Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6348896
-
Patent Number
6,348,896
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, December 13, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 19, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 343 702
- 343 718
- 343 872
- 343 895
- 455 90
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
Insulating-resin-made attachment part 13A is equipped with connection terminal 10 electrically connected to antenna element 3, and connection terminal 10 is directly connected to a prescribed circuit of a radio machine. As a mounting means to the radio machine, snap part 9 having a metal part projecting out of the sidewall of attachment part 13A is disposed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an antenna device mainly used for a radio machine for mobile communication such as a portable telephone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, demand for a radio machine for mobile communication such as a portable telephone has sharply increased. Service of text information or the like has been added to functions of the radio machine and variety of the functions has been increased. For responding to the variety, improved performance has been required for the radio machine. This market situation requires antenna device installed in the radio machine to be lightened and have higher sensitivity and a wider band.
An antenna device installed in a conventional radio machine is described hereinafter with reference to FIG.
22
.
FIG. 22
is a perspective view illustrating a conventional antenna device and a mounting part with which this antenna device is mounted to a radio machine.
As shown in
FIG. 22
, conventional antenna device
5
comprises the following elements:
fitting metal
1
for attaching the antenna device to a radio machine body;
core part
2
fixed over fitting metal
1
;
antenna element
3
placed on the outer periphery of core part
2
; and
top cover
4
made of insulating resin for covering core
2
and antenna element
3
.
Fitting metal
1
is made of metal and includes screw part
1
A and recessed part
1
B. Core part
2
is made of insulating resin such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Antenna element
3
comprises winding part
3
A formed by spirally winding a copper wire or a copper alloy wire on the outer periphery of core part
2
, and antenna element's lower part
3
B under winding part
3
A. Antenna element's lower part
3
B is fixed to the outer periphery of recessed part
1
B of fitting metal
1
. In this structure, antenna element
3
and fitting metal
1
are electrically connected.
Top cover
4
is made of insulating resin in order to cover core part
2
and antenna element
3
.
Radio machine
6
has a tubular part for receiving antenna device
5
in its upper part, and metallic female screw
7
is fixed to the inside of the tubular part.
Connection terminal
8
is electrically connected to the metallic female screw
7
. An end of connection terminal
8
is electrically connected to a prescribed circuit part over a wiring board (not shown in
FIG. 22
) placed in radio machine
6
.
Conventional antenna device
5
is mechanically and electrically mounted to radio machine
6
by fastening screw part
1
A of fitting metal
1
into metallic female screw
7
.
When a given radio wave goes into antenna element
3
, antenna element
3
induces high frequency current corresponding to the radio wave. The high frequency current induced by antenna element
3
flows to the prescribed circuit part placed in radio machine
6
through fitting metal
1
, metallic female screw
7
, and connection terminal
8
. Thus, radio machine
6
can receive information carried by the radio wave. Radio machine
6
generates high frequency current corresponding to information to be transmitted in the prescribed circuit part, and transmits the generated high frequency current as radio wave through antenna element
3
.
Conventional antenna device
5
has a structure where electric connection is obtained by fastening fitting metal
1
into female screw
7
of radio machine
6
. Therefore, fitting metal
1
of antenna device
5
and female screw
7
of radio machine
6
must be made of metal. As a result, masses of antenna device
5
and radio machine
6
inconveniently increase.
In addition, in the conventional structure, the high frequency current induced at antenna element
3
of antenna device
5
flows to the prescribed circuit part placed in radio machine
6
through fitting metal
1
, female screw
7
, and connection terminal
8
in a state where antenna device
5
is mounted to radio machine
6
. This structure includes many connections for guiding the high frequency current to the prescribed circuit. Electrical loss of the high frequency current is apt to occur at the connections, and may affect receiving sensitivity of radio machine
6
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems discussed above, and to provide an antenna device that is light, has less electrical loss of induced high frequency current, and can be easily and strongly mounted to a radio machine.
For attaining the object, the antenna device in accordance with the present invention comprises the following elements:
(a) an attachment part, made of insulating resin, attached to the radio machine;
(b) an antenna element, made of conductor, placed over the attachment part;
(c) a connection terminal formed at the attachment part for electrically connecting the antenna element to a circuit part of the radio machine;
(d) a snap part projecting from the attachment part; and
(e) a top cover, made of insulating resin, for covering the antenna element.
The snap part is constituted by a claw-shaped metal or a resin embedded with metal. The connection terminal for electrically connecting the antenna element to the circuit part of the radio machine is formed at the attachment part.
In this structure, connection terminal electrically connected to the antenna element directly connects to a prescribed circuit of the radio machine. Therefore, the antenna element and the prescribed circuit of the radio machine are electrically interconnected through the connection terminal. As a result, the attachment part can be made of insulating resin, and therefore, mass of the antenna device in the structure can be reduced. In addition, the structure can reduce connecting part where the electrical loss of the high frequency current is apt to occur, and thus, the structure hardly affect receiving sensitivity of the radio machine. Since a snap part having a metal part as a mounting means to the radio machine is formed at the attachment part, easy and strong mounting to the radio machine is allowed.
