Patent Publication Number: US-2018034128-A1

Title: Antenna module

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/080492 filed Dec. 18, 2015, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 10 2015 102 259.1 filed Feb. 17, 2015 and German Application No. 10 2015 104 543.5 filed Mar. 25, 2015, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an antenna module. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An antenna module for a vehicle is known from DE 295 00 961 UI, wherein the antenna module comprises an upper assembly, which is connected to at least two antennas, and a lower assembly, wherein the upper assembly comprises as a first electrical contact component at least two coaxial connections, wherein the lower assembly comprises as a second electrical contact component at least two coaxial connections, wherein the upper assembly is secured to a body component of the vehicle, wherein the lower assembly is attachable to the upper assembly and wherein the lower assembly is positionable and/or attachable to the upper assembly by a joining movement along a joining direction. The drawback to such an antenna module is that the connection between the upper assembly and the lower assembly occurs simply by plugging in. This does not ensure a secure contacting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to develop an antenna module in which an electrical connection between the upper assembly and the lower assembly is guaranteed to be durable even under rather large loads and in which large installation forces are also avoided. Furthermore, the problem which the invention proposes to solve is to enable a simple one-hand installation of the second assembly on the first assembly. 
     In the antenna module according to the present invention, the lower assembly comprises a locking mechanism and the upper assembly comprises a counter locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is able to be locked to or unlocked from the counter locking mechanism, and wherein the locking mechanism is able to be actuated so as to avoid, when actuating same, exerting a force that acts in a joining direction. Thanks to an additional mechanical locking of the second assembly on the first assembly, a durable and reliable contacting is assured, since this avoids the coaxial connections having to constantly withstand holding forces, especially in the form of tensile forces. Furthermore, the actuating force necessary to actuate the locking mechanism is only applied such that no pressure is created in the joining direction which would act in undesirable manner on the roof of the vehicle. 
     Furthermore, it is provided that the coaxial connections of the upper assembly are designed as coaxial plugs and the coaxial connections of the lower assembly are designed as coaxial sockets. In this way, the lower assembly has no projecting plug parts which might cause damage during the installation. 
     Furthermore, it is provided that the upper assembly is outfitted with a centering mechanism between its coaxial connections and projecting beyond its coaxial connections counter to a joining direction and the lower assembly is outfitted with a receiving mechanism for the centering mechanism arranged between its coaxial connections. This enables an easy orienting of the lower assembly to the upper assembly before the oppositely situated coaxial connections come into contact. 
     It is also provided that the antenna module is outfitted with a shock absorbing mechanism, the shock absorbing mechanism being arranged between the upper assembly and the lower assembly and being compressed between the assemblies in the locked position of the assemblies. This ensures a constant good cohesion between the first and the second assembly, since they are held together under biasing and thus are also held against one another in reliable manner when the clamping force is slightly decreased. In particular, this prevents a relative movement of the components to one another. 
     It is also provided that a bayonet locking mechanism formed by the locking mechanism and the counter locking mechanism. Such a locking mechanism can be locked without exerting pressure in the joining direction. 
     Furthermore, it is provided that a rotating of the locking mechanism with respect to the counter locking mechanism also results in the locking mechanisms coming closer together in the direction of the axis of rotation thanks to guiding bevels formed between the two locking mechanisms. In this way, a clamping in the joining direction is possible by a rotary movement, so that an unwanted pressing force in the joining direction is reliably avoided during the joining process. 
     Furthermore, it is provided that a locking mechanism formed by the locking mechanism and the counter locking mechanism is outfitted with a detent mechanism, by which the locking mechanisms are held in their locking position with increased force. This effectively prevents a releasing of the locking even under strong vibrations, such as, for example, when driving over unpaved roads. 
     It is also provided a toggle locking mechanism formed by the locking mechanism and the counter locking mechanism. In this way, a locking is possible simply by moving a lever, without having to exert force in the joining direction. 
