Patent Description:
The antenna according to the invention is especially suitable for use in motor vehicles, for example mounted on the roof of a motor vehicle, and will be described here below with reference to said use without however limiting possible applications to other types of vehicles, such as buses, trucks, commercial vehicles, etc..

As is known in the art, antennas devised for being mounted on the roof or any other external surface of a motor vehicle substantially comprise a functional part, constituted by a plurality of components suitably configured and assembled to each other in such a way as to ensure the mounting and proper functioning of the antenna, and a purely aesthetic part, typically a cover or cap configured for example as a shark fin, which is suitable to be coupled to the functional part, and whose purpose is to guarantee and maintain adequate aesthetic value of the motor vehicle once the antenna has been installed.

In the development of these antennas, one of the unavoidable objectives is to obtain a solution where the production, assembly of the components and mounting on the motor vehicle are as simple, reliable and cost-effective as possible.

In particular, as far as the assembly of this type of antenna is concerned, an important aspect regards the mechanical stability of the assembled parts which form its functional part.

In fact, quite frequently the functional part and the aesthetic part are produced separately, even by different manufacturers, and are then sent separately and assembled together at a later moment, for example during installation on the motor vehicle.

In this case, therefore, it is even more important to guarantee the stability and mechanical reliability of the assembly of the components making up the functional part which then has to be coupled to the aesthetic part.

<CIT> discloses an antenna according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>.

<CIT> discloses an antenna device for a vehicle, which comprises an outer cover, an inner cover, a mounting base comprising a resin part and a metal part, a radiating element intended to be housed inside the inner cover, and a flexible pad having a shape suitable for being fitted onto the mounting base. During assembly, the inner cover is connected to the resin part of the mounting base by means of screws, with the flexible pad inserted between them.

<CIT> discloses a watertight structure of an antenna attached to a vehicle, which comprises: a dome-shaped upper case having an open bottom; a lower case forming a substrate guide to which an antenna circuit is disposed, the lower case being coupled with the upper case; and a rubber pad formed to surround the lower case and having a rib compression groove formed along an outer surface of at least one watertight rib.

<CIT> discloses an antenna apparatus comprising an antenna board which is vertically mounted on a planar antenna base, and a top portion disposed to stride over the antenna board. An antenna element includes the top portion and an antenna pattern formed on the antenna board. An antenna case is fitted in the antenna base.

Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to provide an antenna for motor vehicles which makes it possible to optimize one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

This, as well as others which will become more apparent from the following description, is reached by means of an antenna for motor vehicles whose characteristics are defined in claim <NUM>.

Particular embodiments are object of the dependent claims and are intended as integral part of the present description.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, and with reference to the attached drawings, where:.

It should be noted that in the following detailed description, identical or similar components, from both structural and/or functional points of view, may be indicated with the same or different reference numbers, independently of the fact that they may be shown in different embodiments of the present invention or in distinct parts.

It should also be noted that, in order to illustrate this invention clearly and concisely, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain characteristics of the description may be shown in a rather schematic form.

Furthermore, when the term "adapted" or "organized" or "configured" or "shaped" or a similar term is used in this document, with reference to any component whatsoever as a whole or to any part whatsoever of a component or a combination of components, it must be understood as meaning and comprising correspondingly the structure and/or configuration and/or shape and/or position.

Finally in the following description and claims, the ordinal numbers first, second, etc., will be used for greater illustrative clarity and in no way must be understood as limiting for any reason whatsoever; in particular, for example the indication "first coupling means. " does not necessarily imply the presence or specific requirement that there are further "second coupling means", or vice versa, unless said presence is strictly necessary for the correct functioning of the antenna according to the invention, nor that the order must be exactly in the sequence described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

<FIG> is an exploded view illustrating a possible embodiment of the various components of an antenna according to the invention, indicated with the overall reference number <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> according to the invention comprises at least:.

Furthermore, the antenna <NUM> may comprise a second cover or outer cover <NUM>, which is suitable to externally cover the above mentioned antenna components, and substantially acts as an element of aesthetic covering.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first cover or inner protection cover <NUM> is composed of an internally hollow structure, for example made of plastic material, and comprises a first hollow portion <NUM> intended to accommodate at least partially the at least one radiating element <NUM>.