Since the snap part includes the metal part, it hardly bends or folds and can be strong.
When the metal part of the snap part and the connection terminal are integrally formed of one member in the antenna device of the present invention, number of components can be reduced, and positions of the metal part of the snap part and the connection terminal can be easily arranged in high accuracy. Therefore, the antenna device having good mountability to the radio machine and stable electric connectability can be easily provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with exemplary embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 1B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
1
A.
FIG. 1C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
1
A.
FIG. 2A
is a perspective view showing the antenna device of the present invention and a mounting part for mounting the antenna device to the radio machine.
FIG. 2B
is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the antenna device in
FIG. 2A
is attached to the radio machine.
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device in
FIG. 1A
, where a snap terminal is reinforced.
FIG. 4A
is a perspective view of the antenna device in accordance with the antenna device in
FIG. 1A
, where a snap terminal has the other structure.
FIG. 4B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
4
A.
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device in
FIG. 1A
, where an antenna element and a snap terminal are constituted by one member.
FIG. 6A
is a side sectional view of the antenna device where the snap part shown in
FIG. 1A
is constituted by a metallic reinforcing part
14
A and a resin made claw
14
B.
FIG. 6B
is an enlarged fragmentary view of the snap part shown in FIG.
6
A.
FIG. 7A
is a side sectional view of the antenna device where the snap part shown in
FIG. 4A
is constituted by a metallic reinforcing part
14
A and a resin made claw
14
B.
FIGS. 7B
, C, D, E are enlarged fragmentary views of various structures of the snap part shown in FIG.
7
A.
FIG. 8A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device in
FIG. 1A
, where a part of the snap terminal is machined in a shape corresponding to a mounting part on the radio machine side.
FIG. 8B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
8
A.
FIG. 8C
shows a cross section along a
8
C—
8
C line in the antenna device shown in FIG.
8
B.
FIG. 9A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 9B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
9
A.
FIG. 9C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
9
A.
FIG. 10
is a sectional view along a
10
—
10
line in
FIG. 9C
showing a mounting state to the radio machine of the antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in FIG.
9
A.
FIG. 11
is a sectional view along a
10
—
10
line in
FIG. 9C
showing a mounting state to the radio machine of the other antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in FIG.
9
A.
FIGS. 12A
, B, C, D are perspective views of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in
FIG. 9A
, where a position of a connection terminal, an angle of a snap part, and number of snap parts are varied.
FIG. 12E
is a perspective view showing a state where an antenna device having the snap part under the bottom of the attachment part of the antenna device shown in
FIG. 9A
is mounted to a given member.
FIG. 13A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in
FIG. 9A
, where only the connection terminal and the snap part are extended on the same plane under the attachment part.
FIG. 13B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
13
A.
FIG. 13C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
13
A.
FIG. 14A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in
FIG. 9A
, where only the connection terminal and the snap part are extended on the same plane under the attachment part.
FIG. 14B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
14
A.
FIG. 14C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
14
A.
FIG. 15A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in
FIG. 9A
, where a projection for preventing backlash is formed on the attachment part.
FIG. 15B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
15
A.
FIG. 16A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in
FIG. 9A
, where a projection for preventing loose is formed on the attachment part.
FIG. 16B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
A.
FIG. 16C
shows a cross section taken along lines
16
C—
16
C in the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
B.
FIG. 16D
shows a cross section taken along lines
16
D—
16
D in the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
B.
FIG. 16E
shows a cross section taken along lines
16
E—
16
E in the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
B.
FIG. 17
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 18
is a schematic sectional view showing a state where the antenna device shown in
FIG. 17
is mounted to the radio machine.
FIGS. 19A
, B, C, D are fragmentary sectional views illustrating a fixing states of a snap terminal which is an important part of the antenna device shown in FIG.
17
.
FIG. 20A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with the antenna device shown in
FIG. 17
, where the snap terminal is reinforced by an elastic claw.
FIG. 20B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
20
A.
FIG. 21
is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a state where the snap terminal and the elastic claw that are important parts of the antenna device shown in
FIG. 17
are formed integrally.
FIG. 22
is a perspective view illustrating a conventional antenna device and a mounting part of a radio machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to
FIG. 1
to FIG.
21
. The same elements used in the prior art are denoted with the same reference numbers, and their detail descriptions are thus omitted.
(Preferred Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with embodiment 1 of the present invention,
FIG. 1B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in
FIG. 1A
, and
FIG. 1C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
1
A.
