Glass antenna for an automobile

Abstract: A glass antenna for an automobile which can improve sensitivity in an FM broadcast band and a frequency band region higher than the FM broadcast band, wherein a defogger 3 and an antenna conductor 4 are provided in a rear window glass sheet 1; a vertical portion of the antenna conductor 4 crosses or overlaps a plurality of heater strips 2, and the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are laid one upon another by interposing an insulation layer 15 in the crossing or overlapping portion.

Description: The present invention relates to a glass antenna for an automobile which is suitable for receiving signals in an FM broadcast band (76 to 90 MHz) or a frequency band region having a higher frequency than the FM broadcast band. Fig. 2 shows a conventional glass antenna for an automobile adapted to receive signals in an FM broadcast band or a frequency band region having a higher frequency than the FM broadcast band wherein an electric heating type defogger comprising heater strips 2 and bus bars 5a, 5b is provided in a rear window glass sheet 1 of an automobile, and an antenna conductor 14 is provided in a space upper than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass sheet 1. The length of the antenna conductor 14 for receiving signals in the FM broadcast band is different from the length of the antenna conductor 14 for receiving signals in a higher frequency band than the FM broadcast band, and the length of the antenna conductor 14 for receiving signals in a higher frequency band than the FM broadcast band is short. Received signals induced in the antenna conductor 14 are supplied to a receiver 20 via a power feeding point 14a and a cable 25. A direct current is fed from a direct current power source 10 to the defogger 3. In this conventional example, there is a problem that sensitivity to signals is insufficient even when signals in the FM broadcast band or a higher frequency band region than the FM are received. EP-A-0 418 047, which discloses the preamble of the independent claims, discloses a glass window antenna for motor vehicle, comprising a first and a second antenna conductor and a coupling member to couple said first and second antenna conductor for constituting a single synchronized antenna The first antenna conductor is arranged out of the defogging area on the inside surface of the inner glass and the second antenna conductor is inserted into an intermediate layer of the laminated glass and extends to cross the heater wires. The first antenna conductor is assigned to a lower reception band, the second antenna conductor, respectively to an upper reception band. EP-A-542 437 discloses a window glass antenna device comprising a plurality of defroster heater wires and a pair of spaced first and second bus bars electrically connecting the respective ends of the heater wires and a first and second electrode for supplying energy to heat the defroster heater wires. The first bus bar and the second electrode jointly provide a capacitor for supplying a radio signal received by the defroster heater wires. US-A-5 017 933 discloses a vehicle window antenna comprising a laminated glass, wherein an intermediate layer is sandwiched between the inner and the outer glasses, a heating conductor means mounted on the first surface of the laminated glass and a first antenna conductor means mounted on the second surface of the laminated glass and a second antenna conductor means mounted on the same surface of said laminated glass as said heating conductor means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a glass antenna for an automobile with high sensitivity. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a glass antenna for an automobile wherein an electric heating type defogger having a large number of heater strips and a plurality of bus bars and an antenna conductor are provided on a rear window glass sheet fitted to a rear window opening of an automobile, said glass antenna having a power feeding point for the antenna conductor, wherein the antenna conductor and at least one heater strip cross each other, and they are arranged in a state laid one upon another, wherein an insulation layer is interposed in the crossing portion, said glass antenna characterized in that the antenna conductor has such a shape that the antenna conductor is once extended from the power feeding point in the direction of the bus bars and is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar between which an insulation layer is interposed; the extended portion is further bent in a direction substantially parallel to the heater strips toward the region around the center of the rear window glass sheet in a direction substantially parallel to the heater strips; the extended portion of antenna conductor is arranged between two adjacent heater strips, substantially parallel to the heater strips, and the extended portion of antenna conductor is bent in the direction of the bus bars to form an extension, so as to cross the heater