EP2238647B1 - Multi-layer antenna of planar design - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved multi-layer antenna is distinguished by the following features: the patch arrangement (13) is at least divided into two and comprises, in addition to the primary patch element (53), a secondary additional patch element (55), the patch element (53) and the additional patch element (55) can be positioned such that they can be moved towards one another and at least partially one in the other in order to change their overall height (114), and the additional patch element (55) is held by a separate holding and supporting device, preferably by a hood (61) which covers the entire antenna arrangement.

Description

The invention relates to a multilayer antenna of planar design according to the preamble of claim 1.

A generic multilayer antenna is known from DE 10 2006 027 694 B3 known.

The multilayer antenna of planar design comprises an electrically conductive ground plane, a conductive radiating surface (which is arranged parallel to the ground plane) and a dielectric carrier, which is sandwiched between the mass surface and the radiating surface. Above the radiation surface, a carrying device is arranged, on which an electrically conductive patch element is positioned. The patch device support has a thickness or height that is less than the thickness or height of the patch element.

The patch element itself can be used as a solid, ie as a Solid material be formed. It is also possible that the patch element consists of a metal plate or a metal sheet, which is provided for example by cutting or punching with circumferential and away from the dielectric support webs, edges or the like.

Such an antenna is particularly suitable as a motor vehicle antenna, for example, for the SDARS services. For this purpose, such a patch antenna can be provided, in addition to further antenna radiators for other services, on a common base arrangement on separate antenna structures, etc., which are generally vertical to the base arrangement, etc.

Such an entire antenna arrangement is then located below a hood, as for example from EP 1 616 367 B1 is known.

In such antenna arrangements, for example using one of the aforementioned DE 10 2006 027 694 B3 known patch antenna must be taken to ensure that certain tolerances are met. This definitely requires that in order to avoid an insufficient interior space within a hood, an additional small measure of 1-2 mm must be available as tolerance compensation. In the case of hood-shaped covers, however, this leads entirely to a perceptible enlargement of the entire hood, since even a small increase in the minimum height due to a specific curved design of the hood leads to an unwanted broadening and extension of the hood housing in total.

A compact broadband antenna is also from the EP 1 793 451 A1 known. According to FIG. 4 and 5 This prior publication comprises the patch antenna arrangement a ground plane, an active planar patch antenna arranged above the ground plane separated by a dielectric substrate thereof above which a planar parasitic patch antenna is arranged at a distance. This likewise planar parasitic patch antenna is fastened to the inside or inside of a radome which comprises the dielectric substrate above the ground plane with the outside conversion circumference.

From the pre-publication Anguera, J .; Boada, L .; Puente, C .; Borja, C .; Soler, J .: "Stacked H-shaped microstrip patch antenna," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol.52, No. 4, 983-993, April 2004 H-shaped patch antenna arrays have become known, as well as from the pre-publication Moussa, IK; Mohamed, DAE; Badran, I .: "Analysis of Stacked Rectangular Microstrip Antenna," National Radio Science Conference, 2007.1-11, 13-15 March 2007 , From the last-mentioned prior publication, the effect of variable distances of patch elements to the radiation surface can be seen.

A microstrip antenna array is also from the EP 0 279 050 A1 known. It comprises an active patch antenna element, above which a first plate-shaped parasitic element is arranged at a distance with the interposition of a dielectric, and a second plate-shaped parasitic element is arranged at a further distance above it. As a result, a broadband antenna arrangement can be realized.

Object of the present invention, however, is a to further develop a multilayer antenna of planar design, which allows a reduction of the tolerances to be maintained even with optimum antenna reception.

The object is achieved according to the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The multilayer antenna planar design basically corresponds to that structure, as he from the DE 10 2006 027 694 B3 is known. In that regard, reference is made to the disclosure of the above-mentioned prior publication and made the content of the present application.

