Vehicle Antenna Amplifier Bracket Grounding and Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna devices mounted on vehicle exterior accessories face performance issues due to the ground being positioned away from the amplifier, vulnerability to water penetration, and increased manufacturing costs from requiring additional parts for heat expansion and contraction, as well as potential abnormal noise from vibration.

Innovation Solution

An antenna device with an amplifier, a bracket, a fixing member (including a GND bolt and nut), and an elastic member that compresses between the amplifier cover and the vehicle body, providing immediate ground connection, waterproofing, and accommodating heat expansion without additional springs or complex assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the amplifier is fixed to the vehicle exterior accessory with a nail-shaped element, then the amplifier can be mounted, but the amplifier may be vibrated due to vehicle vibrations, resulting in abnormal noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidabnormal noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cushion member is provided between the amplifier and the fixing member to prevent abnormal noise before it occurs. The cushion member absorbs vibrations and prevents direct contact between the amplifier and the rigid fixing structure, thereby eliminating the source of abnormal noise while maintaining simple mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a spring with a grounding bracket is provided to minimize distortion due to heat expansion or contraction, then the distortion is reduced, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat expansion distortionVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a vibration absorber to prevent abnormal noise, provides electrical grounding connection, and accommodates heat expansion and contraction. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate springs and grounding brackets, reducing the number of parts while maintaining all required functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the amplifier is molded or sealed with rubber to prevent water penetration, then waterproofing is achieved, but elements on the substrate may be damaged by pressure or load during forming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewaterproofingVSAvoidsubstrate element integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier cover acts as an intermediary protective structure between the amplifier and the external environment. Instead of directly molding or sealing the amplifier, the cover provides waterproofing protection while avoiding direct pressure on the amplifier substrate elements, thus maintaining both waterproofing and element integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If a member such as a cushion is provided to prevent abnormal noise from vibration, then abnormal noise is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabnormal noiseVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion member is integrated into the existing fixing structure and serves multiple functions: vibration absorption to prevent abnormal noise, electrical grounding, and heat expansion accommodation. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the design avoids adding extra parts and keeps manufacturing costs low while effectively addressing the abnormal noise issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances antenna performance, prevents water ingress, reduces the impact of heat expansion and contraction, and simplifies assembly while minimizing manufacturing costs and noise issues.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member provided covering an outer periphery of the amplifier cover between the amplifier cover and the vehicle body such that the elastic member is compressed as the amplifier cover is pressed against the vehicle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a fixing member which fixes the bracket to the vehicle body and electrically connects between the bracket and the vehicle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9666936B2Antenna device

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORP

AI summary

The antenna device is disposed inside a vehicle exterior accessory such as a spoiler which is mounted on the exterior of the vehicle body. An amplifier substrate is fixed to a bracket, amplifies wave signals received from an antenna element, and outputs the amplified signals. A GND bolt fixes the bracket to the vehicle body and electrically connects between the bracket and the vehicle body. An amplifier cover is fixed to the bracket to cover the amplifier substrate. An elastic member is provided covering the outer periphery of the amplifier cover between the amplifier cover and the vehicle body. The elastic member is compressed as the amplifier cover is pressed against the vehicle body.