strips. Furthermore, according to the invention there is provided a glass antenna for an automobile wherein an electric heating type defogger having a large number of heater strips and a plurality of bus bars and an antenna conductor are provided on a rear window glass sheet fitted to a rear window opening of an automobile, wherein the antenna conductor and at least one heater strip cross each other, and they are arranged in a state laid one upon another, wherein an insulation layer is interposed in the crossing portion, said glass antenna characterized in that a power feeding point is arranged between the bus bar and a circumferential portion of the rear window glass sheet; the antenna conductor is extended in a direction substantially parallel to the heater strips from the power feeding point toward the region around the center of the glass sheet; the extended portion crosses the bus bar in a part; the extended portion is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar and an insulation layer is interposed in the crossing portion; a top end portion of antenna conductor which is ahead of the portion crossing the bus bar and extends horizontally in a direction substantially parallel to the heater strips toward the region around the center of the glass sheet is arranged between two adjacent heater strips substantially parallel to the heater strips, and the antenna conductor is further bent in the direction of the bus bars to form an extension of antenna conductor which crosses the heater strips. By adopting the above-mentioned constructions, the antenna conductor and the defogger achieve excellent capacitive coupling, and received signals in the defogger can be utilized effectively whereby sensitivity can be improved. In drawings: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a glass antenna for an automobile not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the construction of a conventional example; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 5 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 7 is an enlarged view showing a part around the antenna conductor 4 in another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view viewed from an upper side which shows a portion where the antenna conductor 4 and heater strips 2 cross, in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 11 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 12 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 13 is a diagram showing another embodiment according to the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 14 is a frequency-sensitivity characteristic diagram in an FM broadcast band in Examples 1 and 2; Fig. 15 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; Fig. 16 is a diagram showing another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims ; and Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an important portion of another embodiment not covered by the appended claims. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a glass antenna for an automobile not covered by the appended claims. In Fig. 1, an electric heating type defogger 3 comprising heater strips 2 and bus bars 5a, 5b and an antenna conductor 4 are provided in a rear window glass sheet 1 of an automobile. The glass antenna for an automobile shown in Fig. 1 is suitable for receiving signals in an FM broadcast band or a frequency band region having a higher frequency than the FM broadcast band. Received signals induced in the antenna conductor 4 are supplied to a receiver 20 via a power feeding point 4a and a cable 20. A direct current is fed from a direct current power source 10 to the defogger 3. The power feeding point 4a is provided in the vicinity of a right circumferential portion of the rear window glass sheet 1 in a space upper than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass 1. However, the position of the power feeding point 4a is not limited to the position as shown in Fig. 1, but it may be at any position in the rear window glass sheet 1. For convenience in wiring the cable 25, it is preferable to dispose the power feeding point 4a in the vicinity of a circumferential portion of the rear window glass sheet 1. In Fig. 1, the power feeding point 4a is arranged in a space upper than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass sheet 1. The antenna conductor 4 has such a shape that the antenna conductor is once extended from the power feeding point 4a toward a region around the center in a lateral direction of the rear window glass 1, and the extended portion is bent downwardly to form an extension. The antenna conductor 4 crosses a plurality of heater strips 2 in a portion of antenna conductor 4 which extended downwardly. In the crossing portion, the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are laid one upon another by interposing an insulation layer 15 (indicated by a dotted line). Namely, the portion of antenna conductor which is extended downwardly crosses the heater strips. As a modification of the glass antenna not covered by