Antenna device

Abstract

To improve radiation directivity of an antenna positioned between two antennas.SOLUTION: An antenna device (10) includes a substrate (100) having a first surface (102), a first antenna (200) provided on the substrate (100), a second antenna (300) provided on the substrate (100), and a third antenna (400) provided on the first surface (102) of the substrate (100), wherein a center point (CP) of the third antenna (400) is positioned on a same side as a side where an end (EP2) which is the farthest from the first antenna (200) of the second antenna (300), is positioned, with respect to a central line (CL) passing through a center of a line (L) connecting an end (EP1) which is the farthest from the second antenna (300) of the first antenna (200), and an end (EP2) which is the farthest from the first antenna (200) of the second antenna (300), or a central line (CL) of the first surface (102) of the substrate (100).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, antenna devices have been developed that include multiple antennas mounted on a base plate. For example, in the antenna devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a first antenna for telephones, a second antenna for telephones, a third antenna for Global Positioning System (GPS), and a fourth antenna for Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) are mounted on the base plate. The third and fourth antennas are located between the first and second antennas. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-160902 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-278591 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The radiation directivity of an antenna for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as GPS is sometimes required to be oriented toward the zenith. However, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the GNSS antenna is located between two telephone antennas, the radiation directivity of the GNSS antenna can be tilted from the zenith by the telephone antenna.

[0005] One example of the purpose of the present invention is to improve the radiation directivity of an antenna located between two antennas.

[0006] In addition, if screws for fixing the antenna, metal parts for adjusting the antenna angle, or screws or pins attached to circuit boards, etc. are located between the two telephone antennas and near the GNSS antenna, they may contribute to GNSS oscillation.

[0007] Another example of an object of the present invention is to suppress oscillation of the antenna due to the influence of a member containing metal located near the antenna.

[0008] Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An example of the first aspect of the present invention is a substrate having a first surface; a first antenna provided on the substrate; a second antenna provided on the substrate; a third antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; Equipped with This is an antenna device in which the center point of the third antenna is located on the same side as the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, relative to a center line passing through the center of a line connecting the end of the first antenna farthest from the second antenna and the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, or relative to the center line of the first surface of the substrate.

[0010] An example of the second aspect of the present invention is a substrate having a first surface; a first antenna provided on the substrate; a second antenna provided on the substrate; a third antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; a member including a metal other than the antenna and positioned between the first antenna and the second antenna; Equipped with The metal-containing member is an antenna device that is located on the same side as the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, relative to a center line passing through the center of a line connecting the end of the first antenna farthest from the second antenna and the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, or relative to the center line of the first surface of the substrate.

[0011] Another example of the second aspect of the present invention is a substrate having a first surface; a first antenna provided on the substrate; a second antenna provided on the substrate; a third antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; a member including a metal other than the antenna, the member being provided on the substrate and positioned between the first antenna and the second antenna; Equipped with The antenna device is such that the metal-containing member is not electrically connected to the conductive pattern provided on the substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the radiation directivity of the antenna located between the two antennas.

[0013] According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress oscillation of the antenna due to the influence of a member containing metal located near the antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an antenna device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the antenna device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the antenna device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the substrate shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth antenna shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first modified example of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second modified example of FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the gain of the antenna device according to the second modified example and the frequency characteristics of the gain of the antenna device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a third modified example of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the return loss of an antenna device according to a second modified example, the frequency characteristics of the return loss of an antenna device according to a third modified example, and the frequency characteristics of the return loss of an antenna device according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth modified example of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sixth modified example of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0016] In this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," and "third" are used merely to distinguish between similarly named configurations, unless otherwise specified, and do not imply any particular characteristics (e.g., order or importance) of the configurations.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an antenna device 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the substrate 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth antenna 500 shown in Fig. 1.

[0018] 1 to 5, the first direction X is the front-to-rear direction of the antenna device 10. The positive direction of the first direction X (the direction indicated by the arrow attached to the first direction X) is the front direction of the antenna device 10. The negative direction of the first direction X (the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow attached to the first direction X) is the rear direction of the antenna device 10. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the second direction Y is the left-to-right direction of the antenna device 10 and is perpendicular to the first direction X. The positive direction of the second direction Y (the direction indicated by the arrow attached to the second direction Y) is the right direction of the antenna device 10 when viewed from the front of the antenna device 10. The negative direction of the second direction Y (the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow attached to the second direction Y) is the left direction of the antenna device 10 when viewed from the front of the antenna device 10. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the third direction Z is the up-down direction of the antenna device 10 and is perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y. The positive direction of the third direction Z (the direction indicated by the arrow attached to the third direction Z) is the upward direction of the antenna device 10. The negative direction of the third direction Z (the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow attached to the third direction Z) is the downward direction of the antenna device 10.

[0019] The antenna device 10 according to this embodiment can be used, for example, as an in-vehicle antenna device, and can also be used in various devices other than those for in-vehicle use depending on the intended use.

[0020] The antenna device 10 includes a substrate 100, a first antenna 200, a second antenna 300, a third antenna 400, a fourth antenna 500, and a base plate 600.

[0021] The substrate 100 has a first surface 102 and a second surface 104. The substrate 100 is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). Here, the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 is defined as the upper surface of the substrate 100. The second surface 104 of the substrate 100 is located on the opposite side of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 in the third direction Z and is defined as the lower surface of the substrate 100.

[0022] The substrate 100 is held by a base plate 600. The base plate 600 has a third surface 602 and a fourth surface 604. The base plate 600 is, for example, a metal plate. Here, the third surface 602 of the base plate 600 is defined as the top surface of the base plate 600. The fourth surface 604 of the base plate 600 is located opposite the third surface 602 of the base plate 600 in the third direction Z, and is defined as the bottom surface of the base plate 600. The base plate 600 holds the substrate 100 such that the second surface 104 of the substrate 100 faces the third surface 602 of the base plate 600. The base plate 600 has a notch 610 (details of which will be described later) and an opening 620. The notch 610 in the ground plate 600 is located on the rear side (the side in the negative direction in the first direction X) of the antenna device 10, and the opening 620 in the ground plate 600 is located on the front side (the side in the positive direction in the first direction X) of the antenna device 10. The first terminal 110a, the second terminal 110b, the third terminal 110c, the fourth terminal 110d, and the fifth terminal 110e of the substrate 100 are exposed from the opening 620 in the ground plate 600. Wiring for electrically connecting each of the first terminal 110a, the second terminal 110b, the third terminal 110c, the fourth terminal 110d, and the fifth terminal 110e to an external element of the antenna device 10 can be passed through the opening 620 in the ground plate 600, for example.

[0023] The first antenna 200 is an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves. In this embodiment, the first antenna 200 is an antenna for telephones, more specifically, a main antenna for telephones. However, the first antenna 200 may be an antenna for a purpose other than telephones.

[0024] The first antenna 200 has a first conductive pattern 202. The first conductive pattern 202 is provided on the first surface 102 side of the substrate 100. However, the first conductive pattern 202 may be provided in a location on the substrate 100 that is different from the first surface 102 side of the substrate 100. The first conductive pattern 202 (first antenna 200) has a main portion 210, a first extension portion 220, a branch portion 230, and a short-circuit portion 240.

[0025] The main portion 210 and the first extension portion 220 have shapes that allow for multi-band operation (e.g., telephone frequency bands). The main portion 210 has a self-similar shape, thereby broadening the operating band of the first antenna 200. The first extension portion 220 extends linearly from the main portion 210 along the outer edge of the substrate 100. For example, self-similar antennas include biconical antennas and bowtie antennas, whose shapes remain similar even when the scale (size ratio) is changed. A self-similar antenna is premised on the assumption that, when the antenna size and frequency are inversely proportional to each other, the antenna's electrical characteristics will, in principle, remain the same even when the antenna size or frequency is changed. In actual design, the shape of an isosceles triangular radiating element, such as a biconical antenna or bowtie antenna, can be modified to a semi-elliptical shape or a trapezoidal shape like the main portion 210 in this embodiment for impedance adjustment, etc. Even in such cases, the constant electrical characteristics obtained by the self-similar shape can be utilized. In this embodiment, the main part 210, which is part of one radiating element having a self-similar shape, is arranged to face the ground, thereby obtaining an effect substantially similar to that of a bowtie antenna, and the ground provides an effect as if another radiating element were virtually arranged facing it on the opposite side.

