Abstract:
An antenna structure for vehicles capable of minimizing the distance between a first contact member and a signal processing circuit and ensuring stable antenna performance without using a connection line of a lengthy wire rod is provided. To realize this advantage, an antenna element is disposed on a rear window glass, and the first contact member is disposed at an end of the antenna element. Further, an amplifier case having an attachment flange facing the rear window glass is fixed to a roof panel, and the signal processing circuit is disposed in the amplifier case at a position sandwiching the attachment flange.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted antenna structure, and more particularly to an antenna structure having an antenna element printed on window glass of the vehicle.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Vehicle antenna structures formed through a method in which an antenna element is printed on a rear window glass of a vehicle have been known and widely employed.  
           [0005]    Although, in view of antenna performance, it is most preferable that an antenna element is exposed to the outside of a vehicle on which the antenna is mounted, antenna structures as described above are employed because projecting or whip antennas mounted on the outside of a vehicle body, such as a straight antenna projecting upward from an upper corner of a bumper or a fender of the vehicle and a straight antenna projecting diagonally rearward from a front pillar of the vehicle, can be obstacles to washing of the vehicle and may generate wind noise at certain speeds.  
           [0006]    Further, because it is preferable for a straight antenna attached to the bumper or the fender of the vehicle to telescope from an unused contracted position when used and to return when not in use, the antenna must be motorized.  
           [0007]    While a straight antenna mounted on the front pillar of the vehicle can be extended or contracted by a driver reaching the antenna from inside, and therefore advantageously eliminates the need for a motor mechanism for extending and returning the antenna at the start and end of use, because the tip of the extended antenna is higher than the roof of the vehicle, their is a danger of the antenna striking a low archway, tunnel, or the like.  
           [0008]    In contrast, a glass antenna as described overcomes various problems of such straight antennas, improves directivity of radio waves, and advantageously excels in versatility, such as providing diversity system.  
           [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating part of an example vehicle antenna structure formed through a method of manufacturing a laminated glass antenna as described above (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-56317). Hereinafter, all such methods for manufacturing laminated glass antennas will be referred to simply as “glass antenna methods”.  
           [0010]    Referring to FIG. 1, a packing  3  is sandwiched between a rear edge of a roof panel  1  and a front edge of a rear window glass  2 . In this specification, positional expressions, such as front, rear, upper, lower, above, and below, refer to such positions with respect to the vehicle, as understood by a driver or occupant of the vehicle. An additional antenna element, not shown, is disposed on the rear window glass  2  on the cabin side of the vehicle. An antenna unit  4  is disposed inside the cabin.  
           [0011]    The antenna unit  4  includes a first contact member  5  disposed on the rear window glass  2  and forming part of the antenna element, a signal processing device  6  packaged in a case fixed to the roof panel  1  on the cabin side, an electrically connecting conductor  7  extending from the signal processing device  6 , a supporting member  9  having a contact strip  8  resiliently contacting the first contact member  5 , and serving as a second contact member, and other components. The contact strip  8  can be integrally formed by, for example, cutting and shaping the tip of the electrically connecting conductor  7 .  
           [0012]    The antenna element is connected to an amplifier for processing a received signal through a connection line, which is a conductor electrically undistinguished from the antenna element. As a result, the connection line also substantially functions as an antenna element, whereby transmission and reception cannot be well performed at the originally intended reception frequency band of the antenna element.  
           [0013]    While an approach of designing an antenna element that includes a connection line is possible, the distance between the amplifier and the antenna element generally varies according to vehicle model, configuration, and the like, such that the length of the connection line and the positional relationship are widely varied, resulting in considerable variation in reception performance of the antenna, thereby requiring readjustment, setting, and other steps to reduce the variation. Thus, designing an antenna element that includes the connection line is difficult in practice.  
           [0014]    Further, even more impractically, the connection lines are not appropriate elements for receiving a signal from outside the cabin because they are mostly in the cabin, and therefore pickup noise within the cabin, adversely affecting the antenna performance.  
           [0015]    In view of the above, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the signal processing device  6  having an amplifier is attached to the roof panel  1  serving as a ceiling of the vehicle, thereby minimizing the distance to the first contact member  5  serving as the antenna element, and using a coaxial cable or a microstrip line for the electrically connecting conductor  7 , i.e. the connection line, in order to overcome the above-described problems.  
