Patent ID: 12230871

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to fully understand the present disclosure, operational advantages of the present disclosure, and objects achieved by implementing the present disclosure, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and to the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail by describing preferred embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. For a clearer understanding of the present disclosure, parts that are not of great relevance to the present disclosure have been omitted from the drawings, and like reference numerals in the drawings are used to represent like elements throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, reference to a part “including” or “comprising” an element does not preclude the existence of one or more other elements and can mean other elements are further included, unless there is specific mention to the contrary. Also, terms such as “unit”, “device”, “module”, “block”, and the like described in the specification refer to units for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a multi-band shark fin antenna for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from a first direction, andFIG.2is a perspective view of a multi-band shark fin antenna for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from a second direction.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the multi-band shark fin antenna for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base100, a substrate200, a first antenna frame300, a second antenna frame400and a chip antenna500. As the chip antenna500, a ceramic patch type antenna is generally used.

InFIG.1andFIG.2, a housing for protecting elements shown inFIG.1and FIG.2is omitted, and a shark fin-shaped housing (not shown) may be coupled to the shark fin antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The base100, together with a housing, functions to protect the elements of the antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The elements of the antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are fixed on the base.

A substrate200is placed on the base100. As an example, the substrate200may be a PCB, but is not limited thereto. A circuit for feeding the antenna may be formed on an upper portion of the substrate200, and a ground plane may be formed on a lower portion of the substrate200. For example, feed lines for providing a feed signal are formed on the substrate200, and the formed feed lines are electrically connected to radiators coupled to the first antenna frame300and the second antenna frame400to provide a feed signal to the radiators.

The first antenna frame300is fixed on the substrate200. The first antenna frame300is a frame for fixing a plurality of radiators, and the first antenna frame300is made of a dielectric material such as plastic.

In recent years, a shark fin antenna for a vehicle has been required to have radiators of various bands built in together. As various services are provided through vehicle communication, services such as AM/FM, DMB/DAB, GNSS, 5G, and LTE are all required for vehicle communication. It is not easy to embed all of these various bands of radiators in the shark fin antenna, and the first antenna frame300is used to embed a plurality of radiators in the shark fin antenna in an appropriate structure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, three radiators of an AM/FM radiator, a 5G radiator, and an LTE radiator may be coupled to the first antenna frame300. Of course, this is an example, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that radiators of other various service bands may be coupled to the first antenna frame300.

The second antenna frame400is also fixed on the substrate200, and a radiator may also be coupled to the second antenna frame400. The radiator coupled to the second antenna frame400has a service band different from that of the radiator coupled to the first antenna frame300. Of course, a plurality of radiators may also be coupled to the second antenna frame400. For example, a radiator of the DMB band may be coupled to the second antenna frame400.

A chip antenna500may be disposed between the first antenna frame300and the second antenna frame400. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the chip antenna500may be an antenna for a GPS band.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the second antenna frame400is disposed at the front of the shark fin antenna, the first antenna frame300is disposed at the rear of the shark fin antenna, and the chip antenna500is disposed between the first antenna frame300and the second antenna frame400.

Since the shark fin antenna has a structure in which the height increases from the front to the rear, the chip antenna500is typically disposed most forward. However, there was a problem that, when radiators of a plurality of service bands were embedded in one shark fin antenna, the degree of isolation between the radiators was not properly secured.

The chip antenna has a different shape from radiators coupled to the first and second antenna frames300and400, and in order to ensure adequate isolation between radiators, the chip antenna is preferably disposed between the first and second antenna frames300and400. That is, by disposing the chip antenna500between the first antenna frame300and the second antenna frame400, radiators coupled to the first antenna frame300and radiators coupled to the second antenna frame400are spaced apart.

Since the chip antenna and the radiators coupled to the antenna frames are not relatively significantly affected by each other, the most appropriate degree of isolation can be ensured when the chip antenna500is disposed between the two antenna frames300and400.

One of the features of the present disclosure lies in a structure of the first antenna frame300. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, three radiators are coupled to the first antenna frame300, and in particular, a radiator of an AM/FM band, a low-band, is coupled.