The improvement can now be realized in that the parasitic patch provided on the planar patch antenna above the carrying device 19 is now at least two-parted and comprises a first patch element and a patch additional element. In order to allow a different overall height, both patch elements telescope-like different interlocking far into each other, that is, that one can dive to different levels in the other patch element. The one patch element may preferably be designed box-shaped or box-like, preferably with an encircling and upwardly open edge. The second patch element, which may also be referred to below as a patch additional element, may consist of a solid or, for example, a radiation element which is likewise box-shaped, or comprise the same, so that both patch elements are positioned at different positions relative to one another can be in which one patch element in the other "dips" by a certain amount. In other words, therefore, preferably at least one of the two patch elements should have a length and / or a width which is preferably at least slightly smaller than the clear internal dimension of the second patch element provided with a circumferential or generally circumferential closed edge some degree may dip when needed. In this case, the further patch additional element belonging to the parasitic radiator arrangement can, as mentioned, be provided as a solid or as a box-shaped element, which is preferably open towards the bottom. In particular, in this case, however, the lower patch element as a solid or as example even downwardly open, box-shaped patch element may be equipped, which can dive into the upper patch additional element, especially if it is slightly smaller dimensions ( ie in the longitudinal and transverse directions) as the upper patch additional element.

This patch attachment is now attached to the inside of the hood over the entire antenna assembly and / or is held over it, in such a way that this patch attachment sits directly above the patch assembly located on the support. In side view, preferably no distance space is provided between the edges or webs of the patch arrangement located on the carrier device and the patch accessory device located above it. In the event of a tolerance deviation, however, the upper patch attachment can then be submerged at different depths in the box-shaped patch element located on the carrier device, or else it arises between both a split.

In principle, the arrangement can also be reversed, for example, that the attached to the hood patch element sized larger and provided with the mentioned generally closed peripheral edge or ridge, and if necessary, the underlying held over the actual patch antenna patch element depending as far as possible overlaps.

As a result of this arrangement according to the invention, the hood as a whole can be built lower, since no additional, albeit slight, height dimension for tolerance deviations has to be provided. If tolerance deviations are present, then this possibly leads to the fact that the patch attachment element held on the inside of the hood can engage differently far into the box-shaped patch arrangement located on the support device underneath.

However, this two-part patch acts in electrical respects as in the generic state of the art according to the DE 10 2006 027 694 B3 described one-piece patch element.

Figur 1 :

eine Querschnittsdarstellung durch eine erfindungsgemäß mehrschichtige Antenne, insbesondere Patchantenne mit einem erfindungsgemäß zusätzlich vorgesehenen Patch-Zusatzelement;

Figur 2 :

eine schematische Draufsicht auf das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3 :

eine schematische räumliche Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Patchantenne mit einem nach Art einer offenen Box gestalteten primären Patch-Element, in welches ein Patch-Zusatzelement eintaucht;

Figur 4 :

eine entsprechende Darstellung zu Figur 3, jedoch ohne das weitere Patch-Zusatzelement;

Figur 5 :

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung durch das in Figur 3 wiedergegebene Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer alles überdeckenden Haube;

Figur 6 :

eine zu Figur 5 abweichende Querschnittsdarstellung mit einer abweichenden Haubengeometrie und einer andersartigen Halteeinrichtung für das Patch-Zusatzelement;

Figur 7 :

ein abgewandeltes Ausführungsbeispiel von Figur 2 in schematischer Draufsicht; und

Figur 8 :

ein zu Figur 3 abweichendes Ausführungsbeispiel mit einem Patch-Zusatzelement, welches oben liegend in der Zentralfläche eine Ausnehmung aufweist.

Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following discussion of the invention. In detail:

FIG. 1:

a cross-sectional view through a multi-layer antenna according to the invention, in particular patch antenna with a additionally provided according to the invention additional patch element;

FIG. 2:

a schematic plan view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3:

a schematic spatial representation of the patch antenna according to the invention with a designed in the manner of an open box primary patch element, in which a patch additional element is immersed;

FIG. 4:

a corresponding representation too FIG. 3 but without the additional patch accessory;

FIG. 5:

a schematic cross-sectional view through the in FIG. 3 reproduced embodiment with an all-covering hood;

FIG. 6:

one too FIG. 5 Deviating cross-sectional view with a different hood geometry and a different type of holding device for the patch additional element;

FIG. 7:

a modified embodiment of FIG. 2 in a schematic plan view; and

FIG. 8:

one too FIG. 3 deviating embodiment with a patch additional element which has lying above in the central area a recess.