[0026] In this embodiment, a part of the first extension portion 220 extends from the outer edge of the substrate 100 toward the inside of the substrate 100 (in the negative direction of the second direction Y). This makes it possible to contribute more to the high frequency band of the operating frequency band and to prevent deterioration of isolation that occurs when the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 are disposed close to each other.

[0027] At least one branch portion 230 branches off from the first extension portion 220 at a tip end of the first extension portion 220 (one end of the first extension portion 220 on the rear side of the antenna device 10). Specifically, at least one branch portion 230 extends from a portion of the first extension portion 220 that extends along the outer edge of the substrate 100 in the second direction Y toward the front of the antenna device 10 in the first direction X. This makes it possible to further broaden the operating band. Furthermore, by providing multiple branch portions 230, it is possible to realize a number of resonances corresponding to the number of branch portions 230. Therefore, in this embodiment, two branch portions 230 are provided, realizing two resonances. With this configuration, it is possible to further broaden the operating band. Note that the number of branch portions 230 is not limited to a specific number and may be one or more.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the branching portion 230 has a shape that extends linearly from the first extension portion 220 in the first direction X, but the shape of the branching portion 230 is not limited to a linear shape, and may be other shapes such as a meander shape, a fractal shape, a folded shape, a curved shape, a spiral shape, etc.

[0029] The main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 overlaps with the ground plate 600 in the third direction Z, whereas at least one branch portion 230 of the first conductive pattern 202 does not overlap with the ground plate 600 in the third direction Z. Specifically, at least one branch portion 230 overlaps with a notch 610 of the ground plate 600 in the third direction Z (a portion where the ground plate 600 is not physically present due to the notch 610). If the first antenna 200 is arranged so that it does not entirely overlap with the ground plate 600 in consideration of the influence of the ground plate 600 on the radiation characteristics and VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) of the first antenna 200, the length of the antenna device 10 in the first direction X and the length of the second direction Y will be long, and the antenna device 10 will become large. On the other hand, as in this embodiment, by configuring the first antenna 200 so that the main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 overlaps with the ground plate 600 and the branch portion 230 of the first conductive pattern 202 does not overlap with the ground plate 600, it is possible to achieve the desired characteristics of the first antenna 200 while achieving miniaturization of the antenna device 10.

[0030] Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the influence of the current generated in the ground plate 600 on the branch portion 230 when power is supplied to the first antenna 200 can be reduced compared to when the branch portion 230 of the first conductive pattern 202 overlaps with the ground plate 600. Meanwhile, as described below, the main portion 210 is short-circuited to ground via the short-circuit portion 240, and the potential of the main portion 210 and the vicinity of the main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 is close to ground. Therefore, even if the main portion 210 overlaps with the ground plate 600, the main portion 210 and the vicinity of the main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 are less influenced by the current generated in the ground plate 600 when power is supplied to the first antenna 200. In other words, the desired characteristics of the first antenna 200 can be achieved without enlarging a structure (e.g., a notch 610 in the ground plate 600) for preventing the ground plate 600 from overlapping with portions (e.g., multiple branch portions 230) of the first conductive pattern 202. That is, it is possible to achieve the desired characteristics of the first antenna 200 without further reducing the area of ​​the ground plate 600. Since there is no need to further reduce the area of ​​the ground plate 600, it is possible to prevent leakage current from flowing to cables or the like in low frequency bands, which would otherwise cause unstable electrical characteristics.

[0031] In this embodiment, the entire main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 overlaps with the ground plate 600. However, only a portion of the main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 (for example, 50% or more or 75% or more of the total area of ​​the main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 when viewed from the third direction Z) may overlap with the ground plate 600. In other words, at least a portion of the main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202 (the entire or a portion of the main portion 210 of the first conductive pattern 202) may overlap with the ground plate 600.

[0032] The short-circuiting portion 240 extends from the main portion 210. The short-circuiting portion 240 is electrically connected to the first terminal 110a (FIG. 2) of the substrate 100 via the first wiring 120a (FIG. 4) located on the second surface 104 side of the substrate 100. The short-circuiting portion 240 is short-circuited to ground. The current distribution in the first conductive pattern 202 can be controlled depending on the position where the short-circuiting portion 240 connects to the main portion 210. That is, impedance matching is performed depending on the position where the short-circuiting portion 240 connects to the main portion 210. This makes it possible to improve the VSWR in the operating frequency band of the first antenna 200, and as a result, the radiation efficiency of the first antenna 200 can be improved. In this embodiment, the short-circuiting portion 240 is connected to the outer edge of the main portion 210 facing the side where the second antenna 300 is located.

[0033] The second antenna 300 is an antenna that receives radio waves. In other words, the second antenna 300 does not transmit radio waves. Therefore, the strength of radio waves propagating near the second antenna 300 is weaker than the strength of radio waves propagating near the first antenna 200. In this embodiment, the second antenna 300 is an antenna for telephones, more specifically, a sub-antenna for telephones. However, the second antenna 300 may be an antenna for a purpose other than telephones.

[0034] The second antenna 300 has a second conductive pattern 302. The second conductive pattern 302 is provided on the first surface 102 side of the substrate 100. However, the second conductive pattern 302 may be provided in a location on the substrate 100 that is different from the first surface 102 side of the substrate 100.

[0035] The second conductive pattern 302 (second antenna 300) has a second extension portion 310. The second extension portion 310 extends linearly along the outer edge of the substrate 100, excluding both ends of the second extension portion 310. One end of the second extension portion 310 on the rear side of the antenna device 10 has a portion that extends linearly from the portion of the second extension portion 310 that extends along the outer edge of the substrate 100 in the second direction Y toward the side where the first antenna 200 is located, and a portion that extends linearly from this portion (the portion of the second extension portion 310 that extends linearly from the portion that extends along the outer edge of the substrate 100 in the second direction Y toward the side where the first antenna 200 is located) toward the front side of the antenna device 10 in the first direction X. This makes it possible to increase the overall length of the second extension portion 310 while ensuring isolation between the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300. The other end of the second extension portion 310 on the front side of the antenna device 10 extends linearly along the second direction Y toward the side where the first antenna 200 is located. In this case, compared to a case where the other end of the second extension portion 310 on the front side of the antenna device 10 is not present, the overall length of the second extension portion 310 can be increased without the second antenna 300 being spread out toward the rear of the antenna device 10. Note that the length of the other end of the second extension portion 310 in the second direction Y needs to be adjusted so that the other end of the second extension portion 310 does not short-circuit with the ground of the substrate 100.

