Patent Application
20140015717
The present disclosure relates to antenna mast assemblies, which may be configured for multiband operation for automobiles or other vehicular applications.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
A multiband antenna assembly typically includes multiple antennas to cover and operate at multiple frequency ranges. A printed circuit board (PCB) having radiating antenna elements is a typical component of the multiband antenna assembly. Another typical component of the multiband antenna assembly is an external antenna, such as a vertically extending whip antenna rod or mast. The multiband antenna assembly may be installed or mounted on a vehicle surface, such as the roof, trunk, or hood of the vehicle. The antenna may be connected (e.g., via a coaxial cable, etc.) to one or more electronic devices (e.g., a radio receiver, a touchscreen display, GPS navigation device, cellular phone, etc.) inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, such that the multiband antenna assembly is operable for transmitting and/or receiving signals to/from the electronic device(s) inside the vehicle.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of antenna mast assemblies, which may be configured for multiband operation for automobiles or other vehicular applications. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna mast assembly generally includes a coil radiator including a first coil portion and a second coil portion. The antenna mast assembly also includes a support having a first end portion, a second end portion, a first protruding portion, and a second protruding portion. The coil radiator is disposed about at least a portion of the support such that the first coil portion is between the first protruding portion and the first end portion of the support, and such that the second coil portion is between the second protruding portion and the second end portion of the support.
Another exemplary embodiment includes an antenna mast assembly for use with an automobile. In this example, the antenna mast assembly generally includes a coil radiator having a first coil portion, a second coil portion, and a linear portion extending between and connecting the first and second coil portions. The first coil portion has a different configuration than the second coil portion such that the first coil portion is operable over or resonant in one or more frequency bands different than the second coil portion. The coil radiator is operable over or resonant in multiple frequency bands including an amplitude modulation (AM) band, a frequency modulation (FM) band, and one or more cellular frequency bands.
A further exemplary embodiment includes an antenna mast assembly for use with an automobile. In this example, the antenna mast assembly generally includes a flexible rod and a coil radiator disposed about at least a portion of the flexible rod. The flexible rod comprises fiberglass with epoxy resin, polyamide, and/or polyester.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The inventors' hereof have recognized that while some conventional antenna mast assemblies are useful in providing AM, FM, and cellular multiband operation for automobiles or other vehicular applications, they have a large part count such that numerous components have to be produced and assembled together (e.g., more than 10 different components, etc.). With such a large part count, the inventors have recognized that the production process tends to be relatively complex with relatively high material and labor costs, and a high scrap rate. Plus, it can be difficult to control product quality of so many parts.
Accordingly, the conventional antenna mast assembly 10 illustrated in
The rod having the step features may also allow the coil or helical radiator to be wound about the rod by a machine in an automated process, which may thus allow for reduced labor and assembly costs. For example, the upper and lower coil portions of the coil radiator are connected by a straight wire portion (broadly, linear or straight portion) extending between the upper and lower coil portions. A winding machine may draw wire or other portion tightly about the rod during the winding of the coil radiator about the rod. Without the step features to stop the coils from slidably moving along the rod and to maintain the straight wire portion in position, the coils of upper and/or lower coil portions may loosen during or after winding with the winding machine. Thus, the step features help solve the coil loosening issue and provide the feasibility to wind the coil radiator about the rod in an automated process with a machine.
After recognizing the above, the inventors hereof have developed and disclose herein exemplary embodiments of antenna mast assemblies that include a single shaft or rod that is made of material(s) (e.g., fiberglass with epoxy resin, polyamide, polyester, other polymers, other synthetic man-made fibers, etc.) more flexible than currently used rods. The use of only one shaft or rod that is made out of more flexible material allows for the number of components to be reduced. In exemplary embodiments, the number of components has been reduced by elimination of the shock spring 136, ferrules 138, a second rod 12, a second coil spring 16, and middle and lower shrink tubes 24, 26. Even with the elimination of the shock spring 136, exemplary embodiments include a single shaft or rod made of flexible enough material that allows the antenna mast assembly to withstand customer requirements while reducing the part count. In addition, this may also allow for reduced labor costs, reduced individual component costs, and reduced overall manufacturing costs. By way of example only, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be able to satisfy customer requirements that include the ability to bend around a 300 millimeter cylinder for 24 hours and return to within 5° of original shape; bend to 35° for 2 hours and return to original shape, bend to 35° for 24 hours and return to within 5° of original shape, bend so highest point is under 100 millimeters for 24 hours then return to 100% of original shape, and 1500 hits (shock stability test) without severe damage (operational) (1 hit per second for 25 minutes).
