Antenna Connector for Automotive Glazing Using Transmission Line Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting antennae within laminated automotive glazings to external wiring face challenges such as delamination, glass cracking, and the need for lead-containing solders, while also being complex and costly, especially when using galvanic or capacitive connectors.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves forming a coupling region from the wire itself to couple signals to the surface contact without traditional galvanic contacts, using a meander wire pattern configured as a transmission line to achieve low-impedance radio-frequency coupling, which acts as a bandpass filter and reduces the risk of delamination and glass cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If galvanic flat cable connectors are soldered to antenna wires on the interlayer, then electrical connection is achieved, but complex vacuum ring equipment is required for de-airing and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connector from the lamination process entirely. Instead of incorporating a connector within the glazing structure that would interfere with de-airing, the connector is positioned externally on the outer surface of the outer ply. The antenna wire extends through the interlayer to contact the connector, eliminating the need for complex vacuum ring equipment while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
2Ease of manufacture
If connectors are placed at the edge of the glazing to allow nip roller de-airing, then production costs are reduced, but localized delamination and glass cracking occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the antenna wire as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the internal antenna structure and the external connector. The wire extends through the interlayer material to connect the antenna printed on the inner surface to the connector on the outer surface, allowing the connector to be positioned away from the edges where it would cause stress concentration, thus preventing delamination and cracking while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lead-free solders are used for environmental compliance, then environmental concerns are addressed, but adhesion between connector and glass is reduced and surface stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical soldering system with an electrical contact system. Instead of soldering the connector to the antenna wire, the connector makes contact with the antenna wire through pressure contact or friction contact. This substitution eliminates the need for lead-free solder adhesion issues while maintaining electrical connection reliability and reducing surface stress on the glass.
4Reliability
If capacitively coupling connectors with large area coupling plates are used for AM antenna connections, then low-impedance radio-frequency connection is achieved, but the connector area increases and visibility is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the electrical connection parameters by using a direct electrical contact system instead of capacitive coupling. This allows the connector to achieve low-impedance radio-frequency connection without requiring large area coupling plates. The connector can be made compact while maintaining connection quality, reducing visibility and aesthetic impact on the glazing.
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
This approach simplifies production, reduces costs, and provides reliable low-impedance radio-frequency coupling for various frequency bands without the need for lead-containing solders, making it suitable for single-ply or bi-layer glazings and reducing visibility of the antenna connector.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of a line-like electrical conductor is configured to form an antenna conductor and a second portion is configured to form a coupling region; low-impedance radio-frequency coupling takes place between this coupling region and a surface contact
Implementation Method 2
connection takes place by capacitive coupling between superposed coupling plates
Implementation Method 3
the portion of the electrical conductor forming the coupling region having a length approximately equal to an odd multiple of a quarter of a first effective wavelength λ eff in the glazing corresponding to f, such that signals received by the antenna in the bandwidth are transferred
Implementation Method 4
the portion of the electrical conductor forming the coupling region having a length approximately equal to an odd multiple of a quarter of a first effective wavelength λ eff in the glazing corresponding to f
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
An automotive glazing, comprising an antenna connector is disclosed. The glazing comprises at least a first ply of a transparent glazing material, and a ply of a plastics material extending across the ply of glazing material and having a line-like electrical conductor in contact therewith, a portion of the electrical conductor line being configured to form an antenna conductor and a portion being configured to form a coupling region. In addition, a surface contact is provided on the surface of the first ply of glazing material situated away from the plastics material, in registration with the coupling region. The coupling region and the surface contact form a transmission line acting as a bandpass filter for a frequency band f, the portion of the electrical conductor forming the coupling region having a length approximately equal to an odd multiple of a quarter of a first effective wavelength ?eff in the gl