[0036] The other end of the second extension portion 310 on the front side of the antenna device 10 is electrically connected to the second terminal 110b (Figure 2) of the substrate 100 via the second wiring 120b (Figure 4) located on the second surface 104 side of the substrate 100.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 , when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 (third direction Z), the center point CP of the third antenna 400 is located on the same side as the end EP2 of the second antenna 300 that is farthest from the first antenna 200 with respect to a center line CL that passes through the center of a line L along the first direction X, connecting the end EP1 of the first antenna 200 that is farthest from the second antenna 300 and the end EP2 of the second antenna 300 that is farthest from the first antenna 200. The end EP1 of the first antenna 200 is located at the center of the end region ER1 of the first antenna 200 in the first direction X. The end region ER1 of the first antenna 200 extends in the first direction X and is farthest from the second antenna 300 (for example, an end region ER2 of the second antenna 300, which will be described later) in the second direction Y. The end EP2 of the second antenna 300 is located at the center of the end region ER2 of the second antenna 300 in the first direction X. The end region ER2 of the second antenna 300 extends in the first direction X and is furthest from the first antenna 200 (e.g., the end region ER1 of the first antenna 200) in the second direction Y. The method for determining the end EP1 of the first antenna 200 and the end EP2 of the second antenna 300 is not limited to the above example. For example, even if any part of the end region ER1 of the first antenna 200 (e.g., a part of the end region ER1 of the first antenna 200 that is offset from the center in the first direction X) is defined as the end EP1 of the first antenna 200 and any part of the end region ER2 of the second antenna 300 (e.g., a part of the end region ER2 of the second antenna 300 that is offset from the center in the first direction X) is defined as the end EP2 of the second antenna 300, the center position of the line L, i.e., the position of the center line CL, remains constant. In this embodiment, the center line CL also serves as the center line of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. However, in the above example, the center line CL may be offset in the second direction Y from the center line of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100.

[0038] In the second direction Y, at least a portion of the first antenna 200 (for example, the entire main portion 210 and a portion of the first extension portion 220) and at least a portion of the second antenna 300 (for example, the entire second antenna 300) are located on opposite sides of the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In this embodiment, when viewed from the front of the antenna device 10, at least a portion of the first antenna 200 is located to the right of (closer to) the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, and at least a portion of the second antenna 300 is located to the left of (closer to) the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. However, when viewed from the front of the antenna device 10, at least a portion of the first antenna 200 may be located to the left of the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, and at least a portion of the second antenna 300 may be located to the right of the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100.

[0039] A center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 passes through the center of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 along the first direction X. In one example, the center of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 is the center of gravity of the substrate 100 when it is assumed that the substrate 100 has a uniform density regardless of the position within the substrate 100.

[0040] The arrangement of the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 may be restated as follows: That is, the center of gravity of the first antenna 200 when it is assumed that the first antenna 200 has a uniform density regardless of the position within the first antenna 200, and the center of gravity of the second antenna 300 when it is assumed that the second antenna 300 has a uniform density regardless of the position within the second antenna 300, may be located on opposite sides of the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 in the second direction Y.

[0041] The first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 are formed by patterning such as lithography. Therefore, compared to when the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 are formed from sheet metal, the dimensional accuracy of the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 is improved, resulting in improved antenna characteristics. Furthermore, compared to when the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 are formed from sheet metal, a structure for holding the first sheet metal antenna 200 and the second sheet metal antenna 300 and soldering for connecting the substrate 100 to the first sheet metal antenna 200 or the second sheet metal antenna 300 are not required. This eliminates the need for a soldering process, thereby reducing the number of processes on the production line and suppressing the occurrence of defects. Furthermore, costs can be reduced by reducing the number of parts and labor.

[0042] In this embodiment, the third antenna 400 is an antenna for a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), for example, an antenna for a Global Positioning System (GPS). However, the third antenna 400 may be an antenna for a purpose other than GNSS.

[0043] The third antenna 400 is located on the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. The third antenna 400 is a patch antenna. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, the shape of the third antenna 400 is quadrilateral, specifically, approximately square. However, the shape of the third antenna 400 may be other than quadrilateral, for example, circular. The first feed point 402 and the second feed point 404 of the third antenna 400 are electrically connected to the third terminal 110c and the fourth terminal 110d (FIG. 2), respectively.

[0044] When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface of the substrate 100 (third direction Z), the center point CP of the third antenna 400 is located (closer) to the side where at least a portion of the second antenna 300 is located, with respect to the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. As described above, the strength of the radio waves propagating near the second antenna 300 is weaker than the strength of the radio waves propagating near the first antenna 200. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inclination of the radiation directivity of the third antenna 400 from the zenith direction (the positive direction of the third direction Z) can be reduced, compared to when the center point CP of the third antenna 400 is located on the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, or when the center point CP of the third antenna 400 is located on the same side of the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 as the side where at least a portion of the first antenna 200 is located, thereby improving the radiation directivity of the third antenna 400.

[0045] The tilt of the radiation directivity of the third antenna 400 from the zenith direction (the positive direction of the third direction Z) can be reduced even when the center line CL is not the center line of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 but is a center line passing through the center of the line L. That is, in this embodiment, the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 and the center line passing through the center of the line L coincide with each other. However, depending on the shape of the substrate 100 and the arrangement of the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 (for example, when one of the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 is closer to the center of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 in the second direction Y compared to this embodiment), the center line of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 and the center line passing through the center of the line L may be misaligned along the second direction Y. Even in this case, when the center point CP of the third antenna 400 is located on the same side of the center line passing through the center of the line L as the end EP2 of the second antenna 300, the inclination of the radiation directivity of the third antenna 400 from the zenith direction (the positive direction of the third direction Z) can be reduced, and the radiation directivity of the third antenna 400 can be improved.

[0046] The center point CP of the third antenna 400 is, for example, the center of gravity of the third antenna 400 when it is assumed that the third antenna 400 has a uniform density regardless of the position within the third antenna 400.

[0047] In this embodiment, the entire third antenna 400 is located (closer) to the side on which at least a portion of the second antenna 300 is located with respect to the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. However, only a portion of the third antenna 400 (for example, 50% or more or 75% or more of the entire area of ​​the third antenna 400 when viewed from the third direction Z) may be located on the same side of the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 as the side on which at least a portion of the second antenna 300 is located with respect to the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. The amount by which the third antenna 400 is offset from the center line CL of the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 can be determined, for example, depending on the strength of radio waves propagating near the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 by the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300.

[0048] In this embodiment, as described above, the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 have the first conductive pattern 202 and the second conductive pattern 302, respectively. In this case, the positions of the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 in the third direction Z can be lowered compared to when the first antenna 200 or the second antenna 300 is formed of sheet metal and held away from the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 toward the top of the antenna device 10 (the positive direction of the third direction Z). This can reduce the influence of the first antenna 200 or the second antenna 300 on the radiation directivity of the third antenna 400 in the zenith direction (the positive direction of the third direction Z), thereby improving the radiation directivity of the third antenna 400. However, the first antenna 200 or the second antenna 300 may be formed of sheet metal.

[0049] In this embodiment, the fourth antenna 500 (helical antenna 530 described later) is an antenna for Electronic Toll Collection (ETC). However, the fourth antenna 500 may be an antenna for a purpose other than ETC.

[0050] The fourth antenna 500 includes a conductive plate 510 , a support 520 , and a helical antenna 530 .

[0051] The conductive plate 510 is provided on the first surface 102 side of the substrate 100. The conductive plate 510 has a first portion 512 and a second portion 514. The first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510 is aligned with the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In other words, the normal to the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510 is parallel to the normal to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 (the third direction Z). The second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510 is inclined at a first predetermined angle to a predetermined side (the positive side of the first direction X, i.e., the front side of the fourth antenna 500) with respect to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In other words, the normal to the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510 is inclined at the first predetermined angle with respect to the normal to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In this embodiment, when the positive direction of the third direction Z is defined as 0 degrees, the first predetermined angle is approximately 23 degrees toward the positive direction of the first direction X. Alternatively, when the negative direction of the first direction X is defined as 0 degrees, the first predetermined angle is approximately 23 degrees toward the positive direction of the third direction Z. However, the first predetermined angle is not limited to this and can be set to any desired angle. The support 520 is disposed on the conductive plate 510. The helical antenna 530 is provided by the support 520 in a state inclined at a second predetermined angle with respect to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, from the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 toward the side to which the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510 is inclined (the side toward the positive direction of the first direction X, i.e., the front side of the fourth antenna 500). In other words, the axis of the helical antenna 530 (the winding portion 532 described below) is inclined at a second predetermined angle with respect to the normal to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 (the positive direction of the third direction Z).