As shown in
FIG. 1A
,
FIG. 1B
, and
FIG. 1C
, the antenna device in accordance with embodiment 1 comprises:
(a) core part
2
made of insulating resin;
(b) winding part
3
A of a conductive antenna element
3
which is spirally wound on the outer periphery of core part
2
;
(c) winding's lower part
3
B connected to winding part
3
A; and
(d) snap terminal
11
A that is connected to winding's lower part
3
B and integrally constituted by snap part
9
formed in a claw shape and connection terminal
10
in series.
Core part
2
is made of insulating resin such as ABS, nylon, polybutylene-terephthalate (PBT). As winding part
3
A of antenna element
3
, copper wire or copper alloy wire is used.
Snap terminal
11
A is constituted by a metal wire or a metal plate of phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, and its surface is plated with gold or nickel.
Winding's lower part
3
B is mechanically and electrically connected to snap terminal
11
A in a crimp, burring, welding, or soldering method.
Hollow attachment part
13
A having opening
13
A
1
is fixed under core part
2
. Attachment part
13
A is made of insulating resin such as ABS, nylon, or PBT. Opening
13
A
1
is drilled in a sidewall of attachment part
13
A. Snap terminal
11
A is fixed to attachment part
13
A so that snap part
9
projects from opening
13
A
1
outward of attachment part
13
A.
Top cover
4
is formed of insulating resin so as to cover the upper end of attachment part
13
A, core part
2
, and antenna element
3
.
Antenna device
20
A is constituted as discussed above.
A mounting example of antenna device of the present invention to a radio machine is described hereinafter with reference to FIG.
2
A and FIG.
2
B.
FIG. 2A
is a perspective view showing the antenna device of the present invention and a mounting part for mounting the antenna device to the radio machine.
FIG. 2B
is a schematic perspective view showing a partial state where antenna device
20
A of the present invention is attached to the radio machine. As shown in
FIG. 2B
, antenna device
20
A is engaged by inserting a sidewall part of attachment part
13
A into tubular part
110
of the radio machine. Thanks to the insertion, snap part
9
of snap terminal
11
A is hung on and fixed to engagement step part
112
formed in tubular part
110
of the radio machine. In addition, in the insertion of antenna device
20
A, connection terminal
10
of snap terminal
11
A projecting out of attachment part
13
A directly abuts on a prescribed circuit part on wiring board
114
placed in the radio machine.
Snap part
9
and connection terminal
10
of snap terminal
11
A are constituted by one member. Thus, snap terminal
11
A can be inexpensively constituted by small number of components. Mounting accuracy of the radio machine, snap part
9
, and connection terminal
10
can be increased. Therefore, the antenna device of the present invention can have high mountability to the radio machine and high electric connectivity.
In a state where antenna device
20
A is mounted to the radio machine, snap part
9
is slightly pressed toward the inside of attachment part
13
A. When the circuit part of the radio machine is placed on the opposite side of an engaging part of snap part
9
, connection terminal
10
under snap part
9
strongly abuts to a prescribed circuit part of wiring board
114
.
Antenna device
20
A of the present invention is mounted to the radio machine via attachment part
13
A and snap part
9
of snap terminal
11
A (mechanical mounting). Antenna device
20
A of the present invention is electrically connected to the radio machine through connection terminal
10
of snap terminal
11
A. Therefore, attachment part
13
A can be made of insulating resin, and its mass can be reduced.
In the structure discussed above, metallic female screws required on the radio machine side in the prior art can be eliminated. Therefore, mass of the entire radio machine can be reduced.
Since the radio machine has a structure where snap part
9
prevents the radio machine from being come off, a number of mounting processes of the antenna device to the radio machine can be reduced.
As a result, the radio machine can be manufactured at a low cost.
In regard to the radio machine having such structure, high frequency current induced in antenna element
3
flows to the prescribed circuit placed in the radio machine only through snap terminal
11
A. Therefore, connecting part can be reduced, and thus electrical loss is reduced. In the structure discussed above, the highly sensitive radio machine is obtainable.
In FIG.
1
A and
FIG. 1C
, connection terminal
10
is placed under attachment part
13
A. However, it may project out of the sidewall of the attachment part
13
A.
Opening
13
A
1
in the sidewall of attachment part
13
A discussed above has a U shape. Therefore the lower part of snap terminal
11
A can freely move through opening
13
A
1
.
The opening (through hole
13
B
1
) of attachment part
13
B shown in
FIG. 3
is rectangular. Only snap part
9
of snap terminal
11
A is projected out of through hole
13
B
1
. Part other than snap part
9
may be fixed to attachment part
13
B. In this structure, snap part
9
and connection terminal
10
can be placed in high positional accuracy. As a result, antenna device
20
B and the radio machine can have stable electric connectivity.
Antenna device
20
C shown in FIG.
4
A and
FIG. 4B
has snap terminal
11
B where snap part
9
B and connection terminal
10
B are formed in parallel.
FIG. 4B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
4
A.
