Patent Publication Number: US-11031670-B2

Title: Antenna arrangement

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to German Patent Appl. No. 10 2018 124 277.8 filed on Oct. 2, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention concerns an antenna arrangement, in particular a GPS antenna of a motor vehicle. 
     Related Art 
     Antennae are arranged at various locations in the motor vehicle. It is known that antennae are integrated for example in a rear window, a front windscreen or a side window. Such antennae are formed solely by a conductor such as a wire that passes through the glass. 
     Other antennae are for example arranged on the roof or on the tailgate. 
     DE 100 25 130 A1 discloses the arrangement of an antenna in a body component formed with a plastic superstructure and a reinforcing metal substructure. 
     DE 10 2009 036 727 A1 discloses the arrangement of an antenna in the region of a panel on a body component. 
     Thus, the antennae are arranged directly on the body component and are exposed to vibrations during driving or during actuation of the associated body component, such as a tailgate for example. In the long term, this can lead to damage. 
     It is therefore the object of the present invention to create an antenna arrangement in which the antenna is protected better. 
     SUMMARY 
     An antenna arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle with a body component. The antenna arrangement includes an antenna that is received in a recess of a damping element. The antenna with the damping element is attached to the body component. In this way, the antenna can be attached securely and at the same time it is protected from impacts and vibrations. 
     The damping element may be a foam component, such as a polyurethane foam component. 
     In certain embodiments, the antenna is formed in a recess of the damping element or foam component as a pre-mounted unit. In this way, the antenna is installed when the damping element or foam component is mounted on the body component, without separate installation of the antenna being required. 
     The antenna may be received in the damping element or foam component by form fit, substance bonding and/or interference fit. This ensures a good connection of the antenna to the damping element or foam component. 
     The recess may be configured with a defined undersize relative to the antenna so that the antenna is clamped in the recess. Thus, the antenna can easily be inserted in the recess and securely held there. 
     In certain embodiments, the antenna with the damping element or foam component is arranged on an underside or an inside of a boot lid or tailgate as a body component. Thus a secure arrangement can be achieved. 
     A secure arrangement also can be achieved if the antenna with the damping element or foam component is arranged on an underside or inside of a bonnet or front cover as a body component. 
     The antenna may be a GPS antenna. 
     The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic depiction of an antenna in a recess of a damping element. 
         FIG. 2  is a depiction of an antenna arrangement with an antenna according to  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows diagrammatically an antenna arrangement  1  of a motor vehicle  2  with a body component  3 . The antenna arrangement  1  includes an antenna  4  received in a recess  5  of a damping element  6 . 
     The antenna  4  with the damping element  6  is attached to the body component  3 . 
     The damping element  6  is a foam component, such as a polyurethane foam component or a different foam component from another foam material. 
     According to  FIG. 1 , the antenna  4  is formed in the recess  5  of the damping element  6  or foam component as a pre-mounted unit. Thus, the antenna  4  is first inserted in the recess  5  and then the damping element  6  is attached to the body component  3 . 
     The antenna  4  may be received in the damping element  6  or foam component by form fit, substance bonding and/or interference fit. Thus, the antenna  4  may be held in the recess  5  purely by clamping, for example in that the recess  5  is formed with a defined undersize relative to the antenna  4 , so the antenna  4  is inserted in the recess  5  and is clamped accordingly in the recess  5  when pressed in. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, the antenna  4  may be glued in the recess  5  by an adhesive, and/or held by form fit by means of locking means. 
     In one embodiment, the antenna  4  with damping element  6  or foam component is arranged on an underside or inside of a boot lid or tailgate as a body component  3 . 
     Alternatively, in a further exemplary embodiment, it may also be advantageous if the antenna  4  with damping element  6  or foam component is arranged on an underside or inside of a bonnet or front cover as a body component  3 . 
     Advantageously, the antenna  4  is a GPS antenna. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
         
           
               1  Antenna arrangement 
               2  Motor vehicle 
               3  Body component 
               4  Antenna 
               5  Recess 
               6  Damping element, foam component