           [0016]    The vehicle antenna structure configured as described above, however, has an additional problem in that the connection configuration is complicated because a coaxial cable or a microstrip line must be used for the electrically connecting conductor  7  (including the supporting member  9 ) serving as the connection line.  
           [0017]    Although the microstrip line is provided for impedance matching, the length required for this function is not necessarily the same as the actual distance between the antenna element and the amplifier. When the lengths differs, the microstrip line and the amplifier must be connected with a coaxial cable, thereby further complicating the connection configuration. In addition, leakage from the microstrip line and its unintended function as an antenna are unavoidable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0018]    In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention advantageously provides an antenna structure for a vehicle capable of minimizing the distance between a first contact member and a signal processing circuit, and therefore ensuring stable antenna performance without using a connection line of a lengthy wire rod.  
           [0019]    To realize this advantage, an antenna structure for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an antenna element disposed on a window glass of the vehicle, a first contact member disposed at an end of said antenna element, an amplifier case fixed to a body panel of the vehicle, and having at least a portion facing said window glass, and a signal processing circuit disposed in said amplifier case at the portion facing said window glass, and connectable to said first contact member.  
           [0020]    In the above configuration, the antenna element is disposed on the window glass of the vehicle, the first contact member is disposed at an end of the antenna element, the amplifier case having at least a portion facing the window glass is fixed to the body panel of the vehicle, and the signal processing circuit is disposed in the amplifier case at the portion facing the window glass.  
           [0021]    As a result, it is possible to ensure that the first contact member and the signal processing circuit face each other with minimum distance therebetween, sandwiching the portion of the amplifier case facing the window glass of the vehicle, thereby achieving electrical contact between the first contact member and the signal processing circuit with the minimum distance without using a connection line formed of a wire rod.  
           [0022]    In other words, because the distance between the first contact member and the signal processing circuit can be minimized, stable antenna performance can be ensured without using a connection line formed of a lengthy wire rod.  
           [0023]    Said first contact member and said signal processing circuit may be electrically connected through a second contact member formed of a conductive piece.  
           [0024]    Said second contact member may be resilient.  
           [0025]    Said second contact member may be formed as an elastic bellows.  
           [0026]    Said second contact member may be made to contact said first contact member by a conductive pressing element.  
           [0027]    Said pressing element may be a coil spring.  
           [0028]    Said amplifier case may be a shield case for preventing adverse effects of noise on at least said signal processing circuit.  
           [0029]    Said second contact member may be covered with a protective member formed of an insulating material.  
           [0030]    A conductive rubber may be disposed between said first and second contact members. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating key elements of an antenna structure for a vehicle according to a related art.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view illustrating key elements of an antenna structure for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view illustrating additional key components of the antenna structure for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 is a front view of a rear window glass of the vehicle having an antenna element disposed thereon in the antenna structure for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a feeding member in the antenna structure for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of the feeding member in the antenna structure for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a feeding member in an antenna structure for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the feeding member in the antenna structure for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a feeding unit in an antenna structure for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a feeding unit in an antenna structure for a vehicle according to a variation of the third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a feeding unit in an antenna structure for a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a feeding unit in an antenna structure for a vehicle according to a variation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]    Preferred embodiments of an antenna structure for vehicles according to the present invention will next be described with reference to the drawings.  
         [0044]    [First Embodiment] 
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 2A through FIG. 4B illustrate a first embodiment of a vehicle antenna structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view illustrating key components of the vehicle antenna structure according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view illustrating another part of the vehicle antenna structure, FIG. 3 is a front view of a rear window glass of the vehicle having an antenna element disposed thereon, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross sectional view, respectively, illustrating a feeding member.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a roof panel  11  (only a part thereof is shown) as a vehicle&#39;s body panel is composed of an inner panel  11   a  and an outer panel  11   b . A packing (or adhesive)  13  is sandwiched by the front edge of the rear window glass  12  as a vehicle window glass and the rear edge of the roof panel  11  at the overlapping portion. An antenna unit  14  is disposed in the cabin (located on the lower side of the figure).  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 3, the antenna unit  14  includes a plurality of antenna elements  15  printed on the rear window glass  12  on the cabin side and used by, for example, TV, radio, wireless door lock control devices, a first contact member  16  provided at each end of the antenna element  15  and collectively arranged near the upper edge of the rear window glass  12 , and a pair of feeding units  17  disposed on the right and left sides of the vehicle.  
