JP7545962B2 - Vehicle-mounted antenna device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle antenna device.

One known example of an in-vehicle antenna device that is attached to the roof of a vehicle is one that has an antenna element fixed to an antenna holder provided inside a case designed to reduce air resistance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2016-116048 A

The assembly work of an in-vehicle antenna device was time-consuming. For example, the assembly work when fixing the antenna element to the antenna holder was time-consuming. For example, the work required determining the relative positions of the antenna element and the antenna holder, holding both the antenna element and the antenna holder with hands to prevent the relative positions from shifting, and then fixing the two together with screws.

One example of the objectives of the present invention is to propose technology that can improve the workability when assembling an in-vehicle antenna device.

One aspect of the present invention is an in-vehicle antenna device comprising an antenna element and a holder for holding the antenna element, the holder having at least one engagement portion provided in a position where the antenna element can be inserted from a predetermined insertion direction.

According to this aspect, the antenna element can be attached to the holder simply by inserting the antenna element into the holder. This improves the workability involved in assembling the vehicle-mounted antenna device.

1 is a perspective external view of an in-vehicle antenna device according to a first embodiment; 1 is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle antenna device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a fixing portion between a metal base and a circuit board in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective external view of a first antenna element. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective external view showing a state in which a second antenna element is attached to a second holder. FIG. FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram for explaining attachment of the first antenna element to the first holder. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first antenna element attached to the first holder as viewed from below. 11 is a state transition diagram for explaining attachment of the first holder to the base portion. FIG. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining attachment of the base portion and the second holder. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining behavior of a second contact of a lower terminal of the second holder during the process of attaching the base portion to the second holder. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle antenna device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted antenna device according to the third embodiment. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a first DAB antenna element is attached to a base portion and a second DAB antenna element is attached to a third holder. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a state in which a second DAB antenna element is attached to a third holder. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted antenna device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second DTV antenna element attached to the third holder. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the attachment structure of the first holder and the second holder. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the attachment structure between the first holder, the second holder, and the base portion. FIG. 13 is a perspective external view showing a modified example of the vehicle-mounted antenna device.

An example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described, but the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. Three orthogonal axes are shown to indicate common directions in each figure. The three orthogonal axes are in a right-handed system, with the X-axis indicating a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle-mounted antenna device, and the positive X-axis direction being the tip direction of the vehicle-mounted antenna device. The Y-axis indicates a direction parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle-mounted antenna device, and the positive Y-axis direction is the left direction toward the positive X-axis direction. The Z-axis indicates a direction parallel to the up-down direction of the vehicle-mounted antenna device, and the positive Z-axis direction is the upward direction. In the following description, the positive X-axis direction is the forward direction, the positive Y-axis direction is the left direction, and the positive Z-axis direction is the upward direction.

First Embodiment
Fig. 1 is a perspective external view of an in-vehicle antenna device 2 in a first embodiment, in which some parts are omitted, such as half of an antenna case 4. Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the in-vehicle antenna device 2, in which some parts are omitted, such as half of an antenna case 4.

The vehicle-mounted antenna device 2 is an antenna device that is attached to the exterior surface of a vehicle (e.g., on the roof). The vehicle-mounted antenna device 2 has an antenna case 4, a base portion 10, a pad 19, a circuit board 20, an antenna portion 30, and a holder portion 50. To facilitate understanding, half of the antenna case 4 is not shown in the figure.

The antenna case 4 is an upper outer shell having a shape that reduces aerodynamic resistance. In Figures 1 and 2, only the right half of the antenna case 4 is shown, and the left half of the antenna case 4 is omitted. The antenna case 4 is open on the bottom and defines (forms) a space that houses (contains) the circuit board 20, the antenna unit 30, and the holder unit 50.

The base portion 10 has a resin base 12 and a metal base 14.

The resin base 12 is a lower shell made of synthetic resin that serves as a base for the vehicle-mounted antenna device 2. A metal base 14 is fixed to the upper surface of the resin base 12. An annular seal member 13 made of an elastic material such as elastomer, rubber, or urethane foam is provided on the lower surface of the resin base 12. The annular seal member 13 provides a watertight seal around the area where the mounting holes for the vehicle-mounted antenna device 2 are provided (the area between the resin base 12 and the roof of the vehicle). In addition, by providing the annular seal member 13, the space defined (formed) by the antenna case 4 and the base portion 10 is watertightly sealed.

The metal base 14 is fixed onto the resin base 12 with screws and supports the circuit board 20. The metal base 14 is formed, for example, from sheet metal. The metal base 14 may also be made of die casting.