[0052] The first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle are preferably substantially equal. For example, the second predetermined angle is 95% or more and 105% or less of the first predetermined angle. However, the first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle may be different.

[0053] In this embodiment, compared to when the entire conductive plate 510 is tilted from the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, a portion of the conductive plate 510 that is parallel to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 (i.e., the first portion 512) can be used to stably tilt the helical antenna 530 obliquely at a second predetermined angle from a direction parallel to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 (a direction along a plane extending along both the first direction X and the second direction Y). Specifically, the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510 has a first hole 542. A fixing member (e.g., a screw or a bolt) that fixes the support portion 520 to the substrate 100, a guide member (e.g., a positioning guide pin) that aligns the support portion 520 with respect to the substrate 100, or the like can pass through the first hole 542. The fixing member and the guide member penetrate the substrate 100 from the second surface 104 toward the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, further penetrate the first hole 542 of the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510, and are inserted into the support portion 520. Therefore, the fixing member can stably fix the support portion 520 to the substrate 100. Furthermore, the guide member can stably align the support portion 520 with respect to the substrate 100. In this embodiment, a plurality of first holes 542 (three first holes 542) aligned in the second direction Y are provided. In this case, for example, a guide member can be used for each of two of the three first holes 542 (e.g., the two first holes 542 on both sides of the three first holes 542), and a fixing member can be used for the remaining first hole 542 (e.g., the central first hole 542 of the three first holes 542). Therefore, compared to when there is only one first hole 542, the support 520 can be more stably fixed to the substrate 100. Furthermore, when a fixing member and a guide member are used, the support 520 and the substrate 100 can be reliably positioned and stably fixed to each other. However, the number of first hole 542 may be only one.

[0054] The conductive plate 510 is a metal plate. Furthermore, a portion of the conductive plate 510 between the first portion 512 and the second portion 514 is bent. Therefore, manufacturing of the conductive plate 510 is easier than when the first portion 512 and the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510 are joined by, for example, welding. However, the conductive plate 510 may also be manufactured by joining the first portion 512 and the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510 by, for example, welding.

[0055] The conductive plate 510 is not electrically connected to the ground plane 600. In other words, the conductive plate 510 is electrically floating from the ground plane 600. That is, when the conductive plate 510 and the ground plane 600 are in direct contact with each other, the metal portion of the conductive plate 510 and the metal portion of the ground plane 600 must be fixed with bolts, screws, or by soldering or welding to establish electrical continuity between them. However, if the conductive plate 510 and the ground plane 600 are physically and electrically floating, the attachment of the conductive plate 510 and the ground plane 600 becomes easy, and no fixing means or the like is required. However, even though the conductive plate 510 and the ground plane 600 are physically and electrically floating, at high frequencies the conductive plate 510 and the ground plane 600 may appear as if they are electrically connected due to capacitive coupling. In one example, the capacitance between the conductive plate 510 and the ground plane 600 is 20 pF or more, preferably 20 pF to 100 pF, and more preferably 20 pF to 45 pF.

[0056] The support portion 520 is made of an insulating material (e.g., resin). The bottom surface 522 of the support portion 520 has a first bottom surface portion 522a and a second bottom surface portion 522b. The first bottom surface portion 522a is aligned with the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510. The second bottom surface portion 522b is aligned with the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510. In other words, the second bottom surface portion 522b is inclined at a first predetermined angle from the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. Therefore, the second bottom surface portion 522b makes it easy to align the support portion 520 with the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510. Furthermore, both the first bottom surface portion 522a and the second bottom surface portion 522b make it easy to align the support portion 520 with the first portion 512 and the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510. The support portion 520 does not necessarily have to have the first bottom surface portion 522a.

[0057] The conductive plate 510 is provided with a plurality of first engagement portions 552 (first engagement portion 552a and first engagement portion 552b). The first engagement portion 552a is provided on a first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510 and is located on the front side of the conductive plate 510 (the positive side in the first direction X). The first engagement portion 552b is provided on a second portion 514 and is located on the rear side of the conductive plate 510 (the negative side in the first direction X). In this embodiment, each of the plurality of first engagement portions 552 is a part of the conductive plate 510. That is, a portion of the conductive plate 510 between the first portion 512 and the first engagement portion 552a is bent from the first portion 512 to the first engagement portion 552a in a direction parallel to the first portion 512 (the positive direction in the first direction X) toward above the fourth antenna 500 (the positive direction in the third direction Z). Furthermore, a portion of the conductive plate 510 between the second portion 514 and the first engagement portion 552b is bent from the second portion 514 to the first engagement portion 552b in a direction parallel to the second portion 514 (a diagonal direction from the negative direction of the first direction X toward the positive direction of the third direction Z) toward above the fourth antenna 500 (the positive direction of the third direction Z). However, each of the multiple first engagement portions 552 does not have to be a part of the conductive plate 510. For example, the first engagement portion 552 may be made of a different material from or the same material as the conductive plate 510, and may be joined to the conductive plate 510.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first engagement portion 552b extends from the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510 and is bent toward the positive direction of the third direction Z. The directivity of the helical antenna 530 can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of this bending and the length of the bent portion.

[0059] The support portion 520 is provided with a plurality of second engagement portions 554 (second engagement portion 554a and second engagement portion 554b). The second engagement portion 554a is located on the front side of the support portion 520 (the positive side in the first direction X). The second engagement portion 554b is located on the rear side of the support portion 520 (the negative side in the first direction X). The plurality of second engagement portions 554 are part of the support portion 520. The plurality of second engagement portions 554 may be formed integrally with the support portion 520. Alternatively, at least some of the plurality of second engagement portions 554 may be formed separately from the support portion 520 and connected by various methods.

[0060] The second engagement portion 554a and the second engagement portion 554b of the support portion 520 are respectively engageable with the first engagement portion 552a and the first engagement portion 552b of the conductive plate 510. Therefore, by engaging the second engagement portion 554a and the second engagement portion 554b of the support portion 520 with the first engagement portion 552a and the first engagement portion 552b of the conductive plate 510, respectively, the support portion 520 can be properly aligned with respect to the conductive plate 510, and then the helical antenna 530 can be supported by the support portion 520. If the first engagement portion 552 of the conductive plate 510 and the second engagement portion 554 of the support portion 520 were not provided, it would be necessary to simultaneously align the support portion 520 with respect to the conductive plate 510 and the helical antenna 530 with respect to the conductive plate 510, which would make the work complicated. In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the work of attaching the helical antenna 530 is simplified. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, by assembling the conductive plate 510, the support portion 520, and the helical antenna 530, the work of attaching the helical antenna 530 to the substrate 100 becomes easier.

[0061] In this embodiment, a plurality of first engagement portions 552 are provided on the conductive plate 510, and a plurality of second engagement portions 554 are provided on the support portion 520. However, the number of first engagement portions 552 provided on the conductive plate 510 may be only one, and the number of second engagement portions 554 provided on the support portion 520 may be only one. Furthermore, the first engagement portion 552 of the conductive plate 510 and the second engagement portion 554 of the support portion 520 do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the second engagement portion 554 of the support portion 520 has a convex shape, and the first engagement portion 552 of the conductive plate 510 has a concave (opening) shape into which the convex shape of the second engagement portion 554 is inserted. This allows the second engagement portion 554 of the support portion 520 to engage with the first engagement portion 552 of the conductive plate 510. However, the structure for engaging the first engagement portion 552 of the conductive plate 510 and the second engagement portion 554 of the support portion 520 is not limited to the example in the present embodiment. For example, the first engagement portion 552 of the conductive plate 510 may have a convex shape, and the second engagement portion 554 of the support portion 520 may have a concave (opening) shape into which the convex shape of the first engagement portion 552 is inserted.