Hereinafter, first on the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 4 Referenced in which a Patch antenna is shown, which has along an axial axis Z superimposed surfaces and layers. Such a patch element is in principle from the DE 10 2006 027 694 B3 known. However, that indicates DE 10 2006 027 694 B3 known patch element no two-part parasitic patch arrangement with an inventive patch additional element.

From the schematic cross-sectional view according to FIG. 1 It can be seen that the patch antenna A has an electrically conductive ground plane 3 on its so-called under or mounting side 1. Arranged on the ground surface 3 or with a lateral offset therefrom is a dielectric carrier 5, which usually has an outer contour 5 'in plan view, which corresponds to the outer contour 3' of the ground surface 3. However, this dielectric support 5 can also be dimensioned larger or smaller and / or provided with outer contour 5 'deviating from the outer contour 3' of the ground surface 3. In general, the outer contour 3 'of the ground plane can be n-polygonal and / or even provided with curved sections or curved, although this is unusual.

The dielectric support 5 with an upper side 5a and a lower side 5b has a sufficient height or thickness, which generally corresponds to a multiple of the thickness of the mass surface 3, that is, in contrast to the mass surface 3, which consists approximately only of a two-dimensional surface the dielectric carrier 5 is designed as a three-dimensional body having sufficient height and thickness.

Unlike the dielectric body 5, it is also possible to provide a different kind of dielectric or a different dielectric structure, also using air or with a layer of air next to a further dielectric body. When using air as a dielectric then, of course, a corresponding support means, for example, with stilts, bolts, columns, etc., must be provided in order to support and hold the other parts of the patch antenna located above and subsequently explained.

On the upper side 5a opposite to the underside 5b (which comes to lie adjacent to the ground surface 3), an electrically conductive radiation surface 7 is formed, which likewise can again be understood approximately as a two-dimensional surface. This radiation surface 7 is fed and excited electrically via a feed line 9, which extends preferably in the transverse direction, in particular perpendicular to the radiation surface 7 from below through the dielectric carrier 5 in a corresponding bore or a corresponding channel 5c.

From a generally lower connection point 11, to which a coaxial cable not shown in detail can be connected, then the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, not shown, to the feed line 9 is electrically-galvanic and thus connected to the radiation surface 7. The outer conductor of the coaxial cable, not shown, is then electrically-galvanically connected to the underlying ground surface 3.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 ff, a patch antenna is described which includes a dielectric 5 and a has square shape in plan view. However, this shape or the corresponding contour or outline 5 'can also deviate from the square shape and generally have an n-polygonal shape. Although unusual, even curvy outer boundaries can be provided.

The radiation surface 7 seated on the dielectric 5 may have the same contour or outline 7 'as the dielectric 5 located underneath. In the embodiment shown, the basic shape is also square in shape, adapted to the contour 5' of the dielectric 5, but has flattened areas 7 at two opposite ends In general, therefore, the outline 7 'can also represent an n-polygonal outline or contour or even be provided with a curvilinear outer boundary 7'.

The mentioned ground plane 3 as well as the radiation surface 7 are sometimes referred to as a "two-dimensional" surface, since their thickness is so small that they can not be called quasi "solid". The thickness of the ground plane and the radiating surface 3, 7 usually moves below 1 mm, i. usually less than 0.5 mm, in particular less than 0.25 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.10 mm.

The previously explained patch antenna A may for example consist of a commercially available patch antenna, preferably of a so-called ceramic patch antenna, in which therefore the dielectric carrier layer 5 consists of a ceramic material. According to the further description, it follows that in addition to the patch antenna A explained above, a patch antenna in the sense of a stacked patch antenna is further formed, in which with side or height offset to the upper radiation surface 7 additionally a patch arrangement 13 is provided which comprises a first primary patch element 53 and a second secondary patch additional element 55. In this case, the first parasitic patch element 53 is designed so that it has a three-dimensional structure with different, ie greater height or thickness compared to the mentioned ground surface 3 and the radiation surface.