The pad 19 is an annular member made of an elastic material such as elastomer or rubber, and is sandwiched between the lower edge of the antenna case 4 and the resin base 12. The pad 19 covers the gap between the lower edge of the antenna case 4 and the exterior surface of the vehicle, and also prevents water from entering the antenna case 4.

The circuit board 20 mounts electrical and electronic components such as an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signal received by the antenna unit 30. A cable electrically connected to the circuit board 20 extends through cable holes provided in the metal base 14 and the resin base 12 to the roof of the vehicle and is pulled into the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the area around the fixing portion between the metal base 14 and the circuit board 20. As shown in FIG.
The circuit board 20 is fixed by clinching the metal base 14. Specifically, walls 15 rising from the bottom surface are provided at approximately the four corners of the outer periphery of the metal base 14. A notch is provided in the upper part of the wall 15 in the front-to-rear direction, and a first arm 16a is formed above the notch. In addition, a piece of the wall 15 is bent inward (in the direction from the antenna case 4 toward the holder part 50) at a position slightly below the notch to form a second arm 16b.

After placing the circuit board 20 on the second arm 16b inside these walls 15, the tip of the first arm 16a is bent inward (from the antenna case 4 toward the holder 50). FIG. 3 shows the state before this bending. When this bending is performed, the tip of the first arm 16a is hung on the upper part of the circuit board 20, and the circuit board 20 is sandwiched between the first arm 16a and the second arm 16b and held by the metal base 14. That is, it is clinched. When this bending is performed, the tip of the first arm 16a may be in contact with the upper surface of the circuit board 20, or there may be a small gap between the tip of the first arm 16a and the upper surface of the circuit board 20. The circuit board 20 is soldered to the metal base 14 at the clinched portion. As a result, the circuit board 20 is stably held by the metal base 14, and ground (electrical grounding) is also ensured. The method of fixing the circuit board 20 and the metal base 14 is not limited to clinching or soldering. For example, the metal base 14 may be fixed to the circuit board 20 by a screw.

The antenna unit 30 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The antenna unit 30 receives signals in the AM/FM wave band. For example, the antenna unit 30 has a first antenna element 31 and a second antenna element 32 which is a helical coil formed of copper wire. The second antenna element 32 may be a linear conductor using a conductive material other than copper.

Figure 4 is an oblique external view of the first antenna element 31. The first antenna element 31 is a capacitance-loading element capable of receiving, for example, signals in the AM/FM waveband, and is an element that adds ground capacitance to the second antenna element 32. The first antenna element 31 is integrally formed, for example, by sheet metal processing a metal plate (conductor plate). The metal plate is, for example, a tin-plated steel plate, a zinc-plated steel plate, a stainless steel plate, etc. The first antenna element 31 has a first element 311 and a second element 312 of the same shape, and a connecting portion 313 that connects the lower ends of both elements approximately rearward in the fore-and-aft direction.

The first element 311 and the second element 312 have a meandering shape that meanders along a predetermined meandering plane while having a gap 310 (width Wm) between adjacent line portions.
In this embodiment, the meandering surface is along the main left and right side surfaces of the first holder 51 (see FIG. 5, etc.) described later, and the meandering surfaces of the first element 311 and the second element 312 face each other. In this embodiment, the line portion is linear, but may be non-linear, and the width of the line portion may not be constant in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The longitudinal direction of the line portion is along the insertion direction in which the first antenna element 311 is inserted into the first holder 51, and is the same direction as the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). Since the longitudinal direction of the line portion is the same as the longitudinal direction of the meander-shaped gap portion 310, the longitudinal direction of the gap portion 310 is also the same as the insertion direction of the first antenna element 311. The first antenna element 311 meanders in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) while folding back at the front and rear ends of the line portion. Therefore, the gap portion 310 has gaps that open forward and gaps that open backward alternately in the vertical direction. The width Wm of the gap 310 does not have to be constant in the front-rear direction. The second element 312 has the same shape as the first element 311.

The meander-shaped portion may be the entire first element 311 and the second element 312, or only a portion of them may be meander-shaped. If only a portion of them is meander-shaped, that portion may be configured as a portion that can engage with the engaging portion 512 described below.

The connecting portion 313 has an opening groove 314 at the downward hanging portion, and has a hole portion 315 at the portion connecting between the first element 311 and the second element 312. The opening groove 314 allows the hanging portion of the connecting portion 313 to function as a hook-shaped electrical connection point, and is soldered and electrically connected to the second antenna element 32.

The first antenna element 31 may be formed by punching the first element 311, the second element 312 and the connecting portion 313 as a single unit from a flat plate and then bending them using a press process, or by punching or cutting them individually and then joining them together.