the appended claims shown in Fig. 1, there is such a modified glass antenna not covered by the appended claims, as shown in Fig. 16, that the power feeding point 4a is arranged in a space lower than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass sheet 1; the antenna conductor 4 has such a shape that the antenna conductor is once extended from the power feeding point 4a toward a region around the center in a lateral direction of the rear window glass sheet 1, and the extended portion is bent upwardly to form an extension, and the upwardly extended portion of antenna conductor 4 crosses heater strips 2. In Fig. 1, the angle formed at the position where the antenna conductor 4 crosses the heater strips 2 is substantially a right angle. However, the angle is not limited thereto but the angle formed by the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 may have an optional angle. In Fig. 9, the angle formed at the position where the heater strip 2 at the highest position crosses the antenna conductor 4 is smaller than a right angle. As shown in Fig. 1, it is preferable from the viewpoint of improving sensitivity that the antenna conductor 4 crosses a plurality of heater strips 2. However, the antenna conductor 4 is not limited to have such arrangement, but it may be used even in a case that the antenna conductor 4 crosses only one heater strip 2. When the antenna conductor 4 crosses only one heater strip 2, the length of a horizontal portion of the antenna conductor 4 is larger than a horizontal portion of the antenna conductor 4, and the length of a vertical portion is smaller than the vertical portion of the antenna conductor 4 shown in Fig. 1. Further, the presence of the insulation layer 15 interposed between the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 in the crossing portion forms a capacitive coupling between the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2. Although it is preferable that the antenna conductor 4 crosses the heater strips 2 in order to improve the sensitivity, it is not always necessary that the antenna conductor 4 crosses the heater strips. For example, the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 may be laid in an overlapping state by interposing an insulation layer 15 as shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, a power feeding point 4a is arranged in a space upper than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass sheet 1. The antenna conductor 4 has such a shape that the antenna conductor is once extended from the power feeding point 4a downwardly; the downwardly extended portion is further bent toward the center in a lateral direction of the rear window glass sheet 1 to form an extension, and the extended portion is extended in the same direction as a heater strip 1 in an overlapping state on the heater strip 2 by interposing the insulation layer 15 between the heater strip 2 and the extended portion. For convenience, the portion where the antenna conductor 4 and the heat strip 2 are laid in an overlapping state in a direction of the thickness of the glass sheet is shown by closely adjacent parallel lines in Fig. 7. Namely, the portion of the antenna conductor 4, which is bent toward the center in a lateral direction of the rear window glass sheet 1, overlaps a heater strip 2 and extends in the same direction as the heater strip 2, and the extended portion is laid in an overlapping state on the heater strip 2 by interposing the insulation layer 15 in the overlapping portion. As a modification of the glass antenna not covered by the appended claims shown in Fig. 7, there is such a modified glass antenna not covered by the appended claims, as shown in Fig. 17, that the power feeding point 4a is arranged in a space lower than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass sheet 1; the antenna conductor 4 has such a shape that the antenna conductor 4 is once extended from the power feeding point 4a upwardly, and the upwardly extended portion is bent toward the center in a lateral direction of the rear window glass sheet 1. The antenna conductor 4 has a portion extended in the same direction as the bus bar 5a or the bus bar 5b, and it may be laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar 5a and/or the bus bar 5b by interposing an insulation layer 15 in the extended portion (Fig. 10 and Fig. 11). Further, the antenna conductor 4 may be laid to cross the bus bar 5a and/or the bus bar 5b by interposing an insulation layer 15 (Fig. 12 and Fig. 13). In the glass antenna not covered by the appended claims of Fig. 9, a power feeding point 4a is arranged in a space upper than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass sheet 1, and the antenna conductor 4 has such a shape that it is once extended from the power feeding point 4a toward a region around the center in a lateral direction of the rear window glass sheet 1, and the extended portion is bent downwardly in an oblique direction toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet to form an extension. The