Snap part
9
B and connection terminal
10
B are constituted by one member. Snap terminal
11
B formed as discussed above is connected to winding's lower part
3
B. Snap part
9
B is constituted so as to project out of opening
13
A
1
in the sidewall of attachment part
13
A. In this case, snap part
9
B and connection terminal
10
B are movable mutually independently. Thus, respective elastic forces of snap part
9
B and connection terminal
10
B can be adequately set as required.
In the antenna device shown in
FIG. 1A
,
FIG. 3
, and
FIG. 4A
, snap terminal (
11
A or
11
B) is connected to antenna element
3
. In the snap terminal, the snap part and the connection terminal are constituted by one member. However, the snap part and the connection terminal may be constituted by independent members, and only connection terminal may be connected to the antenna element. In addition, only connection terminal may be integrated with the antenna element.
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of antenna device
20
D. Antenna device
20
D employs antenna element snap terminal
15
where antenna element
3
and snap terminal
11
A are constituted by the same member. Electric connecting part of antenna device
20
D having this structure can be further reduced comparing with the antenna device shown in
FIG. 1A
,
FIG. 3
, and FIG.
4
A. Therefore, antenna device
20
D can minimize electrical loss of high frequency current induced in antenna element
3
, and realize a better electric characteristic. The antenna device having the antenna element integrated with only connection terminal can provide an equivalent effect.
In the antenna device having the structure shown in
FIG. 5
, antenna element snap terminal
15
is formed by punching a metal plate with 0.1-0.4 mm thickness, and then by machining antenna element
3
, snap part
9
, and connection terminal
10
in given shapes.
In the antenna device formed in this method, widths and shapes of antenna element
3
, snap part
9
, and connection terminal
10
can be arbitrarily set. As the metal plate, a copper plate and copper alloy plate are adequately used.
In the antenna devices shown in
FIG. 1A
,
FIG. 3
,
FIG. 4A
, and
FIG. 5
, a claw of snap part (
9
or
9
B) of snap terminal (
11
A or
11
B) is made of metal. As shown in FIG.
6
A and
FIG. 7A
, however, snap part
9
A may be constituted by a reinforcing part
14
A made of metal and claw
14
B made of resin.
FIG. 6B
,
FIG. 7B
,
FIG. 7C
,
FIG. 7D
, and
FIG. 7E
show structure examples of reinforcing part
14
A and resin made claw
14
B. In these structures, reinforcing part
14
A prevents snap part
9
A from folding, and claw
14
B can be easily formed in a desired shape.
FIG. 8A
is a perspective view of an antenna device having a snap terminal part with the other structure.
FIG. 8B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
8
A.
FIG. 80
shows a cross section along a
8
C—
8
C line in the antenna device shown in FIG.
8
B. As shown in
FIG. 8A
,
FIG. 8B
, and
FIG. 8C
, a part of snap terminal
11
C is antenna device
20
E machined in a circular arc shape responsive to (matching to) a side surface of a mounting part on the radio machine side. Because in this structure a circular-arc-shaped part
82
of snap terminal
11
C can be pressed and mounted to the sidewall of the mounting part on the radio machine by broad area, mountability to the radio machine is improved.
This circular-arc-shaped part is preferably made of metal or resin.
FIG. 8A
,
FIG. 8B
, and
FIG. 8C
show an antenna device where a part of snap terminal
11
C is formed in the circular arc shape. The snap terminal
11
C must be shaped responsively to the mounting part on the radio machine side.
In any antenna device described above, top cover
4
, core part
2
, and attachment part (
13
A,
13
B, or
13
C) are constituted by independent members. They are made of resins.
When the core part for holding an antenna element is formed and simultaneously the attachment part is integrally formed,
the attachment part is integrally formed and simultaneously the top cover is integrally formed, or
the core part for holding the antenna element is formed and simultaneously the top cover is integrally formed,
at least one of processes for forming the antenna device using resin can be eliminated. Therefore, manufacturing processes of the antenna device can be simplified, number of components can be reduced, and an inexpensive antenna device can be supplied.
In addition, it is possible that after antenna element
3
is placed without forming core part
2
top cover
4
is directly formed to cover antenna element
3
. This structure also provides an effect similar to the structure discussed above.
Number of snap parts and connection terminals may be plural as required. Especially, an antenna device having a plurality of snap parts can be fixed to the radio machine strongly and less tiltingly. Therefore, in this structure, the radio machine having excellent appearance can be easily obtained.
(Preferred Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9A
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 9B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
9
A.
FIG. 9C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
9
A. As shown in
FIG. 9A
,
FIG. 9B
, and
FIG. 9C
, antenna element
3
of antenna device
22
A in accordance with embodiment 2 is the same as antenna element
3
in embodiment 1.
