COMPLEX ANTENNA DEVICE

Abstract

A complex antenna device includes: an antenna base having a main surface and first and second ends opposed to each other; a bar antenna including a metal body and disposed upright on a side of the first end of the antenna base; at least one planar antenna mounted on the main surface of the antenna base between the first and second ends of the antenna base; a metallic member provided on a side of the second end of the antenna base so as to substantially remove physical influence of the bar antenna on the planar antenna.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B) are diagrams illustrating a complex antenna device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view of a top case of the complex antenna device as obliquely viewed from the lower side and FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of the complex antenna device with the top case detached therefrom, as obliquely viewed from the upper side.

FIGS. 2(A) to 2(F) are diagrams illustrating a directive property of an SDARS antenna in the complex antenna device (the improved product) according to the invention with a metallic rod shown in FIG. 1 and a directive property of an SDARS antenna in the known complex antenna device (the known product) without a metallic rod, and further illustrating directivity of an SDARS antenna in a case where a satellite wave from the SDARS satellite is received when the elevation angle of the SDARS satellite is in the range of 20° to 60°, in which FIG. 2(A) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 20°, FIG. 2(B) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 25°, FIG. 2(C) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 30°, FIG. 2(D) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 40°, FIG. 2(E) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 50°, and FIG. 2(F) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 60°.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a directive property of an SDARS antenna in the complex antenna device (the improved product) according to the invention with a metallic rod shown in FIG. 1 and a directive property of an SDARS antenna in the known complex antenna device (the known product) without a metallic rod, and further illustrating directivity of an SDARS antenna in a case where a satellite wave from the SDARS satellite is received when the elevation angle is 0°.

FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are diagrams illustrating a complex antenna device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of a top case of the complex antenna device as obliquely viewed from the lower side and FIG. 4(B) is a perspective view of the complex antenna device with the top case detached, as obliquely viewed from the upper side.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a complex antenna device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention as viewed from the upper side.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the complex antenna device shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the lower side.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the complex antenna device shown in FIG. 5 with the antenna cover detached therefrom.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the complex antenna device shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the lower side.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

A complex antenna 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view of a top case 60 of the antenna device 10, as obliquely viewed from the lower side. FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of a complex antenna device 10 with the top case 60 detached therefrom, as obliquely viewed from the upper side.

The complex antenna device 10 includes an antenna base 20, a bar antenna 30, a first planar 40, a second planar antenna 50, and a top case 60 made of resin.

The antenna base 20 is made of die-casting materials such as zinc, aluminum, and magnesium. The antenna base 20 has a main surface 20a, and a first end 20b and a second end 20c opposed to each other. The antenna base 20 has a substantially flat base portion 21 and first and second shield walls 22 and 23 formed on an upper surface (main surface 20a) of the base portion 21. The base portion 21 and the first and second shield walls 22 and 23 are integrally formed. The first shield wall 22 is provided to shield a first low noise amplifier (LNA) circuit constituting a first planar antenna 40. The second shield wall 23 is provided to shield a second low noise amplifier (LNA) circuit constituting a second planar antenna 50. Although not shown in FIG. 1(B), a shield wall is further formed between the first shield wall 22 and the second shield wall 23.

The bar antenna 30 is disposed upright at the first end 20b of the antenna base 20 and includes a metal 31. A front end of the bar antenna 30 is provided obliquely in a direction departing from the first and second planar antennas 40 and 50. In the exemplary embodiment, the bar antenna 30 serves as an antenna for receiving electric waves of the AM/FM radio bands. In addition, the bar antenna 30 may serve as an antenna for receiving an electric wave used for a car phone or may serve as an antenna for receiving both of the electric waves of the AM/FM radio bands and the electric wave used for the car phone.

The first and second planar antennas 40 and 50 are mounted on the main surface 20a of the antenna base 20 between the first and second ends 20b and 20c of the antenna base 20. The first planar antenna 40 serves as an antenna for receiving an electric wave from a first satellite. The second planar antenna 50 serves as an antenna for receiving an electric wave from a second satellite. In the exemplary embodiment, the first planar antenna 40 serves as a GPS antenna receiving an electric wave from a GPS satellite as the first satellite. The second planar antenna 50 serves as an SDARS antenna receiving an electric wave from an SDARS satellite as the second satellite.

Specifically, the first planar antenna 40 includes a first circuit board 42 having a main surface 42a and a rear surface (not shown) opposed to each other, a first planar antenna element 44 mounted on the main surface 42a of the first circuit board 42, and a first LNA circuit (not shown) mounted on the rear surface of the first circuit board 42. The first planar antenna element 44 serves as an element for receiving an electric wave from the first satellite (GPS satellite). In the exemplary embodiment, the first antenna element 44 includes a patch antenna. The first LNA circuit is a circuit for amplifying a signal received by the first planar antenna element 44. AS shown in FIG. 1(B), the first circuit board 42 is mounted on the first shield wall 22. The first LNA circuit is shielded by the first shield wall 22.