antenna conductor 4 crosses a heater strip 2 (a single heater strip 2 at the highest position in Fig. 9) in the portion of antenna conductor extended downwardly in an oblique direction. Further, after the antenna conductor 4 has been extended downwardly in an oblique direction, it is extended just downwardly. The just downwardly extended portion of the antenna conductor 4 crosses a plurality of heater strips 2 (two in Fig. 9). In the crossing portions, the antenna conductor 4 and each heater strip 2 are laid one upon another by interposing insulation layers 15 (dotted line). In the embodiment according to the invention of Fig. 10, the antenna conductor 4 has such a shape that it is once extended from the feeding point 4a downwardly in the same direction as a bus bar 5a and is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar between which an insulation layer 15 is interposed. Further, the extended portion is bent toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet, and is further bent downwardly to form an extension. The portion of the antenna conductor 4, which is bent downwardly and is extended in a vertical direction, crosses a plurality of heater strips 2 (three in Fig. 10). The antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are laid by interposing an insulation layer 15 (dotted line) in the crossing portions. In the glass antenna not covered by the appended claims of Fig. 11, the antenna conductor 4 has such a shape that it is once extended from the power feeding point 4a downwardly in the same direction as a bus bar 5a and is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar between which an insulation layer 15 is interposed. The extended portion is further bent to extend toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet. The portion of the antenna conductor 4 extended toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet (a horizontal portion) is arranged between two adjacent heater strips in substantially parallel to the heater strips. In the glass antenna not covered by the appended claims of Fig. 12, the power feeding point 4a is arranged between a bus bar and a side of the rear window glass sheet 1, and the antenna conductor 4 is extended horizontally from the power feeding point 4a toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet. The extended portion crosses the bus bar in a part, and the extended portion is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar by interposing an insulation layer 15 in the crossing portion. The top end portion of the antenna conductor 4, which is ahead of the portion crossing the bus bar and extends toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet (a horizontal portion) is arranged between two heater strips in substantially parallel to the heater strips. In another embodiment according to the invention of Fig. 13, the power feeding point 4a is arranged between a bus bar and a side of the rear window glass sheet 1, and the antenna conductor 4 is extended horizontally from the power feeding point 4 toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet. The extended portion crosses the bus bar in a part, and the extended portion is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar by interposing an insulation layer 15. The top end portion of the antenna conductor 4, which is ahead of the portion crossing the bus bar and extends toward the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet (a horizontal portion) is arranged between two adjacent heater strips in substantially parallel to the heater strips. The horizontal portion of the antenna conductor 4 is further bent downwardly to form an extension in the way toward the region around the center in a lateral direction. The downwardly extended portion of the antenna conductor 4 crosses a plurality of heater strips 2 (three in Fig. 13). The antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are laid by interposing an insulation layer 15 (dotted line). In Fig. 1, the insulation layer 15 is laid on the heater strips 2 provided on the rear window glass sheet 1 in the crossing portions, and the antenna conductor 4 is laid on the insulation layer 15. Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view from an upper portion which shows the portion where the antenna conductor 4 and a heater strip 2 cross. The order of the lamination is not limited to that shown in Fig. 8. The lamination may be such that an antenna conductor 4 is provided on the rear window glass sheet 1; an insulation layer 15 is laid on the antenna conductor 4, and a heater strip 2 is laid on the insulation layer 15. As the material for the insulation layer 15, glass, ceramics or the like can be used. In the glass antenna for an automobile shown in Fig. 1, a portion of each heater strip 2 in the region around the center in a lateral direction of the glass sheet is short-circuited with a short circuit line 2a (dotted line). The short circuit line 2a is provided according to requirements. The short circuit line 2a functions to make the impedance of the