In antenna device
22
A in accordance with embodiment 2, however, only connection terminal
10
C is electrically connected to winding's lower part
3
B. Connection terminal
10
C comprises a wire or a plate made of phosphor bronze or beryllium copper. The surface of connection terminal
10
C is plated with gold or nickel. As shown in
FIG. 9A
, attachment part
23
A made of insulating resin such as ABS, nylon, or PBT has claw-shaped snap part
24
A. Connection terminal
10
C is fixed to a prescribed position of attachment part
23
A. Top cover
4
made of insulating resin is formed on the outer periphery of antenna element
3
in order to cover core part
2
and antenna element
3
. Antenna device
22
A of embodiment 2 is constituted as discussed above.
FIG. 10
is a sectional view along a
10
—
10
line in
FIG. 9C
after mounting of the antenna device to the radio machine.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, attachment part
23
A and snap part
24
A of antenna device
22
A are inserted into tubular part
25
A of a radio machine (not shown) having a configuration corresponding to the outer peripheral shapes of attachment part
23
A and snap part
24
A. After the insertion, snap part
24
A is hung on an engagement step part (not shown) formed in a mounting place of the radio machine. As a result, antenna device
22
A is fixed to the radio machine. In addition, thanks to the insertion, connection terminal
10
C projecting downward of attachment part
23
A directly abuts to a prescribed circuit part on a wiring board (not shown) placed in the radio machine. The antenna device of embodiment 2 is mounted to the radio machine as discussed above.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, snap part
24
A is mounted to attachment part
23
A. Depending on the shape of attachment part
23
A, tubular part
25
A, namely a mounting part on the radio machine side, may be formed in a configuration (other than cylinder) having directionality. Even when tubular part
25
A has a directional shape, mounting attitude of antenna device
22
A can be easily recognized based on the shape of snap part
24
A. It is easy to use snap part
24
A as a mounting-position determining means. As a result, antenna device
22
A shown in
FIG. 9
is further adequately mounted to the radio machine.
FIG. 11
shows the snap part shown in FIG.
10
and an example of the other configuration of the tubular part of the radio machine. As shown in
FIG. 11
, projection
242
B is formed on snap part
24
B, and projection
232
B is formed on attachment part
23
B. Recessed parts
252
B,
254
B a re formed at positions corresponding to respective projections in tubular part
25
B of the radio machine. This structure can include a mounting-position determining function similarly to the antenna device shown in FIG.
10
. In the antenna device shown in
FIG. 11
, especially, snap part
24
B and attachment part
23
B are integrally formed of insulating resin. Therefore, projections
242
B,
232
B are easily formed in desired shapes The shapes of the mounting parts on the radio machine side are fitted to the shapes of the projections. Oppositely, the shapes of the attachment parts of the antenna device may be fitted to the shapes of the mounting parts on the radio machine side.
Also when a projection is formed on one of snap part
24
B and attachment part
23
B, a similar effect can be expected. In addition, projections
242
B,
232
B are not integrally formed with snap part
24
B and attachment part
23
B, respectively, and may be fixed to the other members such as pins or projecting pieces.
Furthermore, even when recessed parts are formed in the snap part and the attachment part and projections engaging with the recessed parts are formed on the inner periphery of the mounting part on the radio machine side, a similar effect can be obtained.
As discussed above, antenna device
22
A in accordance with the present invention is (mechanically) mounted to the radio machine through attachment part
23
A and snap part
24
A formed integrally with it. Snap part
24
A serves as the mounting-position determining function to the radio machine. Antenna element
3
and the radio machine are electrically interconnected through connection terminal
10
C. Therefore, attachment part
23
A can be made of insulating resin, and thus mass of antenna device
22
A of the present invention can be reduced.
Similarly to the antenna device of embodiment 1, antenna device
22
A of embodiment 2 is prevented from loosing thanks to snap part
24
A. Therefore, the radio machine does not require a metallic female screw, and can be easily assembled and lightened. Thus, the radio machine can be manufactured at low cost.
In the radio machine structured above, high frequency current induced at antenna element
3
can flow only through connection terminal
10
C to the prescribed circuit part placed in the radio machine. Therefore, connecting part between the antenna device and the radio machine is small, and thus electrical loss between the antenna device and the radio machine is reduced. The radio machine structured above can have high sensitivity.
As shown in FIG.
12
A and
FIG. 12B
, a position of connection terminal
10
C and a projecting direction of snap part
24
A can be set arbitrarily. However, when at least snap part
24
A is made to have a mounting-position function to the radio machine, a lower end position of snap part
24
A is preferably set at the lower end of attachment part
23
A or under the lower end.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
12
C and
FIG. 12D
, a plurality of snap parts
24
A may be formed on attachment part
23
A. These antenna devices can be mounted to the radio machine more strongly.
FIG. 12E
shows a structure where snap part
24
C is extended to the downside of the lower end position of attachment part
23
A. In an antenna device shown in
FIG. 12E
, a given member (a part shown by dashed lines in
FIG. 12E
) such as a case of the radio machine or a wiring board is grabbed between the lower end of attachment part
23
A and the upper end of a claw part of snap part
24
C. Due to this structure, the antenna device can be strongly mounted to a prescribed place.
FIG.
