Antenna device

Abstract

To reduce the manufacturing cost of a plurality of types of antenna devices having different antenna cable lead-out directions.SOLUTION: A first antenna device 10A includes a first base 100A, and a first antenna element 410A at least partially attached to the first base 100A, and a first mounting structure capable of mounting at least a part of the first antenna element 410A to the first base 100A is arranged at a position substantially symmetrical to the position where the first antenna element 410A is mounted with respect to the center of the first base 100A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, various antenna devices have been developed. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, an antenna device includes a base, a case forming a housing space, and an antenna element housed in the housing space. The base includes a metal base and a metal plate electrically connected to the metal base. In this antenna device, an appropriate metal plate is used depending on the type of vehicle and the type of antenna element to be mounted. This allows various antenna devices to suppress a decrease in antenna gain due to unwanted resonance without changing the metal base. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 124518 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Due to restrictions on the vehicle in which the antenna device is installed, the direction in which the antenna cable can be pulled out is sometimes limited, which has resulted in the need for different antenna bases depending on the direction in which the antenna cable is pulled out.

[0005] An example of an object of the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost of a plurality of types of antenna devices each having an antenna cable leading direction different from one another. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is With the base, an antenna element at least a portion of which is attached to the base; Equipped with The antenna device has a first mounting structure capable of mounting at least a portion of the antenna element to the base, the first mounting structure being positioned approximately symmetrically to the position at which the antenna element is mounted with respect to the center of the base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of a plurality of types of antenna devices having antenna cables drawn in different directions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first antenna device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the first antenna device according to the embodiment, with the first inner case, the first outer case, and the first outer pad removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the first antenna device according to the embodiment, with the first inner case, the first outer case, and the first outer pad removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the first antenna device according to the embodiment with the first inner case, the first outer case, and the first outer pad removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a top view of a second antenna device according to the embodiment with a second inner case, a second outer case, and a second outer pad removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the second antenna device according to the embodiment, with the second inner case, the second outer case, and the second outer pad removed. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the second antenna device according to the embodiment with the second inner case, the second outer case, and the second outer pad removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In recent years, the number of types of antennas installed in vehicles has been increasing. Furthermore, in some cases, multiple antennas of the same type are installed to improve transmission and reception performance. Therefore, it can be difficult to install all antenna elements in a single antenna device. Therefore, it has been considered to separate multiple types of antenna elements into multiple types of antenna devices and install these multiple types of antenna elements in a vehicle.

[0010] When a vehicle has a single antenna device mounted on its roof, it is generally mounted in a central position at the front or rear of the vehicle. However, when two antenna devices are mounted on the vehicle roof, it is possible to mount one antenna device on each of the rear right and rear left sides of the vehicle. When the antenna devices are mounted in such positions, in order to route the antenna cable under the vehicle roof, it is necessary to pull the antenna cable extending from the antenna device mounted on the rear right side of the vehicle to the left side of the vehicle, and pull the antenna cable extending from the antenna device mounted on the rear left side of the vehicle to the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] In this way, due to constraints on the installation position of the antenna device and the structure inside the vehicle, the antenna cable may need to be routed in different directions. In this case, the base structures of these two antenna devices must be different. However, using bases with different structures for these two antenna devices increases the manufacturing cost of the antenna devices.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] 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.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle 5 according to an embodiment.

[0015] 1, the arrows indicating the first direction X or the second direction Y indicate that the direction from the base end of the arrow to the tip is the positive direction of the arrow, and that the direction from the tip of the arrow to the base end is the negative direction of the arrow. The white circle with a black dot indicating the third direction Z indicates that the direction from the back of the page to the front is the positive direction of the third direction Z, and that the direction from the front of the page to the back is the negative direction of the third direction Z.

[0016] The first direction X is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 5. Specifically, the positive direction of the first direction X is a direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle 5. Furthermore, the negative direction of the first direction X is a direction from the front to the rear of the vehicle 5. The second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X and parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle 5. Specifically, the positive direction of the second direction Y is a direction from the right to the left of the vehicle 5 when viewed from above the vehicle 5. Furthermore, the negative direction of the second direction Y is a direction from the left to the right of the vehicle 5 when viewed from above the vehicle 5. The third direction Z is perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y and parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle 5. Specifically, the positive direction of the third direction Z is a direction from the bottom to the top of the vehicle 5. Furthermore, the negative direction of the third direction Z is a direction from the top to the bottom of the vehicle 5.