Similarly, the second planar antenna 50 includes a second circuit board 52 having a main surface 52a and a rear surface (not shown) opposed to each other, a second planar antenna element 54 mounted on the main surface 52a of the second circuit board 52, and a second LNA circuit (not shown) mounted on the rear surface of the second circuit board 52. The second planar antenna element 54 serves as an element for receiving an electric wave from the second satellite (SDARS satellite). In the exemplary embodiment, the second antenna element 54 includes a patch antenna. The second LNA circuit is a circuit for amplifying a signal received by the second planar antenna element 54. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the second circuit board 52 is mounted on the second shield wall 23. The second LNA circuit is shielded by the second shield wall 23.

The top case 60 serves as a case for covering the bar antenna 30 and the first and second antennas 40 and 50 in cooperation with the antenna base 20. The top case 60 includes a cylindrical bar antenna cover 62 covering the bar antenna 30 and a cup-shaped upper case 64 covering the first and second planar antennas 40 and 50, The upper case 64 has four screw bosses 641 protruding downwardly from an inner wall 64a thereof at four portions.

Meanwhile, in the base portion 21 of the antenna base 20, four holes 211 (only two holes are shown in FIG. 1(B)) are formed at positions corresponding to the four screw bosses 641, respectively. The top case 60 is mounted on the antenna base 20 by fitting four screws (not shown) through the four holes 211 and the four screw bosses 641.

Although not shown in FIG. 1(B), a hole is formed at the center, in which the first and second shield walls 22 and 23 of the antenna base 20 come in contact with each other, of the base portion 21 of the antenna base 20. A bolt post 25 protruding downwardly from the base portion 21 is formed in the base portion 21 of the antenna base 21 at the position where the hole is formed. The hole and the bolt post 25 bind three output cables (not shown) drawn from the base portion of the bar antenna 30 and the first and second circuit boards 42 and 52.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the antenna base 20 is mounted on a base pad.

In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the complex antenna device 10 includes a metallic member 70 provided at the second end 20c of the antenna base 20. The GPS antenna 40 is provided close to the bar antenna 30 and the SDARS antenna 50 is provided close to the metallic member 70.

As known in this technical field, the GPS antenna 40 preferably receive an electric wave from the GPS satellite about once per 5 seconds. On the other hand, the SDARS antenna 50 is required to constantly receive an electric wave from the SDARS satellite. For this reason, the SDARS antenna 50 requires a better directivity than that of the GPS antenna 40.

The metallic member 70 is provided at a specific position and has a size, so as to substantially remove physical influence of the bar antenna 30 on the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50. If the size of the metallic member 70 is so small, it can not remove the physical influence. Accordingly, a predetermined size is needed for removing the physical influence. In the exemplary embodiment, the metallic member 70 is formed of a metallic rod disposed upright at the specific position on the main surface 20. In this manner, the metallic rod 70 is disposed upright at the opposite side to the bar antenna 30, with the first and second antennas 40 and 50 interposed therebetween, thereby improving directivity of the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50. The metallic rod 70 may be preferably provided to extend up to adjacent to or higher than receiving plates of the first and second antennas 40 and 50 so as to remove physical influence of the bar antenna 30 further effectively.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown a directive property of the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50 in the complex antenna device 10 (the improved product) according to the invention with the metallic rod 70 shown in FIG. 1 and a directive property of the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50 in the known complex antenna device (the known product) without the metallic rod 70.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating directivity of the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50 in a case where a satellite wave from the SDARS satellite is received when the elevation angle of the SDARS satellite is in the range of 20° to 60°. FIG. 2(A) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 20°, FIG. 2(B) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 25°, FIG. 2(C) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 30′, FIG. 2(D) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 40°, FIG. 2(E) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 50°, and FIG. 2(B) shows directivity when the elevation angle is 60°.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating directivity of the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50 in a case where a satellite wave from the SDARS satellite is received when the elevation angle is 0°.

As known in this technical field, the more it is close to the perfect circle (i.e., the more roundness is high), the more a ripple of the directivity is small and good. It can be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the directivity of the improved product is closer to the perfect circle than that of the known product (i.e., roundness is high) and is more improved than that of the known product.

A complex antenna device 10A according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of a top case 60 of the complex antenna device 10A, as obliquely viewed from the lower side. FIG. 4(B) is a perspective view of the complex antenna device 10A with the top case 60 detached therefrom, as obliquely viewed from the upper side.

The complex antenna device 10A has the same configuration as the complex antenna device 10 shown in FIG. 1, except that a configuration of the metallic member is different as described below. Accordingly, reference numeral 70A is given to the metallic member. The same reference numerals are given to what have the same function shown in FIG. 1. In order to simplify description (in order to avoid duplication of description), the description about the same constituent elements will be omitted.