The holder unit 50 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The holder unit 50 has a first holder 51, a second holder 52, and a base unit 53.

Figure 5 is an oblique external view of the first holder 51. The first holder 51 is a member that holds the first antenna element 31. The first holder 51 has an element engagement surface 510, which is the main side surface, a groove portion 511, an engagement portion 512, a holding portion 513, and an engagement protrusion portion 514, on each of the left and right sides. Note that the number and relative positions of the groove portions 511, engagement portions 512, and holding portions 513 are not limited to the example shown in the figure.

The groove 511 is a linear groove provided along the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) at the bottom of the left and right sides of the first holder 51, and opens upward and backward. The groove width of the groove 511 is set to a size appropriate for inserting and sliding the lower ends of the first element 311 and the second element 312 of the first antenna element 31 (for example, a size slightly larger than the plate thickness of the metal plate from which the first antenna element 31 is made). The inner surface of the groove 511 acts to prevent the lower ends of the first element 311 and the second element 312 from leaving the first holder 51 when the first antenna element 31 is inserted into the first holder 51.

The engagement portions 512 (512a, 512b, ...) are arranged along the formation direction of the meandering gap portion 310 of the first element 311 and the second element 312 of the first antenna element 31 (in this embodiment, the direction along the front-to-back direction).

In the example of FIG. 5, the engagement portions 512 are provided in multiple sets. On each of the left and right element engagement surfaces 510 of the first holder 51, a set of two engagement portions 512 (a first set of engagement portions 512a and 512b, and a second set of engagement portions 512c and 512d) is provided corresponding to each of the two gap portions 310 whose openings face forward. Similarly, four engagement portions 512 are provided on each of the left and right element engagement surfaces 510. The number of engagement portions 512 per set and the number of sets can be set appropriately.

When the engagement portion 512 is viewed in a vertical cross section, the width of the neck (base end) at the base (width in the gap direction of the gap 310) is set to a size slightly smaller than the width Wm (see FIG. 4) of the gap 310 of the first element 311 and the second element 312 of the first antenna element 31. The shortest length from the element engagement surface 510 to the head (shortest length of the neck) is set to a size slightly larger than the plate thickness of the first antenna element 311 and the second element 512 so that the neck can be inserted into the width Wm (see FIG. 4) of the gap 310 of the first element 311 and the second element 312. The head of the engagement portion 512 corresponds to a tip located outside the neck portion (in the direction from the element engagement surface 510 toward the serpentine surface of the first element 311 and the second element 312 when the attachment of the first antenna element 31 to the first holder 51 is complete, i.e., in the direction from the holder portion 50 toward the antenna case 4 in the same state). The width of the head portion (the width of the gap portion 310 in the gap direction) is wider than the width of the neck portion and is set to a size larger than the width Wm of the gap portion 310.

In this embodiment, the engaging portions 512a and 512c have a T-shape with a portion that extends in the vertical direction and a portion that extends rearward from the center of the portion when viewed from the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510. However, the engaging portions 512a and 512c may have a shape that includes only a portion that extends in the vertical direction when viewed from the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510.

In this embodiment, the engaging portion 512b and the engaging portion 512d have a shape that includes only a portion that extends in the vertical direction when viewed from the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510. However, the engaging portion 512b and the engaging portion 512d may have a T-shape that includes not only a portion that extends in the vertical direction when viewed from the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510, but also a portion that extends forward from the center of the portion.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, even if the first element 311 and the second element 312 attempt to displace in the normal direction of the element engagement surface 510, the head of the engagement portion 512 is caught and the displacement is suppressed. By suppressing the displacement, the first antenna element 31 is ensured to be securely fixed to the first holder 51, and abnormal noise caused by the first antenna element 311 contacting the antenna case 4 can be prevented.

In the example of Fig. 5, the engaging portions 512a and 512c, when viewed from the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510, are T-shaped with a portion extending in the vertical direction and a portion extending rearward from the center of that portion. The engaging portions 512a and 512c are located rearward of the engaging portions 512b and 512d, and when the attachment of the first antenna element 31 to the first holder 51 is complete, the folded-back portion of the line portion of the first element 311 is close to the engaging portions 512a and 512c. When viewed from the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510, the heads of the engaging portions 512a and 512c overlap the first element 311 at three points in total, two points in the vertical direction and one point in the rear direction. If the engaging portion 512a or the engaging portion 512c has a shape that includes only a portion extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510, the head of the engaging portion 512a or the engaging portion 512c will overlap with the first element 311 at only two points in the vertical direction. Since the engaging portion 512a or the engaging portion 512c has a T-shape, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the first element 311 in the normal direction of the element engaging surface 510 compared to the case where the engaging portion 512a or the engaging portion 512c has a shape that includes only a portion extending in the vertical direction. The first antenna element 31 can be reliably fixed to the first holder 51, and the generation of abnormal noise caused by the first antenna element 311 contacting the antenna case 4 can be prevented. The same applies to the second element 312. In the example of FIG. 5, the engaging portion 512 is provided in a set of multiple engaging portions, but only one engaging portion 512 may be provided.