[0063] The support portion 520 has a first protrusion 562a, a second protrusion 562b, a third protrusion 562c, and a fourth protrusion 562d. The first protrusion 562a, the second protrusion 562b, the third protrusion 562c, and the fourth protrusion 562d protrude upward (in the positive direction of the third direction Z) from the bottom surface 522 of the support portion 520. The first protrusion 562a is located on the front side of the support portion 520 (on the positive side of the first direction X). The second protrusion 562b faces the first protrusion 562a in the first direction X and is located on the rear side of the support portion 520 (on the negative side of the first direction X). The third protrusion 562c is located on the right side of the support portion 520 (on the positive side of the second direction Y) when viewed from the front of the support portion 520. The fourth protrusion 562d is located on the left side (negative side in the second direction Y) of the support portion 520 when viewed from the front of the support portion 520. The third protrusion 562c and the fourth protrusion 562d face each other in the second direction Y.

[0064] The helical antenna 530 has a winding portion 532, a first end 534, and a second end 536. The winding portion 532, the first end 534, and the second end 536 are made of a common conductive wire material.

[0065] The winding portion 532 has a spiral shape. Specifically, the winding portion 532 extends in a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the winding portion 532 (as described above, the axis of the winding portion 532 is inclined obliquely toward the positive direction of the first direction X from the normal to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100 (the positive direction of the third direction Z)). However, the winding portion 532 may extend in a shape other than a circle (for example, an ellipse, a rectangle, etc.) when viewed in the axial direction of the winding portion 532. The length of each turn of the winding portion 532 is determined according to the wavelength of the fourth antenna 500. Furthermore, the directivity of the fourth antenna 500 can be strengthened as the number of turns of the winding portion 532 increases.

[0066] The first end 534 is an end on the upper side (positive side in the third direction Z) of the helical antenna 530. The first end 534 extends in the extension direction of the winding portion 532 (not shown). Alternatively, the first end 534 may extend in a direction different from the extension direction of the winding portion 532, specifically, from the winding portion 532 toward the inside of the winding portion 532. In this case, the axial ratio of the fourth antenna 500 (helical antenna 530) can be adjusted depending on the length or direction of the first end 534.

[0067] The second end 536 is the end of the helical antenna 530 on the lower side (negative side in the third direction Z). The second end 536 extends from the winding portion 532 downward (negative side in the third direction Z). The second end 536 penetrates the support portion 520 and further penetrates the second hole portion 544 of the conductive plate 510 to reach the substrate 100. Furthermore, the second end 536 is electrically connected to the fifth terminal 110e (FIG. 2) of the substrate 100 via a stripline (not shown) of the substrate 100. This allows power to be fed to the helical antenna 530. With this configuration, power can be easily fed to the helical antenna 530 without using a coaxial cable.

[0068] When the helical antenna 530 is supported by the support portion 520, the winding portion 532 is located between the third convex portion 562c and the fourth convex portion 562d of the support portion 520, the second convex portion 562b is located inside the winding portion 532, and the first convex portion 562a is located outside the winding portion 532. In other words, the helical antenna 530 is supported in the first direction X by the first convex portion 562a and the second convex portion 562b, and is supported in the second direction Y by the third convex portion 562c and the fourth convex portion 562d. In addition, the first end portion 534 of the helical antenna 530 engages with the third engagement portion 564 (recess) of the support portion 520.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the fourth antenna 500 is located further forward of the antenna device 10 than the third antenna 400. However, the third antenna 400 may be located further forward of the antenna device 10 than the fourth antenna 500. That is, the positional relationship between the third antenna 400 and the fourth antenna 500 may be reversed from the positional relationship between the third antenna 400 and the fourth antenna 500 in the present embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the fourth antenna 500 is located shifted to the positive side (right side) of the second direction Y than the third antenna 400, but it may be located shifted to the negative side (left side) of the second direction Y, or the fourth antenna 500 and the third antenna 400 may be located on a straight line along the first direction X.

[0070] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of Fig. 5. The fourth antenna 500 shown in Fig. 6 is similar to the fourth antenna 500 shown in Fig. 5 except for the following points.

[0071] The winding portion 532 of the helical antenna 530 is wound around the support portion 520. As a result, the helical antenna 530 is tilted obliquely from the horizontal direction. The support portion 520 has a columnar shape, specifically, a cylindrical shape. The support portion 520 is formed, for example, from a hollow resin or a solid resin. The bottom surface 522 of the support portion 520 has a first bottom surface portion 522a and a second bottom surface portion 522b. The first bottom surface portion 522a of the bottom surface 522 is aligned with the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510. The second bottom surface portion 522b of the bottom surface 522 is aligned with the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510. This makes it easy to align the support portion 520 with the conductive plate 510.

[0072] 6, fixing members (for example, screws or bolts) that fix the support portion 520 to the substrate 100 penetrate the substrate 100 from the second surface 104 toward the first surface 102 of the substrate 100, and further penetrate the first hole portion 542 of the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510, and are inserted into the support portion 520. Therefore, the helical antenna 530 can be stably tilted obliquely from the horizontal direction (the direction along a plane extending along both the first direction X and the second direction Y).

[0073] In this embodiment, a configuration in which a helical antenna 530 is provided as an antenna element has been described. However, instead of the helical antenna 530 (i.e., an antenna having a helical-shaped radiating element), an antenna having radiating elements of various shapes, such as a planar radiating element, a plate-shaped radiating element, a meander-shaped radiating element, a fractal-shaped radiating element, or a spiral-shaped radiating element, may be provided as the antenna element. A portion (e.g., one end) of the antenna element having the helical-shaped radiating element, planar radiating element, plate-shaped radiating element, meander-shaped radiating element, fractal-shaped radiating element, or spiral-shaped radiating element is connected via a conductor to a stripline (not shown) provided on the substrate 100, and is electrically connected to the fifth terminal 110e ( FIG. 2 ) of the substrate 100. This allows power to be fed to the antenna element having the radiating element of the above shape. Even in this case, as in this embodiment, power can be easily fed to the antenna element having the radiating element of the above shape without using a coaxial cable.

[0074] The conductor electrically connecting the radiating element having the above shape and the stripline may be composed of, for example, a linear conductor, a plate conductor, a planar conductor, a conductor pattern, or the like. This conductor may also be a part of the antenna element. For example, in this embodiment, this conductor may be the second end 536 of the helical antenna 530. In this case, it is easy to attach the conductor to the antenna element.

[0075] In the present embodiment, in the fourth antenna 500, the ground plate 600, the substrate 100, the conductive plate 510, the support portion 520, and the helical antenna 530 are arranged in this order along the positive direction of the third direction Z, but a different arrangement order is also possible. For example, the ground plate 600, the substrate 100, the support portion 520, the conductive plate 510, and the helical antenna 530 may be arranged in this order. In this case, the support portion 520 provided on the substrate 100 is shaped to hold the conductive plate 510 and the helical antenna 530. For example, a through hole may be provided in a portion of the conductive plate 510 facing the support portion 520, and a protrusion may be provided in a portion of the support portion 520 facing the conductive plate 510. By having the protrusion provided on the support portion 520 penetrate the through hole provided in the conductive plate 510, the conductive plate 510 and the support portion 520 engage with each other. Furthermore, by configuring the protruding portion of the support portion 520 to engage with a portion of the helical antenna 530, the support portion 520 supports the helical antenna 530. Alternatively, if the helical antenna 530 is an antenna element having a plate-shaped radiating element, a planar radiating element, or the like, a hole is provided in at least a portion of the antenna including the radiating element, and the protruding portion of the support portion 520 is configured to penetrate through the hole provided in the portion of the antenna, thereby allowing the support portion 520 to support the antenna. Note that the support portion 520 and the substrate 100 are fixed by various methods, such as with a fixing member (e.g., a screw or a bolt). Even with this configuration, as described above, the conductive plate 510 and the ground plate 600 are configured to be electrically connected due to capacitive coupling at high frequencies, and therefore the same effects as those of the present embodiment can be achieved.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the conductive plate 510 and the ground plate 600 are configured to be floating both physically and electrically, but the conductive plate 510 and the ground plate 600 may be configured to be directly connected to each other at their metal portions, that is, fixed by screws, bolts, etc., or by soldering, welding, etc., to provide direct conduction. In this case, the mounting height of the helical antenna 530 can be adjusted to adjust the directivity of the helical antenna 530.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 552a is bent in the positive direction of the third direction Z. However, the first engaging portion 552a may be bent in the negative direction of the third direction Z. Alternatively, the first engaging portion 552a may be fixed by passing through a hole provided in the substrate 100 (the first engaging portion 552a is inserted into a hole provided in the substrate). Also, the distance in the first direction X of the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510 may be shorter than that of the second portion 514. Even in such a case, the substrate 100 and the conductive plate 510 are fixed, and the helical antenna 530 can be tilted stably while maintaining the second predetermined angle.

