antenna

Abstract

This antenna is provided with: a dielectric substrate; a feed conductor portion provided on the dielectric substrate; a linear or band-shaped first conductor portion which is provided on a substrate surface of the dielectric substrate, is connected to the feed conductor portion, and has one end that is an open end; and a linear or band-shaped second conductor portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is connected to an intermediate portion between both ends of the first conductor portion, the second end is an open end, and the second conductor portion protrudes from the intermediate portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to antennas. This application claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2022-166185, filed on October 17, 2022, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said Japanese application. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the trend toward miniaturization of electronic devices, antennas mounted on the substrate surface of a dielectric substrate are often used. Examples of antennas that can be mounted on the surface of a substrate include an inverted L-shaped antenna, an inverted F-shaped antenna, and a meander line antenna (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The antenna has a linear or strip-shaped conductor portion that functions as an antenna element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2011-142542 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The antenna according to the embodiment includes: a dielectric substrate; The dielectric substrate includes a power supply conductor provided on the dielectric substrate, a linear or strip-shaped first conductor provided on the substrate surface of the dielectric substrate, connected to the power supply conductor and having one open end, and a linear or strip-shaped second conductor having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is connected to an intermediate portion between both ends of the first conductor, and the second end is an open end. The second conductor protrudes from the intermediate portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the first surface of the antenna. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a view of the antenna as seen from above and a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the antenna according to the second embodiment and a view of the antenna as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part of the antenna and a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the antenna according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of the first surface of the antenna according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the antenna according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modified example of the connection between the first conductor and the second conductor. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the antenna according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows a diagram of the antenna according to the eighth embodiment as seen from above and a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second end portion of a second conductor according to a modification of the eighth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an antenna according to another modification of the eighth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a modified example of the connection between the first conductor and the second conductor. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another modified example of the connection between the first conductor and the second conductor. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 on the XY plane. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 in the YZ plane. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 on the XZ plane. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 on the XY plane. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 in the YZ plane. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 on the XZ plane. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 3 and Comparative Example 2 on the XY plane. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in the YZ plane for Example 3 and Comparative Example 2. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in Example 3 and Comparative Example 2 on the XZ plane. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 4 and Comparative Example 2 on the XY plane. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in the YZ plane for Example 4 and Comparative Example 2. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in Example 4 and Comparative Example 2 on the XZ plane. [Figure 31]FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gain difference Δ of the vertically polarized wave component in the XY plane and the length H of the second conductor portion 14. As shown in FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gain difference Δ of the horizontally polarized wave component in the XY plane and the length H of the second conductor portion 14. As shown in FIG. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gain difference Δ of the vertically polarized wave component in the YZ plane and the length H of the second conductor 14. In FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional inverted-F antenna. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of a conventional inverted-F antenna. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] [Problem to be solved by this disclosure] Fig. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional inverted-F antenna. In Fig. 34, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. One of the X directions is defined as the X1 direction, and the opposite direction of the X1 direction is defined as the X2 direction. One of the Y directions is defined as the Y1 direction, and the opposite direction of the Y1 direction is defined as the Y2 direction. One of the Z directions is defined as the Z1 direction, and the opposite direction of the Z1 direction is defined as the Z2 direction.

[0007] In FIG. 34, the inverted-F antenna 100 has a dielectric substrate 102, an antenna element 104, a feeding conductor portion 106, a short-circuit conductor portion 108, a first ground conductor portion 109, and a second ground conductor portion 110.

[0008] Since the antenna element 104 of the inverted-F antenna 100 is mounted on the surface of the substrate, the gain of the polarized wave component orthogonal to the surface of the substrate may be significantly reduced.

[0009] For example, as shown in FIG. 34, when the dielectric substrate 102 is placed so as to be perpendicular to the horizontal XY plane, the radiation patterns of the vertically polarized wave component and the horizontally polarized wave component of the inverted-F antenna 100 are shown in FIG. (a) in Fig. 35 shows the vertically polarized wave component (V in the figure) and the horizontally polarized wave component (H in the figure) in the XY plane in Fig. 34. (b) in Fig. 35 shows the vertically polarized wave component (V in the figure) and the horizontally polarized wave component (H in the figure) in the YZ plane in Fig. 34. (c) in Fig. 35 shows the vertically polarized wave component (V in the figure) and the horizontally polarized wave component (H in the figure) in the XZ plane in Fig. 34. In (a) of Fig. 35, "0" indicates the X1 direction, and "90" indicates the Y1 direction. In (b) of Fig. 35, "0" indicates the Z1 direction, and "90" indicates the Y1 direction. In (c) of Fig. 35, "0" indicates the Z1 direction, and "90" indicates the X1 direction.

[0010] 35, the horizontally polarized component (H) in the XY plane has partial drops in the X1 and X2 directions, and the vertically polarized component (V) in the YZ plane has partial drops in the Z1 and Z2 directions. In particular, the gain of the horizontally polarized component (H) in the XZ plane is extremely low in all directions. As described above, in the inverted-F antenna 100, a decrease is observed in the gain of the polarized component perpendicular to the substrate surface, and in the gain of the polarized component perpendicular to the substrate surface. This reduction in gain of the polarized wave component orthogonal to the substrate surface is seen not only in inverted-F antennas, but also in the above-mentioned inverted-L antennas and meander-line antennas that are mounted on the substrate surface.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of suppressing a decrease in the gain of a polarization component orthogonal to the substrate surface.

[0012] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarization component orthogonal to the substrate surface.

[0013] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiment will be listed and explained. [Outline of the embodiment]

[0014] (1) The antenna according to the embodiment is: a dielectric substrate; The dielectric substrate includes a power supply conductor provided on the dielectric substrate, a linear or strip-shaped first conductor provided on the substrate surface of the dielectric substrate, connected to the power supply conductor and having one open end, and a linear or strip-shaped second conductor having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is connected to an intermediate portion between both ends of the first conductor, and the second end is an open end. The second conductor protrudes from the intermediate portion.

[0015] According to the above configuration, since the second conductor portion protruding from the intermediate portion of the first conductor portion is provided, the second conductor portion can excite a polarized wave component that intersects with the substrate surface. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component orthogonal to the substrate surface, and to compensate for the polarized wave component that would otherwise experience a decrease in gain if only the first conductor portion were used.

[0016] (2) In the antenna of (1) above, the dielectric substrate preferably has a holding hole into which the first end is inserted. In this case, it is easy to hold the second conductor portion protruding from the intermediate portion. (3) Furthermore, in the antenna of (2) above, the intermediate portion may have a through hole into which the first end portion is inserted. In this case, even when the second conductor portion protrudes from the surface of the first conductor portion opposite to the surface on the dielectric substrate side, the second conductor portion can be held by the holding hole.

[0017] (4) In the antenna of (1) above, the first end portion preferably includes a plate-shaped base end conductor portion along the intermediate portion. In this case, the first end portion and the intermediate portion can be easily connected by making the base-end conductor portion face the intermediate portion.

[0018] (5) The antenna of (4) above preferably further includes an insulating adhesive layer provided between the base conductor portion and the intermediate portion. In this case, the insulating adhesive layer can fix the intermediate portion and the second conductor portion to each other while capacitively coupling them.

[0019] (6) In the antennas described above in (1) to (5), the second end portion preferably includes a plate-shaped conductor portion along an intersecting plane that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the second conductor portion. In this case, an appropriate capacitance component can be imparted to the second end portion, and even if the length of the second conductor is shortened, the decrease in gain of the polarization component perpendicular to the substrate surface can be suppressed, as in the case of a second conductor that does not include a plate-like conductor portion, making it possible to miniaturize the entire antenna.

[0020] (7) In the antennas of (1) to (6) above, it is preferable that the ratio of the longitudinal dimension of the second conductor portion to the longitudinal dimension of the first conductor portion is 0.36 or more and 1.2 or less. If the ratio is less than 0.36, the effect of suppressing the decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component perpendicular to the substrate surface may not be sufficiently obtained. If the ratio is greater than 1.2, the effect of suppressing the decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component orthogonal to the substrate surface will vary, and a stable effect may not be obtained. By setting the ratio to be equal to or greater than 0.36 and equal to or less than 1.2, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component perpendicular to the substrate surface.