As illustrated for ease of illustration only in <FIG>, on the upper part <NUM> of the first hollow portion <NUM> there is at least one open slit <NUM> which extends longitudinally from of the rear part <NUM> towards a front or anterior wall <NUM> (when the cover <NUM> is seen from a side view) of said first portion <NUM>.

Depending on the application requirements, the slit <NUM> may be a single continuous section which extends along entirely or only part of the upper part of the wall <NUM> between the rear wall <NUM> and the front wall <NUM>, or it may be composed of two or more sections separated from each other. Respective flexible clasps can be provided between adjacent separated sections of the slit <NUM>.

Advantageously, in the antenna <NUM> according to the invention the inner cover <NUM> comprises a second portion <NUM> which extends (when seen from a side view) anteriorly, namely ahead, from the front wall <NUM> of the first portion <NUM> and is provided with mechanical coupling means with the gasket <NUM> as will be seen more in detail in the following description.

In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the second portion <NUM> comprises a substantially rectilinear wall <NUM>, and the mechanical coupling means with the gasket <NUM> comprise a pin <NUM> which protrudes downwardly from the lower free end of the wall <NUM> itself, and is suitably intended for the mechanical coupling with the gasket <NUM>.

In its turn, the second outer cover <NUM> is composed of an internally hollow structure, for example made of plastic material and which, as can be seen in <FIG>, comprises means for mechanical coupling with the gasket <NUM>, formed for example by one or more engagement seats <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment two engagement seats <NUM>.

Furthermore, the outer cover <NUM> comprises, along its inner edge, a plurality of holes or hollow seats <NUM> suitable to house fixing screws (not illustrated in the figure) to the mounting plate <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the at least one radiating element comprises a first radiating element <NUM>, a second radiating element <NUM> and a third radiating element <NUM>.

Furthermore, according to said embodiment, the antenna <NUM> comprises at least one printed circuit board, and in particular a first printed circuit board <NUM> and a second printed circuit board <NUM>.

According to said embodiment, the first radiating element <NUM> is operationally coupled to the first printed circuit board <NUM>, and the second radiating element <NUM> and the third radiating element <NUM> are operationally coupled to the second printed circuit board <NUM>.

Clearly, depending on the applications, it is possible to use a different number of radiating elements, for example on the basis of the different types of signals to receive/transmit, as also a different number of printed circuit boards.

For example, it is possible that the electronics necessary for the functioning of one or of each radiating element utilized be placed on the same radiating element, without using separate circuit boards.

In the antenna <NUM> according to the invention, the mounting plate <NUM> is made of metallic material, for example Zamak, and comprises, as illustrated more in detail in <FIG>, a base <NUM> from which a first wall <NUM> rises which defines a housing space <NUM>.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the first wall <NUM> extends around the entire perimeter of the housing space <NUM>; clearly, it is possible that the first wall <NUM> extends along only one or more sections and not necessarily along the entire perimeter of the housing space <NUM>.

A plurality of first holes or fixing seats <NUM> are located along the first wall <NUM>, suitable for fixing, for example by means of screws <NUM>, the or each printed circuit board <NUM>, <NUM>; furthermore, a plurality of second holes or fixing seats <NUM> are located along the edge of the base <NUM> outside the first wall <NUM> suitable for fixing the inner cover <NUM>, for example by means of screws <NUM>, and a third plurality of holes or fixing seats <NUM> suitable to be aligned with the holes or hollow seats <NUM> for fixing the outer cover <NUM> by means of other fixing screws.

On the bottom wall of the housing <NUM>, at least a first through hole <NUM> is provided intended for the insertion of cables, indicated in <FIG> by the overall reference number <NUM>, for the wiring of the various radiating elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and at least a second through hole <NUM> provided for example with a sleeve <NUM> for connecting, with the mechanical coupling means of the antenna <NUM>, and in particular of the mounting plate <NUM>, to the mounting surface of the motor vehicle.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, said mechanical coupling means comprise for example a gasket <NUM>, a fixing screw <NUM>, a finned washer or groundwasher <NUM>, and a mechanical fixing device or spline device <NUM>.