Preferably, a support means 19 having a thickness or height 17, in particular a dielectric support means 19 is used, over which the primary patch member 53 is held and carried. This dielectric support device 19 preferably consists of an adhesive or assembly layer 19 '(FIG. FIG. 6 ), which may be formed for example as a so-called double-sided adhesive and mounting layer 19 '. Commercially available double-sided adhesive tapes or double-sided adhesive foam tapes, adhesive pads or the like can be used for this purpose, which have a corresponding thickness mentioned above. This opens up the simple possibility of fixing and mounting the mentioned patch element 53 on top of a commercially available patch antenna, in particular a commercially available ceramic patch antenna.

The so-called stacked patch antenna is on an in FIG. 1 positioned only as a line indicated chassis B, which may for example represent the base chassis for a motor vehicle antenna, in which the antenna according to the invention may optionally be installed in addition to other antennas for other services. The inventive For example, a stacked patch antenna can be used in particular as an antenna for geostationary positioning and / or for the reception of satellite or terrestrial signals, for example the so-called SDARS service. However, there are no restrictions for use for other services.

The primary patch element 53 can consist, for example, of an electrically conductive, box-shaped metal body open at the top with corresponding longitudinal and transverse extent and sufficient height.

As from the spatial representation according to FIGS. 3 and 4 can be seen, this patch element 53 may have a rectangular or square structure with a corresponding outline 53 '.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the patch element 53 has a longitudinal extension and a transverse extent, which is greater than the longitudinal and transverse extent of the radiation surface 7 and / or greater than the longitudinal and transverse extent of the dielectric carrier 5 and / or or the underlying ground surface 3.

As can be seen from the figures, the parasitic patch arrangement 13 is divided into two and comprises the primary patch element 53 which is seated or held on the carrier device 19 and which is designed in the manner of an open-topped box and has a basic configuration. or central surface 153, which in the embodiment shown with a peripheral edge or a circumferential web 53b (in general, a corresponding Survey 53 b) is provided, which rises transversely, in particular vertically, from the plane of the base surface 153, which is also parallel to the ground surface. Such a patch element 53 can be produced for example by cutting and edges of an electrically conductive metal sheet, wherein the circumferential ridges 53b in the corner areas can be electrically / galvanically connected to each other, for example by soldering (wherein also in the central portion 153 also recesses may be provided , which will not be discussed further below.

Above this primary patch element 53 is then the secondary patch additional element 55, which is also designed box-shaped in the embodiment shown, in the manner of a solid body with the appropriate length and width and height. The dimensioning in length and width is such that the dimensions are e.g. At least slightly smaller than the free inner and transverse length between the circumferential ridges 53b of the primary patch element 53. Namely, this opens up the possibility that the secondary patch element, i. the secondary patch additional element 55 can dive to varying degrees in the interior 53 a of the lower patch element 53. In other words, the lowest level, i. the lowest boundary plane 55 'in the interior 53a of the primary patch element 53, ie below the upper boundary plane 53', which is predetermined by the upper peripheral edge of the webs or edges or outer walls 53b.

Deviating from a solid formed in this way, however, the secondary patch additional element 55 can also be configured such that it is similar to the lower patch element 53 in the manner of an open box with an interior or receiving space 55a (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and with a peripheral edge or circumferential rib 55b (generally a circumferential elevation 55b) is formed, so this secondary patch additional element 55 has its opening side facing down and is closed by the overhead floor 155.

The patch additional element 55 thus explained is now held by a separate support device 61, preferably in the form of a hood or housing 61 'covering and receiving the antenna.

In FIG. 5 In this case, a first schematic exemplary embodiment is shown in the vertical section transversely to the ground plane or transversely to the radiation planes of the patch antenna, in which case the secondary patch additional element 55 on the inner side 61b located there on the upper side, in this exemplary embodiment flat-shaped hood top side 61a with its upper side 13a, which is formed by the base or central surface 155, for example by gluing, by a separate locking or fixing mechanism, etc. held and fixed.

This embodiment allows tolerance errors to be easily compensated by the fact that depending on the resulting overall structure of the patch antenna including the primary patch element 53 and the patch additional element 55 and the height of the hood 61 and the available clear internal dimension below this hood 61 this patch Additional element 55 can diverge widely into the lower primary patch element 53. As a result, tolerance errors can be compensated.