13
A and
FIG. 14A
show a structure of the attachment part where area required for mounting the antenna device to the radio machine is small.
FIG. 13B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
13
A.
FIG. 13C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
13
A.
FIG. 14B
is a front view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
14
A.
FIG. 14C
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
14
A. As shown in FIG.
13
A and
FIG. 14A
, two snap parts
24
D and connection terminal
10
C are arranged in parallel, on the same plane in side view, and under attachment part
23
D. Two snap parts
24
D are arranged on the both sides of connection terminal
10
C. In regard to the antenna device having such structure, mounting area on the radio machine side can be smaller, and area of the attachment part on the antenna device side can be also reduced. Reduction of the mounting area can increase designing freedom degree on the radio machine side.
As shown in FIG.
13
A and
FIG. 14A
, snap parts
24
D are placed on both sides of connection terminal
10
C. Therefore, the antenna device can be mounted to the radio machine without tilting in high positional accuracy. As a result, antenna device shown in FIG.
13
A and
FIG. 14A
can have an effect that stability of electrical connection between the radio machine and connection terminal
10
C is improved.
FIG. 15A
is a perspective view of an antenna device where projection
23
E
1
for preventing backlash is formed on the side outer periphery of the attachment part
23
E.
FIG. 15B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
15
A. When projection
23
E
1
for preventing backlash is formed on the side outer periphery of attachment part
23
E as shown in FIG.
1
SA and
FIG. 15B
, adhesiveness between attachment part
23
E and a mounting part of the radio machine can be easily improved. The antenna device having this structure can reduce backlash after mounting of the antenna device during holding and operation of the radio machine.
Projection
23
E
1
may be integrally mounted to attachment part
23
E. Otherwise, projection
23
E
1
may be made of an elastic material such as rubber and separately mounted to attachment part
23
E.
FIG. 16A
is a perspective view of an antenna device where projecting part
23
F
1
for preventing loose is formed at a part of the side surface of the attachment part
23
F.
FIG. 16B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
A.
FIG. 16C
shows a cross section along a
16
C—
16
C line in the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
B.
FIG. 16D
shows a cross section along a
16
D—
16
D line in the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
B.
FIG. 16E
shows a cross section along a
16
E—
16
E line in the antenna device shown in FIG.
16
B.
The antenna device shown in FIG.
16
A and
FIG. 16B
is rotated and mounted to a radio machine. A mounting operation is described hereinafter with reference to
FIG. 16C
,
FIG. 16D
, and FIG.
16
E. In
FIG. 16C
, projecting part
23
F
1
is inserted into a given position in groove
162
formed in the mounting part of the radio machine. The inserted antenna device is rotated along guide groove
164
formed in the mounting part of the radio machine in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
16
D. Due to this rotation, projecting part
23
F
1
of the antenna device is hardly-removably fixed to guide groove
164
of the radio machine.
In any antenna device described above, a top cover, a core part, and a attachment part are constituted by independent members. They are made of resins.
When the core part for holding the antenna element is formed and simultaneously the attachment part is integrally formed,
the attachment part is integrally formed and simultaneously the top cover is integrally formed, or
the core part for holding the antenna element is formed and simultaneously the top cover is integrally formed,
at least one of processes for forming the antenna device using resin can be eliminated.
(Preferred Embodiment 3)
FIG. 17
is a perspective view of an antenna device in accordance with embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 17
, antenna device
27
A of embodiment 3 is formed by removing the connection terminal from the antenna device shown in
FIG. 3
in accordance with embodiment 1. Antenna element
3
of antenna device
27
A of embodiment 3 is same as antenna element
3
of embodiment 1.
Snap terminal
31
formed in a claw shape is disposed under antenna element
3
. Snap terminal
31
is electrically connected to antenna element
3
. Snap terminal
31
is formed of a wire or a plate of phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, and its surface is plated with gold or nickel. The snap part having such structure is used also as a connection terminal. Because the structure of the snap part is substantially same as that of embodiment 1, detail description is eliminated.
Snap terminal
31
in antenna device
27
A of embodiment 3 is a metal part of a snap part having a function of the connection terminal.
FIG. 18
is a schematic sectional view showing a state where the antenna device
27
A in accordance with the present invention is mounted to the radio machine. Snap terminal
31
is hung on and fixed to engaging step part
182
formed in a mounting place of radio machine
180
. Snap terminal
31
is directly brought into contact with a prescribed circuit part on wiring board
184
placed in the radio machine, and is mechanically and electrically connected to the radio machine.
The radio machine having such structure allows high frequency current induced by antenna element
3
to flow to the prescribed circuit placed in the radio machine through only snap terminal
31
. Therefore, with regard to antenna device
27
A of embodiment 3 similarly to that of embodiment 1, connecting part between the antenna device and the radio machine is small, and thus electrical loss between the antenna device and the radio machine is low. In addition, the antenna device can be easily mounted to the radio machine. As a result, the radio machine employing antenna device
27
A of embodiment 3 can be easily lightened and can be inexpensive.