The holding portions 513 are clip structures with their openings facing backward and provided in appropriate numbers on the front end of the first holder 51. Specifically, the holding portions 513 have arms extending backward and provided at a position slightly outwardly spaced from the element engagement surface 510 of the first holder 51 (a position spaced from the element engagement surface 510 by approximately the thickness of the plate material that is the basis of the first antenna element 31).

When the first antenna element 31 is attached to the first holder 51, the holding portion 513 receives the first element 311 and the second element 312 with the gap between them slightly narrowed. The elastic force that returns the gap between the first element 311 and the second element 312 to its original state acts naturally. When the first element 311 and the second element 312 are received, a part of the extended arm of the holding portion 513 covers the outside of the first element 311 or the second element 312. The elastic force biases the first element 311 and the second element 312 so that they do not move away from the element engagement surface 510 of the first holder 51. The insertion tip of the inserted first antenna element 31 is held, suppressing the first antenna element 31 from moving away from the first holder 51 and ensuring stable holding. This prevents the first antenna element 31 from coming into contact with the antenna case 4 after attachment, thereby preventing the first antenna element 31 from moving backward and coming off the first holder.

By appropriately setting the abutment position of the curved portion of the holding portion 513, the first antenna element 31 inserted from the rear abuts against the front end of the holding portion 513. As a result, it is possible to add a positioning function that determines the mounting position of the first antenna element 31 in the fore-and-aft direction, and a function that prevents the first antenna element 31 from shifting forward after installation.

The engagement protrusions 514 are provided at both the front and rear ends of the first holder 51 and have an engagement structure for attaching the first holder 51 to the base 53. The engagement protrusions 514 are, for example, elastic claws having protrusions that can fit into holes provided on the base 53 side.

Figure 6 is an oblique external view showing the second antenna element 32 attached to the second holder 52. The second holder 52 is a hollow structure with an open bottom, and functions as a bobbin for the second antenna element 32. Specifically, a spiral groove is formed on the outer periphery of the second holder, and the second antenna element 32 is attached by being wound around this groove.

One end of the attached second antenna element 32 (the end on the left side in Figure 6) is electrically connected to the first antenna element 31, and the other end is attached and soldered to the first contact 521 of the lower terminal 520 of the second holder 52.

The lower terminal 520 has a second contact 522 that is the contact point with the circuit board 20. The second contact 522 is curved downward and has an upwardly bent tip, and functions as a spring-loaded terminal that comes into contact as a whole as a leaf spring.

FIG. 7 is a perspective external view of the base portion 53. As shown in FIG.
The base portion 53 is a structure that supports the first holder 51 above the second holder 52. Specifically, the base portion 53 has a main frame 531, legs 532 extending downward from approximately the four corners of the main frame 531, engagement holes 534 for attaching the first holder 51, and a suppression portion 535.

The engagement holes 534 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the engagement protrusions 514 (see FIG. 5) of the first holder 51. The engagement holes 534 are provided in two locations, one each at the front and rear.

The suppression portion 535 is a vertical through-hole provided at the rear of the main frame 531, and is a slot into which the hanging portion of the connecting portion 313 (see FIG. 4) of the first antenna element 31 can be inserted. By inserting the connecting portion 313 into the suppression portion 535, the suppression portion 535 suppresses the movement of the first antenna element 31 in the insertion direction and the opposite direction.

Next, we will explain the assembly of the vehicle-mounted antenna device 2, mainly the assembly around the antenna section 30.

8 is a state transition diagram for explaining the attachment of the first antenna element 31 to the first holder 51. The state transition is in the order of (1) to (3) in FIG.
The worker first attaches the first antenna element 31 to the first holder 51 (FIG. 8 (1) and FIG. 8 (2)). Specifically, the left-right distance between the first element 311 and the second element 312 of the first antenna element 31 is set to be approximately the same size as the left-right width of the first holder 51. The worker slightly narrows the first element 311 and the second element 312, and inserts the front lower ends of the first element 311 and the second element 312 into the groove 511 from the rear. This insertion direction is the insertion direction. Then, the first antenna element 31 is inserted into the first holder 51 by sliding the first antenna element 31 from the rear to the front while being guided by the groove 511. During this process, the neck portion of the engaging portion 512 is inserted into the gap 310 between the first element 311 and the second element 312, so that the engaging portion 512 engages with the gap 310. The engaging portion 512 engages with the gap 310, thereby enhancing the function of guiding the first antenna element 31 in the insertion direction.