         [0048]    In FIG. 3, each set of four antenna elements  15  is disposed on the right and left sides of the vehicle, and the first contact members  16  are correspondingly arranged on the upper side. This arrangement facilitates element design for realizing diversity. Therefore, the feeding units  17  are spaced apart from the center of the vehicle with respect to its width, and located toward the right and left edges of the vehicle.  
         [0049]    Because the feeding units  17  are substantially identical, only the feeding unit  17  on one side will be described below. It should be noted that the number of antenna elements  15  is not limited, and are arranged in accordance with antenna function and the like.  
         [0050]    The feeding unit  17  includes an amplifier case  18  fixed to the inner panel  11   a  on the cabin side, a signal processing circuit (printed circuit board)  20  disposed in an inner space  19  of the amplifier case  18 , a feeding member  21  disposed opposite to and under the first contact member  16 , and an insulating sheet  22 .  
         [0051]    The amplifier case  18  includes a base  23  having a step-like cross section, and a cover  24  held by the base  23 . The amplifier case  18  functions as a shield case for preventing noise from within the cabin from reaching the signal processing circuit  20 . For such a shield case function, the base  23  and the cover  24  may be formed of a metal, or may have a resin surface with a conductor applied on the entire surface. The metal components contribute to a simplified configuration and more reliable connection between the vehicle and the ground. For such ground connection, the signal processing circuit  20  and the inner panel  11   a  may be connected directly or through the amplifier case  18  functioning as a shield case. When the ground connection is made through the amplifier case  18  or the like, the connection is preferably made in a solid manner by soldering or the like for ensuring anti-vibration properties.  
         [0052]    The base  23  forms a stepped shape with an attachment flange  23   b  provided at an upper position of the vehicle to face the rear window glass  12  at a rearward position of the vehicle with respect to a fixed flange  23   a  positioned frontward of the vehicle. The base  23  is held by the inner panel  11   a  by temporarily fixing the fixed flange  23   a  to the inner panel  11   a  with a clip  25  and then screwing a bolt  27  to a nut  26  fixed to the inner panel  11   a . The fixed flange  23   a  of the base  23  includes a crook  23   c  raised from the flange  23   a  for engaging with a flange  11   c  of the outer panel  11   b  for positioning and preventing a fall.  
         [0053]    The base  23  and the cover  24  are covered with a roof trim (not shown) held by the roof panel  11  spaced apart from and placed below the inner panel  11   a  (on the cabin side) so that they cannot be seen from the cabin. The bolt  27  can connect the signal processing circuit  20  to the ground by electrically connecting to the signal processing circuit  20  (through cable connection or the like).  
         [0054]    As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the feeding member  21  includes a holder  28 , a second contact member  29  held in an ellipsoidal cylinder  28   a  of the holder  28  and serving as an elastic and electrically conductive piece, and a coupling member  30  held in a bottom wall  28   b  of the holder  28 .  
         [0055]    A lance-shaped leg  28   c  is integrally formed with the holder  28  for engaging a rim of an opening  23   d  in the attachment flange  23   b  opposite thereto (in the width direction of the vehicle in this embodiment). In the outer periphery of the ellipsoidal cylinder  28   a , a positioning flange  28   d  is integrally formed abutting an upper surface of the attachment flange  23   b  when the leg  28   c  is engaged with the opening  23   d  and the tip is located in the inner space  19  to attach the holder  28  to the base  23 . The holder  28  exposes the tip of the second contact member  29 , and is formed of an insulating resin material, such as POM (polyacetal) or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), for ensuring electrical insulation of areas other than the exposed portion.  
         [0056]    The second contact member  29  is formed of an electrically conductive resilient material, such as a conductive rubber, as an elastic bellows, so that its exposed end surface  29   a  resiliently contacts the first contact member  16  to ensure electrical connection.  
         [0057]    The coupling member  30  formed of a conductive material includes a head  30   a  contacting a lower end surface  29   b  of the second contact member  29  to ensure electrical connection, and a leg  30   b  extending from the head  30   a  through the bottom  28   b  and connected to the signal processing circuit  20 .  