[0017] The vehicle 5 is, for example, a motor vehicle such as a freight truck or a passenger car. A first antenna unit 10A and a second antenna unit 10B are mounted on a roof 5a of the vehicle 5. The first antenna unit 10A is mounted on the rear right side of the roof 5a. The second antenna unit 10B is mounted on the rear left side of the roof 5a.

[0018] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first antenna device 10A according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the arrow indicating the third direction Z indicates that the direction from the base end of the arrow to the tip end is the positive direction of the third direction Z, and the direction from the tip end of the arrow to the base end is the negative direction of the third direction Z.

[0019] The first antenna device 10A includes a first base 100A, a first mounting seal member 102A, a first substrate 200A, a first antenna element 410A, a second antenna element 420A, a first inner case 500A, a first inner pad 502A, a first outer case 600A, a first outer pad 602A, and a first fastener 700A. The first antenna element 410A includes a first element 412A, a second element 414A, and a third element 416A. The second antenna element 420A includes a fourth element 422A, a fifth element 424A, and a sixth element 426A. The first fastener 700A includes a first fastening screw 710A, a first washer 720A, and a first holder 730A. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (described later), the first antenna device 10A further includes a first connector 300A. For ease of explanation, the first connector 300A is not shown in FIG.

[0020] The first base 100A is made of, for example, metal. The first base 100A is mounted on the upper surface of the roof 5a via a first mounting seal member 102A. The first mounting seal member 102A is made of an elastic material such as elastomer or rubber. When viewed from the third direction Z, the first mounting seal member 102A forms a surrounding body that surrounds the first connector 300A and the first fastener 700A. The provision of the first mounting seal member 102A can prevent moisture from penetrating into the gap between the underside of the first base 100A and the upper surface of the roof 5a.

[0021] The first substrate 200A is located above the first base 100A. The first substrate 200A is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The first substrate 200A is attached to the first base 100A with six first substrate mounting screws 210A.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, which will be described later, the first connector 300A is located below the first substrate 200A. In one example, the first connector 300A is connected to the underside of the first substrate 200A by soldering. When the first substrate 200A is attached to the first base 100A, the first connector 300A is inserted into a first insertion hole 104A provided in the first base 100A. In the embodiment, the first connector 300A is located behind the first fastener 700A.

[0023] The first antenna element 410A is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) antenna. The first antenna element 410A is disposed above the first base 100A via the first substrate 200A. When viewed from above, the first antenna element 410A is located on the right side of the center of the first base 100A in the second direction Y. The first antenna element 410A is an array antenna composed of a first element 412A, a second element 414A, and a third element 416A. The first element 412A, the second element 414A, and the third element 416A are monopole elements substantially parallel to the third direction Z. The first element 412A, the second element 414A, and the third element 416A are arranged substantially parallel to the first direction X. The first element 412A is located between the second element 414A and the third element 416A in the first direction X. The second element 414A is located behind the first element 412A. The third element 416A is located in front of the first element 412A.

[0024] The second antenna element 420A is, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) antenna. The second antenna element 420A is disposed above the first base 100A via the first substrate 200A. When viewed from above, the second antenna element 420A is located on the left side of the center of the first base 100A in the second direction Y. The second antenna element 420A is an array antenna composed of a fourth element 422A, a fifth element 424A, and a sixth element 426A. The fourth element 422A, the fifth element 424A, and the sixth element 426A are monopole elements substantially parallel to the third direction Z. The fourth element 422A, the fifth element 424A, and the sixth element 426A are arranged substantially parallel to the first direction X. The fourth element 422A is located between the fifth element 424A and the sixth element 426A in the first direction X. The fifth element 424A is located behind the fourth element 422A. The sixth element 426A is located in front of the fourth element 422A.