The metal member 70A includes a metallic tape attached to a specific position in the inner wall 64a of the upper case 64 of the top case 60.

The inventors confirmed that the directivity was improved in the complex antenna device 10A with such a configuration as well as the complex antenna device 10 shown in FIG. 1 in comparison with the known complex antenna device.

In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, although there are provided two planar antennas of the first planar antenna (GPS antenna) 40 and the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50, the complex antenna device according to the invention is applicable to a complex antenna device including only one planar antenna as the second planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50, exclusive of the first planar antenna (GPS antenna) 40.

Next, a complex antenna device 10B according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the complex antenna device 10B as viewed from the upper side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the complex antenna device 10B as viewed from the lower side. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the complex antenna device 10B with the bar antenna cover 62 detached, as viewed from the upper side. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the complex antenna device 10B as viewed from the lower side.

The complex antenna device 10B is largely different from the above-described complex antenna devices 10 and 10A, in that the complex antenna device 10B includes only one planar antenna device 50A. Accordingly, the same reference numerals are given to what have the same function as the complex antenna device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, in order to simplify description, only parts different from the complex antenna device 10 will be described.

The complex antenna device 10B includes an antenna base 20A, a bar antenna (not shown), a planar antenna 50A, a top case 60A made of resin, and a base pad 80.

The antenna base 20A is made of die-casting materials such as zinc, aluminum, and magnesium. The antenna base 20A has a main surface 20a and a first end 20b and a second end 20c opposed to each other. The antenna base 20A has a substantially flat base portion 21A. The antenna base 20A has three screw bosses 26 protruding upwardly from the main surface 20a at the first end 20b. A circuit board 15 is mounted on the three screw bosses 26. The circuit board 15 has three holes 15a corresponding to the three screw bosses 26. Three screws 17 are fitted into the three screw bosses 26 through the three holes 15a, thereby fixing the circuit board 15 on the three screw bosses 26.

A base portion of the bar antenna (not shown) is mounted on the circuit board 15. The bar antenna is provided at the first end 20b of the antenna base 20A. The bar antenna includes a metal (not shown). The bar antenna is provided so that a front end thereof is inclined in a direction departing from the planar antenna 50A. In the exemplary embodiment, the bar antenna serves as an antenna for receiving electric waves of AM/FM radio bands. In addition, the bar antenna may serve as an antenna for receiving an electric wave used for a car phone or may serve as an antenna for receiving both of the electric waves of the AM/FM radio bands and the electric wave used for the car phone.

The planar antenna 50A is mounted on the main surface 20a of the antenna base 20A between the first and second ends 20b and 20c of the antenna base 20A. The planar antenna 50A is an SDARS antenna receiving an electric wave from an SDARS satellite.

The planar antenna 50A includes a circuit board 52A having a main surface 52a and a rear surface 52b opposed to each other, a planar antenna element 54 mounted on the main surface 52a of the circuit board 52A, an LNA circuit (not shown) mounted on the rear surface 52b of the circuit board 52A, and a shield case 58 shielding the LNA circuit. The planar antenna element 54 serves as an element for receiving an electric wave from an SDARS satellite. In the exemplary embodiment, the planar antenna element 54 includes a patch antenna element. The LNA circuit serves as a circuit for amplifying the signal received by the planar antenna element 54.

The top case 60A is a case for covering the bar antenna and the planar antenna 50A in cooperation with the antenna base 20A. The top case 60A includes the cylindrical antenna cover 62 covering the bar antenna and a cup-shaped upper case 64A covering the planar antenna 50A and the circuit board 15. The upper case 64A has four screw bosses 641 protruding downwardly from the corresponding four portions from the inner wall 64a.

In the base portion 21A of the antenna base 20A, four holes 211 are formed at the positions corresponding to the four screw bosses 641.

The base bad 80 is made of elastic resin. The base pad 80 includes an installation portion 81 on which the antenna base 20A is mounted, a ring-shaped wall portion 82 protruding upwardly in an outer periphery of the installation portion 81, a skirt portion 83 protruding downwardly in the outer periphery of the installation portion 81, a ring-shaped pad portion 84 protruding downwardly from the installation portion 81 in the vicinity of a circular opening 81a formed at the center of the installation portion 81. In the installation portion 81 of the base pad 80, four holes 811 are formed at the positions corresponding to the four holes 211 of the antenna base 20A, respectively.

The four screws 91 are fitted through the four holes 811 of the installation portion 81 of the base pad 80, the four holes 211 of the base portion 21A of the antenna base 20A, and the four screw bosses 641 of the upper case 64A of the top case 60A. Accordingly, the top case 60A is mounted on the antenna base 20A.