         [0058]    The insulating sheet  22  is attached to the entire upper surface of the attachment flange  23   b  to cover the opening portion created by forming the crook  23   c  in the base  23 , and is formed of a plastic material, such as PC (polycarbonate) and PP (polypropylene), for preventing capacitive coupling between the second contact member  29  and the base  23 .  
         [0059]    In the above-described configuration, the antenna element  15  and the first contact member  16  are integrally formed through printing onto the rear window glass  12  to ensure electrical connection before the vehicle is assembled.  
         [0060]    To the base  23  formed in advance in a predetermined shape by metal pressing or injection molding, the signal processing circuit  20  is fixed and the cover  24  is mounted.  
         [0061]    The cover  24  is fixed to the base  23  by, for example, screws and bolts, thereby preventing entry of dust, noise, and the like into the inner space  19  from the cabin.  
         [0062]    Further, the feeding member  21 , the insulating sheet  22 , and the clip  25  are attached to the base  23  in advance, so that the feeding unit  17  is temporarily attached to the roof panel  11  by engaging the clip  25  to the inner panel  11   a  with the crook  23   c  engaged with the flange  11   c . The clip  25  may be attached to the base  23  when temporarily attached to the roof panel  11 .  
         [0063]    From this state the bolt  27  is screwed to the nut  26 , thereby fixing the feeding unit  17  to the roof panel  11 , or the configuration of the bolt  27  and the nut  26  may be reversed.  
         [0064]    When the feeding unit  17  is temporarily held by the roof panel  11 , the second contact member  29  resiliently contacts the first contact member  16 .  
         [0065]    The first and second contact members  16  and  29  have a relatively large contact area, thereby absorbing errors (molding and mounting errors) in the substantially horizontal surface of the vehicle when the feeding unit  17  is fixed to the roof panel  11 . Further, because the second contact member  29  is extensibly resilient, errors (molding and mounting errors) in the surface in the substantially vertical direction of the vehicle can be absorbed.  
         [0066]    As a result, connection between the first and second contact members  16  and  29  can easily be ensured simply by fixing the feeding unit  17  to the roof panel  11 . In addition, because the feeding unit  17  is disposed directly under the first contact member  16 , there is no need to provide a lengthy cabling path of a coaxial cable, microstrip line, or the like.  
         [0067]    The signal received by the antenna element  15  is supplied to the signal processing circuit  20  through the first and second contact members  16  and  29 , and the coupling member  30 . The second contact member  29  and the signal processing circuit  20  may be directly connected without disposing the coupling member  30 . Alternatively, a projecting contact member may be provided in the signal processing circuit  20  in place of the coupling member  30 , and directly connected to the first contact member  16  by the second contact member  29 .  
         [0068]    Thus, the coupling member  30  is used as an intermediary member for adjusting a significant difference between various types of vehicles resulting from the differing overall thickness of the roof panel  11  and the like. In addition to eliminating the need for complicated cable work and provision of cable paths, the direct connection between the first contact member  16  and the signal processing circuit  20  can be substantially maintained by just the second contact member  29  without significantly changing the length of the cabling path.  
         [0069]    As a result, a simple connection, i.e. connection without cables (a substantially direct connection), can be achieved without a lengthy cabling path of a coaxial cable, microstrip line, or the like, without adversely affecting the received frequency band.  
         [0070]    As described above, with the antenna structure of the first embodiment, in the feeding device for feeding electric power to the antenna element  15  mounted on the rear window glass  12 , the signal processing circuit  20  is disposed closer to the rear window glass  12  than the flange  11   c  for fixing the rear window glass  12  to the roof panel  11 , namely the vehicle body, i.e. disposed below the rear window glass  12 , thereby achieving electrical connection between the first contact member  16  on the rear window glass  12  and the signal processing circuit  20  with the second contact member  29 .  
         [0071]    Further, the first contact member  16  and the signal processing circuit  20  are integrally connected to the feeding member  21  (a unit product) in a direct manner, thereby suppressing adverse effects as might be caused by external high frequency noise between the second contact member  29  and the signal processing circuit  20 . Consequently, a highly versatile antenna structure can be achieved with a simple and inexpensive configuration.  
         [0072]    The second contact member  29  of a conductive material may be held in the holder  28  formed of an insulating resin material, such as POM and ABS, to ensure electrical insulation from the outside except for the exposed portion.  