The rod 214 has a generally circular cross-sectional shape or profile in this exemplary embodiment. In addition, the rod 214 is preferably made of material(s) (e.g., as fiberglass with epoxy resin, polyamide, polyester, other polymers, other synthetic man-made fibers, etc.) more flexible than currently used rods. As shown, the antenna mast assembly 210 includes the single shaft or rod 214. Using only one shaft or rod 214 that is made out of flexible material allows for the number of components to be reduced. Even though this exemplary embodiment does not include a shock spring, the single shaft 214 made of flexible enough material allows the antenna mast assembly 210 to withstand customer requirements such as those mentioned above, while reducing the part count. In addition, this may also allow for reduced labor costs, reduced individual component costs, and reduced overall manufacturing costs.
By way further example, the rod 214 may have a length or height of 267 millimeters, while the antenna assembly 210 (
The rod 214 is aligned with and/or disposed at least partially along a central longitudinal axis or centerline of the coils of the helical radiator 215. Alternative embodiments may include a rod having a different configuration (e.g., oval shaped cross-section, non-circular cross-section, made of different materials, etc.).
The coil radiator 215 includes a first or lower coil portion 216 and a second or upper coil portion 218. The second coil portion 218 is spaced apart or distanced from the first coil portion 216. The first and second coil portions 216, 218 are configured to disposed about the rod 214. As shown in
For example, one of the upper and lower coil portions 216, 218 may be configured to be operable over and resonant in one or more cellular frequency bands (e.g., LTE 700 MHz, AMPS, GSM850, GSM900, and/or DAB VHF III, etc.), while the other one of the upper and lower coil portions 216, 218 may be configured to be operable over and resonant in the AM and/or FM frequency bands. In this illustrated embodiment, the upper coil portion 218 has a wider coil pitch, has more coils, and is longer than the lower coil portion 216. The upper coil portion 218 may be configured to be resonant (e.g., at about 97 Megahertz (MHz), etc.) in one or more frequency bands (e.g., AM and/or FM frequency bands, etc.) lower than the one or more frequency bands (e.g., one or more cellular frequency bands, etc.) in which the lower coil portion 216 is resonant (e.g., about 698 MHz to about 960 MHz, etc.). By way of example, the lower coil portion 216 may be configured to be operable over and/or resonant in one or more cellular frequency bands (e.g., LTE 700 MHz, AMPS, GSM850, GSM900, and/or DAB VHF III, etc.), while the upper coil portion 218 may be configured to be operable over and/or resonant in the AM and FM frequency bands. In operation, the lower coil portion 216 may also be operable as a choke coil to block cellular phone frequencies and make the lower portion of the antenna structure resonant at about 698 MHz to about 960 MHz, etc.
The coil radiator 215 also includes a linear or straight portion extending between and connecting the first and second coil portions 216, 218. In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second coil portions 216, 218 and the linear connecting portion 244 are part of the single, integrated coil 215. In addition, the coil radiator 215 is configured to be operable over and cover multiple frequency bands which has previously been accomplished using two separate coils 16, 18 shown in
With continued reference to
A spiral straking 228 may be attached to an outer surface of the rod 214 via adhesive tape 230 (see
The tube 222 may be positioned over the rod 214 and spiral straking 228. Heat may then be applied to cause the tube 222 to shrink about the rod 214 and straking 228, to thereby couple the tube 222 with the rod 214 and straking 228. The tube 222 includes a spiral element 258 (e.g., raised straking, etc.) corresponding to the straking 228. The spiral element 258 generally spirals or encircles around the tube 222 along a length of the tube 222. The spiral element 258 protrudes, extends, etc. outwardly a distance (e.g., a strake, etc.) from the tube 222. The spiral element 258 may function to provide the antenna mast assembly 210 with an asymmetrical cross-sectional area, in forming flutes around the tube 222. The asymmetrical cross-sectional area may function to cause airflow across the tube 222 to generate a significant degree of turbulence for reducing the whistling sound generated by the airflow. The spiral element 258 and base 234 may be configured similarly to a respective spiral element and base disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,671,812, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In the final assembled form shown in
The antenna mast assembly 210 further includes a connector 220 coupled to the first or proximal end portion 240 of the rod 214. The connector 220 (e.g., threaded shaft, etc.) is used for connecting the antenna mast assembly 210 to a base antenna, which, in turn, is connected (e.g., to one or more electronic devices (e.g., a radio receiver, a touchscreen display, GPS navigation device, cellular phone, etc.) inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle, such that the antenna mast assembly 210 is operable for transmitting and/or receiving signals to/from the electronic device(s) inside the vehicle.
