Vehicle Window Glass Antenna Layout for DAB Reception Near Defoggers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle window glass antennas face challenges in achieving high sensitivity for receiving DAB broadcasts due to limited installation area caused by defoggers, especially in vehicles with small rear glass areas or near-vertical attachment angles, leading to restricted vertical length and interference issues.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle window glass design with a DAB glass antenna positioned on the lower edge, incorporating a defogger with specific filament configurations to prevent standing waves, and a power supply part on the lower edge to enhance reception performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a defogger is provided together with the glass antenna, then the defogger can remove condensation or ice from the window glass, but the area over which the glass antenna can be disposed is narrowed, restricting the vertical length of the antenna

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefogger functionVSAvoidvertical length of glass antenna
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the antenna from a purely vertical orientation to an L-shaped configuration that extends in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. This dimensional change allows the antenna to achieve sufficient effective length for DAB reception while accommodating the defogger's space requirements, as the horizontal extension compensates for reduced vertical space.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna is divided into multiple segments: a vertical element and a horizontal element forming an L-shape. This segmentation allows each part to serve its function optimally - the vertical element captures vertical polarization while the horizontal element provides additional length without interfering with the defogger placement area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the glass area of the rear glass is small (as in hatchback cars with near-vertical attachment angles), then the overall glass area is limited, but the area in which the glass antenna can be disposed becomes extremely limited when a defogger is also provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverear glass areaVSAvoidantenna disposal area
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By extending the antenna horizontally in addition to vertically, the patent effectively utilizes both dimensions of the limited glass area. This allows the antenna to achieve sufficient length for DAB reception without requiring a large contiguous vertical space, making it suitable for small rear glass areas in hatchback vehicles.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna design concentrates its structure in specific local areas - the vertical element near the top edge and the horizontal element extending toward the center - rather than requiring uniform distribution across the entire glass surface. This localized arrangement optimizes space utilization in limited glass areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the DAB glass antenna is disposed on the upper edge side of the window glass, then antennas are less likely to be affected by obstacles, but the vertical length available is restricted by the defogger position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle interferenceVSAvoidvertical length of antenna
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The L-shaped configuration allows the antenna to extend horizontally from the upper edge area toward the center of the glass, compensating for the restricted vertical length. This horizontal extension in another dimension maintains the antenna's effective length for reception while preserving its favorable position near the upper edge that reduces obstacle interference.

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

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

Improves DAB broadcast reception by optimizing antenna placement and defogger design, maintaining sensitivity even in restricted installation areas and reducing interference.

Implementation Method 1

a defogger formed on one surface of the glass plate and including a pair of bus bar parts that oppose each other and a plurality of hot wire parts that each extend horizontally and are arranged vertically, and in which both end portions of each hot wire part are respectively coupled to a different one of the pair of bus bar parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a DAB glass antenna including a power supply part that is disposed on a lower edge side of the glass plate and a first element connected to the power supply part, wherein the first element extends vertically from the power supply part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3300168B1Vehicle window glass and glass antenna for dab
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO LTD
  • EP3300168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3300168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3300168B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The present invention provides a technology that is able to improve the reception performance of DAB broadcasts. A vehicle window glass according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with a glass plate and a DAB glass antenna formed on one surface of the glass plate, and the DAB glass antenna includes a power supply part that is disposed on a lower edge side of the glass plate and a first element that extends vertically.