defogger 3 stable in a case of using the defogger 3 as an antenna. Fig. 3 shows a glass antenna not covered by the appended claims. In the example of Fig. 3, an antenna conductor 6 for a middle wave broadcast band (AM broadcast band) (520 to 1,700 kHz) which comprises 4 horizontal elements in parallel to the heater strips 2 is, provided in a space upper than the defogger 3 in the rear window glass sheet 1, and a power feeding point 6a for the antenna conductor 6 for a middle wave broadcast band is provided above and in the vicinity of the power feeding point 6a. The cable 25 and the receiver 20 are omitted from the drawing. The construction of the glass antenna shown in Fig. 3 is the same as that in Fig. 1 except that the antenna conductor 6 for a middle wave broadcast band and the power feeding point 6a are provided. Fig. 4 shows another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims. In the example of Fig. 4, a high frequency choke coil 12b is inserted and connected in a line between a bus bar 5b and a direct current power source 10, and a high frequency choke coil 12a is inserted and connected in a line between a bus bar 5a and the ground. The structure shown in Fig. 4 is the same as that in Fig. 1 except that the high frequency choke coils 12a, 12b are provided as described above. The high frequency choke coils 12a, 12b provide a high impedance in an FM broadcast band or a frequency band higher than the FM broadcast band. The high frequency choke coils 12a, 12b permit to flow a direct current from the direct current power source 10 to the defogger 3, but block a current of received signal in an FM broadcast band or a frequency band region having a higher frequency than the FM broadcast band. since the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are in a relation of capacitive coupling, a current of received signal induced in the antenna conductor 4 is permitted to flow to the defogger 3. However, the leaking of a current to the automobile body through the defogger 3 is prevented by such blocking effect. Further, a current of received signal induced in the defogger 3 is prevented from leaking to the automobile body. Fig. 5 shows another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims. In the example of Fig. 5, a choke coil 9 is inserted and connected in a line between a bus bar 5b and a direct current power source 10, and the choke coil 9 is inserted and connected in a line between a bus bar 5a and the ground. A capacitor 11 is inserted and connected between the direct current power source 10 and the ground. The construction shown in Fig. 5 is the same as that in Fig. 1 except that the choke coil 9 and the capacitor 11 are provided as described above. The choke coil 9 provides a high impedance in a middle wave broadcast band, whereby a direct current is permitted to flow from the direct current power source 10 to the defogger 3. However, a current of received signal in the middle wave broadcast band is blocked by the choke coil 10. Since the antenna conductor 4 and the heater strips 2 are in a relation of capacitive coupling, a current of received signal in the middle wave broadcast band induced in the antenna conductor 4 is permitted to flow to the defogger 3. However, the current is prevented from leaking to the automobile body through the defogger 3 by such blocking effect. Further, a current of received signal in the middle wave broadcast band induced in the defogger 3 is prevented from leaking to the automobile body. Namely, the antenna conductor 4 shown in Fig. 5 can supply a received signal in a middle wave broadcast band to the receiver. Fig. 6 shows another glass antenna not covered by the appended claims. In the example of Fig. 6, a series connection circuit of a high frequency choke coil 12b and a choke coil 9 is inserted and connected in a line between a bus bar 5b and a direct current power source 10, and a series connection circuit of a high frequency choke coil 12a and the choke coil 9 is inserted and connected in a line between a bus bar 5a and the ground. The construction shown in Fig. 6 is the same as that in Fig. 1 except that the above-mentioned two series connection circuits and a capacitor 11 are provided. By wiring as in Fig. 6, a current of received signal in a middle wave broadcast band, an FM broadcast band and a frequency band region having a higher frequency than the FM broadcast band, induced in the antenna conductor 4 and the defogger 3 is prevented from leaking to the automobile body. Namely, the antenna conductor 4 in Fig. 5 can supply a received signal in a middle wave broadcast band, an FM broadcast band and a frequency band region having a higher frequency than the FM broadcast band to the receiver. In the pattern of the antenna conductor 4 in the present invention, a pattern which can provide the optimum performance as an antenna for a middle wave broadcast, an FM broadcast, a radio broadcast for an FM broadcast and an FM broadcast in common, television or another broadcast, is designed appropriately in consideration of