As the insertion operation progresses further, the front ends of the first element 311 and the second element 312 enter the holding portion 513, as shown in (3) of Figure 8.

A jig is used during the insertion work. The jig allows the insertion work to proceed until the rear end of the first antenna element 31 and the rear end of the first holder 51 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction. When the rear end of the first antenna element 31 and the rear end of the first holder 51 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction, the position of the first antenna element 31 relative to the first holder 51 is determined, and installation by insertion is completed. Even in the attached state, the front lower ends of the first element 311 and the second element 312 do not abut against the front end of the groove portion 511, and the rear end of the rear engagement portion 512 does not abut against the rear end of the gap portion 310.

When the first antenna element 31 is attached to the first holder 51, it is stably fixed and supported without being screwed to the first holder 51. Specifically, the head of the engagement portion 512 is in a position to cover the outside of the line portion (direction from the holder portion 50 toward the antenna case 4) in the meander shape of the first element 311 and the second element 312. The head of the engagement portion 512 suppresses the first element 311 and the second element 312 from moving away from the element engagement surface 510 of the first holder 51 in the normal direction. The multiple engagement portions 512 can suppress the first element 311 and the second element 312 from being displaced in the direction along the element engagement surface 510 that intersects with the insertion direction. At the lower ends of the first element 311 and the second element 312, the engagement with the groove portion 511 also produces a similar suppression effect. At the front ends of the first element 311 and the second element 312, the engagement with the holding portion 513 produces a similar suppression effect. Thus, the two are stably fixed.

As shown in Figure 9, when the first antenna element 31 is attached to the first holder 51, the hole 315 of the connecting portion 313 fits into a protrusion 515 protruding downward from the underside of the first holder 51. The protrusion 515 functions as a suppression portion that suppresses movement of the first antenna element 31 in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) or left-right direction (Y-axis direction) relative to the first holder 51. The first antenna element 31 and the first holder 51 are fixed more stably than if the hole 315 and protrusion 515 were not present.

10 is a state transition diagram for explaining the attachment of the first holder 51 to the base portion 53. The state transition is in the order of FIG. 10(1) to FIG. 10(2).
The worker attaches the first holder 51, to which the first antenna element 31 is attached, by placing it on the main frame 531 from above the pedestal portion 53. Specifically, when the first holder 51 is attached so that the engagement protrusions 514 on the front and rear of the first holder 51 engage with the engagement holes 534 of the pedestal portion 53, the first holder 51 and the pedestal portion 53 are joined by a snap fit.

By engaging the engaging protrusions 514 and the engaging holes 534, the first holder 51 is securely fixed to the base 53 without the need for screws. The two engaging protrusions 514 of the first holder 51 are sandwiched between the two engaging holes 534 from the front and rear. The engaging holes 534 function as a suppression section that suppresses misalignment of the first holder 51, and the first holder 51 is securely fixed to the base 53 in the front-to-rear direction without the need for screws.

By attaching the first holder 51 to the base portion 53, the hanging portion of the connecting portion 313 of the first antenna element 31 is inserted into the suppression portion 535 of the base portion 53. Displacement of the first antenna element 31 in the insertion direction relative to the base portion 53 and in the opposite direction is suppressed.

11 is a diagram for explaining the attachment of the base 53 and the second holder 52. An operator fixes the second holder 52, to which the second antenna element 32 is attached, to the underside of the main frame 531 of the base 53 with a screw. The length of the screw is set so as to reach the first holder 51, and this screw fastening not only fixes the second holder 52 and the base 53, but also fastens the first holder 51, the second holder 52, and the base 53 together.
The worker hooks the rear end of the second antenna element 32 into the open groove 314 (see FIG. 4) of the connecting portion 313 of the first antenna element 31 and solders it.

Next, the worker attaches the base portion 53 with the second holder 52 attached to it to the resin base 12 (see Figure 3) with the circuit board 20 attached.

Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining the behavior of the second contact 522 of the lower terminal 520 of the second holder 52 during the installation process, and is a diagram illustrating the second holder 52 and the circuit board 20.

As the worker brings the base 53, to which the second holder 52 is attached, closer to the specified mounting position by placing it over the circuit board 20, the bent portion of the second contact 522 functions like a leaf spring and is biased toward the circuit board 20 while coming into contact with it. In this state, the worker screws the base 53 to the resin base 12 and solders the second contact 522 to the circuit board 20.