[0021] (8) In the antennas described above in (1) to (7), the first conductor portion may form an inverted-F antenna element. In this case, the antenna can function as an inverted-F antenna.

[0022] (9) In the antennas described above in (1) to (8), the first conductor portion may form an inverted L-shaped antenna element. In this case, the antenna can function as an inverted L-shaped antenna.

[0023] (10) In the antennas described above in (1) to (9), the first conductor portion may have a meander line structure. In this case, the antenna can function as a meander line antenna.

[0024] [Details of the embodiment] Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. At least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner. [Regarding the first embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna according to the first embodiment. The antenna 1 is an antenna used for wireless LAN communication, for example, and is configured by a conductor pattern formed on a substrate of an electronic device having a wireless LAN communication function. In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal directions in each drawing are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, one of the X directions is referred to as the X1 direction, and the opposite direction of the X1 direction is referred to as the X2 direction. One of the Y directions is referred to as the Y1 direction, and the opposite direction of the Y1 direction is referred to as the Y2 direction. One of the Z directions is referred to as the Z1 direction, and the opposite direction of the Z1 direction is referred to as the Z2 direction.

[0025] 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the first surface 1a of the antenna 1. The first surface 1a is the surface of the antenna 1 facing in the Y1 direction. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the antenna 1 comprises a dielectric substrate 2, a first ground conductor portion 4, a second ground conductor portion 6, a power supply conductor portion 8, a first conductor portion 10, a short-circuit conductor portion 12, and a second conductor portion 14.

[0026] In this embodiment, the XY plane is a horizontal plane. The Z1 direction is the upward direction, and the Z2 direction is the downward direction. In this embodiment, the antenna 1 is installed so that the first surface 1a is parallel to the XZ plane, as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the antenna 1 is installed so that the first surface 1a is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The antenna 1 is also arranged so that the first conductor 10 is positioned upward (in the Z1 direction).

[0027] The dielectric substrate 2 is a substrate on which the first conductor 10, the short-circuit conductor 12, etc. are mounted. The dielectric substrate 2 is a rigid substrate, but a flexible substrate can also be used. Examples of materials for the dielectric substrate 2 include polyimide resin, epoxy resin, PPE resin, and fluororesin.

[0028] The first ground conductor 4 is a conductor pattern mounted on the first substrate surface 2a. The conductor pattern is made of a conductor such as copper. The first substrate surface 2a is the surface of the dielectric substrate 2 that faces the first surface 1a of the antenna 1. The second ground conductor 6 is a conductor pattern mounted on the second substrate surface 2b. The second substrate surface 2b is the surface of the dielectric substrate 2 that faces the second surface 1b of the antenna 1. The second surface 1b is the surface of the antenna 1 that faces the Y2 direction.

[0029] The first ground conductor portion 4 and the second ground conductor portion 6 are mounted within the range of the first surface 1a and the second surface 1b other than the rectangular portion along the edge of the dielectric substrate 2 on the Z1 direction side. Therefore, the first substrate surface 2a has a first region 2a1 and a second region 2a2. The first region 2a1 is a region covered by the first ground conductor 4. The second region 2a2 is a region on the first substrate surface 2a other than the first region 2a1. The second substrate surface 2b also has a third region 2b1 and a fourth region 2b2. The third region 2b1 is a region covered by the second ground conductor 6. The fourth region 2b2 is a region on the second substrate surface 2b other than the third region 2b1.

[0030] The first conductor portion 10, the short-circuit conductor portion 12, and the power supply conductor portion 8 are conductor patterns mounted in the second region 2a2 on the first substrate surface 2a. 2, the first ground conductor 4 has a slit 4b. The slit 4b extends in the Z2 direction from an edge 4a of the first ground conductor 4. The edge 4a is aligned along the X direction. The slit 4b is provided in the center of the edge 4a in the X direction. The slit 4b may be provided at a position shifted from the center of the first surface 1a in the X direction. The first ground conductor 4 is not provided in the portion of the first substrate surface 2a where the slit 4b is located. Therefore, the portion of the first substrate surface 2a where the slit 4b is located is the second region 2a2.

[0031] A plurality of vias 19 are provided on both sides of the slit 4b in the X direction. The plurality of vias 19 are columnar members made of a conductor such as copper that penetrate the dielectric substrate 2. One end of each of the plurality of vias 19 is connected to the second ground conductor 6. The other end of each of the plurality of vias 19 is connected to the first ground conductor 4. In this way, the plurality of vias 19 connect the second ground conductor 6 and the first ground conductor 4. The plurality of vias 19 are arranged side by side along the slit 4b. In this embodiment, the connection between the via 19 and the first ground conductor 4 means that the via 19 and the first ground conductor 4 are electrically connected. The electrical connection between the via 19 and the first ground conductor 4 includes not only the case where the via 19 and the first ground conductor 4 are in direct contact with each other or are electrically connected via another conductor, but also the case where the via 19 and the first ground conductor 4 are capacitively coupled to each other and thus connected at high frequencies. The same applies to the "connection" between conductors in the following description.

[0032] The power supply conductor portion 8 passes through the slit 4b and is connected to the first conductor portion 10. The power supply conductor portion 8 extends along the Z direction. The power supply conductor portion 8 includes a first power supply line 8a and a second power supply line 8b. The first feed line 8a is a portion of the feed conductor 8 that is provided within the slit 4b. A small gap is provided between both edges of the first feed line 8a in the X direction and the edge of the first ground conductor 4 at the slit 4b. The first feed line 8a forms a coplanar line together with the first ground conductor portions 4 located on both sides of the first feed line 8a. The first feed line 8a has a feed point 8a1. The feed point 8a1 is provided at the end of the first feed line 8a on the Z2 direction side. A signal source S such as a communication module for wireless LAN communication is connected to the feed point 8a1. The communication module has a function of processing high-frequency signals transmitted and received by the antenna 1.

[0033] The second feed line 8b is the portion of the feed conductor portion 8 other than the first feed line 8a, and is the portion ranging from the edge portion 4a to the first conductor portion . An end 8b1 of the second feed line 8b is connected to the first conductor portion . As a result, the power supply conductor portion 8 including the power supply point 8a1 is connected to the first conductor portion . Therefore, the high frequency signal applied to the feeding point 8a1 is applied to the first conductor portion 10.

[0034] As described above, the first conductor portion 10 and the short-circuit conductor portion 12 are conductor patterns mounted in the second region 2a2. 2, the first conductor 10 has a strip shape and extends in the X direction. In the second region 2a2, the first conductor 10 is disposed opposite the edge 4a with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0035] Note that the term "strip-like" refers to a shape that has a certain width and is long and continuous, like a band or belt, and has a thickness that is smaller than the width. In this specification, this refers to a long and narrow rectangular shape, such as the first conductor portion 10 and the power supply conductor portion 8. Furthermore, linear refers to a long, thin shape in which the dimensions in directions perpendicular to each other in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction are approximately the same, and in this specification refers to a cylindrical shape such as the second conductor part 14 or a quadrangular prism with a cross section that is approximately square. The first conductor 10 may be linear.

[0036] One end 10a of the first conductor 10 is an open end. Meanwhile, the other end 10b of the first conductor 10 is connected to a short-circuit conductor 12. The short-circuit conductor 12 is strip-shaped. The short-circuit conductor 12 extends along the Z2 direction from the edge of the first conductor 10 on the Z2 direction side. The short-circuit conductor 12 connects the other end 10b of the first conductor 10 and the first ground conductor 4. The power supply conductor portion 8 is connected to the first conductor portion 10 between one end 10a and the other end 10b in the longitudinal direction. As described above, the first conductor 10 has one end 10a which is an open end, and the feeding conductor 8 is connected between the one end 10a and the other end 10b of the first conductor 10. In other words, the first conductor 10 constitutes an inverted-F antenna element, and the antenna 1 functions as an inverted-F antenna.

