Vehicle Antenna Unit with Segmented Support Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

The performance of integrated antennas in motor vehicles is limited due to proximity with electronic components, which disturb the magnetic field and antenna signal.

Innovation Solution

An antenna box design with a receptacle and cover that allows for the use of separate support plates, one for the antenna and the other for electronic components, using primary and secondary fixing clips to maintain assembly and positioning during resin casting, thereby isolating the antenna from electronic components and improving signal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the antenna is integrated close to electronic components in a single support plate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the antenna performance deteriorates due to magnetic field disturbance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidantenna performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is divided into two separate plates: a first support plate for mounting the antenna and a second support plate for mounting electronic components. This segmentation physically separates the antenna from interfering electronic components while maintaining a compact overall structure, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and antenna performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the receptacle and cover are assembled tightly during resin casting, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional fixing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidfixing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing clips are integrated directly into the receptacle and cover structures themselves, merging the fastening function with the structural components. This eliminates the need for separate fixing mechanisms while ensuring tight assembly during resin casting, thus improving manufacturing precision without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the antenna is isolated from electronic components using separate support plates, then the antenna signal quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal disturbanceVSAvoidsupport plate configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second support plates are arranged in a nested configuration where they face each other with spacing, allowing the antenna to be isolated from electronic components while maintaining a compact overall form factor. This nesting approach reduces the spatial footprint compared to completely separate mounting structures, thus minimizing signal disturbance without excessively increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design enhances antenna performance by reducing signal disturbance from electronic components, ensures robust assembly and handling, and maintains uniform communication performance across vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a resin to be polymerized can be cast

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3503292B1Antenna unit for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP3503292B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3503292B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3503292B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to an antenna housing (1) for a motor vehicle in which a polymerizing resin can be poured, according to which said antenna housing (1) comprises: - a receptacle (10) adapted to accommodate a primary support plate (12) and a secondary support plate (13) and comprising at least one primary fixing clip (100); - a cover (11) comprising at least one secondary fixing clip (110) adapted to cooperate with said at least one primary fixing clip (100), said cover (11) being adapted to close said antenna housing (1) so as to leave an opening for pouring said resin into said antenna housing (1); - said primary support plate (12) forming an antenna; and - said secondary support plate (13) adapted to be disposed opposite said antenna (12) and comprising electronic components adapted to cooperate with said antenna (12).