         [0073]    Further, the second contact member  29  may be formed of an elastic and resilient component, thereby allowing easy absorption of possible errors, such as molding and mounting errors, between the first contact member  16  already printed on the rear window glass  12  mounted onto the vehicle in advance and the feeding unit  17  mounted later onto the inner panel  11   a.    
         [0074]    It is also naturally possible to achieve a contact structure absorbing the molding errors, mounting errors, and the like, when the rear window glass  12  is mounted onto the roof panel  11  after the feeding unit  17  is mounted onto the inner panel  11   a.    
         [0075]    In addition, the base  23  includes the crook  23   c  engaging with the flange  11   c  formed at the outer panel  11   b , thereby absorbing displacement in the relative position between the roof panel  11  and the feeding unit  17  caused by errors in the vehicle body dimensions, mounting dimensions, and the like. Further, instantaneous displacement due to, for example, vibration during traveling of the vehicle, can be adjusted, thereby preventing generation of noise caused by possible chattering between the exposed end surface  29   a  of the second contact member  29  and the first contact member  16 .  
         [0076]    [Second Embodiment] 
         [0077]    [0077]FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a second embodiment of an antenna structure according to the present invention. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the feeding member, and FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view thereof. The configurations other than those illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B are the same as those in the first embodiment.  
         [0078]    In the first embodiment, the feeding member  21  is composed of the holder  28 , the elastic second contact member  29  held in the ellipsoidal cylinder  28   a  of the holder  28 , and the coupling member  30  held in the bottom wall  28   b  of the holder  28 .  
         [0079]    On the other hand, a feeding member  31  of the second embodiment includes a holder  32 , a second contact member  33  serving as a pin-shaped conductive piece held in an ellipsoidal cylinder  32   a  of the holder  32 , and a coil spring  34  provided between the second contact member  33  and the coupling member  30 . Such a configuration contributes to reduction in component cost compared to the cost when the second contact member  29  is configured from a conductive material formed into a bellows, as in the first embodiment.  
         [0080]    A lance-shaped leg  32   c  is integrally formed with the holder  32  for engaging with a rim of the opening  23   d  formed in the attachment flange  23   b  and located opposite thereto (in the width direction of the vehicle in this embodiment). In an outer periphery of the ellipsoidal cylinder  32   a , a positioning flange  32   d  is integrally formed abutting the upper surface of the attachment flange  23   b  when the leg  32   c  is engaged with the opening  23   d  and the tip is positioned in the inner space  19  to attach the holder  32  to the base  23 . The holder  32  exposes the tip of the second contact member  33 , and is formed of an insulating resin material, such as POM and ABS, to ensure electrical insulation from the outside except for the exposed portion.  
         [0081]    The second contact member  33  is formed of a conductive material and has a substantially T-shaped cross section. When pressed by the coil spring  34 , a tip surface  33   a  of the contact member  33  contacts the first contact member  16  to secure electrical connection.  
         [0082]    The coupling member  30  formed of a conductive material secures electrical connection with the second contact member  33  through the coil spring  34 .  
         [0083]    By thus configuring the feeding member  31 , the same effects as those of the feeding member  21  of the first embodiment can be obtained with an inexpensive component configuration.  
         [0084]    [Third Embodiment] 
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an antenna structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention, especially a feeding unit thereof. In FIG. 6, the components corresponding to those in the above-described embodiments are labeled with the same numerals and characters, and description thereof will not be repeated.  
         [0086]    While the feeding unit  17  is provided at a single amplifier case  18  fixed to the roof panel  11 , i.e. the vehicle body, in the first and second embodiments, in the third embodiment a feeding unit  40  is divided into a panel side portion  41  and a glass side portion  42 .  
         [0087]    In the panel side portion  41 , an amplifier case  43  fixed to the roof panel  11  is composed of the base  23  and the cover  24 . The signal processing circuit  20  is provided in the inner space  19  of the amplifier case  43 , and only the coupling member  30  connected to the signal processing circuit  20  is held by a shield packing  44  fit in the attachment flange  23   b  of the base  23 .  
         [0088]    On the other hand, in the glass side portion  42 , a second contact member  45  formed of a conductive rubber or the like as an elastic conductive piece is held by a shield holder  46  fixable (with an adhesive, two-sided tape, or the like) to the rear window glass  12 . One side  45   a  of the second contact member  45  resiliently contacts the first contact member  16 , and the other side  45   b  thereof resiliently contacts the head  30   a  of the coupling member  30 , thereby securing electrical connection.  
