Vehicle Antenna Sealing via Mechanical Interlock

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle-mounted antenna devices face issues with adhesiveness between the sealing member and the antenna base, leading to potential gaps or delamination, which can allow moisture to enter the device, especially when the adhesive deteriorates.

Innovation Solution

The antenna device incorporates a sealing member with varying first and second fitting portions on the antenna base and elastic member, respectively, which increase contact area and adhesiveness, preventing gaps and delamination by using protrusions and recesses that fit together, enhancing the sealing effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing member is secured with adhesive to the antenna base, then the sealing member can prevent moisture entry, but the adhesiveness deteriorates over time causing gaps and delamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidadhesive durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the sealing structure into multiple segments by providing both a sealing member and a water preventing member, each with fitting portions that create discrete sealing points around the periphery, replacing the single continuous adhesive bond with multiple mechanical connection points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical bonding mechanism (fitting portions including protrusions and recesses), where the water preventing member is mechanically secured to the antenna base through interlocking fitting portions rather than relying on adhesive bonds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If adhesive is used to secure the sealing member, then assembly is simple, but the bond strength decreases when adhesive deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidbond strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical bonding mechanism (fitting portions including protrusions and recesses), where the water preventing member is mechanically secured to the antenna base through interlocking fitting portions rather than relying on adhesive bonds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the bonding mechanism from chemical (adhesive) to mechanical (fitting portions), fundamentally altering how the sealing member attaches to the antenna base, thereby maintaining bond strength without relying on adhesive properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a groove is provided around the recessed portion for adhesive application, then the sealing member can be attached, but gaps may form when adhesive deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing member attachmentVSAvoidsealing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive in groove) with a mechanical bonding mechanism (fitting portions), where protrusions on the water preventing member fit into recesses on the antenna base, creating gap-free mechanical interlocking that maintains sealing integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention divides the sealing structure into multiple segments by providing both a sealing member and a water preventing member, each with fitting portions that create discrete sealing points around the periphery, replacing the single continuous adhesive bond with multiple mechanical connection points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10505266B2Antenna device

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 HARADA IND CO LTD

AI summary

An antenna device includes an antenna base, an antenna case, an antenna element and an elastic member. The antenna base includes an opening and a plurality of first fitting portions located at an interval from each other at a side wall of the opening; an antenna case secured to a first surface side of the antenna base. The antenna element is located in a space enclosed by the antenna base and the antenna case. The elastic member includes a plurality of second fitting portions fittable with the plurality of first fitting portions and a rib provided on a second surface side opposite to the first surface side and protruding in a direction away from the antenna base.