In a state where the ring-shaped wall portion 82 of the base pad 80 is fitted to an outer peripheral portion 212, the base pad 80 is mounted on the antenna base 20A. The skirt portion 83 and the ring-shaped pad portion 84 of the base pad 80 come in close contact with a vehicle body to seal a space between the vehicle body and the base pad 80. That is, the skirt portion 83 of the base pad 80 has a waterproof function and does not damage the exterior of the vehicle body. The ring-shaped pad 84 has a waterproof function.

A hole 21 is formed in the center of the base portion 21A of the antenna base 20A. In the center in which the hole 21a is formed, a cylindrical bolt post portion 25 protruding downwardly from the base portion 21A is formed in the base portion 21A of the antenna base 20A. The hole 21a and the bolt post portion 25 bind output cables (not shown) drawn from the circuit boards 15 and 52.

In the third exemplary embodiment of the invention, the complex antenna device 10B includes a metallic member 70B provided at the second end 20c of the antenna base 20A.

Specifically, the upper case 64A of the top case 60A has one screw boss 642 protruding downwardly from the inner wall 64a thereof at specific position. Meanwhile, the base portion 21A of the antenna base 20A has a screw boss 72 at the position (at the specific position) corresponding to the one screw boss 642 so as to mount the antenna base 20A on the top case 60A. In the installation portion of the base pad 80, one hole 812 is formed at the position corresponding to the screw boss 72 of the antenna base 20A.

The one metallic screws 74 is fitted through the one hole 812 of the installation portion 81 of the base pad 80, the screw boss 72 of the base portion 21A of the antenna base 20A, and the one screw boss 642 of the upper case 64A of the top case 60A. Accordingly, the top case 60A is also mounted on the antenna base 20A.

That is, the metallic member 70B includes the screw boss 72 of the antenna base 20A and the metallic screw 74 penetrating the screw boss 72.

As described above, the metallic member 70B is disposed upright at the side opposite to the bar antenna, thereby improving the directivity of the planar antenna (SDARS antenna) 50A.

While the exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described above, the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. In the third exemplary embodiment of the invention, the metallic member 70B includes the combination of the screw boss 72 and the metallic screw 74. However, when the screw 74 is made of resin, for example, the metallic member 70B may include only the screw boss 72.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No 2006-238792, filed on Sep. 4, 2006 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. There are changes that may be made without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A complex antenna device comprising: an antenna base having a main surface and first and second ends opposed to each other;a bar antenna including a metal body and disposed upright on a side of the first end of the antenna base;at least one planar antenna mounted on the main surface of the antenna base between the first and second ends of the antenna base;a metallic member provided on a side of the second end of the antenna base so as to substantially remove physical influence of the bar antenna on the planar antenna.

2. The complex antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the metallic member includes a metallic rod disposed upright on the main surface of the antenna base.

3. The complex antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a top case made of resin and covering the bar antenna and the planar antenna in cooperation with the antenna base, wherein the metallic member includes a metallic tape attached onto an inner wall of the top case.

4. The complex antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a top case made of resin and covering the bar antenna and the planar antenna in cooperation with the antenna base made of metal, wherein the metallic member includes a screw boss of the antenna base disposed upright so as to attach the antenna base to the top case.

5. The complex antenna device according to claim 4, wherein the metallic member further includes a metallic screw penetrating the screw boss.

6. The complex antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the bar antenna is an antenna adapted to receive electric waves of AM/FM radio bands.

7. The complex antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the bar antenna is an antenna adapted to send and receive an electric wave for a car phone.

8. The complex antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the planar antenna severs as an SDARS antenna adapted to receive an electric wave from an SDARS satellite.

9. The complex antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one planar antenna includes a first planar antenna adapted to receive an electric wave from a first satellite, and a second planar antenna adapted to receive an electric wave from a second satellite.

10. The complex antenna device according to claim 9, wherein the first planar antenna is a GPS antenna adapted to receive an electric wave from a GPS satellite as the first satellite and the second planar antenna is an SDARS antenna adapted to receive an electric wave from an SDARS satellite as the second satellite.

11. The complex antenna device according to claim 10, wherein the GPS antenna is provided at a position close to the bar antenna and the SDARS antenna is provided at a position close to the metallic member.

12. A complex antenna device comprising: an antenna base;a bar antenna made of metal;at least one planar antenna mounted on the antenna base;a metallic member made of metal,wherein the at least one planar antenna is positioned between the bar antenna and the metallic member so as to substantially remove physical influence of the bar antenna on the planar antenna.

13. The complex antenna device according to claim 12, wherein the metallic member includes a metallic rod disposed upright on the antenna base.

14. The complex antenna device according to claim 12, wherein the metallic member includes a metallic tape attached onto an inner wall of the antenna device.