Patent Grant
6861991
The present invention relates generally to antenna systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to antenna systems that employ on-glass or hidden antennas.
Many vehicles incorporate communication systems that enable them to receive and transmit signals for various purposes. For example, most automobiles are equipped with an AM/FM radio. In addition, many automobiles are further equipped with keyless entry systems, wireless telephony systems, GPS systems, television systems, remote tire pressure monitoring equipment, or other equipment. Antennas typically collect the radio or other waves that are used by such communication systems.
Some conventional vehicle antennas, known as mast antennas, are mounted to the body of the vehicle. Mast antennas may exhibit limited signal performance. Moreover, mast antennas add wind noise and drag to the vehicle, adversely affecting the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle, and are susceptible to damage and corrosion.
Another type of conventional vehicle antenna is mounted on a glass surface of the vehicle, e.g., on the windshield or a window. For example, a backlite antenna system includes antenna elements that are embedded in a rear window of the vehicle. These antenna elements can be integral with or separate from other components, such as defogger elements. Examples of backlite antenna systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,610,619; 5,790,079; and 5,099,250. Backlite antennas provide a number of advantages relative to mast antennas. Unlike mast antennas, backlite antennas do not protrude from the body of the vehicle and are thus less susceptible to damage and corrosion. Further, backlite antennas add neither wind noise nor drag to the vehicle.
Solar-ray antennas and other film antennas, like backlite antennas, are also located on a glass surface of the vehicle, typically the windshield. While backlite antennas often incorporate antenna elements into the rear window defogger elements, film antennas instead use one or more transparent film elements that are affixed to the windshield. For example, one type of film antenna includes a principal element that is parallel to the top of the windshield and an impedance matching element perpendicular to the principal element.
In many antenna systems, the antenna is coupled to the communication system via an antenna module, which may include, for example, an antenna amplifier, an antenna filter, and other components. For some types of communication systems, such as a remote tire pressure monitoring system or a keyless entry system, the antenna module may also include components for processing the received signal, such as a microprocessor and a receiver. Various leads are electrically connected to the antenna module. For example, the antenna module receives power through a power cable and receives an input from the antenna from another lead. A coaxial cable provides the output from the antenna module to the communication system. In addition, some antenna modules are grounded via a separate lead.
The antenna module may be mounted to the vehicle chassis using a bolt, clip, or nut. This type of mounting is generally performed using an in-plant installation process that involves additional manufacturing processes. A supplier may instead install the antenna module on a headliner of the vehicle, avoiding the need for an in-plant installation process. This installation method, however, still involves fastening a bolt or nut to the vehicle chassis at the vehicle assembly plant. In addition, the glass supplier solders or otherwise installs terminals on the glass to provide connection points to the antenna module.
Alternatively, the antenna module may be mounted on a window or other glass surface of the vehicle. In many on-glass antenna systems and hidden antenna systems, the power and coaxial cables are attached to the antenna module using mechanical press-together connections on loose leads. Some other on-glass antenna systems use compressible silicone contacts into which the leads are inserted. Both types of antenna systems incorporate connectors that are plugged into the antenna module. Installation of on-glass antenna modules has generally involved additional in-plant manufacturing processes, as with chassis-mounted antenna modules.
The in-plant processes involved in installing antenna modules that use plug-in connections require a degree of skill and strength to positively seat the connectors and establish electrical connections. In addition, the coaxial cable is typically inserted into the antenna module before the antenna module is installed in the vehicle. Mishandling of the coaxial cable, such as using the cable as a handle, can compromise electrical connections within the cable, as well as between the cable and the antenna module.
According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an antenna module includes antenna circuitry having a terminal. When a compressible contact is compressed, it electrically couples this terminal to another terminal, which is disposed on a surface. A cover disposed over the antenna circuitry compresses the compressible contact when the cover is adhesively mounted to the surface.
In another embodiment, a vehicle antenna system includes an antenna having an antenna terminal disposed on a surface of the vehicle and antenna circuitry having an antenna circuit terminal. When a compressible contact is compressed, it electrically couples the antenna circuit terminal to the antenna terminal or another terminal. A cover disposed over the antenna circuitry compresses the compressible contact when the cover is adhesively mounted to the surface.