     Furthermore, it is provided in the case of the toggle locking mechanism that the locking mechanism comprises a tie rod which is guided on the second component so as to be lengthwise displaceable and rotatable in the joining direction and a rotatable cam, the cam being mounted on the tie rod and rotatable transversely to the joining direction, and the locking mechanism is braced by the cam against the second component. In this way, it is possible to clamp together the first and the second component by a rotating of the cam about an axis of rotation lying transversely to the joining direction. Also in this way an unwanted pressing force in the joining direction is reliably avoided during the joining process. 
     Moreover, it is provided that the second assembly is designed as a control device. Thus, the antenna module can be adapted in its capability to the number of antennas installed with the first assembly in modular fashion. 
     By coaxial connections is meant in the sense of the present invention connection elements such as plugs, sockets, or the like. 
     The terms assembly and component are used synonymously in the sense of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details of the invention will be described in the drawing with the aid of schematically represented sample embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a first variant embodiment of an antenna module according to the present invention, wherein a lower assembly is still separate from an upper assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is an antenna module shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the lower assembly has already made contact with the upper assembly and is held against the upper assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is an antenna module shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein a locking mechanism is now also locked; 
         FIG. 4  is a second variant embodiment of an antenna module according to the present invention, wherein a lower assembly is still separate from an upper assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is an antenna module shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the lower assembly has already made contact with the upper assembly and is held against the upper assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is an antenna module shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , wherein a locking mechanism is rotated by 90°; 
         FIG. 7  is an antenna module shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , wherein the locking mechanism is now also locked; 
         FIGS. 8 a  to 8 e    illustrate a third variant embodiment of an antenna module according to the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 9 a  to 9 j    illustrate a fourth variant embodiment of an antenna module according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a first variant embodiment of an antenna module  1  according to the present invention in schematic side view. The antenna module  1  comprises a first, upper assembly  2  and a second, lower assembly  3 . The upper assembly  2  here is connected to two antennas  4 ,  5 , which are arranged on the assembly  2 . The assembly  2  is held in a roof cutout  501  of a vehicle  502 , where only a portion of a roof  503  of the vehicle  502  is shown. The roof  503  forms a component of the vehicle body. 
     The upper assembly  2  comprises, as an electrical contact component  6 , two coaxial connections  7 ,  8 . The lower assembly  3  comprises, as an electrical contact component  9 , two coaxial connections  10 ,  11 . The lower assembly  3  is provided to be secured on the upper assembly  2  and is shown in  FIG. 1  in a nonsecured position S 1 . The coaxial connections  7 ,  8  of the upper assembly  2  are designed as coaxial plugs  7   a ,  8   a  or so-called “male cable connectors”. The coaxial connections  10 ,  11  of the lower assembly  3  are designed as coaxial sockets  10   a ,  11   a  or so-called “female cable connectors”. The first assembly  2  comprises a centering mechanism  12  between the coaxial plugs  7   a ,  8   a  and projecting beyond the coaxial plugs  7   a ,  8   a  in a joining direction FR. The second assembly  3  comprises a receiving mechanism  13  for the centering mechanism  12  counter to between the coaxial sockets  10   a ,  11   a . Furthermore, the second assembly  3  comprises a locking mechanism  14  and a counter locking mechanism  15 . The locking mechanism  14  is able to be rotated by a rotation about an axis of rotation D 14  extending in the joining direction without exerting a force that acts in the joining direction FR and locked to the counter locking mechanism  15  by a right-hand rotation or unlocked from the counter locking mechanism  15  by a left-hand rotation. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the second component  3  is shown in a half-mounted position S 2 . The second component  3  attains this position S 2  by a plugging of the component  3  onto the first component  2  in the joining direction FR. The two components  2  and  3  are held together in this position by the coaxial connections  7  and  10  as well as  8  and  11  which respectively interact with each other. Thus, it is possible to premount the second component  3  by one hand on the first component  2  by a simple plugging on. During the premounting process, the locking mechanism  14 , designed as a bayonet pin  14   a  mounted in the lower component  3  and able to rotate about the axis of rotation D 14 , is guided into the counter locking mechanism  15  fashioned on the first component  2 . The counter locking mechanism  15  is designed as a receiving ring  15   a , comprising two opposite recesses  15   b  and  15   c , which are fitted to oppositely situated projections  14   b  and  14   c  of the locking means  14 . 