[0025] The first inner case 500A is mounted on the upper surface of the first base 100A via a first inner pad 502A. The first inner pad 502A is made of an elastic material such as elastomer or rubber. When viewed from the third direction Z, the first inner pad 502A forms a surrounding body that surrounds the first substrate 200A, the first antenna element 410A, and the second antenna element 420A. The provision of the first inner pad 502A makes it possible to prevent moisture from entering the gap between the bottom end of the first inner case 500A and the upper surface of the first base 100A.

[0026] The first inner case 500A covers the first substrate 200A, the first antenna element 410A, and the second antenna element 420A from above the first base 100A. As a result, the first inner case 500A, together with the first base 100A, form an accommodation space that accommodates the first substrate 200A, the first antenna element 410A, and the second antenna element 420A. The first inner case 500A is attached to the first base 100A with four first case attachment screws 510A.

[0027] The first outer case 600A is mounted on the upper surface of the roof 5a via a first outer pad 602A. The first outer pad 602A is made of an elastic material such as elastomer or rubber. When viewed from the third direction Z, the portion of the first outer pad 602A from the center in the first direction X to the end on the negative side in the first direction X forms an enclosure that surrounds the first base 100A, the first substrate 200A, the first antenna element 410A, the second antenna element 420A, and the first inner case 500A.

[0028] The first fastener 700A fastens the first base 100A to the roof 5a and electrically grounds the first base 100A to the roof 5a. Specifically, the roof 5a has an attachment hole for attaching the first antenna device 10A. The first holder 730A is disposed inside the attachment hole. The first washer 720A is held by the first holder 730A. The first fastening screw 710A passes through a through hole provided in the first washer 720A in the third direction Z and is screwed into a screw hole provided in the underside of the first base 100A. By screwing the first fastening screw 710A into the screw hole in the first base 100A, the tip of a claw provided on the first washer 720A comes into contact with the underside of the roof 5a. This fastens the first base 100A to the roof 5a. The first base 100A is electrically grounded to the roof 5a via a first fastening screw 710A and a first washer 720A.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a top view of a first antenna device 10A according to an embodiment with a first inner case 500A, a first outer case 600A, and a first outer pad 602A removed therefrom. FIG. 4 is a left side view of a first antenna device 10A according to an embodiment with a first inner case 500A, a first outer case 600A, and a first outer pad 602A removed therefrom. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a first antenna device 10A according to an embodiment with a first inner case 500A, a first outer case 600A, and a first outer pad 602A removed therefrom. FIG. 6 is a top view of a second antenna device 10B according to an embodiment with a second inner case, a second outer case, and a second outer pad removed therefrom. FIG. 7 is a left side view of a second antenna device 10B according to an embodiment with a second inner case, a second outer case, and a second outer pad removed therefrom. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the second antenna device 10B according to the embodiment with the second inner case, the second outer case, and the second outer pad removed.

[0030] 4 and 7, the white circle with a black dot indicating the second direction Y indicates that the direction from the back of the paper to the front is the positive direction of the second direction Y, and that the direction from the front of the paper to the back is the negative direction of the second direction Y. In Figures 5 and 8, the white circle with an X indicating the third direction Z indicates that the direction from the front of the paper to the back is the positive direction of the third direction Z, and that the direction from the back of the paper to the front is the negative direction of the third direction Z.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the second antenna device 10B according to the embodiment includes a second base 100B, a second mounting seal member 102B, a second substrate 200B, a second connector 300B, a third antenna element 410B, a second inner pad 502B, and a second fastener 700B. The second antenna device 10B according to the embodiment further includes a second inner case, a second outer case, and a second outer pad (not shown), similar to the first inner case 500A, the first outer case 600A, and the first outer pad 602A of the first antenna device 10A according to the embodiment. As described above, the second inner case, the second outer case, and the second outer pad are removed in FIGS. 6 to 8. The third antenna element 410B includes a seventh element 412B, an eighth element 414B, and a ninth element 416B. The second fastener 700B includes a second fastening screw 710B, a second washer 720B, and a second holder 730B.