By screwing the base portion 53 to the resin base 12, it is no longer necessary to screw the second contact 522, which requires a reliable electrical connection, to the circuit board 20, thereby reducing the number of screws and the labor required for screwing.
The second contact 522 has its longitudinal direction oriented in the left-right direction and is located (offset) away from the left-right center of the second holder 52. This makes the soldering work easier than when the second contact 522 is located closer to the left-right center of the second holder 52 (not offset).

As described above, in the vehicle-mounted antenna device 2 of this embodiment, the first antenna element 31 can be fixed to the first holder 51 without screws. A worker can easily install the first element 311 and the second element 312 by simply inserting them while sliding them along the groove portion 511 of the first holder 51. This improves the workability involved in assembling the vehicle-mounted antenna device 2 and shortens the work time.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment will be described below. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. The same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle antenna device 2B according to this embodiment.
In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the in-vehicle antenna device 2B includes a ground plate 18, a second circuit board 22, and an SXM antenna unit 33 which is an antenna unit that receives signals in the SXM (Sirius XM Radio) wave band.

The ground plate 18 is fixed to the front part of the resin base 12 with screws via a second circuit board 22 .
The second circuit board 22 has a circuit for processing signals received by the SXM antenna unit 33 , and also serves to hold the SXM antenna unit 33 .
The SXM antenna section 33 has, for example, a patch antenna, a parasitic element, a parasitic element holder, and a shield cover, and receives signals in the SXM waveband.

This embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment
A third embodiment will be described below. Hereinafter, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and components similar to those in the first and second embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle antenna device 2C according to this embodiment.
In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the in-vehicle antenna device 2C includes a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) circuit board 24, a DAB antenna unit 34, and a third holder 54. In response to the addition of these components, the resin base 12C and the metal base 14C are each modified from those of the first embodiment.

The DAB circuit board 24 is mounted on the metal base 14C and implements an amplifier circuit etc. that amplifies the signal received by the DAB antenna section 34.

The DAB antenna section 34 is an element that receives signals in the DAB wave band, and has a first DAB antenna element 341 and a second DAB antenna element 342.

Figure 15 is an oblique view of the first DAB antenna element 341 attached to the base portion 53 and the second DAB antenna element 342 attached to the third holder 54.

The first DAB antenna element 341 is a metal plate having an L-shaped cross section (or a T-shaped cross section), and is formed by sheet metal processing of a conductive plate, or by drawing or extruding a conductive material. The first DAB antenna element 341 is fixed by being inserted from above into a groove (not visible in FIG. 15 because the first DAB antenna element 341 is fitted) provided at the front top of the base 53. A hook 341f is provided at the front end of the first DAB antenna element 341 for connection to the second DAB antenna element 342.

The second DAB antenna element 342 is a helical coil of copper wire, and is attached to the base portion 53 in a state where it is wound around the third holder 54. The second DAB antenna element 342 may be a linear conductor using a conductive material other than copper.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the third holder 54 with the second DAB antenna element 342 attached thereto.
The third holder 54 is made of synthetic resin, functions as a bobbin by having the second DAB antenna element 342 (for example, a helical coil of copper wire) wound therearound, and is screwed to the underside of the front end of the base portion 53 from below.

One end of the second DAB antenna element 342 is hooked onto the upper hook 543 and fixed, and after the third holder 54 is attached to the base portion 53, the one end is hooked onto the hook 341f of the first DAB antenna element 341 and soldered.

The other end of the second DAB antenna element 342 is attached to and soldered to the lower terminal 540 of the third holder 54. The lower terminal 540 of the third holder 54 has a first contact 541 and a second contact 542. The first contact 541 is a contact with the other end of the second DAB antenna element 342 (the lower end in the wrapped state). The other end of the second DAB antenna element 342 is wrapped around the first contact 541 and soldered.

The second contact 542 has a configuration similar to that of the second contact 522 (see FIG. 6) of the lower terminal 520 of the second holder 52. When the base 53 with the third holder 54 attached is attached to the resin base 12, the second contact 542 of the lower terminal 540 functions like a leaf spring and is biased against the DAB circuit board 24 while making contact, thereby ensuring an electrical connection in this state. The second contact 542 and the DAB circuit board 24 are soldered together. This can reduce the number of connection parts between the second DAB antenna element 342 and the DAB circuit board 24 and the labor required to attach the connection parts.