[0037] The second conductor portion 14 is provided on the first conductor portion 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y2 direction. 3 shows a diagram of the antenna 1 as viewed from above and a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna 1. In FIG. 3, (a) shows the antenna 1 as viewed from the Z1 direction side (upper side). As shown in (a) of FIG. 3 and FIG. 1, the second conductor portion 14 (its main body portion) is a solid linear (cylindrical) member made of a conductor such as copper. The second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor portion 10. The intermediate portion 10c is a portion of the first conductor portion 10 located between one end 10a and the other end 10b in the longitudinal direction. The second conductor portion 14 has a first end portion 14a and a second end portion 14b. The second end portion 14b is an end portion of the second conductor portion 14 opposite to the first end portion 14a in the longitudinal direction. The first end portion 14a is connected to a predetermined position in the intermediate portion 10c. Therefore, a high-frequency signal applied to the feeding point 8a1 is applied to the second conductor portion 14 via the first conductor portion 10. The second end 14b is an open end.

[0038] 2, the connection position of the second conductor portion 14 in the X direction is a position on the intermediate portion 10c that is a distance L2 away from the edge of the first conductor portion 10 on the X1 direction side. In other words, the distance L2 is the distance along the X direction from the center of the second conductor portion 14 to the edge of the first conductor portion 10 on the X1 direction side. Furthermore, the connection position of the second conductor portion 14 in the Z direction is the center of the first conductor portion 10 in the Z direction. The connection position of the second conductor portion 14 in the Z direction may be shifted from the center of the first conductor portion 10 in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the connection position of the second conductor 14 and the connection position of the power supply conductor 8 are the same in the X direction. That is, the connection position of the second conductor 14 in the X direction is the center of the power supply conductor 8 in the X direction.

[0039] 3(b) shows the first end 14a of the second conductor 14 in a cross section of the antenna 1 taken along the XY plane. The first conductor 10 and the second conductor 14 are fused together by, for example, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like. The tip of the first end 14a of the second conductor portion 14 abuts against the first surface 10s1 of the first conductor portion 10. Therefore, the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the first surface 10s1. The first surface 10s1 is the surface of the first conductor portion 10 that contacts the dielectric substrate 2.

[0040] The dielectric substrate 2 has a holding hole 30. The holding hole 30 penetrates the dielectric substrate 2 in the Y direction to connect between the first substrate surface 2a and the second substrate surface 2b. The second conductor portion 14 is inserted into the holding hole 30. The second conductor portion 14 passes through the holding hole 30. The inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 30 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second conductor 14. As a result, the holding hole 30 holds the first end 14a of the second conductor 14. The holding hole 30 makes it easy to hold the second conductor 14 in a state where it protrudes from the first conductor 10. Alternatively, an adhesive layer may be formed between the inner circumferential surface of the holding hole 30 and the outer circumferential surface of the first end portion 14a to fix the second conductor portion 14 and the dielectric substrate 2 together.

[0041] Here, the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the intermediate portion 10c in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surfaces 2a and 2b. Therefore, the second conductor 14 can excite a polarized wave component that intersects with the substrate surfaces 2a and 2b. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component orthogonal to the substrate surfaces 2a and 2b, and to compensate for the polarized wave component that would otherwise experience a decrease in gain if only the first conductor portion 10 were used.

[0042] More specifically, according to the antenna 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the partial drop in gain observed in the horizontally polarized component in the XY plane and the vertically polarized component in the YZ plane, as shown in Figure 35, and the decrease in gain of the horizontally polarized component in the XZ plane.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since (the main body of) the second conductor 14 is cylindrical, it is possible to excite electromagnetic field components uniformly around the side surface of the second conductor 14.

[0044] Furthermore, since the second conductor portion 14 in this embodiment protrudes from the intermediate portion 10c in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surfaces 2a and 2b, the decrease in gain of the polarization component perpendicular to the substrate surfaces 2a and 2b can be more effectively suppressed.

[0045] The length L1 of the first conductor portion 10 in the X direction, the distance L2 along the X direction from the edge of the first conductor portion 10 on the X1 direction side to the center of the second conductor portion 14, the width of the first conductor portion 10 in the Z direction, the widths of the short-circuit conductor portion 12 in the X direction and Z direction, the length H of the second conductor portion 14 (the height from the tip of the second end portion 14b to the first surface 10s1), and the diameter of the second conductor portion 14 are set appropriately in accordance with the frequency of the high-frequency signal applied to the feed point 8a1 and the polarization characteristics of the antenna 1, taking into consideration the thickness of the dielectric substrate 2, the relative dielectric constant, the thickness of each conductor portion, etc.

[0046] It is preferable that the length H of the second conductor portion 14 satisfy the following condition. That is, the ratio of the longitudinal dimension (length H) of the second conductor portion 14 to the longitudinal dimension (length L1) of the first conductor portion 10 is preferably 0.36 or more and 1.2 or less. If the ratio is less than 0.36, the effect of suppressing the decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component perpendicular to the substrate surface may not be sufficiently obtained. If the ratio is greater than 1.2, the effect of suppressing the decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component orthogonal to the substrate surface will vary, and a stable effect may not be obtained. By setting the ratio to be equal to or greater than 0.36 and equal to or less than 1.2, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarized wave component perpendicular to the substrate surface.

[0047] [Regarding the second embodiment] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna according to the second embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second conductor 14 has a plate-shaped conductor 20. The plate-shaped conductor portion 20 is a circular plate-shaped member made of a conductor such as copper.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a side view of the antenna 1 according to the second embodiment and a view of the antenna 1 as viewed from above. (a) in Fig. 5 shows the antenna 1 as viewed from the Y2 direction. (b) in Fig. 5 shows the antenna 1 as viewed from the Z1 direction. The second conductor 14 includes the above-mentioned plate-shaped conductor 20 and a main body 22 . The main body 22 is a solid linear (cylindrical) member made of a conductor such as copper. One end 22a of the main body 22 forms the first end 14a of the second conductor 14. Therefore, the one end 22a is connected to the intermediate portion 10c. The plate-shaped conductor 20 is fixed to the tip of the other end 22b of the main body 22. Therefore, the second end 14b of the second conductor 14 includes the other end 22b and the plate-shaped conductor 20.

[0049] The first surface 20a and the second surface 20b of the plate-shaped conductor 20 are parallel to the XZ plane. Therefore, the first surface 20a and the second surface 20b are along an intersecting plane that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the second conductor 14. The first surface 20a is a surface of the plate-shaped conductor 20 facing in the Y2 direction. The second surface 20b is a surface of the plate-shaped conductor 20 facing in the Y1 direction.

[0050] The other end 22b is butted against the center of the second surface 20b of the plate-shaped conductor portion 20. The other end 22b and the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 are fused together by, for example, welding or brazing. In this way, the other end 22b of the main body portion 22 and the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 are connected to each other.

[0051] In this embodiment, since the second end 14b of the second conductor 14 includes the plate-like conductor 20, an appropriate capacitance component can be imparted to the second end 14b, and even if the length H of the second conductor 14 is shortened, a decrease in the gain of the polarization component orthogonal to the substrate surface can be suppressed, as in the case of the second conductor 14 not including the plate-like conductor 20. As a result, the entire antenna 1 can be made smaller.

[0052] The diameter D of the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 (the area of ​​the first surface 20a and the second surface 20b), the thickness of the plate-shaped conductor portion 20, and the length H of the second conductor portion 14 are set appropriately depending on the dimensions of each of the other parts, the frequency of the high-frequency signal applied to the power supply point 8a1, and the polarization characteristics of the antenna 1.

[0053] [Regarding the third embodiment] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of an antenna according to the third embodiment. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part of the antenna 1 and a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna 1. (a) in Fig. 7 shows a main part of the first surface 1a of the antenna 1. (b) in Fig. 7 shows a cross-section taken along the line BB in (a). This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first conductor 10 has a meander line structure.