In the variant according to FIG. 6 is shown a different, in cross-section rather trapezoidal hood design. In this case, the overhead patch additional element 55 is suspended by a separate support means 63 on the top 61a of the hood. Any desired mechanical holding and / or latching and / or clamping mechanisms can be considered here in order to carry and fix the upper patch additional element accordingly.

From the described structure it follows that the total height 114 of the patch arrangement 13 can easily vary slightly according to the different tolerance conditions. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the patch arrangement 13 is divided into at least two and the two components, which may be positioned relative to one another in the optionally different relative distance, namely the patch element 53 and the patch additional element 55.

The thickness of the entire patch arrangement 13 should preferably have a dimension which is not only twice, 3, 4 or 5 times etc., but above all 10 times, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and / or 100 times and more of the thickness of the ground surface 3 and / or the thickness of the radiation surface 7 is.

In the embodiment shown, the thickness or height 114 of the entire patch assembly 13 is equal to or greater than a distance 17 between the bottom of the patch element 53 and the top of the radiation surface 7. On the other hand, this distance should not be less than 0.5 mm , preferably more than 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm or equal to or more than 1 mm. Values around 1.5 mm, ie generally between 1 mm to 2 mm or 1 mm to 3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm are fully sufficient.

Further, it will also be appreciated that the height or thickness 114 of the three-dimensional patch assembly 13 is preferably less than the height or thickness 15 of the dielectric carrier 5. Preferably, the overall thickness or overall height 114 of the patch assembly 13 is a measure that is less than 90%, in particular less than 80%, 70%, 60%, 50% or even less than 40% and optionally 30% or less than 20% of the height or thickness 15 of the carrier element 5 corresponds.

In addition, a restriction to the aforementioned amount is not absolutely necessary. Therefore, the height or thickness 114 of the three-dimensional patch assembly 13 may also have a greater and above all significantly greater height or thickness than the thickness or height 15 of the dielectric carrier 5. In other words, this height or thickness 15 of the carrier element 5, for example also have a dimension which is up to 1.5 times, 2 times, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and / or 10 times and more of the height or thickness 15 of Carrier element 5 corresponds.

On the other hand, the thickness or height 114 of the entire patch arrangement 13 should preferably be greater than the distance dimension 17 between the radiation area 7 and the underside 13b of the patch element 13.

The height 114a of the lower patch element 53 and the height 114b of the upper patch accessory 55 are preferably the same to allow for maximum tolerance compensation. Preferably, at least the two individual heights 114a and 114b ( FIG. 5 ) with respect to the patch element 53 in relation to the patch additional element 55 and less than 50%, in particular less than 40%, 30%, 20%, in particular less than 10% differ from one another.

Of course, the upper patch additional element 55 is also electrically conductive or provided on its outer side or optionally with a hollow body with a conductive inner side. Therefore, this body can also be made of metal or of a plastic material or dielectric body, which is optionally coated with an electrically conductive layer. In practice, installation within a hood can come into play, in which the upper second patch element 55 possibly comes to rest with its lower boundary plane 55 'only at the level of the upper boundary plane 53' of the lower patch element 53, or even is slightly above it.

For the sake of completeness, it is also mentioned that the overall structure of the lower and upper patch elements can be reversed, such that, for example, the upper patch element 55, which is sized smaller by the outer contours, is constructed on the carrier device 19 and lower in the FIGS formed patch element 53 is attached to a hood and / or held, in other words so then the top patch element engages over the lower and the lower patch element in the upper patch element can dive. However, this would lead to an enlargement of the hood dimension, which is basically less desirable.

In principle, it is also noted that each one part of the entire patch arrangement 13, which is smaller is dimensioned and in the other patch element or patch additional element (which is designed in the manner of an open box) can dive, as a solid (ie solid) or also as designed to one side open box can be designed. In this case, the open side of the thus-shaped box-shaped patch element 53 or patch additional element 55 preferably lies on the side facing the other patch element. In other words, therefore, are the open sides of the patch element 53 and the patch additional element 55 on the two sides facing each other. In principle, the opening side, in particular in the smaller dimensioned patch additional element 55, can also be formed on the side facing away from the patch element 53.