The first contact 541 of the third holder 54 faces forward, and the second contact 542 extends to the right. The two are spaced apart and perpendicular to each other, making it easier for the worker to solder the second contact 542.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize an in-vehicle antenna device 2C equipped with a receiving function for DAB wave band signals, which can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment
The fourth embodiment will be described below. Hereinafter, differences from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described, and the same components as those in the first to third embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle antenna device 2D according to the fourth embodiment.
The in-vehicle antenna device 2D replaces the function of receiving signals in the DAB waveband in the third embodiment with a function of receiving signals in the DTV (Digital Television Broadcasting) waveband. Specifically, the DAB antenna unit 34 is replaced with a DTV antenna unit 35 that receives signals in the DTV waveband, and the DAB circuit board 24 is replaced with a DTV circuit board 25.

The DTV antenna section 35 has a first DTV antenna element 351 and a second DTV antenna element 352. The first DTV antenna element 351 is attached to the base section 53 in the same manner as the first DAB antenna element 341. The second DTV antenna element 352 is not a helical coil like the second DAB antenna element 342, and is therefore attached to the third holder 54 in a straight line from the upper hook 543 to the lower terminal 540, as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize an in-vehicle antenna device 2D equipped with a receiving function for DTV waveband signals, which can provide the same effects as the first embodiment.

[Modifications]
Although several embodiments have been described, the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described forms, and constituent elements can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

(Variation 1)
For example, in the first embodiment, the antenna unit 30 is described as receiving signals in the AM/FM wave band, but the receiving frequency band of the antenna unit 30 is not limited to this. For example, the antenna unit 30 may be configured to receive signals in the DAB wave band.

(Variation 2)
In the above embodiment, the position of the connecting portion 313 of the first antenna element 31 is not limited to the above example (see FIG. 4 ) and can be set appropriately. For example, the connecting portion 313 may be provided so as to connect the rear end portions of the first element 311 and the second element 312. When the attachment of the first antenna element 31 to the first holder 51 is completed, the connecting portion 313 functions as a suppressing portion that suppresses the first antenna element 31 from moving forward relative to the first holder 51.

(Variation 3)
The attachment structure of the first holder 51, the second holder 52, and the base portion 53 is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately modified. For example, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the second holder 52 may be attached to the base portion 53 after being screwed to the bottom surface of the first holder 51. The first holder 51 is provided with a slider 518 instead of the engagement protrusion portion 514 (see Fig. 5), and the base portion 53 is provided with a guide 538 instead of the engagement hole portion 534 (see Fig. 7). The first holder 51 is then attached to the base portion 53 by inserting the slider 518 into the guide 538 from the left. Since the second holder 52 is screwed before the second holder 52 in the above embodiment, the workability when attaching the first holder 51, the second holder 52, and the base portion 53 can be improved.

(Variation 4)
The range of the meandering shaped portion in the first antenna element 31 can be changed as appropriate. A part or the whole of the first antenna element 31 can be made to have a meandering shape as appropriate. The first element 311 and the second element 312 may be flat plates without a meandering shaped portion. The first element 311 and the second element 312 may be connected at the upper end to have an integrated shape.

(Variation 5)
The first antenna element 31 may have a protrusion on the inside, and the first holder 51 may have a recess into which the protrusion fits. Compared to a case in which the first antenna element 31 has no protrusion or the first holder 51 has no recess, when the attachment of the first antenna element 31 to the first holder 51 is complete, the first antenna element 31 can be more effectively prevented from moving in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) or the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) relative to the first holder 51.

(Variation 6)
In addition, the type and number of antennas provided in the forward space ahead of the antenna holder 50 of the antenna case 4 (positive direction of the X-axis) can be set as appropriate without being limited to the above embodiment. Fig. 21 is a perspective external view of an in-vehicle antenna device 2E in this modified example, in which some parts are omitted, such as omitting half of the antenna case 4. As in the in-vehicle antenna device 2E, a configuration in which three patch antennas, a first patch antenna 61, a second patch antenna 62, and a third patch antenna 63, are provided in the forward space is also possible.

For example, the first patch antenna 61, the second patch antenna 62, and the third patch antenna 63 can be antennas for a satellite positioning system. More specifically, the first patch antenna 61 can be an antenna for a GPS (Global Positioning System), and the second patch antenna 62 and the third patch antenna 63 can be antennas for an IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System). By making the IRNSS antenna into two patch antennas, one above the other, it is possible to support two frequencies. For example, one of the second patch antenna 62 and the third patch antenna 63 can be an antenna for the S band of the IRNSS, and the other can be an antenna for the L5 band of the IRNSS. The patch antenna to be mounted is not limited to the GPS or IRNSS satellite positioning system, but may be a patch antenna corresponding to other satellite positioning systems such as Galileo, BeiDou, and Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). Also, a patch antenna capable of supporting a plurality of satellite positioning systems or a plurality of frequencies may be mounted on a single patch antenna.

