Antenna Device Connector System for Millimeter-Wave Impedance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna devices for automobiles face challenges in supporting millimeter-wave antennas firmly on a substrate while reducing impedance mismatch, especially when using high-frequency quasi-millimeter wave or millimeter wave bands, due to variations in solder amount during manual soldering, which degrades communication quality.
Innovation Solution
The antenna device features a base connector and module connector system with separate shield members and a lock mechanism, allowing the antenna module to be securely attached to the substrate with a diagonal or parallel orientation, ensuring consistent contact and reducing impedance mismatch through reflow soldering for reliable high-frequency signal transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual soldering is used to attach the antenna module to the substrate, then the antenna can be mounted on the substrate, but the solder amount varies causing impedance mismatch and degraded communication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual soldering process with a mechanical connector system consisting of a base connector and module connector. The module connector includes a fitting portion that mechanically engages with the base connector, eliminating the need for soldering. This mechanical connection system provides consistent electrical contact without the impedance mismatch problems caused by variable solder amounts, thereby improving communication quality while removing the manufacturing precision issue associated with manual soldering.
2Device complexity
If the antenna module is fixed directly to the substrate, then the structure is simple, but the antenna orientation may change during vehicle travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a module connector as an intermediary component between the antenna module and the substrate. This connector includes a fitting portion that mechanically engages with the base connector, providing a stable connection that prevents antenna orientation changes during vehicle travel. The intermediary connector adds some structural complexity but ensures reliable orientation stability, which is critical for maintaining consistent antenna performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a secure connection is made between the antenna module and substrate, then the antenna orientation is stable, but the connection structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into two separate components: a base connector fixed to the substrate and a module connector attached to the antenna module. The module connector includes a fitting portion that engages with the base connector. This segmentation allows for a stable connection that prevents orientation changes while keeping each individual component relatively simple in structure, distributing the complexity across multiple parts rather than requiring a single complex connection structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an antenna device includes a base connector fixed to a support substrate, a module connector connected to the base connector to the base connector, and an antenna module fixed to the module connector and configured to transmit or receive a radio wave. The base connector includes a base-side casing, a base-side fitting portion, and multiple base-side terminals. The module connector includes a module-side casing, a module-side fitting portion, and a multiple module-side terminals. The antenna module includes an antenna substrate and an antenna element provided on a front surface of the antenna substrate. In a state in which the base connector is fixed to the support substrate and the module connector is connected to the base connector, the antenna module is fixed to the module-side casing such that the front surface of the antenna substrate faces up diagonally to the outside of the module connector.