[0054] 7, the other end 10b of the first conductor portion 10 is connected to the other end 8a2 of the first feed line 8a, thereby connecting the feed point 8a1 of the feed conductor portion 8 and the first conductor portion 10 to each other. Therefore, the power supply conductor portion 8 of this embodiment does not have the second power supply line 8b.

[0055] As described above, the first conductor 10 has a meander line structure, and therefore the antenna 1 functions as a meander line antenna. The meander line structure is a structure in which a linear or strip-shaped conductor meanders. As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor portion 10 includes a plurality of first lines 26 parallel to the Z direction and a plurality of second lines 28 parallel to the X direction. The plurality of first lines 26 are arranged at equal intervals in the X direction. The plurality of second lines 28 connect the ends of a pair of adjacent first lines 26 among the plurality of first lines 26. This gives the first conductor portion 10 a meander line structure. The overall length of the first conductor portion 10 (the overall length at the center in the width direction) is set appropriately according to the frequency of the high-frequency signal applied to the feeding point 8a1.

[0056] The second conductor portion 14 is provided on a line 26a of the plurality of first lines 26. The line 26a is a line that is connected to a first feeder line 8a of the plurality of first lines 26. The distance L6 is the distance along the Z direction from the edge on the Z1 side to the edge on the Z2 side of the intermediate portion 10c excluding the line 26a. The distance L7 is the distance from the edge of the intermediate portion 10c on the Z2 direction side, excluding the line 26a, to the edge 4a of the first ground conductor portion 4. Distance L4 is the distance along the Z direction from the edge of the first conductor 10 on the Z1 direction side to the center of the second conductor 14. Distance L5 is the interval between a pair of adjacent first lines 26 among the multiple first lines 26. Distance L5 does not include the width of the first lines 26.

[0057] In this embodiment, the second conductor portion 14 is provided on the line 26a, but the second conductor portion 14 may be provided in a portion of the intermediate portion 10c (the plurality of first lines 26 and the plurality of second lines 28) other than the line 26a. The second conductor portion 14 is preferably provided in a portion of the intermediate portion 10c that is closer to the power supply conductor portion 8, such as the line 26a.

[0058] 7(b), the first end 14a of the second conductor 14 is connected to the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor 10. The first conductor 10 and the second conductor 14 are welded together. The second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the line 26a in the Y2 direction. That is, the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the first surface 10s1.

[0059] In this embodiment as well, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarization component perpendicular to the substrate surface. The distances L4, L5, L6, and L7, the width of the first line 26 in the X direction, the width of the second line 28 in the Z direction, the length H of the second conductor portion 14 (the height from the tip of the second end portion 14b to the first surface 10s1), and the diameter of the second conductor portion 14 are set appropriately according to the frequency of the high-frequency signal applied to the feed point 8a1 and the polarization characteristics of the antenna 1, taking into consideration the thickness of the dielectric substrate 2, the relative dielectric constant, the thickness of each conductor portion, and the like.

[0060] [Regarding the Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the antenna 1 according to the fourth embodiment. This embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the second conductor 14 has a plate-shaped conductor 20. The plate-shaped conductor 20 is provided at the second end 14b of the second conductor 14. The configuration of the plate-shaped conductor 20 is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. In this case, the length H of the second conductor 14 can also be made shorter than that of the second conductor 14 that does not include the plate-shaped conductor portion 20.

[0061] [Regarding the fifth embodiment] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of the first surface 1a of the antenna 1 according to the fifth embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it does not include a short-circuit conductor portion 12 and the first conductor portion 10 is formed in an L-shape. That is, the antenna 1 of this embodiment functions as an inverted L-shaped antenna. Therefore, the first conductor 10 of this embodiment forms an inverted L-shaped antenna element.

[0062] 9, the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor 10 includes a main body portion 10c1 extending in the X direction and a bent portion 10c2 extending in the Z direction. The main body portion 10c1 connects one end 10a to the bent portion 10c2. The bent portion 10c2 connects the other end 10b to the main body portion 10c1. The second conductor portion 14 is provided on the main body portion 10c1.

[0063] The other end 10b of the first conductor portion 10 is connected to the other end 8a2 of the first feed line 8a, so that the feed point 8a1 of the feed conductor portion 8 and the first conductor portion 10 are connected to each other. Therefore, the power supply conductor portion 8 of this embodiment does not have the second power supply line 8b.

[0064] In this embodiment as well, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarization component perpendicular to the substrate surface. In this embodiment, the second conductor portion 14 is provided in the main body portion 10c1, but the second conductor portion 14 may be provided in the bent portion 10c2.

[0065] [Regarding the Sixth Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna 1 according to the sixth embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y1 direction.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, the second conductor 14 is inserted into the holding hole 30 and the through-hole 32. The through hole 32 penetrates the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor portion 10 so as to connect the first surface 10s1 and the second surface 10s2. The second surface 10s2 is the surface opposite the first surface 10s1. The inner diameter of the through hole 32 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the retaining hole 30. Furthermore, the center of the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32 and the center of the inner circumferential surface of the retaining hole 30 coincide with each other. The holding hole 30 in this embodiment is a bottomed hole that opens only to the first substrate surface 2a. Therefore, when the first end 14a of the second conductor 14 is inserted into the holding hole 30, the second conductor 14 can be easily positioned relative to the dielectric substrate 2.

[0067] The first end 14a of the second conductor 14 is inserted into the holding hole 30 and the through-hole 32. In this state, the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 14 are fused together by, for example, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like.

[0068] In this manner, in this embodiment, the intermediate portion 10c has the through hole 32 into which the first end portion 14a is inserted. This allows the second conductor portion 14 to be held by the holding hole 30 even when the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10 opposite to the first surface 10s1.

[0069] [Regarding the Seventh Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the antenna 1 according to the seventh embodiment. This embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in that the second conductor 14 has a spiral shape.

[0070] The second conductor portion 14 of this embodiment is obtained by forming a wire made of a conductor into a spiral shape. In this case as well, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the gain of the polarization component perpendicular to the substrate surface.

[0071] [Modifications of the connection between the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 14] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a modified example of the connection between the first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 14. Fig. 12 shows a case where the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y2 direction. The modified example shown in FIG. 12(a) differs from the first embodiment in that the second conductor portion 14 is inserted into the through hole 32.

[0072] The through hole 32 of the intermediate portion 10c penetrates the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor portion 10 so as to connect the first surface 10s1 and the second surface 10s2. The inner diameter of the through hole 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the first end portion 14a of the second conductor portion 14. An annular welded portion 50 is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32 of the intermediate portion 10c and the outer circumferential surface of the first end portion 14a of the second conductor portion 14.

[0073] The welded portion 50 is formed, for example, from solder. The welded portion 50 is formed as follows: First, the first end 14a of the second conductor portion 14 is inserted into the holding hole 30 and the through-hole 32, and the second conductor portion 14 is fixed to the dielectric substrate 2. At this time, the position of the end face 14a1 of the first end 14a in the Y direction is aligned with the position of the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10 in the Y direction. Next, molten solder is poured into the annular space between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32 and the outer circumferential surface of the first end 14a, thereby forming the welded portion 50.

[0074] In this modification, the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 14 are connected by a welded portion 50 interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32 and the outer circumferential surface of the first end portion 14a. The second conductor portion 14 is held and fixed to the dielectric substrate 2 by the holding hole 30 and the welded portion 50 .

[0075] The modified example shown in FIG. 12(b) differs from the first embodiment in that the first end 14a of the second conductor 14 slightly protrudes from the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor 10.

[0076] In this modification, the second conductor 14 is inserted into the holding hole 30 and the through hole 32 as well. The inner diameter of the through hole 32 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the retaining hole 30. Furthermore, the center of the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32 and the center of the inner circumferential surface of the retaining hole 30 are aligned with each other. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 32 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first conductor 10.