[0032] The first connector 300A covers a first pin 122A (described later) from below the first base 100A. Therefore, in Fig. 5, the first pin 122A is shown as being seen through the first connector 300A. Similarly, the second connector 300B covers a second pin 122B (described later) from below the second base 100B. Therefore, in Figs. 7 and 8, the second pin 122B is shown as being seen through the second connector 300B.

[0033] The first antenna device 10A and the second antenna device 10B will be compared with each other with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, and also with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as necessary.

[0034] In the embodiment, the structure of the first base 100A, such as the dimensions and shape, and the structure of the second base 100B, such as the dimensions and shape, are substantially identical. Therefore, the manufacturing costs of the first antenna device 10A and the second antenna device 10B can be reduced compared to when the structure of the first base 100A and the structure of the second base 100B are different. Furthermore, even when the structure of the first base 100A and the structure of the second base 100B are substantially identical, as described below, in the embodiment, the orientation of the first base 100A in the first direction X and the orientation of the second base 100B in the first direction X can be made different from each other to make the leading direction of the first antenna cable of the first antenna device 10A and the leading direction of the second antenna cable of the second antenna device 10B different. Therefore, in the embodiment, the manufacturing costs of multiple types of antenna devices having different antenna cable leading directions can be reduced compared to when the structure of the first base 100A and the structure of the second base 100B are different from each other. Furthermore, in the embodiment, as will be described below, even if the orientation of the first base 100A in the first direction X is different from the orientation of the second base 100B in the first direction X, the structure and position of the antenna element provided in the first antenna device 10A can be made substantially identical to the structure and position of the antenna element provided in the second antenna device 10B.

[0035] First, the direction in which the first antenna cable is drawn from the first antenna device 10A and the direction in which the second antenna cable is drawn from the second antenna device 10B will be described.

[0036] One end of a first antenna cable (not shown) is connected to a side surface of the first connector 300A on the positive side in the second direction Y. The other end of the first antenna cable is electrically connected to an electrical device (not shown) provided in the vehicle 5. As described with reference to FIG. 1 , the first antenna device 10A is mounted on the rear right side of the vehicle 5. Therefore, the first antenna cable cannot be drawn to the right side of the first base 100A when viewed from above, but must be drawn to the left side of the first base 100A when viewed from above. In the embodiment, the first connector 300A is configured to draw the first antenna cable in a direction other than the third direction Z perpendicular to the first base 100A. Specifically, the first connector 300A is configured to draw the first antenna cable toward the positive side of the first antenna device 10A in the second direction Y.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5 , a first pin 122A is provided on the underside of the first base 100A. When viewed from the third direction Z, the first pin 122A is located behind the first fastener 700A and on the negative side of the first connector 300A in the second direction Y. The first pin 122A is provided to prevent the first base 100A from rotating along with the rotation of the first fastening screw 710A when the first fastening screw 710A is screwed into a screw hole provided on the underside of the first base 100A. Furthermore, to prevent interference between the first antenna cable and the first pin 122A, the first antenna cable needs to be drawn out toward the side opposite the side where the first pin 122A is located with respect to the first connector 300A. For this reason, as described above, the first antenna cable can be drawn out toward the side opposite the side where the first pin 122A is located with respect to the first connector 300A.

[0038] One end of a second antenna cable (not shown) is connected to a side surface of the second connector 300B on the negative side in the second direction Y. The other end of the second antenna cable is electrically connected to an electrical device (not shown) provided in the vehicle 5. As described with reference to FIG. 1 , the second antenna device 10B is mounted on the rear left side of the vehicle 5. Therefore, the second antenna cable cannot be drawn to the left side of the second base 100B when viewed from above, but must be drawn to the right side of the second base 100B when viewed from above. In the embodiment, the second connector 300B is configured to draw the second antenna cable in a direction other than the third direction Z perpendicular to the second base 100B. Specifically, the second connector 300B is configured to draw the second antenna cable toward the negative side of the second antenna device 10B in the second direction Y.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , a second pin 122B is provided on the underside of the second base 100B. When viewed from the third direction Z, the second pin 122B is located in front of the second fastener 700B and on the positive side of the second connector 300B in the second direction Y. The second pin 122B is provided to prevent the second base 100B from rotating along with the rotation of the second fastening screw 710B when the second fastening screw 710B is screwed into a screw hole provided on the underside of the second base 100B. Furthermore, to prevent interference between the second antenna cable and the second pin 122B, the second antenna cable needs to be drawn out toward the side opposite the side where the second pin 122B is located with respect to the second connector 300B. For this reason, as described above, the second antenna cable can be drawn out toward the side opposite the side where the second pin 122B is located with respect to the second connector 300B.