The gasket <NUM> has a substantially flexible structure, made for example of rubber material, for example "Teflabloc Tosi <NUM>" or "Thermolast TP6 HKZ", or of EPDM rubber and, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally shaped like the base of an iron.

In particular, as can be better seen in <FIG>, the gasket <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> which is shaped in a manner geometrically conjugated with the mounting plate <NUM> and comprises a through opening <NUM> suitable to house the first wall <NUM>.

A second wall <NUM> rises above the edge of the through opening <NUM> and is intended to rest upon the external surface of the first wall <NUM>.

Around the second wall <NUM>, further through openings <NUM> are provided suitable to be positioned in correspondence of and overlapping with the second and third holes or fixing seats <NUM> and <NUM> of the plate <NUM> itself.

Advantageously, the gasket <NUM> comprises a second portion, for ease of illustration illustrated only in <FIG> and <FIG> with the reference number <NUM>, which extends (when seen from a side view) anteriorly, namely ahead from the first portion <NUM> and on which mechanical coupling means are provided (hereinafter for the sake of clarity of illustration indicated as the first mechanical coupling means) at least with the inner cover <NUM>, and in particular with the above mentioned corresponding mechanical coupling means of the inner cover <NUM>.

In particular, in the embodiment illustrated, said mechanical coupling means form integral part of the structure of the gasket <NUM>, in other words they are not additional elements connected to it, and comprise, as for example visible in <FIG> and <FIG>, a housing seat <NUM>, located for example towards the point or front edge <NUM> of the gasket <NUM>.

During assembly, and as visible for example in <FIG>, the pin <NUM> of the inner cover <NUM> is inserted into the seat <NUM> and is thus mechanically coupled to the gasket <NUM>.

Usefully, the gasket <NUM> comprises means for mechanical coupling (hereinafter indicted for the sake of clarity of illustration as second mechanical coupling means) with the second cover or outer cover <NUM>.

In particular, said second mechanical coupling means form integral part of the structure of the gasket <NUM>, in other words they are not additional elements connected to it, and comprise, as visible for example in <FIG> and <FIG>, two protuberances or engagement teeth <NUM> which extend above the base of the portion <NUM> and are configured in such a way as to be each inserted into a corresponding engagement seat <NUM> of the outer cover <NUM>.

Conveniently, the gasket <NUM> is further configured so as to comprise means for mechanical coupling with the mounting plate <NUM> (hereinafter indicated for the sake of clarity of illustration as third mechanical coupling means).

In particular, in the embodiment illustrated, as for example visible in <FIG>, said third mechanical coupling means form integral part of the structure of the gasket <NUM>, in other words they are not additional elements connected to it, and comprise one or more engagement teeth <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated, as for example visible in <FIG>, for example three engagement teeth are provided one of which positioned alongside the front edge of the mounting plate <NUM> and two alongside the two lateral sides of said plate.

In practice, according to the embodiment illustrated, during assembly, as visible in <FIG>, the printed circuit boards <NUM>, <NUM> used in the example, are fixed to the first wall <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM>, for example by means of the screws <NUM>, with the ends of the cables <NUM> which pass through the through hole <NUM> and are connected to the respective circuit boards, for example welded, remaining accommodated in the housing space <NUM>. Each radiating element <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is then fixed to the respective circuit board in accordance with methods widely known in the art. It should be noted that it is not strictly necessary to use one or more circuit boards mounted inside the antenna <NUM>; in fact, as mentioned above, the electronics necessary for the functioning of each radiating element used can be integrated into the structure of the element itself, or said electronics can be housed for example in the housing space <NUM>, or again the circuit board or each circuit board can be mounted outside the antenna <NUM>, for example inside the motor vehicle and then operatively connected to one or more radiating elements used in said antenna <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to insert one or more protective elements <NUM> around the top of one or more of the radiating elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, each made for example of a sponge or a piece of adhesive foam.