In still another embodiment, a vehicle communication system includes an antenna having an antenna terminal disposed on a surface of the vehicle and antenna circuitry having an antenna circuit terminal. A communication subsystem has a communication subsystem terminal also disposed on the surface. When a compressible contact is compressed, it electrically couples the antenna circuit terminal to the antenna terminal or the communication subsystem terminal. A cover disposed over the antenna circuitry compresses the compressible contact when the cover is adhesively mounted to the surface.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for installing an antenna module. Antenna circuitry having a first terminal and a second terminal is provided. A first compressible contact is arranged to electrically couple the first terminal to an antenna terminal disposed on a surface when the compressible contact is compressed. A second compressible contact is arranged to electrically couple the second terminal to a terminal of the communication subsystem also disposed on the surface. A cover disposed over the antenna circuitry is adhesively mounted to the surface. As a result, the compressible contacts are compressed, and the first and second terminals are electrically coupled to the antenna and the communication subsystem, respectively.
Various embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages, particularly improvements in the manufacturing process. For example, the compressible contact generates a spring force when compressed by the cover. This spring force holds the compressible contact in mechanical and electrical contact with the terminals of the antenna circuitry and of the antenna or communication system. As a result, the terminals need not be soldered to the glass or other surface. Accordingly, the manufacturing process can be simplified. For example, a single operation can both mount the antenna module on the glass and establish the required electrical connections. Moreover, the antenna module can be installed independently of other manufacturing processes and free of attachment structures such as cables, pigtails, nuts, bolts, clips, and the like. Material costs and, in turn, installation costs, may be reduced as a result. In addition, with the need for a plug-in connector eliminated, the reliability of the electrical connection to the antenna module can be improved. Initial quality of the antenna module can be likewise improved as a result.
Additional objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the claims that follow, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following discussion of various embodiments directed to a vehicle communication system is to be construed by way of illustration rather than limitation. This discussion is not intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses. For example, while various embodiments of the invention are described as being mounted on a window glass of a vehicle, it will be appreciated that the principles of the invention are applicable to antenna modules mounted on other surfaces of a vehicle. Further, the invention may be practiced in connection with communication systems not incorporated in a vehicle.
In one implementation, an antenna module includes antenna circuitry having a terminal. When a compressible contact is compressed, it electrically couples this terminal to another terminal, which is disposed on a surface. A cover disposed over the antenna circuitry compresses the compressible contact when the cover is adhesively mounted to the surface. The antenna module may be implemented as part of a vehicle antenna system or a vehicle communication system.
The present invention may provide a number of advantages, such as improvements in the manufacturing process. For example, because the electrical connection is established and maintained by the spring force generated when the cover compresses the compressible contact, the terminals need not be soldered to the glass or other surface. Accordingly, the manufacturing process can be simplified. For example, a single operation can both mount the antenna module on the glass and establish the required electrical connections. Moreover, the antenna module can be installed independently of other manufacturing processes and free of attachment structures such as cables, pigtails, nuts, bolts, clips, and the like. Material costs and, in turn, installation costs, may be reduced as a result. In addition, with the need for a plug-in connector eliminated, the reliability of the electrical connection to the antenna module can be improved. Initial quality of the antenna module can be likewise improved as a result.
Referring now to the drawings,
In an embodiment of the invention, the antenna module 102 is adhesively mounted on the window glass 108. While not required, the antenna module 102 may incorporate locating features that interact with corresponding locating features on the vehicle to facilitate installation on the window glass 108.
The antenna module 102 is coupled to the antenna 104 via a lead or terminal, such as an antenna grid input terminal. The antenna grid input terminal carries a signal received by the antenna 104, e.g., an AM or FM radio signal. In some implementations, the antenna module 102 may be coupled to multiple antennas 104 via multiple antenna grid input terminals. For example, the antenna module 102 may be coupled to an AM antenna via an AM antenna input terminal and to an FM antenna via an FM antenna input terminal.
The antenna module 102 is also coupled to the communication subsystem 106 via a lead or terminal. More typically, the antenna module 102 is coupled to the communication subsystem 106 via multiple leads or terminals. These leads may include, for example, a coaxial cable having an antenna output terminal and a coaxial shield terminal. In addition, the antenna module 102 may be grounded via an antenna module ground terminal. The antenna module 102 may also receive power via an antenna module power terminal.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the antenna module 102 includes antenna circuitry having terminals that correspond to the terminals of the antenna 104 and of the communication subsystem 106. The antenna circuitry may also have terminals independent of the antenna 104 and the communication subsystem 106, such as an antenna module ground terminal or an antenna module power terminal.