A size of a radiator is inversely proportional to a frequency band of an antenna, and the lower the band of the antenna, the larger the size of the radiator is required. The present disclosure proposes a first antenna frame structure in which a radiator of a low band such as AM/FM and radiators of another band can be effectively coupled.

FIG.3is a perspective view of a first antenna frame of a multi-band shark fin antenna for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.4is a front view of a first antenna frame of a multi-band shark fin antenna for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.5is a plan view of a first antenna frame of a multi-band shark fin antenna for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first antenna frame300shown inFIGS.3to5is the first antenna frame300in a state in which radiators are not coupled.

Referring toFIGS.3to5, the first antenna frame300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first support310, a second support320, a third support330and a first radiator coupling part340.

A first radiator is coupled to the first radiator coupling part340. A detailed structure of the first radiator will be described with reference to other drawings. The first radiator coupling part340may have an inclined structure in which an upper end thereof is inclined. Since the outer shape of the shark fin antenna has a structure in which the height increases from the front to the rear, the first radiator coupling part340also has a structure in which the height increases from the front to the rear.

Three supports310,320,330are coupled to the first radiator coupling unit340, and each of the supports310,320and330is coupled to the substrate200to fix the first antenna frame300on the substrate200.

An antenna coil functioning as a radiator together with the first radiator is coupled to the first support310located in the center among the three supports. A detailed structure of the antenna coil and the coupling structure with the first support will be described with reference to other drawings.

The second support320is formed on the right side of the first support310, and is disposed parallel to the first support310while being spaced apart from the first support310. A second radiator is coupled to one side of the second support320.

The third support330is formed on the left side of the first support310, and is disposed parallel to the first support310while being spaced apart from the first support. A third radiator is coupled to one side of the third support330.

In the present disclosure, three parallel supports310,320and330are formed on the first antenna frame300so that elements for radiation are coupled to each of the supports310,320and330.

Conventional shark fin antennas used a structure in which on a substrate, another substrate was vertically disposed and then a radiator was connected to the vertical substrate. However, a structure in which a plurality of substrates were vertically disposed on the base substrate caused high manufacturing cost and performance degradation in various aspects such as degree of isolation.

In order to solve this problem, in the present disclosure, the first antenna frame300having a plurality of supports is coupled on a substrate, and a radiator is coupled to each support.

In particular, the first antenna frame300of the present disclosure has a structure suitable for realizing an AM/FM radiator of a low-band. An AM/FM radiator of a low-band requires a long length, and conventionally, in order to secure the length of the radiator, after a PCB is erected vertically, a metal pattern of a meander formed on the PCB is used as a part of the radiator.

As described above, there were problems that a structure for forming a metal pattern on a PCB was a high-cost structure, and that it could not provide adequate performance.

In order to solve this problem, in the present disclosure, an antenna coil is coupled to the first support310of the first antenna frame300, and the antenna coil and the first radiator are electrically connected to extend an electrical length of the first radiator. The first radiator is used as a low-band radiator such as an AM/FM band.

FIG.6shows a structure in which an antenna coil is coupled to a first support in a first antenna frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.7shows an antenna coil according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.8shows state in which an antenna coil is coupled to a fixing hook formed at a lower portion of a first support.

Referring toFIG.7, the antenna coil700according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a coil part710, an upwardly extending part720and a downwardly extending part730. The coil part710has a coil shape of a general spiral structure. The upwardly extending part720extends in an upward vertical direction from the upper end of the coil part710. The downwardly extending part730extends in a downward vertical direction from the lower end of the coil part710.

Referring toFIG.6, the antenna coil700is coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the first support310. The cross-section of the first support310has a circular shape such that the antenna coil700can be coupled thereto. The antenna coil700may be coupled in such a way that it is inserted into the first support310.

The upwardly extending part720of the antenna coil700protrudes above the first radiator coupling part340through a hole formed in the first radiator coupling part340. The upwardly extending part720of the antenna coil700is electrically coupled to the first radiator and functions as a part of the radiator for the low band.