[0040] In the embodiment, the orientation of the first base 100A in the first direction X and the orientation of the second base 100B in the first direction X are opposite to each other in the first direction X. Therefore, the first antenna cable can be drawn out toward the left side of the first antenna device 10A, and the second antenna cable can be drawn out toward the right side of the second antenna device 10B. In this way, in the embodiment, by making the orientations of the bases of the antenna devices different, the drawing directions of the antenna cables of the antenna devices can be made different from each other.

[0041] Next, the first antenna element 410A will be described.

[0042] 3, the first substrate 200A has a substantially square shape when viewed from the third direction Z. However, the shape of the first substrate 200A is not limited to this example. Furthermore, four first ribs 112A are provided on the top surface of the first base 100A.

[0043] Hereinafter, as needed, the left front corner of the first substrate 200A when viewed from above will be referred to as the first corner 202A. Hereinafter, as needed, the left rear corner of the first substrate 200A when viewed from above will be referred to as the second corner 204A. Hereinafter, as needed, the right rear corner of the first substrate 200A when viewed from above will be referred to as the third corner 206A. Hereinafter, as needed, the right front corner of the first substrate 200A when viewed from above will be referred to as the fourth corner 208A.

[0044] The lower end of the first element 412A is attached to the first substrate 200A by, for example, soldering. As shown in Fig. 3, when viewed from the third direction Z, the first element 412A is disposed closer to the fourth corner 208A in the first direction X than to the third corner 206A. However, the position at which the first element 412A is disposed is not limited to this example.

[0045] 3, a portion of the second element 414A at its lower end that overlaps with the third corner 206A in the third direction Z is attached to the first base 100A together with the third corner 206A by a first board mounting screw 210A provided at the third corner 206A. A through hole is provided in a rear portion of the third corner 206A at the lower end of the second element 414A, allowing the first rib 112A located behind the third corner 206A to pass through in the third direction Z. The second element 414A is aligned by inserting the first rib 112A into the through hole of the second element 414A.

[0046] 3, a portion of the lower end of the third element 416A that overlaps with the fourth corner 208A in the third direction Z is attached to the first base 100A together with the fourth corner 208A by a first board mounting screw 210A provided at the fourth corner 208A. A through hole is provided in a portion in front of the fourth corner 208A at the lower end of the third element 416A, allowing the first rib 112A located in front of the fourth corner 208A to pass through in the third direction Z. The third element 416A is aligned by inserting the first rib 112A into the through hole of the third element 416A.

[0047] Next, the second antenna element 420A will be described.

[0048] The lower end of the fourth element 422A is attached to the first substrate 200A by, for example, soldering. As shown in Fig. 3, when viewed from the third direction Z, the fourth element 422A is disposed closer to the first corner 202A than to the second corner 204A in the first direction X. However, the position at which the fourth element 422A is disposed is not limited to this example.

[0049] 3, a portion of the lower end of the fifth element 424A that overlaps with the second corner 204A in the third direction Z is attached to the first base 100A together with the second corner 204A by a first board mounting screw 210A provided at the second corner 204A. A through hole is provided in a rear portion of the second corner 204A at the lower end of the fifth element 424A, allowing the first rib 112A located behind the second corner 204A to pass through in the third direction Z. The fifth element 424A is aligned by inserting the first rib 112A into the through hole of the fifth element 424A.

[0050] 3, a portion of the sixth element 426A at its lower end that overlaps with the first corner 202A in the third direction Z is attached to the first base 100A together with the first corner 202A by a first board mounting screw 210A provided at the first corner 202A. A through hole is provided in a portion in front of the first corner 202A at the lower end of the sixth element 426A, allowing the first rib 112A located in front of the first corner 202A to pass through in the third direction Z. The sixth element 426A is aligned by inserting the first rib 112A into the through hole of the sixth element 426A.