The rod 314 has a generally circular cross-sectional shape or profile in this exemplary embodiment. In addition, the rod 314 may be made out of relatively flexible material, such as fiberglass with epoxy resin, polyamide, polyester, other polymers, other synthetic man-made fibers, etc. Alternative embodiments may include a rod having a different configuration (e.g., oval shaped cross-section, non-circular cross-section, made of different materials, etc.).
The coil radiator 315 includes a first or lower coil portion 316 and an upper or second coil portion 318. The second coil portion 318 is spaced apart or distanced from the first coil portion 316. The first and second coil portions 316, 318 are configured to be disposed about (e.g., encircle, coiled, wound, etc.) about the rod 314. The upper coil portion 318 has a different configuration (e.g., different coil pitch, different length, different number of coils, configured to be resonant in a different frequency band, etc.) than the lower coil portion 316.
For example, one of the upper and lower coil portions 316, 318 may be configured to be operable in one or more cellular frequency bands (e.g., LTE 700 MHz, AMPS, GSM850, GSM900, and/or DAB VHF III, etc.), while the other one of the upper and lower coil portions 316, 318 may be configured to be operable over and resonant in the AM and/or FM frequency bands. In this illustrated embodiment, the upper coil portion 318 has a wider coil pitch, has more coils, and is longer than the lower coil portion 316. The upper coil portion 318 may thus be configured to be resonant in a different frequency band than the lower coil portion 316. For example, the upper coil portion 318 may be configured to be resonant (e.g., at about 97 MHz, etc.) in one or more frequency bands (e.g., AM and/or FM frequency bands, etc.) lower than the one or more bands (e.g., one or more cellular frequency bands, etc.) in which the lower coil portion 316 is resonant (e.g., about 698 MHz to about 960 MHz, etc.). By way of example, the lower coil portion 316 may be configured to be operable over and/or resonant in one or more cellular frequency bands (e.g., LTE 700 MHz, AMPS, GSM850, GSM900, and/or DAB VHF III, etc.), while the upper coil portion 318 may be configured to be operable over and/or resonant in the AM and FM frequency bands. In operation, the lower coil portion 316 may also be operable as a choke coil to block cellular phone frequencies and make the lower portion of the antenna structure resonant at about 698 MHz to about 960 MHz, etc. Accordingly, the single coil radiator 315 may be configured to be operable over and cover multiple frequency bands which has previously been accomplished by using two separate coils 16, 18 shown in
The coil radiator 315 also includes a linear or straight portion extending between and connecting the first and second coil portions 316, 318. The first and second coil portions 316, 318 and the linear connecting portion 344 are thus part of the single, integrated coil radiator 315.
With continued reference to
As shown in
The coil radiator 315 also includes a bottom portion, coil, or loop 352. The bottom coil 352 may be disposed around the rod 314 so that it abuts against a rib or protruding portion 354 on the rod 314. In addition to helping inhibit relative movement between the coil radiator 315 and rod 314, the step features may help with alignment of the coil radiator 315 and/or enable the coil radiator 315 to be wound by machine about the rod 314. For example, a winding machine may draw wire or other material tightly about the rod 314 during the winding of the coil radiator 315 about the rod 314. Without the step features to stop the coils from slidably moving along the rod 314 and to maintain the linear portion 344 in position, the coils of the upper and/or lower coil portions 316, 318 may loosen during or after winding with the winding machine. Thus, the step features help to solve the coil loosening issue and provide the feasibility to wind the coil radiator 315 about the rod 314 in an automated process with a machine.