[0077] A welded portion 52 is provided on the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor 10. The welded portion 52 is formed of, for example, solder. The welded portion 52 is formed to cover the outer surface of the first end portion 14a protruding from the second surface 10s2 and the periphery thereof. The first conductor 10 and the second conductor 14 are connected by this welded portion 52. The second conductor portion 14 is held and fixed to the dielectric substrate 2 by the holding hole 30 and the welded portion 52 .

[0078] Although Figure 12 shows a case where the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y2 direction, even when the second conductor portion 14 protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y1 direction, the first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 14 can be connected in a configuration similar to that shown in Figure 12.

[0079] 12(a), the position in the Y direction of the end face 14a1 of the first end portion 14a is aligned with the position in the Y direction of the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10, but the second conductor portion 14 can be arranged to protrude in the Y1 direction from the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10. This allows the second conductor portion 14 to protrude in the Y1 direction from the first conductor portion 10 while connecting the first conductor portion 10 and the second conductor portion 14 with the configuration shown in FIG.

[0080] 12(b), the first end 14a protruding from the second surface 10s2 is covered with the welded portion 52, but the second conductor 14 can be made to protrude in the Y1 direction from the welded portion 52. As a result, the configuration shown in FIG. 12(b) allows the second conductor 14 to protrude from the first conductor 10 in the Y1 direction while connecting the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 14.

[0081] The modification shown in FIG. 12 is shown as a modification of the first embodiment, but can also be applied to each of the above-described embodiments in which the linear second conductor 14 is used.

[0082] [Regarding the Eighth Embodiment] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the antenna 1 according to the eighth embodiment. Fig. 14 shows a diagram of the antenna 1 according to the eighth embodiment as seen from above and a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna 1. (a) in Fig. 14 shows the antenna 1 as seen from the Z1 direction side. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second conductor 34 is strip-shaped. The present embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the second conductor portion 34 protrudes in the Y1 direction.

[0083] The second conductor 34 includes a main body 42 , a plate-shaped conductor 40 , and a base-end conductor 41 . The second conductor 34 in this embodiment is formed by bending both ends of a strip-shaped conductor member at right angles. Therefore, the main body 42 is strip-shaped. The plate-shaped conductor 40 and the base-end conductor 41 are rectangular plate-shaped. The main body 42, the plate-shaped conductor 40, and the base-end conductor 41 have the same width in the Z direction. The Z-direction width of the main body 42, the plate-shaped conductor 40, and the base-end conductor 41 is equal to or less than the Z-direction width of the first conductor 10.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 14(a), the base-end conductor portion 41 is connected to one end 42a of the main body portion 42. The plate-shaped conductor portion 40 is connected to the other end 42b of the main body portion 42. The second end 34b of the second conductor 34 includes the other end 42b and a plate-shaped conductor 40. The plate-shaped conductor 40 extends from the other end 42b along the X1 direction. As described above, when the second end 34b includes the plate-shaped conductor portion 40, the length of the second conductor portion 34 along the Y direction can be made shorter than the length of the second end 34b when it does not include the plate-shaped conductor portion 40.

[0085] The first end 34a of the second conductor 34 includes one end 42a and a base end conductor 41. The base end conductor 41 extends from the one end 42a along the X1 direction. The base-end conductor portion 41 is fixed to the intermediate portion 10c, so that the second conductor portion 34 (main body portion 42) protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y1 direction. The base end conductor portion 41 is disposed along the intermediate portion 10c, that is, the base end conductor portion 41 faces the intermediate portion 10c.

[0086] 14(b) shows the first end 34a of the second conductor 34 in a cross section of the antenna 1 taken along the XY plane. The base end conductor 41 has a first surface 41a facing the first conductor 10. The first surface 41a faces the second surface 10s2. The first surface 41a faces the opposite side of the main body 42.

[0087] An insulating adhesive layer 43 is provided between the first surface 41a and the second surface 10s2. The insulating adhesive layer 43 is interposed between the first surface 41a and the second surface 10s2, and fixes the base end conductor portion 41 to the second surface 10s2. The insulating adhesive layer 43 is made of, for example, an insulating resin, etc. The insulating adhesive layer 43 is formed by using an insulating resin adhesive, double-sided tape, etc. The base end conductor 41 and the first conductor 10 are connected in a high frequency manner. That is, the base end conductor 21 and the first conductor 10 are capacitively coupled. As a result, a high frequency signal applied to the feeding point 8a1 is transmitted between the first conductor 10 and the base end conductor 41 and is applied to the second conductor 34. The area of ​​the first surface 41a, the thickness of the insulating adhesive layer 43, the dielectric constant of the insulating adhesive layer 43, etc. are appropriately set depending on the frequency of the high-frequency signal applied to the feeding point 8a1 and the polarization characteristics of the antenna 1.

[0088] In this embodiment, the first end 34a of the second conductor 34 includes a plate-shaped base conductor 41 that aligns with the intermediate portion 10c, so that the first end 34a of the second conductor 34 can be easily connected to the intermediate portion 10c by aligning the base conductor 41 with the intermediate portion 10c. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the insulating adhesive layer 43 is provided between the base end conductor 41 and the intermediate portion 10c, the intermediate portion 10c and the second conductor 34 can be fixed to each other while being capacitively coupled to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the second conductor portion 34 includes a band-shaped main body portion 42, it can be easily processed into a desired shape, such as by bending one end of the band-shaped conductor member and providing the base end conductor portion 41 at one end 42a of the main body portion 42.

[0089] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second end 34b of a second conductor 34 according to a modification of the eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, the plate-shaped conductor portion 40 has a rectangular shape. However, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the plate-shaped conductor portion 40 may have a circular shape. 15(a), the main body 42 and the plate-shaped conductor 40 are formed by bending a single conductor plate. Therefore, the other end 42b of the main body 42 is connected to the edge of the plate-shaped conductor 40.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 15(b), the plate-shaped conductor 40 may include a bent portion 40a and a plate-shaped portion 40b. The bent portion 40a is provided by bending a single conductive plate in the same manner as the plate-shaped conductor portion 40 of the eighth embodiment, so as to be connected to the other end 42b. The plate-shaped portion 40b has a circular shape. The bent portion 40a and the plate-like portion 40b are fixed to each other by, for example, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like, or by an adhesive layer made of insulating resin or the like. The bent portion 40a is fixed to the approximate center of the plate-like portion 40b.

[0091] According to this modification, when a plate-shaped second conductor 34 is employed, the shape and area of ​​the plate-shaped conductor 40 can be easily changed. The modified example shown in FIG. 15 can also be applied to the eighth embodiment and another modified example of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG.

[0092] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the antenna 1 according to another modification of the eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, the second conductor 34 protrudes in the Y1 direction, whereas in this modified example, the second conductor 34 protrudes in the Y2 direction.

[0093] 16, this modification has a land portion 46 and a via 48. The land portion 46 is a conductor pattern and is provided on the second substrate surface 2b of the dielectric substrate 2. The via 48 penetrates the dielectric substrate 2. The via 48 connects the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor portion 10 and the land portion 46.

[0094] The base end conductor portion 41 of the second conductor portion 34 is fixed to the land portion 46 via an insulating adhesive layer 43 . Therefore, a high-frequency signal applied to the feeding point 8a1 is transmitted to the base end conductor 41 through the first conductor 10, the via 48, and the land 46, and is then applied to the second conductor .

[0095] [Modifications regarding the connection between the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 34] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a modified example of the connection between the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 34. In FIG. The modified example shown in FIG. 17(a) differs from the eighth embodiment in that the second conductor portion 34 is inserted into the holding hole 60 and the through hole 62.