[0051] Next, the third antenna element 410B will be described.

[0052] The third antenna element 410B is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) antenna. When viewed from above, the third antenna element 410B is located on the left side of the center of the second base 100B in the second direction Y. The third antenna element 410B is an array antenna composed of a seventh element 412B, an eighth element 414B, and a ninth element 416B. The seventh element 412B, the eighth element 414B, and the ninth element 416B are monopole elements substantially parallel to the third direction Z. As shown in FIG. 6 , when viewed from the third direction Z, the second substrate 200B has substantially the same shape as the first substrate 200A. Similar to the first substrate 200A, the second substrate 200B is attached to the second base 100B with six second substrate mounting screws 210B. Similar to the first base 100A, four second ribs 112B are provided on the top surface of the second base 100B.

[0053] Hereinafter, as needed, the left front corner of second substrate 200B when viewed from above will be referred to as fifth corner 202B. Hereinafter, as needed, the left rear corner of second substrate 200B when viewed from above will be referred to as sixth corner 204B. Hereinafter, as needed, the right rear corner of second substrate 200B when viewed from above will be referred to as seventh corner 206B. Hereinafter, as needed, the right front corner of second substrate 200B when viewed from above will be referred to as eighth corner 208B.

[0054] The lower end of the seventh element 412B is attached to the second substrate 200B by, for example, soldering. As shown in Fig. 6, when viewed from the third direction Z, the seventh element 412B is disposed closer to the fifth corner 202B than to the sixth corner 204B in the first direction X. However, the position at which the seventh element 412B is disposed is not limited to this example.

[0055] 6, a portion of the lower end of the eighth element 414B that overlaps with the sixth corner 204B in the third direction Z is attached to the second base 100B together with the sixth corner 204B by a second board mounting screw 210B provided at the sixth corner 204B. A through hole is provided in a rear portion of the sixth corner 204B at the lower end of the eighth element 414B, allowing the second rib 112B located behind the sixth corner 204B to pass through in the third direction Z. The eighth element 414B is aligned by inserting the second rib 112B into the through hole of the eighth element 414B.

[0056] 6, a portion of the lower end of the ninth element 416B that overlaps with the fifth corner 202B in the third direction Z is attached to the second base 100B together with the fifth corner 202B by a second board mounting screw 210B provided in the fifth corner 202B. A through hole is provided in a portion in front of the fifth corner 202B at the lower end of the ninth element 416B, allowing the second rib 112B located in front of the fifth corner 202B to pass through in the third direction Z. The ninth element 416B is aligned by inserting the second rib 112B into the through hole of the ninth element 416B.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, no elements constituting an antenna element are arranged at the seventh corner 206B and the eighth corner 208B.

[0058] In the embodiment, in the first antenna device 10A, when viewed from the third direction Z, mounting structures capable of mounting at least a portion of the first antenna element 410A and at least a portion of the second antenna element 420A to the first base 100A are arranged in positions approximately symmetrical to the positions at which the first antenna element 410A and the second antenna element 420A are mounted, with respect to the center of the first base 100A. Specifically, in the embodiment, when viewed from the third direction Z, as shown in Fig. 3, four first substrate mounting screws 210A provided at four corners of the first substrate 200A and four first ribs 112A provided near the four first substrate mounting screws 210A are arranged approximately symmetrical with respect to the center of the first base 100A. 3 and 6, even if the orientation of the first base 100A in the first direction X and the orientation of the second base 100B in the first direction X are opposite to each other in the first direction X, the relative positions of the antenna elements with respect to the center of the base as viewed from the third direction Z can be made substantially identical in each of the first antenna device 10A and the second antenna device 10B. Specifically, in the embodiment, as viewed from the third direction Z, the relative position of the second antenna element 420A with respect to the center of the first base 100A and the relative position of the third antenna element 410B with respect to the center of the second base 100B are substantially identical.