Snap terminal
31
of antenna device
27
A of embodiment 3 has both functions as a connection terminal and a snap part. Therefore, antenna device
27
A can be mechanically and electrically connected to the radio device in high accuracy only by managing accuracy of position and size of snap terminal
31
. Since management of snap terminal
31
is only required, managing man-hour can be reduced during manufacturing of antenna device
27
A itself.
For increasing positional accuracy of snap terminal
31
, snap terminal
31
is reinforced by fixing one or both of upper and lower places of a claw part of snap terminal
31
to attaching part
13
B as shown in the sectional views in
FIG. 19A
,
FIG. 19B
,
FIG. 19C
, and FIG.
19
D. Thus, folding or bending can be hardly generated. In antenna device
27
A of embodiment 3, mounting strength to the radio device can be increased and stability of electric connection can be improved.
FIG. 20A
is a perspective view of an antenna device where elastic claw
30
formed on attachment part
13
B is brought into contact with the inside of snap terminal
31
.
FIG. 20B
is a side sectional view of the antenna device shown in FIG.
20
A. As shown in FIG.
20
A and
FIG. 20B
, the upper and lower parts of snap terminal
31
are fixed to attachment part
13
B. Elastic claw
30
formed on attachment part
13
B is brought into contact with the inside of snap terminal
31
. In this structure, elastic repulsion of snap terminal
31
can be increased.
FIG. 21
shows an example where the upper and lower parts of snap terminal
31
are not fixed to attachment part
13
B. When snap terminal
31
and elastic claw
30
A are integrally formed as shown by the sectional view in
FIG. 21
, positional accuracy of snap terminal
31
and elastic repulsion of snap terminal
31
can be increased.
In any antenna device described above, a top cover, a core part, and the attachment part are constituted by independent members. They are made of resins.
When the core part for holding the antenna element is formed and simultaneously the attachment part is integrally formed,
the attachment part is integrally formed and simultaneously the top cover is integrally formed, or
the core part for holding the antenna element is formed and simultaneously the top cover is integrally formed,
at least one of processes for forming the antenna device using resin can be eliminated.
In the present invention, a light antenna device that can easily mount to a radio machine and can reduce loss of the induced high frequency current can be realized. The radio machine mounted with the antenna device is lightened and is highly sensitive.
Claims
- 1. An apparatus comprising an antenna device, said antenna device comprising:a conductive antenna element; a core part for holding said conductive antenna element, said core part being formed of insulating resin; an attachment part formed of insulating resin, said attachment part being attachable to a radio device, said attachment part being disposed adjacent to said core part; a top cover formed of insulating resin, said top cover covering said conductive antenna element and said core part; a snap part projecting from said attachment part; and a connection terminal formed at said attachment part for electrically connecting said conductive antenna element to a circuit part of the radio device; wherein said core part and said attachment part are unitarily formed with each other; wherein said antenna element is held on said core part; and wherein said core part does not include a cavity therein.
- 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said snap part comprises a claw portion.
- 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said claw portion comprises metal.
- 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said claw portion comprises insulating resin embedded with metal.
- 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:said radio device; wherein said claw portion is formed of insulating resin; wherein said radio device farther comprises an engagement part; and wherein said claw portion is engaged with said engagement part of said radio device.
- 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one part of said connection terminal is embedded in said claw portion.
- 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said connection terminal has a first end and a second end,wherein said first end of said connection terminal is connected to said conductive antenna element, wherein said second end of said connection terminal is connected to the circuit part, and wherein a portion of said connection terminal is embedded in said attachment part.
- 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said snap part comprises a metal part, andwherein said metal part of said snap part and said connection terminal are unitarily formed with each other.
- 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conductive antenna element and said connection terminal are unitarily formed with each other.
- 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connection terminal and said conductive antenna element are coupled with each other by crimping, burring, welding, or soldering.
- 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:said radio device; wherein said radio device further comprises an engagement part having a first shape; wherein a portion of said connection terminal has a second shape; and wherein said second shape is complementary to said first shape.
- 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said core part, said attachment part and said snap part are unitarily formed with each other.
- 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:said radio device; wherein said attachment part has a side-wall; wherein said radio device further comprises a groove; wherein said snap part projects from said side-wall of said attachment part; and wherein said snap part is fixed in said groove.
- 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said snap part is rotatably fixed in said groove.
- 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said snap part and said connection terminal are formed of metal,wherein said connection terminal has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said connection terminal is connected to said conductive antenna element, wherein said second end of said connection terminal is embedded in said first insulating resin, and wherein said snap part is fixable to the radio device.
- 16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said core part has an external surface, and said conductive antenna element is fixedly mounted to said external surface of said core part.