     By a rotation of the locking mechanism  14 , which can be actuated by a slot  14   d , about a half-turn around the axis of rotation D 14 , the second component  3  comes into a mounted position or clamping position S 3 , which is shown in  FIG. 3 . By the rotation of the locking mechanism  14 , the second component  3  is pulled against the first component  2 , since the projections  14   b  and  14   c  are provided with guiding bevels  14   e  (see  FIG. 2 ). The antenna module  1  comprises a shock absorbing mechanism  16 , which is formed by two foam cushions  16   a  and  16   b  that are secured to the first component  2 . The foam cushions  16   a  and  16   b  are elastically compressed upon actuation of the locking mechanism  14  and thereby secure the connection of the two components  2  and  3  by a loosening in the event of vibration. 
       FIG. 4  shows a second variant embodiment of an antenna module  101  according to the present invention in schematic side view. The antenna module  101  comprises a first, upper assembly  102  and a second, lower assembly  103 . The upper assembly  102  here is connected to two antennas  104 ,  105 , which are arranged on the assembly  102 . The assembly  102  is held in a roof cutout  501  of a vehicle  502 , where only a portion of a roof  503  of the vehicle  502  is shown. 
     The upper assembly  102  comprises, as an electrical contact component  106 , two coaxial connections  107 ,  108 . The lower assembly  102  comprises, as an electrical contact component  109 , two coaxial connections  110 ,  111 . The lower assembly  102  is provided to be secured on the upper assembly  103  and is shown in  FIG. 4  in a nonsecured position S 101 . The coaxial connections  107 ,  108  of the upper assembly  2  are designed as coaxial plugs  107   a ,  108   a  or so-called “male cable connectors”. The coaxial connections  110 ,  111  of the lower assembly  102  are designed as coaxial sockets  110   a ,  111   a  or so-called “female cable connectors”. The first assembly  102  comprises a centering mechanism  112  between the coaxial plugs  107   a ,  108   a  and projecting beyond the coaxial plugs  107   a ,  108   a  counter to a joining direction FR. The second assembly  103  comprises a receiving mechanism  113  for the centering mechanism  112  between the coaxial sockets  110   a ,  111   a . Furthermore, the second assembly  103  comprises a locking mechanism  114  and a counter locking mechanism  115 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the second component  103  is shown in a half-mounted position S 102 . The second component  103  attains this position S 102  by a plugging of the component  103  onto the first component  102  in the joining direction. The two components  102  and  103  are held together in this position S 102  by the coaxial connections  107  and  110  as well as  118  and  111  which respectively interact with each other. Thus, it is possible to premount the second component  103  by one hand on the first component  102  by a simple plugging on. During the premounting process, the locking mechanism  114 , designed as a toggle  114   a  mounted in the lower component  103  and able to rotate about the axis of rotation D 114  running in the joining direction FR, is guided into the counter locking mechanism  115  fashioned on the first component  102 . The counter locking mechanism  115  is designed as a plate  115   a , comprising an aperture  115   b , the aperture  115   b  being fitted to a cross arm  114   b  of a tie rod  114   c  of the locking mechanism  114 . From the position S 102  shown in  FIG. 5 , in which the cross arm  114   b  has already been shoved through the aperture  115   b , the tie rod  114   c  in a further premounting step is rotated by 90° about the axis of rotation D 114 , so that the locking mechanism  114  stands in the second premounting position S 103  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In this position S 103 , the locking mechanism  114  also lies against an underside  103   a  of the second component  103  by a cam  114   d , which can rotate about an axis of rotation D 114   d  running transversely to the joining direction FR or transversely to the axis of rotation D 114 . The cam  114   d  here can be actuated or rotated by means of a lever  114   e . Thanks to a 90° rotation of the lever  114   e  into the plane of the drawing, the cam  114   d  is twisted so that the cam  114   d  pulls the second component  103  against the first component  102 , being braced against the first component  102  by the tie rod  114   c , during which a shock absorbing mechanism  116  formed by two foam cushions  116   a  and  116   b  secured on the first component  102  are elastically compressed. This mounting position S 104  is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIGS. 8 a  to 8 e    show a third variant embodiment of an antenna module  201  according to the present invention. The antenna module  201  comprises a first, upper assembly  202  and a second, lower assembly  203 . Two antennas  204 ,  205  are arranged here beneath a covering (not shown) of the upper assembly  202 . The upper assembly  202  reaches by a centering mechanism  212  or shoulder  220  through a roof cutout  501  of a roof  503  of a vehicle  502 , only indicated schematically, and is thereby held in it. By a bearing surface  221  the upper assembly  202  lies against an exterior  503   a  of the roof  503 . The upper assembly  202  comprises, as is evident from the representation of  FIG. 8 e   , which shows the upper assembly  202  in a perspective bottom view, four coaxial connections  207 ,  208 ,  222 ,  223  as the electrical contact component  206 . The lower assembly  203  comprises, as the electrical contact component  209 , two coaxial connections  210 ,  211 ,  224 ,  225 . The lower assembly  203  is intended to be secured to the upper assembly  202  with the roof  503  coming in between and it is shown in  FIG. 8 a    in exploded view and in a nonsecured position. The lower assembly  203  comprises a housing top part  226 , a housing bottom part  227 , an electronics unit  228 , a contact unit  229  and a locking mechanism  214 . The lower assembly  203  is shown assembled in  FIG. 8 b , 8 c  and 8 d   . It can be seen from the longitudinal sections shown in  FIGS. 8 b  and 8 c    that the electronics unit  228  is substantially accommodated in the housing bottom part  227  and that the locking mechanism  214  is guided as a slide  214   a  in the housing top part  226 . The contact unit  229  in the assembled state of the lower assembly  203  is mechanically connected to a housing  230  formed from the housing top part  226  and the housing bottom part  227  and electrically connected to the electronics unit  228 . The locking mechanism  114  is guided in a channel  231  formed on the housing top part  226 . The locking mechanism  214  comprises an oblong hole-shaped aperture  232 , which in the mounted state of the locking mechanism  214  accommodates a bolt  233  which is arranged on a bottom  234  of the channel  231 . The locking mechanism  214  comprises a spring element  235 , which in the mounted state of the locking mechanism  214  is received in the aperture  232  in front of the bolt  233  so that the spring element  235  pushes the locking mechanism  214  in the direction of the arrow x in the direction of the contact unit  229 . In  FIG. 8 d   , the spring element  235  is shown only schematically as a line. On a left lateral surface  236  and on a right lateral surface  237  moreover the locking mechanism  214  has each time two guiding mechanism  238   a ,  239   a  and  240   a  and  241   a , which are fashioned as guiding grooves  238 ,  239 ,  240  and  241 , running downward at a slant counter to the x direction in the x′ direction and in the z′ direction. These guiding grooves  238  to  241  are adapted to pins  242 ,  243 ,  244  and  245  which form counter guiding mechanisms  242   a ,  243   a ,  244   a  and  245   a . These counter guiding mechanisms or pins are arranged on oppositely situated guide plates  246 ,  247  of the centering mechanism  212  or shoulder  220  of the upper assembly  202  (see  FIG. 8 e   ), while the guide plates  246 ,  247  form a slide channel SK. In the sectional view of  FIG. 8 b   , both the guiding grooves  238 ,  239  and the pins  242 ,  243  can be seen. Thanks to a retaining mechanism  248  shown only schematically in  FIG. 8 d   , the locking mechanism  214  is held against the spring element  235  in a biased position or clamping position P 248 - 1 , indicated by broken lines. For the premounting, the