Glass-Mounted Electronic Assembly for Sealed Vehicle Antenna Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
External antenna assemblies on motor vehicles are susceptible to damage and require sealing to prevent water intrusion, which can harm internal structures, and they necessitate an opening for cabling that compromises vehicle integrity.
Innovation Solution
An electronic assembly is mounted directly to a glass surface, utilizing flexible terminals and a housing to connect with antenna elements, eliminating the need for external shark fin antennas and reducing the need for external cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external antenna assemblies are mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, then radio signal reception is enabled, but the antenna assemblies are susceptible to damage and require sealing to prevent water intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna assembly with the vehicle's existing exterior structure (such as the rear window or trunk lid), integrating the antenna housing into the vehicle body itself. This eliminates the need for separate external antenna assemblies that require sealing, while maintaining signal reception capability and reducing vulnerability to water intrusion.
2Reliability
If external antenna assemblies are mounted on the vehicle, then radio signal reception is enabled, but an opening in the exterior is required to route cabling
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is integrated into the vehicle's existing exterior structure, allowing cabling to be routed through the vehicle's internal framework rather than requiring separate openings. This reduces the number of penetrations needed in the vehicle exterior and simplifies the overall cabling routing.
3Reliability
If external antenna assemblies are mounted on the vehicle exterior, then radio signal reception is enabled, but the assemblies are exposed to damage from external sources
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is integrated into the vehicle's existing exterior structure (such as the rear window or trunk lid), which provides inherent protection against damage. The vehicle's body structure serves as the housing and mounting structure, eliminating the need for separate external antenna assemblies that are vulnerable to damage from road debris, weather, and other external factors.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic assembly (100) includes a circuit board (102) having a plurality of conductive traces (104) and electronic components (106) forming an electronic circuit disposed thereon, a plurality of flexible electrical terminals (110) configured to attach to electrical contacts disposed on a glass surface (16) and electrically connected to the plurality of conductive traces (104), and a coaxial cable connector (108) electrically connected to the plurality of conductive traces (110). A method (200) of manufacturing an electronic assembly, e.g., the electronic assembly (100) described above, is also presented herein.