The gasket <NUM> is then coupled to the mounting plate <NUM> with the second wall <NUM> positioned around the first wall <NUM>, and the through openings <NUM> positioned in correspondence of the second and third holes or fixing seats <NUM> and <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, taking advantage also of the flexibility of the material of which the gasket <NUM> is made, the engagement teeth <NUM> are mechanically hooked to the lower surface of corresponding external edges of the plate <NUM>, while the second portion <NUM> extends (when seen from a side view) anteriorly, namely ahead, from the first portion <NUM> coupled to the plate <NUM>.

The inner cover <NUM> is then coupled both to the gasket <NUM> by inserting the pin <NUM> into its housing seat <NUM>, and to the mounting plate <NUM> fitting it from above over the cavity of the first hollow portion <NUM> which houses at least in part each radiating element used and any circuit board(s) used inside the antenna <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated, as visible in <FIG>, the inner cover <NUM> completely houses and protects the radiating elements and any circuit boards used.

The cover is then screwed onto the mounting plate <NUM>, in particular by means of the fixing screws <NUM> inserted into the holes or fixing seats <NUM> provided along the external perimeter of the base <NUM> of said plate.

The protective elements <NUM> contribute to maintaining the radiating elements in the desired position and protect them from accidental shocks and avoid the noise caused by vibrations with the inner cover <NUM>.

Finally, whenever necessary, the aesthetic outer cover <NUM> can be assembled to the rest of the components, fitting it over the inner protection cover <NUM>.

In particular, the outer cover <NUM> is coupled to the gasket <NUM> by inserting each protuberance <NUM> inside a respective engagement seat <NUM>.

Furthermore, the outer cover <NUM> is screwed to the mounting plate <NUM>, aligning the holes <NUM> with the fixing seats <NUM> and inserting the fixing screws.

Depending on the applications, it is possible for the upper part of the radiating elements to pass through the one or more slits <NUM>, coming out of the cover <NUM>, so as to take maximum advantage of their height.

In this case, the protective elements <NUM> contribute to maintaining the radiating elements in the desired position and protect them from accidental impact with the outer cover <NUM>.

In order to mount the antenna <NUM> on a motor vehicle, for example on the roof, the mechanical connection means mentioned previously are used, in other words the gasket <NUM>, fixing screws <NUM>, ground washer <NUM> and the mechanical fixing device <NUM>.

Said mechanical connection is implemented according to known embodiments or easily implementable by a person skilled in the art, and anyway not relevant for the scope of the present invention, and therefore not described here in detail.

In practice, it has been demonstrated how the antenna <NUM> according to the invention makes it possible to adequately reach the intended aim in that its structure can be easily produced and with more limited costs, thanks in particular to the reduction in size of the mounting base, made typically of metallic material, thus reducing both the cost and overall weight of the antenna. Furthermore, assembly of the parts is functionally simple and effective, thanks in particular to the use of the gasket suitably configured as described above, giving rise to a mechanically solid and reliable structure. In this way, the functional part of the antenna <NUM> can be assembled and sent to the installation area even separately from the aesthetic outer cover <NUM>, without running the risk of breakage or even partial disassembly of the components.

Claim 1:
Antenna (<NUM>) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least:
- a mounting plate (<NUM>) made of a metallic material and devised to be connected to a mounting surface of said motor vehicle;
- at least one radiating element (<NUM>);
- a first cover (<NUM>) connected to said mounting plate (<NUM>), said first cover (<NUM>) comprising at least a first hollow portion (<NUM>) devised to accommodate inside the first hollow portion (<NUM>), at least partially, at least said at least one radiating element (<NUM>); and
- a gasket (<NUM>) made of a flexible material, the antenna (<NUM>) being characterized in that said gasket (<NUM>) comprises a first portion (<NUM>) which is shaped geometrically, conjugated with and is coupled to the mounting plate (<NUM>), and a second portion (<NUM>) which extends anteriorly from the first portion (<NUM>) and on which there are provided at least first mechanical coupling means (<NUM>) mechanically coupled with corresponding mechanical coupling means provided on the first cover (<NUM>).