[0096] The retaining hole 60 penetrates the dielectric substrate 2 in the Y direction to connect between the first substrate surface 2a and the second substrate surface 2b. The retaining hole 60 is a hole with a rectangular cross section that corresponds to the cross section of the second conductor portion 34. The inner surface of the retaining hole 60 and the outer surface of the second conductor portion 34 are in contact with each other. In this way, the retaining hole 60 holds the second conductor portion 34. The through hole 62 penetrates the intermediate portion 10c of the first conductor portion 10 so as to connect between the first surface 10s1 and the second surface 10s2. The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 62 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the holding hole 60. Furthermore, the outline of the inner surface of the through hole 62 and the outline of the inner surface of the holding hole 60 are substantially the same. As described above, the second conductor portion 34 is inserted into the holding hole 60 and the through hole 62. The main body portion 42 of the second conductor portion 14 passes through the holding hole 60 and the through hole 62.

[0097] The plate-shaped conductor portion 40 and the base-end conductor portion 41 of this modified example extend in the X2 direction relative to the main body portion 42. The base end conductor portion 41 protrudes from the second surface 10s2. The base end conductor portion 41 is aligned along the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10. The second surface 41b of the base end conductor portion 41 is in contact with the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10.

[0098] A welded portion 64 is provided on the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor 10. The welded portion 64 is formed of, for example, solder. The welded portion 64 is formed so as to cover the outer surface of the base end conductor 41 protruding from the second surface 10s2 and its periphery. The first conductor 10 and the second conductor 34 are connected by this welded portion 64. The second conductor portion 34 is held and fixed to the dielectric substrate 2 by the holding hole 60 and the welded portion 64 .

[0099] The second conductor portion 34 of this modified example is provided on the dielectric substrate 2 as follows. First, the strip-shaped material that is the material for the second conductor 34 is inserted into the holding hole 60 and the through-hole 62 . Next, both ends of the strip-shaped material are bent to provide the plate-like conductor portion 40 and the base conductor portion 41. At this time, the end on the base conductor portion 41 side is made to protrude from the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10 by the length required for the base conductor portion 41, and the protruding portion is bent along the second surface 10s2. The bent portion becomes the base conductor portion 41. Next, the welded portion 64 is provided on the second surface 10s2 along which the base end conductor portion 41 is provided. In this manner, the second conductor portion 34 of this modified example is provided on the dielectric substrate 2.

[0100] The modified example shown in (b) of Figure 17 differs from the eighth embodiment in that the second conductor portion 34 is inserted into the retaining hole 60 and the through hole 62, and in that the second conductor portion 34 protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y1 direction.

[0101] The base end conductor portion 41 in this embodiment protrudes from the second substrate surface 2b. The base end conductor portion 41 is aligned with the second substrate surface 2b of the dielectric substrate 2. The second surface 41b of the base end conductor portion 41 is in contact with the second substrate surface 2b.

[0102] The welded portion 66 of this embodiment is formed so as to cover the outer surface of the main body portion 42 of the second conductor 34 protruding from the second surface 10s2 and its periphery. The first conductor 10 and the second conductor 34 are connected by this welded portion 66. The second conductor 34 has a retaining hole 60 and a welding portion 66 The dielectric substrate 2 is held and fixed by the

[0103] The second conductor portion 34 of this modified example is provided on the dielectric substrate 2 as follows. First, the strip-shaped material that is the material for the second conductor 34 is inserted into the holding hole 60 and the through-hole 62 . Next, both ends of the strip-shaped material are bent to provide the plate-like conductor portion 40 and the base conductor portion 41. At this time, the end on the base conductor portion 41 side is made to protrude from the second substrate surface 2b by the length required for the base conductor portion 41, and the protruding portion is bent along the second substrate surface 2b. This bent portion becomes the base conductor portion 41. Next, the main body 42 is welded to the second surface 10s2 from which the main body 42 protrudes. 66 will be established. In this manner, the second conductor portion 34 of this modified example is provided on the dielectric substrate 2.

[0104] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another modified example of the connection between the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 34. In FIG. The modified example shown in FIG. 18 differs from the modified example shown in FIG. 17 in that the dimensions of the holding hole 60 and the through-hole 62 in the X direction are increased. The X-direction dimensions of the holding hole 60 and the through-hole 62 in this modification are larger than at least one of the X-direction dimensions of the plate-like conductor portion 40 and the X-direction dimension of the base-end conductor portion 41. Therefore, in this modified example, both ends of the strip-shaped material that is the material for the second conductor portion 34 are bent to provide a plate-shaped conductor portion 40 and a base-end conductor portion 41, and the second conductor portion 34 can be inserted into the retaining hole 60 and the through hole 62.

[0105] 18 , the base end conductor portion 41 of the second conductor portion 34 inserted into the holding hole 60 and the through-hole 62 protrudes from the second surface 10s2 and is aligned with the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10. The second surface 41b of the base end conductor portion 41 is in contact with the second surface 10s2 of the first conductor portion 10. The welded portion 66 is formed so as to cover the outer surface of the main body portion 42 of the second conductor portion 34 protruding from the second surface 10s2 and its periphery. As a result, the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 34 are connected to each other. The second conductor portion 34 is held and fixed to the dielectric substrate 2 by the holding hole 60 and the welded portion 64 .

[0106] In addition, Figure 18 shows the case where the second conductor portion 34 protrudes in the Y2 direction from the first conductor portion 10, but by abutting the plate-shaped conductor portion 40 in Figure 18 against the second substrate surface 2b and separating the base end conductor portion 41 in Figure 18 from the first conductor portion 10, the second conductor portion 34 can be made to protrude in the Y1 direction from the first conductor portion 10. In this case, the base end conductor 41 in FIG. 18 functions as a plate-like conductor, and the plate-like conductor 40 in FIG. 18 functions as a base end conductor. When the base end conductor portion 41 in Figure 18 is made to function as a plate-shaped conductor portion and the plate-shaped conductor portion 40 in Figure 18 is made to function as a base end conductor portion, the welding portion 64 is formed to cover the outer surface and its surroundings of the main body portion 42 of the second conductor portion 34 protruding from the second surface 10s2.

[0107] In this modified example, the second conductor portion 34 having the plate-shaped conductor portion 40 and the base end conductor portion 41 can be inserted into the holding hole 60 and the through hole 62, so that the second conductor portion 34 can be easily provided on the dielectric substrate 2. Furthermore, since the second conductor portion 34, the dielectric substrate 2, and the like can be used with the same configuration, the protruding direction can be selected from either the Y1 direction or the Y2 direction, which allows for cost reduction.

[0108] [Other Modifications] In the above embodiments 1-7, an example was given of a case where a solid linear member made of a conductor was used as the second conductor portion 14 (main body portion 22), but the second conductor portion 14 can also be configured to have a hollow rod-shaped member and a conductive film provided on the surface of this member and connected to the first conductor portion 10.

[0109] Furthermore, although the plate conductor 20 of the second and fourth embodiments and the plate conductor 40 of the eighth embodiment are illustrated as having a circular shape, they may be of a shape other than a circle, such as a polygon. However, from the viewpoint of uniformly exciting electromagnetic field components around the plate conductors 20, 40, it is preferable that the plate conductors 20, 40 be circular.

[0110] In the second, fourth and eighth embodiments, the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 (40) is fixed in a state where it abuts against the other end 22b (42b) of the main body portion 22 (42). However, when the plate-shaped conductor 20 (40) has a hole, the plate-shaped conductor 20 (40) may be fixed to the other end 22b (42b) with the other end 22b (42b) inserted into the hole. In this case, the other end 22b (42b) may be in a state of penetrating the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 (40). This allows the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 (40) to be moved along the main body portion 22 (42), thereby making it possible to adjust the attachment position of the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 (40) in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 22 (42).

[0111] Furthermore, the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate. For example, in the sixth embodiment, when the antenna 1 has a second conductor portion 14 that protrudes from the first conductor portion 10 in the Y1 direction, this second conductor portion 14 may have a plate-shaped conductor portion 20.

[0112] In the seventh embodiment, the case where the second conductor 14 having a spiral shape protrudes in the Y1 direction from the first conductor 10 has been exemplified. However, the second conductor 14 having a spiral shape may protrude in the Y2 direction from the first conductor 10.