the shape of an automobile and the shape, the dimension and the construction of a glass sheet and so son. Namely, the present invention is not limited to the construction as shown in Fig. 1 wherein the antenna conductor 4 has a pattern of substantially L-like letter, but a pattern having any shape can be used. The shape of the antenna conductor is not in particular limited, but a pattern formed by a single or a plurality of linear line, curved line or the like may be used. Further, a pattern including a looped conductor may be used. In Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the antenna conductor 4 may be provided at any position in the glass sheet 1 as far as it overlaps the defogger 3, and there is no limitation to the positions as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The number of antenna conductors provided in the rear window glass sheet 1 other than the antenna conductor 4 is not limited. The antenna conductor 4 shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is not provided with an auxiliary antenna conductor. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an auxiliary antenna conductor having a substantially T-like letter, a substantially L-like letter, a looped form or the like may be provided in the conductor pattern of the antenna conductor 4 or the power feeding point 4a with or without a connecting conductor for the purpose of phase adjustment or directivity adjustment. Further, the shape of the insulation layer 15 is rectangular in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but it may be substantially circular, substantially elliptic, triangle or the like. An antenna peripheral circuit such as an impedance matching circuit, a preamplifier circuit, an oscillation circuit or the like may be inserted and connected, according to requirements, in at least one selected from a line between the power feeding point 4a and the receiver and a line between the power feeding point 6a and the receiver. The present invention can be used, other than a middle wave broadcast band and an FM broadcast band, for a long wave broadcast band (LW band) (150 to 280 kHz), a short wave broadcast band (2.3 to 26.1 MHz), an FM broadcast band in U.S.A. (88 to 108 MHz), a VHF band for television (90 to 108 MHz and 170 to 222 MHz), a UHF band for television (470 to 770 MHz), a 800 MHz band for vehicle telephone (810 to 960 MHz), a 1.5 GHz band for vehicle telephone (1.429 to 1.501 GHz), a UHF band (300 MHz to 3 GHz), 1575.42 MHz for GPS signal from GPS satellite, VICS (vehicle information and communication system) and so on. The glass antenna for an automobile according to the present invention can be prepared by the following method in which a transfer means is used, for example. Namely, patterns are heat-transferred from transfer papers on which patterns of a conductor and an insulation layer are printed to a rear window glass sheet as a substrate. The transfer paper comprises a base paper and an easily separable layer formed on the base paper. A pattern of antenna conductor and so on, which is to be formed on the rear window glass sheet, is printed on the easily separable layer. For the pattern of the antenna conductor, paste containing an electric conductive metal such as a silver paste or the like is used. For the pattern of the insulation layer, ceramic paste, glass paste or the like is used. For example, when the glass antenna for an automobile shown in Fig. 1 is prepared by using the transfer means, a pattern of the defogger 3 is previously printed on the rear window glass sheet 1. Then, patterns of the antenna conductor 4 and the insulation layer 15 are printed in this order on the easily separable layer on the base papers. The transfer papers on which the patterns of the antenna conductor 4 and the insulation layer 15 are printed are successively put on the rear window glass sheet 1; the transfer paper is pressed under a predetermined pressure by means of a pressing plate; the base paper is heated, and only the base plate is removed. The defogger shown in Fig. 1 is a defogger having a so-called -like shape. However, the defogger according to the present invention is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1, but may have a defogger having a so-called ⊐-like shape as shown in Fig. 15, instead of the defogger 3 shown in Fig. 1, to perform the same effect. In the defogger shown in Fig. 15, a left side of the defogger 3 comprises a lower bus bar 5c and an upper bus bar 5d. The bus bar 5c is connected to the automobile body as the earth and the bus bar 5d is connected to the anode of the direct current power source. A supplied current flows in a ⊐-like form from the bus bar 5d through a right side bus bar 5e to the bus bar 5c. [EXAMPLES] [EXAMPLE 1 (Example)] A rear window glass sheet for an automobile was used, and a glass antenna for an automobile as shown in Fig. 1 was prepared. However, in stead of 6 heater strips 2 in Fig. 1, 12 heater strips 2 was formed, and the antenna conductor 4 was crossed to upper 6 heater strips 2. Further, all 