Finally, based on FIG. 7 only explained in principle that other geometrical shapes and contours are conceivable not only for the upper radiation surface 7, but preferably also for the two intermeshable patch devices 53, 55.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7 At least at two opposite regions, both the patch element 53 and the patch additional element 55 are provided with a shape deviating from a rectangular or square structure, in which flattenings 153 'and 155' are provided here at the corner regions. In general, however, the outline of both patch elements 53, 55 should be adapted to each other so that they are usually at least similar to each other and allow an optimal quasi telescopic ineinanderuntergbarkeit.

Embodiments have heretofore been described in which, as has been shown in the drawings, the patch element 53 and the patch additional element 55 at least partially dive into one another. As already mentioned, the two patch elements 53, 55 can also be arranged such that the lower boundary plane of the upper patch element and the upper boundary plane of the lower patch element lie just in one plane or even between these two boundary planes a distance is formed. The arrangement should be such that the maximum distance between the upper boundary plane 53 'of the primary patch element 53 and the lower boundary plane 55' of the patch additional element 55 is smaller than 5 times the height 114b of the patch additional element 55, preferably less than 4, 3, 2 and especially 1 times the height 114b of the patch accessory 55 or even less than half the height 114b.

Finally, the embodiment according to FIG. 8 which shows only to complete possible modifications, for example, that a recess or a cutout 55 "can also be introduced into the upper base or central surface 155 of the patch additional element 55. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this recess 55" is designed with a round or circular shape ,

Claims (20)

1. A multilayer antenna having a planar design, in particular a patch antenna preferably excluding an inverted F antenna, comprising a plurality of surfaces and/or layers arranged along an axial axis (Z) with or without lateral offset from one another, displaying the following features:

   - an electrically conductive earth surface (3) is provided,

   - a conductive radiation surface (7) is provided, which is arranged at a lateral distance from the earth surface (3) and preferably extends parallel thereto,

   - a dielectric carrier (5) is provided, which is arranged between the earth surface (3) and the radiation surface (7) at least in a partial height and/or a partial region, optionally next to air,

   - the radiation surface (7) is electrically connected to an electrically conductive feed line (9),

   - with a support means (19) which is provided directly or indirectly on the side of the radiation surface (7) opposing the earth surface (3),

   - with an electrically conductive patch assembly (13) which comprises a primary patch element (53) which is provided on the side of the support means (19) opposing the radiation surface (7),

   - the support means (19) has a thickness or height (17) which is less than the thickness or height (114) of the patch assembly (13),

   - the patch assembly (13) is divided at least into two and comprises two patch elements (53, 55), namely the primary patch element (53) and a secondary patch additional element (55),

   - the primary patch element (53) or the secondary patch additional element (55) is box-shaped or box-like in its configuration and comprises a base portion or central portion (153) and elevations, edges and/or webs (53b) protruding transversely thereto, forming an open interior (53a), the respective other patch element, namely the secondary patch additional element (55) or the primary patch element (53), also being configured in a box-shaped or box-like manner or as a volume body,

   - the secondary patch additional element (55) is fastened to the inside of a hood (61) covering the entire antenna assembly and/or is held thereabove by a separate holding and support means (61), and