A compressible contact is arranged between the corresponding terminals. The antenna module 102 includes a cover that, when adhesively mounted to the window glass 108, places the compressible contact under compression, causing a spring force to be exerted by the compressible contact. The spring force holds the compressible contact in mechanical and electrical contact with both of the corresponding terminals. Because the electrical connection is established and maintained by the spring force, the terminals need not be soldered to the window glass 108. Accordingly, mounting and electrical connections can both be established during a single operation. Material costs and, in turn, installation costs, may be reduced as a result. In addition, the reliability of the electrical connection to the antenna module can be improved, resulting in an improvement in the initial quality of the antenna module.
A first compressible contact 116 is disposed between antenna circuit terminal 112 and corresponding terminal 114. A second compressible contact 116′ is disposed between the second terminal 112′ and the corresponding terminal 114′. The compressible contacts are formed of a compressible and electrically conductive material. For example, while not required, the compressible contacts 116, 116′ may be formed of silicone impregnated with an electrically conductive material.
A cover 118 is installed over the antenna circuit board 110. In some implementations, the cover 118 is formed of an electrically nonconductive material, such as plastic or foam. Other implementations may feature a cover 118 formed of an electrically conductive material, as shown in FIG. 7.
To install the antenna module 102, the cover 118 is placed over the antenna circuit board 110 and is adhesively mounted to the window glass 108. Adhesive mounting may be accomplished, for example, by removing a pre-installed peel-away film to expose an adhesive on a surface 120 of the cover 118. The adhesive is preferably implemented as an electrically nonconductive high-temperature adhesive. Adhesively mounting the cover 118 on the window glass 108 compresses the compressible contacts 116 and 116′, thereby generating a spring force that holds the compressible contact 116 in mechanical and electrical contact with the terminals 112 and 114, and compressible contact 116′ in mechanical and electrical contact with terminals 112′ and 114′. As a result, the terminals 112 and 112′ need not be soldered to the window glass 108. Mounting and electrical connections can both be established during a single operation, reducing material and installation costs while providing a reliable electrical connection.
In some embodiments, the antenna module 102 may also include an antenna base 122 that snaps together with the cover 118. The antenna module base 122 may have locating features, such as apertures, to facilitate placement of the compressible contacts 116 and 116′.
The configuration of terminals 112 and 112′ on the antenna circuit board 110 and 114 and 114′ on window glass 108 may vary according to the particular antenna configuration and antenna module configuration.
In the configuration shown in
In the configuration shown in
Alternatively, the antenna module base 180 may be replaced with a conductive pattern formed on the window glass 108. In this implementation, the conductive pattern, rather than the antenna module base 180, completes the Faraday cage around the antenna circuit board 110 and provides a ground for the antenna module 102. This implementation eliminates the need for the antenna module base 180 and its associated costs.
As demonstrated by the foregoing discussion, various embodiments of the present invention may facilitate improvements in the manufacturing process. For example, the antenna module can be installed independently of other manufacturing processes because neither plug-in connectors nor soldering is required. Installing the antenna module instead consists of adhesively mounting the antenna module cover to the glass or other surface on which the antenna module is to be installed. Thus, a single operation can both mount the antenna module on the glass and establish the required electrical connections. Consequently, installation costs may be reduced. Moreover, with the plug-in connector eliminated, the electrical connection to the antenna module can be made more reliable, thereby improving the initial quality of the antenna module.
It will be understood by those who practice the invention and those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. The scope of protection afforded is to be determined solely by the claims and by the breadth of interpretation allowed by law.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5099250 | Paulus et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
| 5610619 | Zafar | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5790079 | Zafar | Aug 1998 | A |
| 6087996 | Dery | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6118410 | Nagy | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6147654 | Nagy | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6163303 | Nagy | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6191746 | Nagy | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6211831 | Nagy et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6266023 | Nagy et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6307515 | Sauer et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6307516 | Zafar et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6317090 | Nagy et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6320558 | Walton | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6483468 | Walton | Nov 2002 | B2 |
| 20020053735 | Neuhaus et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040095284 A1 | May 2004 | US |
