Vehicle Antenna Module Layout for Low Height and Beam Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the height of an antenna module mounted on a vehicle while maintaining effective wireless communication, as existing antenna designs are hindered by the need to minimize the antenna's height relative to the vehicle's surface and prevent energy impairment from metal components.
Innovation Solution
The antenna module incorporates an array antenna housed inside the vehicle, with a control unit to adjust the beam orientation and a guide portion to redirect transmission waves, and optionally includes a shielding portion to prevent energy loss and deformation, ensuring efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the array antenna is mounted on the outer surface of the vehicle, then the beam can be directed toward the vehicle outside for wireless communication, but the height of the antenna relative to the outer surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is moved from a surface-mounted configuration to an interior-mounted configuration, changing the spatial dimension of antenna placement. The array antenna is installed inside the vehicle body rather than on the outer surface, allowing the beam to still be directed outward through the body panel while reducing the protruding height of the antenna structure.
2Length of moving object
If the array antenna is held inside the vehicle, then the height relative to the outer surface is reduced, but the beam direction toward the vehicle outside may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body panel serves as an intermediary medium between the interior-mounted array antenna and the external environment. The antenna is positioned inside the vehicle, and the body panel allows the beam to pass through while maintaining directional accuracy toward the vehicle outside, effectively mediating the transition from interior placement to exterior communication.
3Strength
If metal components are used in the antenna structure, then the structural strength is improved, but energy loss and beam deformation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the harmful effect of metal components causing energy loss and beam deformation by using shielding structures and positioning arrangements that convert the potential harm into beneficial outcomes. The metal body panel and shielding components are strategically designed to protect the antenna while minimizing their negative impact on radio wave transmission, effectively converting the harmful interaction between metal and electromagnetic waves into a manageable design constraint.
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 configuration reduces the antenna's height, minimizes energy loss, and maintains communication efficiency by correcting beam orientation and redirecting transmission waves, thereby inhibiting gain decrease and ensuring effective wireless communication.
Implementation Method 1
an array antenna configured to form a beam directed from an aperture provided in an exterior body panel of the vehicle, toward a vehicle outside
Implementation Method 2
a housing holding the array antenna in a vehicle inside
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna module to be provided to a vehicle includes: an array antenna configured to form a beam directed from an aperture provided in an exterior body panel of the vehicle, toward a vehicle outside; and a housing holding the array antenna in a vehicle inside.