[0078] In this embodiment, a third conductive pattern 130 is provided on the substrate 100. A third antenna 400 and a fourth antenna 500 are disposed on the third conductive pattern 130. The third conductive pattern 130 is electrically connected to a conductive screw 132 located between the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300.

[0079] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a first modified example of Fig. 1. The antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 7 is similar to the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1 except for the following points.

[0080] The fourth antenna 500 may be a patch antenna instead of the structure including the helical antenna 530 shown in FIG. 1. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the fourth antenna 500 has a base 572 and a radiating element 574. The base 572 is inclined at a first predetermined angle to a predetermined side (the positive side of the first direction X, i.e., the front side of the fourth antenna 500) with respect to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. In other words, the normal to the base 572 is inclined at the first predetermined angle with respect to the normal to the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. The radiating element 574 is located on the base 572. The base 572 may be made of a substrate or a metal plate.

[0081] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a second modified example of Fig. 1. The antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 8 is similar to the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1 except for the following points.

[0082] The width of the first conductive pattern 202 in Fig. 8 is wider than the width of the first conductive pattern 202 in Fig. 1. With this configuration, as will be described later with reference to Fig. 9, the gain in the relatively low frequency range of 700 MHz to 840 MHz in the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 8 can be made higher than the gain in the relatively low frequency range of 700 MHz to 840 MHz in the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1.

[0083] The distance in the second direction Y between the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 in Fig. 8 is larger than the distance in the second direction Y between the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 in Fig. 1. Therefore, in the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 8, it is possible to ensure better isolation between the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 than in the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1.

[0084] In Fig. 8, the center of the third antenna 400 is located on an imaginary line that passes through the center of the fourth antenna 500 parallel to the first direction X. As shown in Fig. 1, the center of the third antenna 400 may be offset from the imaginary line in the second direction Y. Also, the center of the third antenna 400 is located on an imaginary line that passes through the center of the substrate 100 parallel to the first direction X. As shown in Fig. 1, the center of the third antenna 400 may be offset from the imaginary line in the second direction Y.

[0085] 8, the conductive screw 132 is located on the negative side of the second direction Y with respect to an imaginary line that passes through the center of the fourth antenna 500 parallel to the first direction X. Furthermore, the conductive screw 132 is spaced apart from the third conductive pattern 130.

[0086] 9 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the gain of the antenna device 10 according to the second modification and the frequency characteristics of the gain of the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis of the graph represents frequency (unit: MHz), and the vertical axis of the graph represents gain (unit: dBi).

[0087] 9, the gain in the band of 700 MHz to 840 MHz in the second modified example is higher than the gain in the band of 700 MHz to 840 MHz in the embodiment. This result suggests that increasing the width of the first conductive pattern 202 of the first antenna 200 improves the gain in the band of 700 MHz to 800 MHz.

[0088] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a third modified example of Fig. 1. The antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 10 is similar to the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1, except that the center of the third antenna 400 is located on an imaginary line that passes through the center of the substrate 100 parallel to the first direction X.

[0089] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of Fig. 1. The antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 11 is similar to the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 8, except that the conductive screw 132 is connected to the third conductive pattern 130.

[0090] 12 is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the return loss of the antenna device 10 according to the second modification, the antenna device 10 according to the third modification, and the antenna device 10 according to the fourth modification. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis of the graph represents frequency (unit: MHz). The vertical axis of the graph represents return loss (unit: dB). Furthermore, a thick line drawn parallel to the vertical axis of the graph at approximately 1550 MHz and a thick line drawn parallel to the vertical axis of the graph at approximately 1600 MHz indicate that the region between these two thick lines is the GNSS band.

[0091] In the third modified example, a resonant portion where the return loss locally decreases exists near 1575 MHz. In contrast, in the fourth modified example, a resonant portion where the return loss locally decreases exists near 1500 MHz. Comparing these results, it can be said that by shifting the conductive screw 132 more toward the negative side of the second direction Y than toward the positive side of the second direction Y with respect to an imaginary line passing through the center of the fourth antenna 500 parallel to the first direction X, the return loss resonant portion can be moved away from the GNSS band. Considering that the relationship of the distance between the conductive screw 132 and the third antenna 400 is similar in the third modified example and the fourth modified example, it can also be said that by increasing the distance between the main portion 210 of the first antenna 200 and the conductive screw 132, the return loss resonant portion can be moved away from the GNSS band. In other words, a configuration in which the conductive screw 132 is located on the side where the second antenna 300 is located rather than on the side where the main portion 210 of the first antenna 200 is located can suppress resonance in the GNSS band.

[0092] In the second modification, there is a resonant portion where the return loss locally decreases near 1325 MHz. Furthermore, the reduction in return loss at the resonant portion in the second modification is smaller than the reduction in return loss at the resonant portion in the third modification and the reduction in return loss at the resonant portion in the fourth modification. Therefore, by shifting the conductive screw 132 more toward the negative side of the second direction Y than toward the positive side of the second direction Y with respect to an imaginary line passing through the center of the fourth antenna 500 parallel to the first direction X, and by separating the conductive screw 132 from the third conductive pattern 130 rather than connecting the conductive screw 132 to the third conductive pattern 130, it can be said that resonance in the GNSS band can be suppressed. In other words, by making the conductive screw 132 non-conductive with the third conductive pattern 130, the resonant portion of the return loss in the GNSS band can be moved away from the GNSS band. Furthermore, in the third modification, the same effect can be obtained even if the conductive screw 132 and the third conductive pattern 130 are non-conductive. In other words, even if the conductive screw 132 is located on the side where the main part 210 of the first antenna 200 is located, by configuring the conductive screw 132 to be separated from the third conductive pattern 130, the resonant part of the reflection loss can be moved away from the GNSS band, and resonance in the GNSS band can be suppressed.

[0093] Therefore, when the conductive screw 132 is located on the same side as the end EP2 of the second antenna 300 farthest from the first antenna 200 with respect to the center line CL described using Figure 3, it can be said that oscillation of the third antenna 400 due to the influence of the conductive screw 132 can be suppressed compared to when the conductive screw 132 is located on the opposite side from the side where the end EP2 of the second antenna 300 farthest from the first antenna 200 is located with respect to the center line CL described using Figure 3 or the center line of the first surface 102 (second surface 104) of the substrate 100.

[0094] Furthermore, when the conductive screw 132 is not conductive to a conductive pattern provided on the substrate 100, such as the third conductive pattern 130, it can be said that oscillation of the third antenna 400 due to the influence of the conductive screw 132 can be suppressed compared to when the conductive screw 132 is conductive to a conductive pattern provided on the substrate 100, such as the third conductive pattern 130.

[0095] 12 has described suppression of oscillation of the third antenna 400 due to the influence of the conductive screw 132. However, the matters described using Fig. 12 are similarly applicable to suppression of oscillation of the third antenna 400 due not only to the conductive screw 132 but also to components containing metal such as screws, pins, bolts, springs, and holders, i.e., components containing metal other than the antenna.