12 heater strips were connected by means of a short circuit line 2a. For the material for the insulation layer 15, glass composed of a mixture of barium silicate glass and lead glass as the main component was used. The specific dielectric constant of the insulation layer 15 was 6.3, and the dielectric loss of the insulation layer 15 was 0.01. The length of the antenna conductor 4 (excluding the power feeding point 4a) was 55 mm in its horizontal portion and 200 mm in its vertical portion. The space between adjacent heater strips 2 was 30 mm. Fig. 14 shows frequency to sensitivity characteristics wherein the abscissa represents frequency and the ordinary represents sensitivity. [EXAMPLE 2 (Comparative Example)] A rear window glass sheet for an automobile was used, and a glass antenna for an automobile shown in Fig. 2 was prepared. However, the defogger 3 was the same as in Example 1. The length of the antenna conductor 14 (excluding the power feeding point 14a) was 425 mm. The distance between the antenna conductor 14 and the heater strip 2 at the highest position was 20 mm. Fig. 14 shows the frequency-sensitivity characteristics. In accordance with the present invention, a part of the defogger and a part or the entirety of the antenna conductor are laid one upon another by interposing an insulation layer. Accordingly, the antenna conductor and the defogger perform capacitive coupling preferably, whereby a received signal in the defogger can effectively be used and the sensitivity is improved.

Claims: A glass antenna for an automobile wherein an electric heating type defogger (3) having a large number of heater strips (2) and a plurality of bus bars (5a, 5b; 5c, 5d, 5e) and an antenna conductor (4) are provided on a rear window glass sheet (1) fitted to a rear window opening of an automobile, said glass antenna having a power feeding point (4a) for the antenna conductor (4), wherein the antenna conductor (4) and at least one heater strip (2) cross each other, and they are arranged in a state laid one upon another, wherein an insulation layer (15) is interposed in the crossing portion, said glass antenna characterized in that the antenna conductor (4) is extended from the power feeding point (4a) in a direction parallel to the bus bars (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) between which an insulation layer (15) is interposed; the extended portion is further bent in a direction parallel to the heater strips (2) toward the region around the center of the rear window glass sheet (1) ; the extended portion of antenna conductor (4) is arranged between two adjacent heater strips (2), parallel to the heater strips (2), and the extended portion of antenna conductor (4) is bent in a direction parallel to the bus bars (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) to form an extension, so as to cross some heater strips (2). A glass antenna for an automobile wherein an electric heating type defogger (3) having a large number of heater strips (2) and a plurality of bus bars (5a, 5b; 5c, 5d, 5e) and an antenna conductor (4) are provided on a rear window glass sheet (1) fitted to a rear window opening of an automobile, wherein the antenna conductor (4) and at least one heater strip (2) cross each other, and they are arranged in a state laid one upon another, wherein an insulation layer (15) is interposed in the crossing portion, said glass antenna characterized in that a power feeding point (4a) is arranged between the bus bar (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and a circumferential portion of the rear window glass sheet (1); the antenna conductor (4) is extended in a direction parallel to the heater strips (2) from the power feeding point (4a) toward the region around the center of the glass sheet (1); the extended portion crosses the bus bar (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) in a part; the extended portion is laid in an overlapping state on the bus bar (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and an insulation layer (15) is interposed in the crossing portion; a top end portion of antenna conductor (4) which is ahead of the portion crossing the bus bar (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and extends in a direction parallel to the heater strips (2) toward the region around the center of the glass sheet (1) is arranged between two adjacent heater strips (2) parallel to the heater strips (2), and the antenna conductor (4) is further bent in a direction parallel to the bus bars (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) to form an extension of antenna conductor which crosses some heater strips (2). The glass antenna for an automobile according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the angle formed at a position where the antenna conductor (4) crosses the heater strips (2) is substantially a right angle.

Inventors: TABATA KOHJI, TABATA, KOHJI
Applicants: ASAHI GLASS CO LTD, ASAHI GLASS COMPANY LTD.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H01Q1
IPC codes: H01Q1