[0113] In addition, in the eighth embodiment, an example was given of a case where a second conductor section 34 made of a rectangular plate-shaped member is provided in the first conductor section 10 that constitutes the inverted F-shaped antenna element, but a second conductor section 34 made of a rectangular plate-shaped member may also be provided in the first conductor section 10 that has a meander line structure.

[0114] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the combinations applicable to the first conductor section 10 constituting the inverted-F antenna element are also applicable to the first conductor section 10 constituting the inverted-L antenna element shown in the fifth embodiment.

[0115] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the second ground conductor 6 is provided on the second substrate surface 2b. However, the second ground conductor 6 may not be provided on the second substrate surface 2b. In this case, the plurality of vias 19 connecting the second ground conductor 6 and the first ground conductor 4 are not necessary. In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the second conductors 14, 34 protrude from the intermediate portion 10c in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surfaces 2a, 2b. However, the second conductors 14, 34 may protrude in a direction intersecting the substrate surfaces 2a, 2b as long as they protrude from the intermediate portion 10c.

[0116] Furthermore, in the first and sixth embodiments, the cylindrical second conductor 14 is inserted into the holding hole 30, but the second conductor 14 may be strip-shaped and inserted into the holding hole. In this case, the holding hole is rectangular to match the shape of the second conductor 14.

[0117] [About Verification Test 1] Next, a verification test 1 conducted on the effect of the antenna 1 will be described. As a test method, a model of the antenna 1 was constructed, and the model was used to obtain the directional characteristics of the antenna 1 by computer simulation. The frequency of the high-frequency signal targeted by the antenna 1 was set to 2.45 GHz. In verification test 1, the following four examples and two comparative examples were tested, and the radiation patterns of the vertically polarized component and the horizontally polarized component were determined, and the effects of antenna 1 were verified by comparing the determined patterns. The thickness of each of the first ground conductor 4, the second ground conductor 6, the power supply conductor 8, the first conductor 10, and the short-circuit conductor 12 was set to 36 μm.

[0118] Example 1 The antenna 1 shown in the first embodiment was constructed as a model of Example 1. That is, in Example 1, the antenna 1 having the second conductor 14 that does not include the plate-like conductor 20 was verified. The dimensions of each part of the first conductor part 10 and the second conductor part 14 were set as follows. Length L1: 27mm Distance L2: 11mm Width of the first conductor 10 in the Z direction: 3 mm Width of short-circuit conductor 12 in the X direction: 4 mm Width from the edge of the first conductor 10 in the Z1 direction to the edge 4a of the first ground conductor 4: 8 mm Diameter of the second conductor 14: 0.3 mm Length H of the second conductor 14: 30 mm

[0119] Example 2 The antenna 1 shown in the second embodiment was constructed as a model of Example 2. That is, in Example 2, the antenna 1 having the second conductor 14 including the plate-like conductor 20 was verified. The length H of the second conductor 14 was set to 20 mm. The diameter D of the plate-like conductor portion 20 was set to 10 mm. The model according to Example 2 was set to be the same as the model according to Example 1, except that the second conductor 14 had a plate-shaped conductor 20 and had a length H of 20 mm.

[0120] Example 3 The antenna 1 having the meander line structure shown in the third embodiment was constructed as a model of Example 3. That is, in Example 3, the antenna 1 having the second conductor 14 that does not include the plate-like conductor 20 was verified. The dimensions of each part of the first conductor part 10 and the second conductor part 14 were set as follows. Total length of the first conductor 10: 186.5 mm Distance L4: 3.25mm Distance L5: 1.0mm Distance L6: 10mm Distance L7: 0.75mm Width of the first line 26 in the X direction: 0.5 mm Width of the second line 28 in the Z direction: 0.5 mm Diameter of the second conductor 14: 0.3 mm Length H of the second conductor 14: 30 mm

[0121] Example 4 The antenna 1 having the meander line structure shown in the fourth embodiment was constructed as a model of Example 4. That is, in Example 4, the antenna 1 having the second conductor 14 including the plate-like conductor 20 was verified. The length H of the second conductor 14 was set to 20 mm. The diameter D of the plate-like conductor portion 20 was set to 10 mm. The model according to Example 4 was set to be the same as the model according to Example 3, except that the second conductor 14 had a plate-shaped conductor 20 and had a length H of 20 mm.

[0122] Comparison Example 1 A model of Comparative Example 1 was constructed by removing the second conductor portion 14 from the antenna 1 shown in the first embodiment.

[0123] Comparative Example 2 A model of Comparative Example 2 was constructed by removing the second conductor portion 14 from the antenna 1 shown in the third embodiment.

[0124] Comparison between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 FIG. 19 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 on the XY plane. 19, the solid line indicates the radiation pattern of Example 1, and the dashed line indicates the radiation pattern of Comparative Example 1. In FIG. 19, "0" indicates the X1 direction, and "90" indicates the Y1 direction.

[0125] 19, for the vertically polarized wave component in the XY plane, no significant difference is observed between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, no reduction in gain is observed in either Example 1 or Comparative Example 1. On the other hand, for the horizontally polarized wave component, in Comparative Example 1, a partial drop in gain is observed along the X direction. In contrast to this, it is understood that in Example 1, the partial drop in gain observed in Comparative Example 1 is suppressed.

[0126] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 in the YZ plane. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 on the XZ plane.

[0127] 20 and 21, the solid line indicates the radiation pattern of Example 1, and the dashed line indicates the radiation pattern of Comparative Example 1. In Fig. 20, "0" indicates the Z1 direction, and "90" indicates the Y1 direction. In Fig. 21, "0" indicates the Z1 direction, and "90" indicates the X1 direction.

[0128] 20, for the horizontally polarized wave component in the YZ plane, no significant difference is observed between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, no reduction in gain is observed in either Example 1 or Comparative Example 1. On the other hand, for the vertically polarized wave component, in Comparative Example 1, a partial drop in gain is observed along the Z direction. In contrast to this, it is understood that in Example 1, the partial drop in gain observed in Comparative Example 1 is suppressed.

[0129] 21, for the vertically polarized wave component in the XZ plane, no significant difference is observed between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, in both Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, no significant decrease in gain is observed. On the other hand, for the horizontally polarized wave component, in Comparative Example 1, the gain appears extremely low across all directions. In contrast to this, it can be seen that in Example 1, the decrease in gain across all directions seen in Comparative Example 1 is suppressed.

[0130] Comparison between Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 FIG. 22 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 on the XY plane. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 in the YZ plane. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 on the XZ plane. The display methods of FIGS. 22 to 24 are the same as those of FIGS.

[0131] As in the first embodiment, it can be seen that the partial drop in gain that appears in the horizontally polarized wave component on the XY plane and the vertically polarized wave component on the YZ plane is also suppressed in the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the decrease in gain across all directions that appears in the horizontally polarized wave component on the XZ plane is also suppressed.

[0132] Comparison between Example 3 and Comparative Example 2 FIG. 25 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 3 and Comparative Example 2 on the XY plane. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in the YZ plane for Example 3 and Comparative Example 2. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in Example 3 and Comparative Example 2 on the XZ plane. The display methods of FIGS. 25 to 27 are the same as those of FIGS.

[0133] It can be seen that in Example 3 as well, the partial drop in gain that appears in the horizontally polarized component in the XY plane and the vertically polarized component in the YZ plane, as well as the decrease in gain across all directions that appears in the horizontally polarized component in the XZ plane, are suppressed.

[0134] Comparison between Example 4 and Comparative Example 2 FIG. 28 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components of Example 4 and Comparative Example 2 on the XY plane. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in the YZ plane for Example 4 and Comparative Example 2. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing radiation patterns of vertically polarized wave components and horizontally polarized wave components in Example 4 and Comparative Example 2 on the XZ plane. The display methods of FIGS. 28 to 30 are the same as those of FIGS.

[0135] It can be seen that in Example 4 as well, the partial drop in gain that appears in the horizontally polarized component in the XY plane and the vertically polarized component in the YZ plane, as well as the decrease in gain across all directions that appears in the horizontally polarized component in the XZ plane, are suppressed.