         [0089]    Alternatively, a single second contact member  45  held in the shield holder  47  in the glass side portion  42  may be used, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In such a case, the other associated contact members, such as the first contact member  16  and the coupling member  30 , are also provided in singles.  
         [0090]    Other features, such as a fixing configuration and a shielding function of the amplifier case  18  disclosed in connection with the above-described first embodiment, are also employed for the amplifier case  43 , and the functions of the structure other than the separately held coupling member  30  and the second contact member  45  are the same as those in the first embodiment.  
         [0091]    By thus separately providing the feeding unit  17 , the vehicle antenna structure can be divided into the panel side portion  41  and the glass side portion  42  which are mounted separately and then combined, thereby offering a wider variety in possible configurations and assembly options for the vehicle antenna structure, and therefore contributing to improved workability.  
         [0092]    [Fourth Embodiment] 
         [0093]    [0093]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an antenna structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, especially the feeding unit. In FIG. 8, the components corresponding to those in the above-described embodiments are labeled with the same numerals and characters, and description thereof will not be repeated.  
         [0094]    While in the first through third embodiments the second contact members  29 ,  33 , and  45  are brought into direct contact with the first contact member  16 , in the fourth embodiment a feeding unit  50  is divided into a panel side portion  51  and a glass side portion  52  as in the third embodiment, and the member contacts through a conductive rubber  53  provided on the glass side  52 .  
         [0095]    In the panel side portion  51 , an amplifier case  54  fixed to the roof panel  11  is composed of a base  23  and a cover  24 . The signal processing circuit  20  is provided in the inner space  19  of the amplifier case  54 , which holds a holder  32  for holding the coupling member  30  connected to the signal processing circuit  20 , a second contact member  55  formed of a conductive material as a conductive piece and having a cross section substantially in a horizontal H-shape, and the coil spring  34 .  
         [0096]    On the other hand, in the glass side portion  52 , a shield holder  56  for holding the conductive rubber  53  and having a cylinder  56   a  covering the holder  32  is fixed to the window glass  12  (with an adhesive, two-sided tape, or the like), and one end  55   a  of the second contact member  55  is electrically connected to the first contact member  16  through the conductive rubber  53 , so that the other end  55   b  of the second contact member  55  is electrically connected to the head  30   a  of the coupling member  30  through the coil spring  34 .  
         [0097]    Alternatively, a single conductive rubber  53  held in a shield holder  57  on the glass side  52  may be used, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In such a case, one each of the other associated contact members, such as the first contact member  16 , the holder  32 , and the coupling member  30 , are also provided.  
         [0098]    The remaining features, such as a fixing configuration and a shielding function of the amplifier case  18  disclosed in connection with the above-described first embodiment, are also employed for the amplifier case  54 , and the functions of the structure other than the interposed conductive rubber  53  are naturally the same as those in the first embodiment.  
         [0099]    By thus interposing the conductive rubber  53 , chatter at the contact portion associated with vibration of the vehicle can further be prevented.  
         [0100]    When fixing the shield holder  56  to the rear window glass  12  by, for example, an adhesive or two-sided tape, the cylinder  56   a  encloses the holder  32  to prevent entry of an adhesive into the conductive rubber  53  or the first contact member  16  even when the adhesive for fixing the rear window glass  12  is conductive. In other words, adverse effects on antenna performance can be prevented. Further, a gap between the rear window glass and the surrounding portion of the conductive rubber  53  can be sealed, thereby preventing entry of moisture, such as associated with dew or condensation, or wind into the area surrounding the contact portion of the conductive rubber  53 .  
         [0101]    The adhesive, two-sided tape, or the like need not be applied all around the conductive rubber  53  because entry of adhesive or moisture along the rear window glass can be prevented by application just at the upper portion.  
         [0102]    While the feeding units  17 ,  40 , and  50  are provided at the border between the roof panel  11  and the rear window glass  12  in the above embodiments, the feeding units may be provided at any location, such as the border between a side window glass and the vehicle body panel inside the trunk room trim (side wall of the vehicle), or the border between the rear panel (or rear hatch panel) and the lower side of the rear window glass. Further, while the first contact member  16  and the feeding units  17 ,  40 , and  50  are horizontally divided and disposed in the above description, they may alternatively be disposed at the center of the vehicle.