[0096] Examples of metal-containing members other than the antenna include members for attaching the antenna, members for supporting the antenna, members for adjusting the angle of the antenna, members for fixing the substrate 100, members for attaching the substrate 100, and members for supporting the substrate 100. Specifically, metal-containing members include, for example, screws, bolts, pins, bolts, and springs made of metal or resin that contains a portion of metal, and holders made of metal or resin that contains a portion of metal. The metal-containing member may be not only one member exemplified here, but also a plurality of members.

[0097] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a fifth modified example of Fig. 1. The antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 13 is similar to the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1 except for the following points.

[0098] 13, the third antenna 400 may be located on the positive side of the fourth antenna 500 in the first direction X. Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 13, the third antenna 400 is located on the opposite side of the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510, across the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510. Furthermore, the third antenna 400 is located between the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 in the second direction Y.

[0099] 13, the center of the third antenna 400 is shifted toward the negative side of the second direction Y with respect to an imaginary line that passes through the center of the fourth antenna 500 parallel to the first direction X. However, the center of the third antenna 400 may be located on the imaginary line, or may be shifted toward the positive side of the second direction Y with respect to the imaginary line.

[0100] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a sixth modified example of Fig. 1. The antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 14 is similar to the antenna device 10 shown in Fig. 1 except for the following points.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 14 , the positive direction of the first direction X of the antenna device 10 may be opposite to the positive direction of the first direction X of the antenna device 10 shown in FIG. 1 , and the fourth antenna 500 may be located on the negative side of the first antenna 200, the second antenna 300, and the third antenna 400 in the first direction X. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 14 , the first antenna 200, the second antenna 300, and the third antenna 400 are located on the opposite side of the second portion 514 of the conductive plate 510, with the first portion 512 of the conductive plate 510 in between. That is, the opening 620 may be located on the negative side of the first direction X, and the notch 610 may be located on the positive side of the first direction X. Furthermore, the third antenna 400 is located between the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 in the second direction Y.

[0102] 14, the center of the third antenna 400 is shifted toward the positive side of the second direction Y with respect to an imaginary line that passes through the center of the fourth antenna 500 parallel to the first direction X. However, the center of the third antenna 400 may be located on the imaginary line or may be shifted toward the negative side of the second direction Y.

[0103] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.

[0104] For example, in this embodiment, the fourth antenna 500 is provided on the substrate 100 together with a main antenna for telephone (first antenna 200), a sub-antenna for telephone (second antenna 300), and an antenna for GNSS (third antenna 400). However, the fourth antenna 500 may be provided on the substrate 100 alone, or may be provided on the substrate 100 together with an antenna of a different type from the antenna types exemplified in this embodiment.

[0105] In this embodiment, the first antenna 200 and the second antenna 300 are configured by providing a conductive pattern on the substrate 100, but they may also be configured three-dimensionally using a conductor such as a metal plate.

[0106] According to the present specification, the following aspects are provided. (Aspect 1-1) a substrate having a first surface; a conductive plate provided on the first surface side of the substrate; an antenna element provided on the conductive plate; Equipped with the conductive plate has a first portion along the first surface of the substrate and a second portion inclined at a first predetermined angle with respect to the first surface of the substrate; The antenna element is an antenna device that is inclined at a second predetermined angle relative to the first surface of the substrate, from the first surface of the substrate toward the side where the second portion of the conductive plate is inclined. According to aspect 1-1, the antenna element can be stably tilted obliquely relative to the substrate. (Aspect 1-2) Further, a base plate for holding the substrate is provided. In the antenna device according to aspect 1-1, the conductive plate is electrically floating from the ground plane. According to aspect 1-2, the conductive plate and the ground plate can be easily attached. (Aspects 1-3) The antenna device according to aspect 1-1 or 1-2, wherein the antenna element is connected to the substrate via a conductor. According to aspect 1-3, it is possible to easily feed power to the antenna element. (Aspects 1-4) The antenna device according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the conductor is a part of the antenna element. According to aspect 1-4, it is possible to easily attach the conductor to the antenna element. (Aspects 1-5) In the antenna device according to any one of aspects 1-1 to 1-4, the antenna element has a radiating element having at least one shape selected from the group consisting of a helical shape, a planar shape, a plate shape, a meandering shape, a fractal shape, and a spiral shape. According to aspect 1-5, it is possible to stably tilt the antenna element substrate having a radiating element of at least one of helical, planar, plate, meandering, fractal, and spiral shapes. (Aspects 1-6) In the antenna device according to any one of aspects 1-1 to 1-5, a portion of the conductive plate between the first portion and the second portion is bent. According to the embodiments 1-6, the conductive plate can be easily manufactured. (Aspects 1-7) a support portion for supporting the antenna element; In the antenna device according to any one of aspects 1-1 to 1-6, the support portion has a portion that is inclined at the first predetermined angle from the first surface of the substrate. According to aspect 1-7, it is possible to easily align the support portion with the second portion of the conductive plate. (Aspects 1-8) An antenna device according to aspect 1-7, wherein the bottom surface of the support portion has a first bottom surface portion that is aligned with the first portion of the conductive plate and a second bottom surface portion that is aligned with the second portion of the conductive plate. According to aspect 1-8, it is possible to easily align the support portion with the first and second portions of the conductive plate. (Aspects 1-9) the conductive plate has a first engagement portion, In the antenna device according to aspect 1-7 or 1-8, the support portion has a second engaging portion that can be engaged with the first engaging portion of the conductive plate. According to aspect 1-9, the installation work of the antenna element can be simplified. (Aspects 1-10) An antenna device described in any one of aspects 1-7 to 1-9, wherein the first portion of the conductive plate has a hole through which a fixing member that fixes the support portion to the substrate or a guide member that aligns the support portion with respect to the substrate can pass. According to Aspect 1-10, the support portion can be stably fixed to the substrate by the fixing member, and the support portion can be stably aligned with respect to the substrate by the guide member. (Aspects 1-11) further comprising a GNSS antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; The antenna device is described in any one of aspects 1-1 to 1-10, wherein the GNSS antenna is located on the opposite side of the second portion of the conductive plate, with the first portion of the conductive plate sandwiched between them. According to aspect 1-11, in an antenna device including a GNSS antenna, the antenna element can be stably tilted obliquely with respect to the substrate. (Aspects 1-12) a telephone antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; a GNSS antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; Furthermore, An antenna device described in any one of aspects 1-1 to 1-10, wherein the antenna for the telephone and the antenna for the GNSS are located on opposite sides of the second part of the conductive plate, sandwiching the first part of the conductive plate. According to Aspect 1-12, in an antenna device including a telephone antenna and a GNSS antenna, the antenna element can be stably tilted obliquely relative to the substrate. (Aspects 1-13) the telephone antenna includes a first antenna and a second antenna; In the antenna device according to aspect 1-12, the GNSS antenna is located between the first antenna and the second antenna. According to aspect 1-13, in an antenna device including a plurality of telephone antennas and a GNSS antenna, the antenna elements can be stably tilted obliquely relative to the substrate. (Aspects 1-14) The antenna device according to any one of aspects 1-1 to 1-13, wherein the antenna element is an antenna for ETC. According to aspect 1-14, the ETC antenna can be stably tilted obliquely relative to the substrate. (Aspect 2-1) a substrate having a first surface; a first antenna provided on the substrate; a second antenna provided on the substrate; a third antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; Equipped with This is an antenna device in which the center point of the third antenna is located on the same side as the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, relative to a center line passing through the center of a line connecting the end of the first antenna farthest from the second antenna and the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, or relative to the center line of the first surface of the substrate. According to aspect 2-1, it is possible to improve the radiation directivity of the third antenna located between the first and second antennas. (Aspect 2-2) the first antenna has a first conductive pattern; In the antenna device according to aspect 2-1, the second antenna has a second conductive pattern. According to aspect 2-2, it is possible to reduce the influence of the first antenna or the second antenna on the radiation directivity of the third antenna in the zenith direction. (Aspect 2-3) The first antenna is the antenna device according to aspect 2-1 or 2-2, which has a main portion, an extension portion extending from the main portion, and at least one branch portion branching from the extension portion. According to aspect 2-3, the operating band can be widened. (Aspects 2-4) Further, a base plate for holding the substrate is provided. At least a portion of the main portion overlaps with the main plate, In the antenna device according to aspect 2-3, the at least one branch portion does not overlap with the ground plane. According to aspect 2-4, the desired characteristics of the first antenna are achieved while achieving a reduction in the size of the antenna device. (Aspects 2-5) In the antenna device according to aspect 2-3 or 2-4, the first antenna further includes a short-circuit portion extending from the main portion and connected to ground. According to aspect 2-5, the radiation efficiency of the first antenna can be improved. (Aspects 2-6) the first antenna is a telephone antenna, the second antenna is a telephone antenna, In the antenna device according to any one of aspects 2-1 to 2-5, the third antenna is an antenna for GNSS. According to aspect 2-6, the inclination of the radiation directivity of the GNSS antenna located between the two telephone antennas from the zenith direction can be reduced, thereby improving the radiation directivity for GNSS. (Aspect 3-1) a substrate having a first surface; a first antenna provided on the substrate; a second antenna provided on the substrate; a third antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; a member including a metal other than the antenna and positioned between the first antenna and the second antenna; Equipped with The metal-containing member is an antenna device that is located on the same side as the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, relative to a center line passing through the center of a line connecting the end of the first antenna farthest from the second antenna and the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, or relative to the center line of the first surface of the substrate. According to aspect 3-1, oscillation of the third antenna due to the influence of the metal-containing member can be suppressed compared to when the metal-containing member is located on the opposite side of the center line from the side where the end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna is located. (Aspect 3-2) In the antenna device according to aspect 3-1, the metal-containing member is not electrically connected to a conductor pattern provided on the substrate. According to aspect 3-2, oscillation of the third antenna due to the influence of the member containing metal can be suppressed compared to when the member containing metal is electrically connected to the conductive pattern provided on the substrate. (Aspect 3-3) a substrate having a first surface; a first antenna provided on the substrate; a second antenna provided on the substrate; a third antenna provided on the first surface of the substrate; a member including a metal other than the antenna, the member being provided on the substrate and positioned between the first antenna and the second antenna; Equipped with The antenna device is such that the metal-containing member is not electrically connected to the conductive pattern provided on the substrate. According to aspect 3-3, oscillation of the third antenna due to the influence of the member containing metal can be suppressed compared to when the member containing metal is electrically connected to the conductive pattern provided on the substrate. (Aspect 3-4) In the antenna device according to any one of Aspects 3-1 to 3-3, the member containing metal has at least one of a screw, a machine screw, a pin, a bolt, a spring, and a holder. According to Aspect 3-4, it is possible to suppress oscillation of the third antenna due to the influence of at least one of a screw, a machine screw, a pin, a bolt, a spring, and a holder. (Aspects 3-5) the first antenna has a first conductive pattern; The antenna device according to any one of Aspects 3-1 to 3-4, wherein the second antenna has a second conductive pattern. According to aspect 3-5, it is possible to reduce the influence of the first antenna or the second antenna on the radiation directivity of the third antenna in the zenith direction. (Aspects 3-6) The first antenna is an antenna device according to any one of aspects 3-1 to 3-5, having a main portion, an extension portion extending from the main portion, and at least one branch portion branching from the extension portion. According to aspect 3-6, the operating band can be widened. (Aspects 3-7) Further, a base plate for holding the substrate is provided. At least a portion of the main portion overlaps with the main plate, In the antenna device according to aspect 3-6, the at least one branch portion does not overlap with the ground plane. According to aspect 3-7, the desired characteristics of the first antenna are achieved while achieving a reduction in size of the antenna device. (Aspects 3-8) In the antenna device according to aspect 3-6 or 3-7, the first antenna further includes a short-circuit portion extending from the main portion and connected to ground. According to aspect 3-8, the radiation efficiency of the first antenna can be improved. (Aspects 3-9) the first antenna is a telephone antenna, the second antenna is a telephone antenna, In the antenna device according to any one of aspects 3-1 to 3-8, the third antenna is an antenna for GNSS. According to aspect 3-9, it is possible to prevent the GNSS antenna located between the two telephone antennas from oscillating due to the influence of a member containing metal.