lower assembly  203  is moved upward in the arrow direction z, with the locking mechanism  214  standing in the biased position P 248 - 1 , against the shoulder  220  of the upper assembly  202 , protruding through the roof cutout  501 , so that the centering mechanism  212  or the shoulder  220  plunges into a receiving mechanism  213  formed on the lower assembly  203  and the coaxial connections  207 ,  208 ,  222 ,  223  of the lower assembly  203  and the coaxial connections  210 ,  211 ,  224 ,  225  of the upper assembly  202  are opposite each other. In this orientation of the lower assembly  203  to the upper assembly  202 , in which the pins  242  to  245  also plunge into the guiding grooves  238  to  241 , the retaining mechanism  248  is then activated for the mounting process, so that the spring element  235  shifts the locking mechanism  214  in the x direction and the locking mechanism  214  moves from the biased position P 248 - 1  into a locked position or locking position P 248 - 2 . A counter locking mechanism  215  formed on the upper assembly  202  comprises the pins  242  to  245  in this case. The locking mechanism  214  for the guidance on the housing  230  plunges by a lug  249  deeper into a shaft  250  which is a prolongation of the channel  231 . During this movement in the x direction, the lower assembly  203  is pulled by the locking mechanism  214  in the z direction or in a joining direction FR upward against the upper assembly  202 , since the locking mechanism  214  is guided in linear manner in the x direction in the lower assembly  203  and the locking mechanism  214  can then only move relative to the pins  242  to  245  if the lower assembly  203  comes closer to the upper assembly  202 , while the lower assembly  203  in its movement in the z direction is guided on the centering mechanism  212  or on the shoulder  220  of the upper assembly  202 , so that this can only move in the z direction with the exception of the locking mechanism  214 . Once the locking mechanism  214  has reached its position P 248 - 2 , the lower assembly  203  is fully mounted and in particular the coaxial connections  207 ,  208 ,  222 ,  223  of the lower assembly  203  and the coaxial connections  210 ,  211 ,  224 ,  225  of the upper assembly  202  are joined together. On the lower assembly  203 , elastic cushions  251 ,  252 ,  253  and  254  are arranged on the housing top part  226 , which when the lower assembly  203  is fully mounted bear under slight compression against an interior or underside  503   b  of the roof  503  and dampen any vibrations of the lower assembly  203  which may occur. Basically, the mounting of the lower assembly  203  on the upper assembly  202  is done in such a way that no joining force oriented in the z direction needs to be applied by the worker for the contacting of the assemblies. Instead, thanks to the force of the spring element  235 , the lower assembly  203  is pulled by its own force against the upper assembly  202 , without any significant force acting on the roof  503 , so that permanent deformations of the roof  503  as a result of the mounting process are ruled out. This movement is produced in that the lower assembly  203  is guided in the z direction on the upper assembly  202  and the guiding grooves  238 ,  239  and  240 ,  241  move along with the locking mechanism  214  relative to the pins  242 ,  243 ,  244  and  245  in the z direction. A dismounting of the lower assembly  203  is done in that the locking mechanism  214  is pulled from its position P 248 - 2  to its position P 248 - i  and secured in this position by the retaining mechanism  248 . Upon pulling back the locking mechanism  214  in the arrow direction x′, the lower assembly  203  is pressed off from the upper assembly  202 , so that also during the dismounting no significant force is acting on the roof  503 . Thus, a permanent deformation of the roof  503  as a result of a tensile force in a z′ direction exerted during the dismounting is also ruled out. 
     The coaxial connections  207 ,  208 ,  222 ,  223  of the upper assembly  202  are designed as coaxial plugs or so-called “male cable connectors”. The coaxial connections  210 ,  211 ,  224 ,  225  of the lower assembly  202  are designed as coaxial sockets or so-called “female cable connectors”. 