[0136] From the above results, it is clear that the decrease in gain of the polarization component perpendicular to the substrate surface can be suppressed. More specifically, it can be confirmed that the partial drop in gain observed in the horizontally polarized component in the XY plane and the vertically polarized component in the YZ plane, as well as the decrease in gain of the horizontally polarized component in the XZ plane, can be suppressed.

[0137] [About Verification Test 2] Next, a verification test 2 conducted to evaluate the length H of the second conductor portion 14 of the antenna 1 will be described. As a test method, multiple values ​​of the length H of the second conductor portion 14 were set, the polarization characteristics were obtained for each of the multiple set values, and the relationship between the length H of the second conductor portion 14 and the polarization characteristics was evaluated. In verification test 2, the gain difference Δ (minimum value - maximum value) between the minimum and maximum values ​​of the gain in the polarization characteristics of each of the XY plane and the YZ plane was calculated, and the relationship between the gain difference Δ and the length H was determined. The gain difference Δ indicates the degree of local drop in gain in the polarization characteristics. The closer the gain difference Δ is to 0, the smaller the local drop is. In addition, in verification test 2, Examples 5, 6, and 7 below were tested.

[0138] Example 5 The model was set to be the same as that of Example 1, except that the length H of the second conductor portion 14 was changed within the range of 0 to 120 mm. In Example 5, an antenna 1 having a second conductor 14 that does not include a plate-like conductor 20 was verified.

[0139] Example 6 The model was set to be the same as that of Example 2, except that the length H of the second conductor portion 14 was changed within a range of 0 to 120 mm and the diameter D of the plate-like conductor portion 20 was set to 6 mm. In Example 6, the antenna 1 having the second conductor 14 including the plate-like conductor 20 was examined.

[0140] Example 7 The model was set to be the same as that of Example 2, except that the length H of the second conductor portion 14 was changed within the range of 0 to 120 mm. Example 7In the sixth embodiment, an antenna 1 having a second conductor 14 including a plate-like conductor 20 with a larger diameter than that of the sixth embodiment was examined.

[0141] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gain difference Δ of the vertically polarized wave component in the XY plane and the length H of the second conductor portion 14. As shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gain difference Δ of the horizontally polarized wave component in the XY plane and the length H of the second conductor portion 14. As shown in FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gain difference Δ of the vertically polarized wave component in the YZ plane and the length H of the second conductor 14. In FIG.

[0142] 31 to 33, the vertical axis represents the gain difference Δ in each polarization component, and the horizontal axis represents the length H of the second conductor portion 14. 31 to 33, a line g5 shows the gain difference Δ of Example 5. A line g6 shows the gain difference Δ of Example 6. A line g7 shows the gain difference Δ of Example 7.

[0143] Looking at the line g5 in FIG. 31, in the range of length H from 0 mm to 30 mm, the gain difference Δ gradually approaches 0 as length H increases. Looking at the line g6 in FIG. 31, in the range of length H from 0 mm to 30 mm, the gain difference Δ approaches 0 most when length H is approximately 18 mm. Furthermore, looking at the line g7 in FIG. 31, in the range of length H from 0 mm to 30 mm, the gain difference Δ approaches 0 most when length H is 12 mm. When each of the graphs g5, g6, and g7 approaches 0, the gain difference Δ is around -10 dB.

[0144] These results show that the length H of the second conductor portion 14 in Examples 6 and 7, in which the gain difference Δ approaches zero the most, is smaller than the length H of the second conductor portion 14 in Example 5, in which the gain difference Δ approaches zero the most. That is, the length H that can effectively suppress a partial drop in the vertical polarization characteristic is reduced by providing the plate-like conductor portion 20 on the second conductor portion 14. Similar results are also obtained in Figures 32 and 33.

[0145] These results show that by including the plate-shaped conductor portion 20 in the second conductor portion 14, the length H of the second conductor portion 14 can be made shorter than the length H of the second conductor portion 14 that does not include the plate-shaped conductor portion 20.

[0146] Furthermore, the above results show that the length H, at which partial drops in the vertical polarization characteristics can be effectively suppressed, is reduced by increasing the diameter D of the plate-like conductor 20. This result shows that the length H of the second conductor 14 can be reduced by increasing the diameter D of the plate-like conductor 20 of the second conductor 14.

[0147] 31 to 33, when the length H of the second conductor portion 14 is smaller than 10 mm, the gain difference Δ tends to deviate significantly from 0. When the length H of the second conductor portion 14 is larger than 30 mm, the gain difference Δ tends to vary significantly. When the length H of the second conductor portion 14 is 10 mm, the ratio of the length H to the longitudinal dimension (length L1) of the first conductor portion 10 is 0.37, and when the length H of the second conductor portion 14 is 30 mm, the ratio of the length H to the longitudinal dimension (length L1) of the first conductor portion 10 is 1.1. In other words, from Figures 31 to 33, it can be seen that the reduction in gain of the polarization component perpendicular to the substrate surface can be effectively suppressed when the ratio of the longitudinal dimension (length H) of the second conductor part 14 to the longitudinal dimension (length L1) of the first conductor part 10 is in the range of 0.36 or more and 1.2 or less.

[0148] 〔others〕 It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the meaning described above, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1 antenna 1a 1st page 1b 2nd side 2. Dielectric substrate 2a 1st board surface 2a1 1st area 2a2 2nd area 2b 2nd board surface 2b1 Third area 2b2 4th area 4. First ground conductor 4a Edge 4b Slit 6 Second ground conductor 8 Power supply conductor section 8a First feeder line 8a1 power supply point 8a2 other end 8b Second feeder line 8b1 End 10 First conductor part 10a one end 10b other end 10c middle part 10c1 Main body 10c2 Bend part 10s1 1st page 10s2 2nd side 12 Short-circuit conductor 14 Second conductor section 14a First end 14a1 End face 14b Second end 19 Beer 20 Plate-shaped conductor 20a Page 1 20b 2nd side 21 Base conductor 22 Main body 22a one end 22b other end 26 Track 1 26a railroad track 28 Second Track 30 Retaining hole 32 Through hole 34 Second conductor section 34a First end 34b Second end 40 Plate-shaped conductor 40a Bend part 40b Plate-shaped part 41 Base conductor 41a 1st page 41b 2nd side 42 Main body 42a one end 42b other end 43 Insulating adhesive layer 46 Land Department 48 Beer 50 Welded area 52 Welded area 60 Retaining hole 62 Through hole 64 Welded area 66 Welded area D diameter L2 distance L4 distance L5 distance L6 distance L7 distance S signal source g5 diagram g6 diagram g7 diagram 100 Inverted F antenna 102 Dielectric substrate 104 Antenna element 106 Power supply conductor section 108 Short-circuit conductor 109 First ground conductor 110 Second ground conductor

Claims

1. a dielectric substrate; a power supply conductor portion provided on the dielectric substrate; a linear or strip-shaped first conductor portion provided on a substrate surface of the dielectric substrate, connected to the power supply conductor portion, and having one open end; a linear or strip-shaped second conductor portion having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; Equipped with the first end is connected to an intermediate portion between both ends of the first conductor portion, the second end is an open end; The second conductor portion protrudes from the intermediate portion. antenna.

2. The dielectric substrate has a holding hole into which the first end is inserted. The antenna of claim 1 .

3. The intermediate portion has a through hole into which the first end portion is inserted.

3. The antenna of claim 2.

4. The first end portion includes a plate-shaped base conductor portion along the intermediate portion. The antenna of claim 1 .

5. The insulating adhesive layer is further provided between the base conductor portion and the intermediate portion.

5. The antenna of claim 4.

6. The second end portion includes a plate-shaped conductor portion along an intersecting plane intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second conductor portion. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The ratio of the longitudinal dimension of the second conductor portion to the longitudinal dimension of the first conductor portion is 0.36 or more and 1.2 or less. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The first conductor portion constitutes an inverted-F antenna element. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The first conductor portion constitutes an inverted L-shaped antenna element. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. The first conductor portion has a meander line structure. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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