[0059] 5, at least a portion of the first fastener 700A overlaps with the center of the first base 100A in the third direction Z. As shown in FIG. 7, at least a portion of the second fastener 700B overlaps with the center of the second base 100B in the third direction Z. Therefore, even if the orientation of the first base 100A in the first direction X and the orientation of the second base 100B in the first direction X are opposite to each other in the first direction X, the relative position of the first antenna element 410A or the second antenna element 420A with respect to the mounting hole for the first base 100A in the roof 5a and the relative position of the third antenna element 410B with respect to the mounting hole for the second base 100B in the roof 5a can be made substantially the same when viewed from the third direction Z.

[0060] 3, the first base 100A has approximately two-fold symmetry when viewed from the third direction Z. Therefore, the shape of the portion of the first outer pad 602A surrounding the first base 100A and the shape of the portion of the second outer pad (not shown) surrounding the second base 100B can be made approximately the same. This allows for a reduction in the manufacturing costs of the first antenna device 10A and the second antenna device 10B compared to when the first base 100A is asymmetric when viewed from the third direction Z.

[0061] In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, four first screw holes 114A are provided on the top surface of the first base 100A. Specifically, when viewed from the third direction Z, the first base 100A has a pair of long sides substantially parallel to the first direction X and a pair of short sides substantially parallel to the second direction Y. When viewed from the third direction Z, a substantially semicircular protrusion is provided on each of the left and right ends of the pair of short sides of the first base 100A. Four first screw holes 114A are provided on the top surfaces of these four protrusions. One of the four first case mounting screws 510A shown in FIG. 2 is screwed into each of the four first screw holes 114A. Therefore, the first screw holes 114A and the first case mounting screws 510A function as a mounting structure for mounting at least a portion of the first inner case 500A to the first base 100A. However, an example of the mounting structure for mounting at least a portion of the first inner case 500A to the first base 100A is not limited to the first screw holes 114A and the first case mounting screws 510A. As shown in Fig. 6, the second base 100B is also provided with four second screw holes 114B, similar to the first base 100A.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, the four first screw holes 114A are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the center of the first base 100A. Therefore, when viewed from the third direction Z, the relative positions of the four first screw holes 114A with respect to the center of the first base 100A and the relative positions of the four second screw holes 114B with respect to the center of the second base 100B can be made substantially identical. This allows the structure of the first inner case 500A to be made substantially identical to the structure of the second inner case (not shown). This reduces the manufacturing costs of the first antenna device 10A and the second antenna device 10B compared to when the structure of the first inner case 500A and the structure of the second inner case (not shown) are different.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0064] For example, in the embodiment, the relative position of at least a portion of the antenna element with respect to the center of the base can be made substantially the same both before and after the base is rotated by 180 degrees as viewed from the third direction Z. However, by appropriately arranging at least a portion of the antenna element and an attachment structure capable of attaching at least a portion of the antenna element to the base in positions substantially symmetrical with respect to the center of the base as viewed from the third direction Z, it is also possible to make the relative position of at least a portion of the antenna element with respect to the center of the base substantially the same both before and after the base is rotated by (360 / n) degrees as viewed from the third direction Z (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2).

[0065] In the embodiment, the antenna elements mounted on each base are array antennas, but the antenna elements mounted on each base are not limited to array antennas.

[0066] In the embodiment, the direction in which the first antenna cable is drawn from the first antenna device 10A and the direction in which the second antenna cable is drawn from the second antenna device 10B are reversed left to right. However, in the embodiment, the direction in which the first antenna cable is drawn from the first antenna device 10A and the direction in which the second antenna cable is drawn from the second antenna device 10B may be reversed front to back.

