Dual-Structured Vehicle Antenna Case Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle antennas suffer from horizontal deformation and water penetration issues due to a single insulating plastic material structure, leading to separation under external shocks and subsequent antenna malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A dual-structured antenna case with an outer and inner case, featuring a strong hook fastening mechanism and rubber waterproof member, prevents separation and maintains a watertight space by forcibly pressing the rubber pad against the plastic base, ensuring the antenna and circuit components remain secure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single insulating plastic material structure is used for the antenna case, then the manufacturing process is simple, but horizontal deformation occurs and separation happens under external shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna case is divided into an outer case and an inner case made of different materials. The outer case provides structural support while the inner case provides insulation and housing for components, preventing both deformation and separation under external shocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction with the outer case made of metal or rigid plastic and the inner case made of insulating plastic material. This combination provides both structural stability to prevent deformation and electrical insulation properties.
2Ease of operation
If a simple fastening structure is used, then the assembly process is easy, but water penetration occurs due to separation under external shocks
Solution Approach 1:
A rubber waterproof member is introduced as an intermediary element between the outer case and the base plate. This rubber member deforms to fill gaps and maintains watertight sealing even when relative movement or separation occurs due to external shocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber waterproof member acts as a flexible sealing element that can deform and adapt to maintain the watertight seal between rigid components, preventing water penetration while allowing for thermal expansion and shock absorption.
3Reliability
If the antenna case is made robust to prevent separation, then watertightness is improved, but the horizontal width increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the case into outer and inner portions with distinct functions, the design achieves robustness through the outer case while keeping the overall horizontal width compact through efficient space utilization in the inner case structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle antenna, the vehicle antenna accommodating: a conductive base in an inner space of an antenna case formed in a streamlined dome shape; an antenna part mounted on a plastic base; and a substrate part on which a circuit part is attached, wherein: the antenna case comprises an outer case and an inner case; the inner case is formed to have an opened lower surface and an accommodation space therein, accommodates an antenna part comprising a plurality of radiation elements and a substrate part on which a circuit part is mounted, has fastening holes in a lower peripheral edge portion thereof, and is thereby fixed and fastened to the plastic base by means of screws; and the outer case is formed to have a lower surface opened toward the vehicle roof panel side and have an accommodation space therein, covers the entire outer portion of the inner case fixedly fastened and coupled to the plastic base so that the inner case is inserted thereinto, comprises a plurality of main hook parts in an inner surface thereof, so that the main hook parts pass through fastening parts provided to the plastic base and are forcibly hooked and fastened, and comprises sub supporters each formed on an inner side on the inner surface in a rectangular fin shape, having an inclination angle slightly further inward than the vertical downward direction, on a line at which the main hook parts are formed, so that the outer case is inserted into the inner case and supported. Thus, in a vehicle antenna of the present invention, an antenna case is formed in a dual structure of outer and inner cases, so that horizontal deformation of a central portion does not occur and the horizontal width of the vehicle antenna can be slimmer, and thus, the present invention has an effect of providing a small-sized vehicle antenna. In addition, a lower surface end portion of the antenna case forcibly presses a rubber waterproof member and the antenna case and a plastic base plate are fastened by means of a strong hook fastening structure. Therefore, even under an external shock, separation of the antenna case from the plastic base plate is prevented and a robust watertight space is maintained. Thus, the present invention has an effect of continuously maintaining the antenna performance by means of the watertight, waterproof structure which prevents penetration of water or contaminants into an antenna and circuit part which are accommodated in the inner space of the case.