Vehicle Glass Antenna Phase Difference via Extended Conductors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glass antennas for vehicles face challenges in achieving a large phase difference between antenna conductors due to restricted feeding portion placement, which limits the spatial diversity effect and antenna gain, especially when feeding portions are close to each other.

Innovation Solution

The design includes specific configurations for the first and second antenna conductors with elongated elements and connection elements that approach the defogger, allowing for increased phase difference even when feeding portions are close, thereby enhancing antenna gain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If feeding portions are placed close to each other due to restricted placement positions, then the antenna conductors can be disposed on the window glass, but the phase difference between received waves decreases and spatial diversity effect is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding portion placementVSAvoidspatial diversity effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from considering only the two-dimensional placement distance between feeding portions to incorporating the third dimension of antenna conductor length. By making the antenna conductors extend beyond the window glass boundaries, the patent creates a larger effective phase difference through the combination of placement distance and conductor length, thereby achieving spatial diversity effect even when feeding portions are placed close to each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If feeding portions are separated to increase phase difference, then spatial diversity effect is improved, but the placement positions become more restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase differenceVSAvoidfeeding portion placement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the antenna conductor into two independent components: the portion disposed on the window glass and the portion extending beyond the glass boundaries. This segmentation allows the feeding portions to be placed close to each other on the glass for ease of installation, while the extended portions beyond the glass provide the necessary phase difference and spatial diversity effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If antenna conductors are extended beyond window glass boundaries, then phase difference and antenna gain are increased, but the antenna structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna gainVSAvoidantenna structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the window glass serve multiple functions: as the substrate for mounting the antenna conductors and as part of the antenna structure itself. The glass boundaries naturally define where the antenna conductors transition from being mounted on the glass to extending beyond it, eliminating the need for additional structural components to support the extended portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2264827B1Glass antenna and window glass for vehicle
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 AGC INC
  • EP2264827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2264827B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2264827B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A glass antenna for a vehicle includes a first to fourth elements, a connection element and a first and second feeding portions. The first element is elongated from the first feeding portion in a first direction. The second element is elongated from the first element in a second direction. The third element includes: a first partial element which is elongated from the first element in a third direction; a second partial element which is elongated from the first partial element in a fourth direction; and a third partial element which is elongated from the second partial element. The fourth element is elongated from the second feeding portion in the second direction, and detours the second element in the second direction, on a side of the second direction to be elongated in the third direction. The connection element connects the fourth element to a defogger.