- 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conductive antenna element comprises a winding part, andwherein said winding part is spirally disposed on said outer surface of said core part.
- 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said winding part comprises a plurality of windings having a predetermined pitch.
- 19. An apparatus comprising an antenna device, said antenna device comprising:a conductive antenna element; a solid core part formed of insulating resin; an attachment part formed of insulating resin, said attachment part being attachable to a radio device, said attachment part being disposed adjacent to said solid core part; a top cover formed of insulating resin, said top cover covering said conductive antenna element and said solid core part; a snap part projecting from said attachment part; and a connection terminal formed at said attachment part for electrically connecting said conductive antenna element to a circuit part of the radio device; wherein said conductive antenna element is fixedly mounted to said solid core part.
- 20. An apparatus comprising an antenna device, said antenna device comprising:a conductive antenna element; a core part for holding said conductive antenna element, said core part formed of insulating resin, sail core part not having a cavity therein; an attachment part formed of insulating resin, said attachment part being attachable to a radio device, said attachment part being disposed adjacent to said core part, said attachment part having a first end and a second end; a top cover formed of insulating resin, said top cover covering said conductive antenna element and said core part; a snap part integrally formed with said attachment part at said second end of said attachment part, said snap part being fixable to an engagement part of the radio device; and a connection terminal formed at said attachment part for electrically connecting said conductive antenna element to a circuit part of the radio device; wherein said core part and said attachment part are unitarily formed with each other.
- 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said core part has an external surface, and said conductive antenna element is fixedly mounted to said external surface of said core part.
- 22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said conductive antenna element and said connection terminal are unitarily formed with each other.
- 23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said connection terminal and said conductive antenna element are coupled with each other by crimping, burring, welding, or soldering.
- 24. The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:said radio device having said engagement part; wherein said engagement part has a first shape; wherein a portion of said connection terminal has a second shape; and wherein said second shape is complementary to said first shape.
- 25. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said snap part comprises two snap portions,wherein said connection terminal and said two snap portions are coplanar, and wherein said connection terminal and said two snap portions are disposed adjacent to said attachment part.
- 26. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said snap part is arranged for establishing a mounting position of said antenna device, with respect to the radio device.
- 27. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said snap part comprises a plurality of snap portions.
- 28. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said attachment part has a side surface,wherein said side surface comprises a projection, and wherein said projection is arranged for preventing a backlash of said attachment part.
- 29. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said attachment part has a side surface,wherein said side surface comprises a projection, and wherein said projection is arranged for preventing said antenna device from coming loose from the radio device.
- 30. An apparatus comprising an antenna device, said antenna device comprising:a conductive antenna element; a solid core part formed of insulating resin; an attachment part formed of insulating resin, said attachment part being attachable to a radio device, said attachment part being disposed adjacent to said solid core part, said attachment part having a first end and a second end; a top cover formed of insulating resin, said top cover covering said conductive antenna element and said solid core part; a snap part integrally formed with said attachment part at said second end of said attachment part, said snap part being fixed to an engagement part of the radio device; and a connection terminal formed at said attachment part for electrically connecting said conductive antenna element to a circuit part of the radio device; wherein said conductive antenna element is fixedly mounted to said solid core part.
- 31. An apparatus comprising an antenna device, said antenna device comprising:a conductive antenna element; a core part for holding said conductive antenna element, said core part being formed of insulating resin, said core part not having a cavity therein; an attachment part formed of insulating resin, said attachment part being attachable to a radio device; a top cover formed of insulating resin, said top cover covering said conductive antenna element and said core part; and a snap part having a metal part electrically connected to said antenna element and projecting from said attachment part; wherein said attachment part and said core part are unitarily formed with one another; wherein a portion of said metal part is exposed; and wherein the exposed metal part of said snap part is arranged for being electrically connected to a circuit part of the radio device.
- 32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said snap part is fixed to a portion of said attachment part thereby providing reinforcement of said snap part.
- 33. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said snap part is arranged for establishing a mounting position of said antenna device, with respect to the radio device.
- 34. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said snap part comprises a plurality of snap portions.
- 35. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said attachment part has a side surface,wherein said side surface comprises a projection, and wherein said projection is arranged for preventing the antenna device from coming loose from the radio device.
- 36. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said core part has an external surface, and said conductive antenna element is fixedly mounted to said external surface of said core part.
- 37. An apparatus comprising an antenna device, said antenna device comprising:a conductive antenna element; a solid core part formed of insulating resin; an attachment part formed of insulating resin, said attachment part being attachable to a radio device; a top cover formed of insulating resin, said top cover covering said conductive antenna element and said solid core part; and a snap part having a metal part electrically connected to said antenna element and projecting from said attachment part; wherein the exposed metal part of said snap part is arranged for being electrically connected to a circuit part of the radio device; and wherein said conductive antenna element is fixedly mounted to said solid core part.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-357237 |
Dec 1999 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (7)