   - the primary patch element (53) and the secondary patch additional element (55) are configured in such a way that, in the case of tolerance deviations with regard to the height of the overall construction of the patch antenna, including the primary patch element (53) and the secondary patch additional element (55), and the height of the hood (61) and to the available internal dimension underneath this hood (61), the secondary patch additional element (55) which is configured as a volume body or in a box-shaped manner can dip into the interior (53a) of the box-shaped primary patch element (53), or the primary patch element (55) which is configured as a volume body or in a box-shaped manner can dip into the interior of the box-shaped secondary patch additional element (55).
2. The multilayer antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patch additional element (55) is arranged with its lower delimiting plane (55') in such a way that the lower delimiting plane (55') comes to lie at the level of or below the upper delimiting plane (53') of the primary patch element (53).
3. The multilayer antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patch additional element (55) is arranged with its lower delimiting plane (55') in such a way that the lower delimiting plane (55') comes to lie above the upper delimiting plane (53') of the primary patch element (53), at a maximum distance which is less than 5 times the height (114b), preferably less than 4 times, 3 times, 2 times the height and in particular is less than the height (114b) of the patch additional element (55b) and preferably is less than half the height (114b) of the patch additional element (55).
4. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length and/or width of the patch additional element (55) is configured in such a way that the patch additional element can dip into the interior (53a) of the patch element (53), which interior is bordered by the central surface (153) and the preferably peripheral elevations, edges and/or webs (53b) of the primary patch element (53).
5. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length and width of the patch additional element (55) are at least slightly less than the internal dimension of the interior (53a) of the patch element (53).
6. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the height (114a) of the patch element (53) and the height (114b) of the patch additional element (55) are the same or differ from one another by less than 50 %, in particular less than 40 %, 30 %, 20 % and in particular less than 10 %.
7. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the length and/or the width of the primary patch element (53) differ from the length and/or width of the patch additional element (55) by less than 40 %, in particular less than 30 %, 20 %, 10 % and less than 5 % and in particular less than 2 %.
8. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the overall height (114) of the patch assembly (13) is less than the thickness or height (15) of the dielectric carrier (5) between the earth surface (3) and the radiation surface (7).
9. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the overall height (114) of the patch assembly (13) is greater than the thickness or height of the dielectric carrier (5) between the earth surface (3) and the radiation surface (7), the thickness or height (114) of the patch element (13) corresponding to up to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 and more times the thickness or height (15) of the dielectric carrier (5).
10. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the patch element (53) and/or the patch additional element (55) have a longitudinal and/or transverse extension of the radiation surface (7) that is greater than or equal to the longitudinal and/or transverse extension of the dielectric carrier (5) and/or is greater than the longitudinal or transverse extension of the earth surface (3).
11. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the overall thickness or overall height (144) of the patch assembly (13) is greater than twice, greater than 3, 4 or 5 times, in particular greater than 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 times and in particular greater than 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 and more times the thickness of the earth surface (3) and/or the thickness of the radiation surface (7).
12. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the patch element (53) and/or the patch additional element (55) are made of an electrically conductive material, in particular metal.
13. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the patch element (53) and/or the patch additional element (55) are made of an electrically nonconductive material and wholly or partly coated with an electrically conductive layer, at least the central or base portions and/or the peripheral lateral delimitations and/or the edges or webs provided are provided with an electrically conductive layer.
14. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the patch element (53) is at least approximately box-shaped in its configuration, namely with a central portion (153) which is surrounded by an edge or web (53b) which is peripherally closed or configured in portions, the opening side of the box-shaped patch element (53) thus formed lying pointing away from the radiation surface (7) or the earth surface (3).
15. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the patch additional element (55) is at least approximately box-shaped in its configuration, namely with a central portion (53) which is surrounded by an edge or web (55b) which is peripherally closed or configured in portions, the opening side of the box-shaped patch additional element (55) thus formed lying preferably pointing toward the radiation surface (7) or the earth surface (3).
16. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the two patch elements (53) and patch additional elements (55), which can be positioned one inside the other in differing ways by adapting the overall height (114) thereof, dip inside one another without contact or with mutual contact.
17. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the patch element (53), which has a central portion (153) which is surrounded by an edge or web (53b) which is oriented away from the radiation surface (7), is arranged on the support means (19), and wherein the patch additional element, which is held via a separate support means (61, 61'), dips therein with relatively small outer dimensions.
18. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein at least one of the two patch elements (53, 55), preferably the patch additional element (55) is fastened to the inside of the hood (61), in particular is held by means of adhesion or a mechanical fastening, locking or clamping means.
19. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein a separate support means and/or fastening means (63) is provided on the inside of the hood (61), preferably in the form of the patch additional element (55), for fixing the adjacent patch element.
20. The multilayer antenna as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein a recess (55"), preferably a circular recess, is formed in the patch additional element (55), on the base surface or central surface (155) thereof.

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