       FIGS. 9 a  to 9 j    show for the schematic explanation of the movement sequence occurring during the third variant embodiment a fourth variant embodiment of an antenna module  301  according to the present invention, wherein the mounting of a lower component  303  on an upper component  302  is shown in side view, step by step, in  FIGS. 9 a , 9 c , 9 e , 9 g  and 9 i    and wherein the mounting of the lower component  303  on the upper component  302  in  FIGS. 9 b , 9 d , 9 d , 9 h  and 9 j    is shown in side view, step by step, from the right of the representations of  FIGS. 9 a , 9 c , 9 e , 9 g  and 9 i   . In all representations, each time a roof  503  of a vehicle  502  with a roof cutout  501  is also shown, through which a counter locking mechanism  315  of the upper component  302  protrudes. A locking mechanism  314  of the lower component is shown in a clamping position P 348 - 1 , a locking position P 348 - 2  and an intermediate position P 348 - 3  between these positions, the locking mechanism  314  being able to be loosened by a manual activating of an unlocking mechanism EM. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
           1  antenna module 
           2  first, upper assembly 
           3  second, lower assembly 
           4 ,  5  antenna 
           6  electrical contact component 
           7 ,  8  coaxial connection 
           7   a ,  8   a  coaxial plug 
           9  electrical contact component 
           10 ,  11  coaxial connection 
           10   a ,  11   a  coaxial socket 
           12  centering mechanism 
           13  receiving mechanism 
           14  locking mechanism 
           14   a  bayonet pin 
           14   b ,  14   c  projection 
           14   d  slot 
           14   e  guiding bevel 
           15  counter locking mechanism 
           15   a  receiving ring 
           15   b ,  15   c  recess 
           16  shock absorbing mechanism 
           16   a ,  16   b  foam cushions 
         D 14  axis of rotation 
         FR joining direction 
         S 1  nonsecured position 
         S 2  half-mounted position 
         S 3  mounted position or clamping position 
           101  antenna module 
           102  first, upper assembly 
           103  second, lower assembly 
           103   a  underside 
           104 ,  105  antenna 
           106  electrical contact component 
           107 ,  108  coaxial connection 
           107   a ,  108   a  coaxial plug 
           110   a ,  111   a  coaxial socket 
           109  electrical contact component 
           110 ,  111  coaxial connection 
           112  centering mechanism 
           113  receiving mechanism 
           114  locking mechanism 
           114   a  toggle 
           114   b  cross arm 
           114   c  tie rod 
           114   d  cam 
           114   e  lever 
           115  counter locking mechanism 
           115   a  plate 
           115   b  aperture 
           116  shock absorbing mechanism 
           116   a ,  116   b  foam cushions 
           201  antenna module 
           202  upper assembly 
           203  lower assembly 
           204 ,  205  antenna 
           206  electrical contact component 
           207 ,  208  coaxial connection 
           209  electrical contact component 
           210 ,  211  coaxial connection 
           212  centering mechanism 
           213  receiving mechanism 
           214  locking mechanism 
           214   a  slide 
           215  counter locking mechanism 
           220  shoulder 
           221  bearing surface of  202   
           222 ,  223  coaxial connection 
           224 ,  225  coaxial connection 
           226  housing top part 
           227  housing bottom part 
           228  electronics unit 
           229  contact unit 
           231  channel 
           232  oblong hole-shaped aperture 
           233  bolt 
           234  bottom of  231   
           235  spring element 
           236  left lateral surface of  214   
           237  right lateral surface of  214   
           238 - 241  guiding groove 
           238   a - 241   a  guiding mechanism 
           242 - 245  pin 
           242   a - 245   a  counter guiding mechanism 
           246 ,  247  guide plate 
           248  retaining mechanism 
           249  lug 
           250  shaft 
           251 - 254  elastic cushion 
         D 114  axis of rotation 
         D 114   d  axis of rotation 
         FR joining direction 
         P 248 - i  biased position of  214  or clamping position 
         P 248 - 2  locked position of  214  or locking position 
         S 101  nonsecured position 
         S 102  half-mounted position 
         S 103  second premounting position 
         S 104  mounting position 
         SK slide channel 
         x, x′ direction 
         z, z′ direction 
           501  roof cutout 
           502  vehicle 
           503  roof 
           503   a  exterior of  503   
           503   b  interior or underside of  503