[0067] According to the present specification, the following aspects are provided. (Aspect 1) Aspect 1 is With the base, an antenna element at least a portion of which is attached to the base; Equipped with The antenna device has a first mounting structure capable of mounting at least a portion of the antenna element to the base, the first mounting structure being positioned approximately symmetrically to the position at which the antenna element is mounted with respect to the center of the base. According to the first aspect, even if the orientation of the base of each of the multiple types of antenna devices is different from one another, the relative position of the antenna element with respect to the center of the base can be made substantially the same for each of the multiple types of antenna devices. Therefore, by making the base structure of each of the multiple types of antenna devices substantially the same and making the orientation of the base of each of the multiple types of antenna devices different from one another, the antenna cable draw-out direction for each of the multiple types of antenna devices can be made different from one another. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of multiple types of antenna devices having different antenna cable draw-out directions can be reduced compared to when the base structures of each of the multiple types of antenna devices are different from one another. (Aspect 2) Aspect 2 is The antenna element further includes a case that forms a housing space for housing the antenna element. In the antenna device according to aspect 1, second mounting structures that mount at least a portion of the case to the base are arranged substantially symmetrically. According to the second aspect, even if the orientations of the bases of the multiple types of antenna devices are different from one another, the structures of the cases attached to the respective bases can be made substantially the same, which reduces the manufacturing cost of multiple types of antenna devices with different antenna cable drawing directions compared to when the structures of the cases attached to the respective bases are different from one another. (Aspect 3) Aspect 3 is Further, a fastener for fastening the base to a vehicle is provided. 3. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fastener overlaps with the center of the base. According to the third aspect, even if the orientations of the bases of the plurality of types of antenna devices are different from one another, the relative positions of the antenna elements with respect to the mounting holes for the respective bases in the vehicle roof can be made substantially the same. (Aspect 4) Aspect 4 is The antenna device according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the base is substantially rotationally symmetric when viewed from a predetermined direction. According to the fourth aspect, even if the orientations of the bases of the multiple types of antenna devices are different from one another, the shapes of the pads surrounding each base can be made substantially the same, which reduces the manufacturing cost of multiple types of antenna devices with different antenna cable drawing directions compared to when the shapes of the pads surrounding each base are different from one another. (Aspect 5) Aspect 5 is In the antenna device according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, the base has a configuration in which the antenna cable is drawn out in a predetermined direction other than a direction perpendicular to the base. According to aspect 5, the antenna cable extending from the base can be changed depending on the orientation of the base. For example, if the base is mounted on the left side of the vehicle, the antenna cable extending from the base can be pulled out to the right side of the vehicle depending on the orientation of the base, and if the base is mounted on the right side of the vehicle, the antenna cable extending from the base can be pulled out to the left side of the vehicle depending on the orientation of the base. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 5 vehicles 5a Roof 10A First antenna unit 10B Second antenna device 100A 1st base 100B 2nd Base 102A First mounting seal member 102B Second mounting seal member 104A First insertion hole 112A First Rib 112B 2nd Rib 114A 1st screw hole 114B 2nd screw hole 122A Pin 1 122B 2nd pin 200A 1st board 200B 2nd board 202A 1st corner 202B 5th corner 204A 2nd corner 204B 6th corner 206A 3rd corner 206B 7th corner 208A 4th corner 208B 8th corner 210A First board mounting screw 210B Second board mounting screw 300A 1st Connector 300B 2nd Connector 410A First Antenna Element 410B Third antenna element 412A 1st element 412B 7th Element 414A Second Element 414B 8th Element 416A 3rd Element 416B 9th Element 420A Second Antenna Element 422A 4th Element 424A 5th Element 426A 6th Element 500A No. 1 inner case 502A 1st inner pad 502B Second inner pad 510A First case mounting screw 600A 1st outer case 602A 1st outer pad 700A First Fastener 700B 2nd fastener 710A First Fastening Screw 710B Second Fastening Screw 720A First Washer 720B Second washer 730A First Holder 730B Second Holder X 1st direction Y Second direction Z 3rd direction

Claims

1. With the base, an antenna element at least a portion of which is attached to the base; Equipped with an antenna device, wherein a first mounting structure capable of mounting at least a portion of the antenna element to the base is disposed at a position approximately symmetrical to the position at which the antenna element is mounted with respect to the center of the base;

2. The antenna element further includes a case that forms a housing space for housing the antenna element. The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein two second mounting structures for mounting at least a portion of the case to the base are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the center of the base.

3. Further, a fastener for fastening the base to a vehicle is provided. The antenna device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the fastener overlaps the center of the base.

4. 4. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the base is substantially rotationally symmetric when viewed from a predetermined direction.

5. 5. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the base is configured to draw out the antenna cable in a predetermined direction other than a direction perpendicular to the base.

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