034] The communication board is attached to the front side of the antenna module, and since the communication board is attached to the front side of the antenna module, the length of the cable connecting the antenna and the communication board can be shortened.

[0035] The above has been described based on the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are illustrative, and various modifications are possible for each of the constituent elements or combinations of each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] In the antenna module 300 in this embodiment, two antennas 350 are mounted on the resin plate 310. However, it is not limited to this. For example, three or more antennas 350 may be mounted on the resin plate 310. According to this modification example, the degree of freedom in configuration can be improved.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0037] 100 housing, 110 opening, 200 front plate, 210 fixing portion, 300 antenna module, 310 resin plate, 320 connection portion, 322 connection bottom, 324 connection support portion, 350 antenna, 352 ground plate, 354 vertical wall, 356 radiation plate, 360 cable, 362 cable connection portion, 364 cable terminal, 370 mounting claw, 400 communication substrate, 500 front cover, 1000 electronic device.

Claims

1. A housing, a front plate covering the opening of the housing, and an antenna module, wherein the antenna module includes a resin plate attachable to the front plate of the housing from the front side, a first antenna and a second antenna provided on the front surface of the resin plate, a first cable connecting the first antenna and a communication substrate, a first mounting claw for mounting the first cable, a second cable connecting the second antenna and the communication substrate, and a second mounting claw for mounting the second cable, wherein the first antenna includes a first ground plate connected to the front surface of the resin plate, a first standing wall erected forward from the first ground plate, and a first radiation plate connected to the first standing wall, wherein the second antenna includes a second ground plate connected to the front surface of the resin plate, a second standing wall erected forward from the second ground plate, and a second radiation plate connected to the second standing wall, wherein the first mounting claw is provided on at least one of the front surface of the resin plate and the first ground plate, wherein the second mounting claw is provided on at least one of the front surface of the resin plate and the second ground plate, wherein the front surface of the resin plate further includes a first connection portion capable of connecting the first ground plate, wherein the first connection portion can also connect a third antenna instead of the first antenna, wherein the third antenna includes a third ground plate connected to the first connection portion, a third standing wall erected forward from the third ground plate, and a third radiation plate connected to the third standing wall, wherein the third ground plate has the same shape as the first ground plate, and wherein the third radiation plate has a different shape from the first radiation plate, an electronic device.

2. wherein the front surface of the resin plate further includes a second connection portion capable of connecting the second ground plate, wherein the second connection portion can also connect a fourth antenna instead of the second antenna, wherein the fourth antenna includes a fourth ground plate connected to the second connection portion, a fourth standing wall erected forward from the fourth ground plate, and a fourth radiation plate connected to the fourth standing wall, wherein the fourth ground plate has the same shape as the second ground plate, and wherein the fourth radiation plate has a different shape from the second radiation plate, the electronic device according to Claim 1.

3. wherein the communication substrate is attached to the front side of the antenna module, the electronic device according to Claim 1 or 2.

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