The contents disclosed in this specification can be summarized as follows:

An aspect of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle antenna device comprising an antenna element and a holder for holding the antenna element, the holder having at least one engagement portion provided in a position where the antenna element can be inserted from a predetermined insertion direction.

According to this aspect, the antenna element can be attached to the holder simply by inserting the antenna element into the holder. This improves the workability involved in assembling the vehicle-mounted antenna device.

The antenna element may have at least a portion of a meandering shape that meanders along a predetermined meandering plane while having gaps between adjacent line portions, and the engagement portion may be located at a position corresponding to the gap. In this case, the antenna element engages with the engagement portion, so that the antenna element can be fixed.

The longitudinal direction of the wire portion may be aligned with the insertion direction. In this case, the insertion operation is facilitated, and the workability of assembling the vehicle-mounted antenna device can be improved.

The engagement portion may have a neck portion smaller than the gap portion and a head portion larger than the gap portion in the gap width direction, and the head portion may be located outside the neck portion. In this case, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the antenna element without interfering with the insertion operation.

The holder may have a plurality of the engagement portions. In this case, the displacement of the antenna element is suppressed at a plurality of points, so that the antenna element can be fixed more reliably.

The holder may have a groove that guides the antenna element in the insertion direction. In this case, the insertion operation is made easier.

The holder may have a holding portion that holds the insertion tip of the antenna element inserted in the insertion direction. In this case, the effect of suppressing displacement of the antenna element can be improved.

The holder may further include a base portion that supports the holder, and the base portion may have a suppression portion that suppresses movement of the antenna element held by the holder in the insertion direction and in the opposite direction. In this case, the antenna element can be securely fixed to the holder.

The antenna element may have a first element, a second element, and a connecting portion that connects the first element and the second element, and the suppression portion may be in contact with the connecting portion. In this case, the antenna element can be reliably fixed to the holder.

Reference Signs List 2, 2B, 2C... Vehicle-mounted antenna device 4... Antenna case 10... Base portion 12, 12C... Resin base 14, 14C... Metal base 20... Circuit board 22... Second circuit board 24... DAB circuit board 25... DTV circuit board 30... Antenna portion 31... First antenna element 310... Gap portion 311... First element 312... Second element 313... Connection portion 32... Second antenna element 33... SXM antenna portion 34... DAB antenna portion 35... DTV antenna portion 50... Holder portion 51... First holder 510... Element engagement surface 511... Groove portion 512... Engagement portion 513... Holding portion 514... Engagement protrusion portion 52... Second holder 53... Pedestal portion 534... Engagement hole portion 535... Suppression portion 54: third holder 61: first patch antenna 62: second patch antenna 63: third patch antenna

Claims (8)

An antenna element;
A holder for holding the antenna element;
Preparation,
The holder includes:
At least one engagement portion provided at a position where the antenna element can be inserted in a predetermined insertion direction;
having
the predetermined insertion direction is a longitudinal direction of the antenna element,
the antenna element has at least a part of a meandering shape that meanders along a predetermined meandering plane while having gaps between adjacent wire portions;
The engagement portion is located at a position corresponding to the gap portion.
Vehicle- mounted antenna device. The longitudinal direction of the line portion is along the insertion direction.
The vehicle-mounted antenna device according to claim 1 . The holder has a plurality of the engagement portions.
3. The vehicle-mounted antenna device according to claim 1 or 2 . The holder includes a groove portion that guides the insertion of the antenna element in the insertion direction;
The vehicle-mounted antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising: The holder has a holding portion that holds an insertion tip portion of the antenna element inserted in the insertion direction.
The vehicle-mounted antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A base portion supporting the holder;
Further comprising:
The base portion has a suppression portion that suppresses movement of the antenna element held by the holder in the insertion direction and in the opposite direction.
The vehicle-mounted antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The antenna element includes a first element, a second element, and a connecting portion that connects the first element and the second element,
The suppression portion and the connection portion are in contact with each other.
7. The vehicle-mounted antenna device according to claim 6 . An antenna element;
A holder for holding the antenna element;
Preparation,
The holder includes:
At least one engagement portion provided at a position where the antenna element can be inserted in a predetermined insertion direction;
having
the antenna element has at least a part of a meandering shape that meanders along a predetermined meandering plane while having gaps between adjacent wire portions;
The engagement portion is located at a position corresponding to the gap portion,
The engagement portion has a neck portion smaller than the gap portion and a head portion larger than the gap portion in a gap width direction of the gap portion,
The head is located outside the neck.
Vehicle-mounted antenna device.

Images