Vehicle Antenna Assembly With EM Shielding for Low Signal Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

The long coaxial cables connecting vehicle modems to antennas result in significant signal losses due to distance, necessitating the modem's proximity to the antenna to minimize interference and improve signal quality.

Innovation Solution

An antenna assembly with a metal base and top lid acting as an electromagnetic barrier, housing the modem and antenna elements, allowing for their proximity without interference, and replacing multiple coaxial cables with a single cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the modem is placed far from the antenna to prevent electromagnetic interference, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but signal loss increases due to long coaxial cable length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidsignal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate sections: a first section containing the antenna elements and a second section containing the modem. These sections are separated by a partition wall that acts as an electromagnetic barrier, allowing the modem and antenna to be in close proximity while preventing electromagnetic interference between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition wall serving as an electromagnetic barrier is introduced between the modem and antenna sections. This intermediate structure allows both components to coexist in close proximity while blocking electromagnetic signals from interfering with each other, thus eliminating the need for long coaxial cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple coaxial cables are used to connect modem and antenna, then electromagnetic interference is prevented, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidcable management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple coaxial cables are replaced with a single cable that connects both the first and second antenna elements to the modem. This consolidation reduces cable management complexity and installation difficulty while maintaining electromagnetic isolation through the partition wall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If the modem is placed in proximity to the antenna, then signal loss is reduced, but electromagnetic interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal lossVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate sections: a first section containing the antenna elements and a second section containing the modem. These sections are separated by a partition wall that acts as an electromagnetic barrier, allowing the modem and antenna to be in close proximity while preventing electromagnetic interference between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition wall serving as an electromagnetic barrier is introduced between the modem and antenna sections. This intermediate structure allows both components to coexist in close proximity while blocking electromagnetic signals from interfering with each other, thus eliminating the need for long coaxial cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 eliminates signal losses over cables, allows for quicker and safer installation, and extends coverage range by embedding the modem within the antenna housing, reducing the need for complex router upgrades.

Implementation Method 1

the top lid and the base act as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem allowing the modem to be placed in proximity to the at least one antenna element without interference from electro-magnetic signals from the at least one antenna element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic barrier: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

a base composed of a metal material, the base comprising a body an interior surface, a sidewall and a plurality of heat dissipation elements extending from the interior surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3824558B1Antenna assembly for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 AIRGAIN INC
  • EP3824558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3824558B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3824558B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An antenna assembly (25) comprising a base (60), a modem (50), a top lid (40) and a housing (30) is disclosed herein. The base (60) is composed of an aluminum material. The modem (50) is disposed on the base (60). The top lid (40) is for the base (60), and the top lid (40) comprises at least one antenna element (41) disposed on an exterior surface. The housing (30) covers the top lid (40) and the base (60). The top lid (40) acts as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem (50). A communication cable (135) is connected to the modem (50) at one end and extending to and connected to a vehicle internal router (125) with a vehicle modem at the other end.