Antenna Module Parasitic Element Positioning Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna modules face variations in reception performance due to assembly displacement and vehicle vibrations, which impair manufacturing assemblability and stability.
Innovation Solution
An antenna module design featuring a circuit board with a patch antenna, a parasitic element, and an integrated resin holder with locking pawls that maintain a constant distance between the patch and parasitic elements, ensuring accurate positioning and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the parasitic element is fixed to the inner case, then the antenna structure is assembled, but displacement occurs during assembly between the inner case and the base, causing variation in antenna reception performance
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into a base holder and an inner case holder that are separately assembled, with the parasitic element fixed to the inner case holder. This segmentation allows for pre-assembly and positioning of the parasitic element before final integration, reducing assembly displacement and improving positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner case holder acts as an intermediary component between the parasitic element and the base. It provides a stable mounting platform for the parasitic element and ensures precise positioning relative to the patch antenna, eliminating direct contact and potential displacement between the parasitic element and the base.
2Device complexity
If the top load portion is held by one columnar holding portion and a power feed line, then the structure is simplified, but position displacement occurs due to vehicle vibration, causing variation in antenna reception performance
Solution Approach 1:
The base holder and inner case holder are merged into a single integrated holder structure. This integration provides multiple support points and constraints for the parasitic element, ensuring stable positioning under vibration while maintaining structural simplicity. The unified holder eliminates relative movement between separate holding components.
3Manufacturing precision
If the top load portion is thermally welded to the holding portion for position holding, then positioning is secure, but manufacturing assemblability is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal welding process is replaced with a mechanical locking mechanism using a locking pawl and locking groove. The locking pawl engages with the locking groove to secure the parasitic element's position, providing stable positioning without requiring thermal welding. This mechanical approach improves assemblability by allowing for easier assembly and disassembly while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna module configured to receive a radio communication signal includes: a circuit board on which a signal processing circuit is placed; a patch antenna stacked on the circuit board; a parasitic element disposed above the patch antenna, having held portions having at least two sides opposed to each other, and configured to improve elevation angle reception characteristics of the patch antenna; an integrated resin holder supporting the circuit board and the parasitic element, having at least a pair of parasitic element locking pawls that sandwich and support the two sides of the held portions of the parasitic element from both sides such that the distance between the patch antenna and the parasitic element is kept constant.