With continued reference to
The sheath 322 fully covers the rod 314 and the coil radiator 315 such that the antenna assembly 310 does not necessarily need or require an overmolded base. Accordingly, this exemplary embodiment may allow for a reduced part count (e.g., by eliminating the straking 28 and base 34 shown in
The spiral element 358 generally spirals or encircles around the sheath 322 along a length of the sheath 322. The spiral element 358 protrudes, extends, etc. outwardly a distance (e.g., a strake, etc.) from the sheath 322. The spiral element 358 may function to provide the antenna mast assembly 310 with an asymmetrical cross-sectional area, in forming flutes around the sheath 322. The asymmetrical cross-sectional area may function to cause airflow across the sheath 322 to generate a significant degree of turbulence for reducing the whistling sound generated by the airflow. The spiral element 358 may be configured similarly to a spiral element disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,671,812, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In the final assembled form, the sheath 322 having the raised straking 358 comprises a portion of the exterior of the antenna mast assembly 310, along with a cap 332. The cap 332 is coupled at the top of the sheath 322.
The antenna mast assembly 310 further includes a connector 320 coupled to the first or proximal end portion 340 of the rod 314. The connector 320 (e.g., coaxial connector etc.) is used for connecting the antenna assembly 310 to a communication link or line (e.g., coaxial cable, etc.), which, in turn, is connected to one or more electronic devices (e.g., a radio receiver, a touchscreen display, GPS navigation device, cellular phone, etc.) inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle, such that the antenna mast assembly 310 is operable for transmitting and/or receiving signals to/from the electronic device(s) inside the vehicle.
In exemplary embodiments of an antenna mast assembly, the support, support structure, or mount (e.g., rod or shaft, etc.) for the coil radiator may be configured so as to increase flexibility of the mast, whereby the increased flexibility may help the antenna mast assembly survive bend tests and/or improve the bend test results. In such embodiments, an additional structure or material is provided within or introduced into the rod, shaft, or other support for the coil radiator. The additional structure or material helps increase the bending strength of the mast, thereby resulting in better spring back of the mast after a prolonged bending. By way of example, this may be accomplished by overmolding the rod or shaft (e.g., rod or shaft 314 (
Exemplary embodiments of an antenna mast assembly (e.g., 210, 310, etc.) disclosed herein may be used in combination with a wide range of antenna base assemblies, such that the combination of the antenna base and mast assemblies provide multiband operation over multiple operating frequencies, e.g., operable and resonant in six or more frequency bands, etc. By way of example, an antenna mast assembly may be installed or mounted to a hood of a vehicle, while the antenna base assembly may be installed or mounted to the vehicle's roof. The antenna mast assembly may be configured to be operable over and cover multiple frequency ranges or bands, such one or more or any combination of the following frequency bands: amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and one or more cellular frequency bands (e.g., LTE 700 MHz, AMPS, GSM850, GSM900, and/or DAB VHF III, etc.). The antenna base assembly may be configured to be operable over and cover multiple frequency ranges or bands, such that the combination of the antenna mast and antenna base assembly is operable over and covers at least the following frequency ranges or bands: AM, FM, global positioning system (GPS), satellite digital audio radio services (SDARS) (e.g., Sirius XM, etc.), Glonass, LTE700, AMPS, GSM850, GSM900, PCS, GSM1800, GSM1900, AWS, and UMTS.
An exemplary embodiment of an antenna mast assembly disclosed herein may be used in combination with an multiband multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna assembly disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/570,534. By way of further example, an exemplary embodiment of an antenna mast assembly disclosed herein may be used in combination with an antenna assembly antenna assembly disclosed in PCT International Patent Publication No. WO 2012/044968. The entire contents of the above patent application and publication are incorporated herein by reference.
The combination of the antenna mast and antenna base assemblies may be configured to be operable within at least the following frequency bandwidths associated with cellular communications, such as one or more (or all) of AMPS/GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, PCS/GSM1900, UMTS/AWS, GSM850, GSM1900, AWS, LTE (e.g., 4G, 3G, other LTE generation, B17 (LTE), LTE (700 MHz), etc.), AMPS, PCS, EBS (Educational Broadband Services), BRS (Broadband Radio Services), WCS (Broadband Wireless Communication Services/Internet Services), cellular frequency bandwidth(s) associated with or unique to a particular one or more geographic regions or countries, one or more frequency bandwidth(s) from Table 1 and/or Table 2 below, etc.
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms (e.g., different materials may be used, etc.) and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that may be achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentioned advantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values (e.g., frequency ranges, etc.) for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter). Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. For example, the terms “generally”, “about”, and “substantially” may be used herein to mean within manufacturing tolerances.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended or stated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
