Screwable Vehicle Antenna With Integrated RF Connector and Ground Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle antennas face challenges in integration due to aesthetic and design constraints, limited space, and performance requirements, particularly for V2X communication, where metal objects can block or reflect electromagnetic waves, and existing fastening methods are complex and require additional assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
A screwable vehicle antenna with a threaded part and head part made of electrically non-conductive material, incorporating an antenna radiating element and a metal disk as a reflector or ground plane, integrated into a screw assembly, which also functions as a RF plug-in connector, allowing for simplified assembly and reduced installation space without compromising emission properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antenna structures are integrated in or on the vehicle body, then emission characteristics are improved, but installation space is consumed and aesthetic criteria are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is merged with a screw fastening element. The radiating element is integrated into the screw head, and the threaded shaft serves as the antenna element. This combination eliminates the need for separate antenna structures and fastening components, reducing installation space while maintaining emission characteristics through proper electromagnetic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both a fastening component for securing the antenna to the vehicle body and as the antenna structure itself for wireless communication. The threaded shaft acts as the radiating element, while the head provides mounting functionality and houses the RF connector interface.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate antenna structures and fastening components are used, then assembly is simplified, but device complexity increases and installation space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (antenna radiating element, fastening screw, mounting structure) into a single integrated screw element. This reduces the total number of components from multiple separate parts to one unified structure, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes while reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If conventional fastening methods are used to secure the antenna element, then safety and stability requirements are met, but additional assembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function and antenna function are merged into a single screw element. The threaded shaft provides secure mechanical fastening to the vehicle body while simultaneously serving as the radiating element for wireless communication. This eliminates the need for separate fastening steps, reducing assembly time while maintaining safety and stability through proper thread design and material selection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies assembly, saves installation space, and meets performance and safety requirements by integrating the antenna and fastening elements into a single component, ensuring reliable communication while maintaining antenna emission characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
at least one antenna radiating element (10) is arranged at least within part of the head part (21), and a metal disk (11) composed of electrically conductive material is arranged on the head part (21) and is used as a reflector or a ground plane
Data Source
AI summary
A screwable vehicle antenna has a threaded part and a head part, which adjoins an end region of the threaded part. The threaded part and the head part both are made of electrically non-conductive material. At least one antenna radiator is arranged at least within part of the head part. A metal disk made of electrically conductive material is arranged on the head part and is used as a reflector or a ground plane. An HF electrical connector is provided, which is arranged on and fastened to a region of the head part remote from the threaded part, and the antenna radiator can be electrically connected to a plug of the HF electrical connector.