Laminated Glazing Antenna Layout for Thin Connector Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating a planar wideband antenna and its feeding structure within a laminated glazing panel poses challenges due to limited space, accessibility issues, and the need for thin, non-radiating connectors that maintain impedance matching and avoid delamination and water ingress, especially in thin automotive windshields.
Innovation Solution
A thin antenna structure with a radiator and feeding structure printed or coated on the inner faces of the glass panes, using a planar transmission line with optimized conductors and connectors that are laminated between the glass panes, ensuring good impedance matching and minimal radiation, and are compatible with various frequencies from KHz to tens of GHz.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the antenna is placed on an external face of the glass, then accessibility to the antenna and components is easy, but the antenna is not integrated within the laminated glazing and may interfere with vehicle design
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is nested within the laminated glazing assembly by placing it on the external face of the glass pane, integrating it into the existing glazing structure without requiring separate mounting space. This allows the antenna to be part of the vehicle body structure while maintaining accessibility for connection and maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If the antenna assembly is made thick to accommodate connectors and components, then accessibility and connection are improved, but the assembly cannot be reliably laminated between glass panes
Solution Approach 1:
The connector and electronic component assembly is extracted from the antenna structure and placed on the external face of the glass, separate from the laminated glass panes. This allows the antenna element to remain thin for reliable lamination while the connector is positioned externally for easy access and connection, eliminating the thickness conflict.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional RF cables and connectors are used to connect the antenna, then connection flexibility is improved, but the assembly becomes too thick for lamination between glass panes
Solution Approach 1:
A thin flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is used as an intermediary connector between the antenna element and the external electronic components. The FPC provides the necessary electrical connection flexibility while maintaining a thin profile that allows reliable lamination between glass panes, replacing the bulky conventional RF cables and connectors.
4Device complexity
If the antenna is positioned inside the laminated glazing, then integration and aesthetics are improved, but accessibility for post-operation soldering and component connection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into two separate components: the antenna element integrated on the external face of the glass for aesthetics and integration, and the connector/electronic component assembly positioned externally for easy access. This segmentation allows both integration and ease of repair to be achieved simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A laminated glazing (1) panel comprising (i) an outer pane of glass (2) having an outer and an opposite inner faces, (ii) an inner pane of glass (3), having an outer and an opposite inner faces, the inner pane of glass (3) being laminated to the outer pane of glass (2) by a thermoplastic interlayer (4), (iii) an antenna structure (5) comprising:5 (a) a feeding structure (6) comprising at least one ground conductor (6a) and a signal conductor (7), the least one ground conductor (6a) being electrically isolated from the signal conductor (7) by a gap (8), and (b) a radiator (9), fed by the feeding structure (6) and electrically connected to the signal conductor (7), and (iii) a connector (10), to power the antenna structure (5), through the feeding structure (6), comprising at least one conductor (11) connected to the signal conductor (7), and at least one conductor (12a) connected to the at least one ground conductor (6a), at their extremities. According to the present invention, at least the radiator (9) of the antenna structure (5), the signal conductor (7) of the feeding structure (6) and the extremity of the conductor (11) are provided on at least one of the surfaces of the inner faces (2b, 3b) of the outer and/or the inner panes of glass (2, 3) of the laminated glazing panel (1).20