[0107] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-196598, filed October 29, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Antenna device 100 boards 102 Page 1 104 2nd page 110a 1st terminal 110b 2nd terminal 110c 3rd terminal 110d 4th terminal 110e Terminal 5 120a 1st wiring 120b 2nd wiring 130 Third conductive pattern 132 Conductive screw 200 First Antenna 202 First conductive pattern 210 Main Section 220 1st extension section 230 Branch 240 Short circuit 300 Second Antenna 302 Second conductive pattern 310 2nd extension section 400 Third Antenna 402 First feeding point 404 Second feeding point 500 4th Antenna 510 Conductive plate 512 Part 1 514 Part 2 520 Support part 522 bottom 522a 1st bottom part 522b 2nd bottom part 530 Helical Antenna 532 Winding section 534 First end 536 Second end 542 1st hole 544 2nd hole 552 First engagement part 552a First engagement portion 552b First engagement portion 554 Second engagement part 554a Second engaging part 554b Second engaging part 562a First convex part 562b Second convex part 562c Third convex part 562d 4th convex part 564 Third engagement part 572 base 574 Radiating Element 600 Main plate 602 3rd page 604 Page 4 610 Notch 620 aperture CL center line CP center point EP1 end EP2 end ER1 end region ER2 end region L line X 1st direction Y Second direction Z 3rd direction

Claims

1. A substrate having a ground; a first antenna provided on the substrate; a second antenna provided on the substrate, an orientation of the first antenna with respect to the substrate and an orientation of the second antenna with respect to the substrate are different from each other; The first antenna and the ground do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, the second antenna having a base and a radiating element; the base is inclined relative to the substrate; Antenna device.

2. a maximum height of the second antenna relative to the substrate is greater than a maximum height of the first antenna relative to the substrate; The antenna device according to claim 1 .

3. a base plate for holding the substrate; a fixing member that fixes the substrate and the base plate, The ground plane and the ground are electrically connected.

3. The antenna device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the fixing member is offset with respect to a center line passing through the center of a line connecting an end of the first antenna farthest from the second antenna and an end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, or with respect to a center line of the substrate. The antenna device according to claim 3 .

5. the fixing member is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

5. The antenna device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. a substrate having a ground; a first antenna provided on a first surface side of the substrate; a second antenna provided on the first surface side of the substrate; a base plate for holding the substrate; a fixing member that fixes the substrate and the base plate, The first antenna and the ground do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, The ground plane and the ground are electrically connected. Antenna device.

7. the fixing member is offset with respect to a center line passing through the center of a line connecting an end of the first antenna farthest from the second antenna and an end of the second antenna farthest from the first antenna, or with respect to a center line of the substrate.

7. The antenna device according to claim 6.

8. the fixing member is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

8. The antenna device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. an antenna element; a substrate having the antenna element mounted on one surface thereof; a base plate provided opposite to the one surface of the substrate and spaced apart from the substrate at a predetermined distance; a conductive layer pattern is formed on the substrate, the conductive layer pattern extending over an area of ​​the substrate excluding linear wiring; a plurality of antenna elements are mounted on the one surface of the substrate; The substrate is held by the base plate. Antenna device.

10. the base plate has a plurality of pedestals, the base and the substrate are joined by a fixing member, the pattern of the conductive layer is extended to bonding regions of the substrate corresponding to at least some of the plurality of pedestals; 10. The antenna device according to claim 9.

11. The substrate has a terminal electrically connectable to an external element and a linear wiring connecting the terminal and the antenna element.

11. The antenna device according to claim 9 or 10.

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