The downwardly extending part730of the antenna coil700is coupled to the substrate200, and receives a feed signal from a feed line formed on the substrate200.

In the present disclosure, through a structure in which the antenna coil700is coupled to the first support310of the first antenna frame300, and the antenna coil700and the first radiator function together as a radiator, cost is reduced and stable characteristics are secured.

Meanwhile, a structure in which the antenna coil700is inserted into the first support310alone cannot maintain a stable coupling structure of the antenna coil700and the first support310. According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a fixing hook800is formed on the bottom part of the first support310to fix the antenna coil700.

Referring toFIG.8, a lower end of the coil part710has a straight structure rather than a coil structure, and the straight portion is inserted into the groove of the fixing hook800. Since the antenna coil700has an elastic force, it is possible to insert it into the groove of the fixing hook800by manipulation of an instrument or a worker.

FIG.9shows an operation of fixing a lower end of a coil to a fixing hook in a first support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.9, the straight portion of the coil part710may be moved sideways and then fixed to the groove of the fixing hook800.

As such, by fixing the lower end of the coil part710to the fixing hook800, it becomes possible to prevent the coil fixed to the first support310from descending. In addition, it becomes possible to prevent the coil from rotating while inserted into the first support310due to shaking or the like of the antenna.

FIG.10shows a plan view of a first radiator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.10shows the first radiator mounted on the upper region of the first radiator coupling part340in the first antenna frame300.

Referring toFIG.10, a through hole1000is formed in a predetermined area of the first radiator corresponding to the hole formed in the first radiator coupling part340, and the upwardly extending part720of the antenna coil protrudes through the through hole1000and is coupled to the first radiator.

Meanwhile, a plurality of heat transfer prevention holes1002,1004,1006and1008are formed around the through hole1000. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat transfer prevention holes1002,1004,1006and1008may be formed in each of upper, lower, left and right sides of the through hole1000centering on the through hole1000. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of heat transfer prevention holes and the arrangement of the heat transfer prevention holes may be changed according to a required environment.

The heat transfer prevention holes1002,1004,1006and1008are formed to minimize heat loss generated during a soldering process. When soldering the first radiator and the upwardly extending part720of the antenna coil700, the soldering time may be increased due to heat loss, and the heat transfer prevention holes1002,1004,1006and1008are formed to prevent a delay in soldering time.

FIG.11shows an antenna coil and a first radiator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a state before soldering.

Referring toFIG.11, the first radiator1100has a shape in which a flat plate is bent in a trapezoidal shape. A through hole is formed in the first radiator1100so that the upwardly extending part720of the antenna coil700protrudes through the through hole.

Soldering of the first radiator1100and the upwardly extending part720of the antenna coil700is performed in a state in which the upwardly extending part720protrudes through the through hole, and the antenna coil700is electrically coupled to the first radiator1100.

The antenna coil700and the first radiator1100work together as a radiator, and an electrical length required for the low-band radiator can be secured by the antenna coil700.

FIG.12shows a front view of a first radiator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.12, the first radiator is divided into a first radiating part1100-1and a second radiating part1100-2. Specifically, the first radiating part1100-1and the second radiating part1100-2are divided by slits1200formed on both sides of the first radiator.

The antenna coil700has a large inductance component, and a necessary capacitance component can be secured by the slits1200formed on the both sides.

FIG.13shows a second radiator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.13, a feed point1310is formed at a lower end of the second radiator1300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is coupled to a feed line of the substrate200. The second radiator1300may have a loop shape, but is not limited thereto.

Fixing protrusions1320and1330are formed on both sides of the second radiator1300, and the fixing protrusions prevent the second radiator1300from descending after being coupled to the second support320.

For example, the second radiator1300may be a radiator that transmits and receives signals in a 5G band.

FIG.14shows a state in which a second radiator is coupled to the side of a second support, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.14, guide grooves1400and1410for inserting the second radiator into the second support320are formed on both sides of the second support320. When the insertion of the second radiator1300through the guide grooves1400and1410is completed, the first fixing protrusion1320is located on the first guide groove1400, and the second fixing projection1330is located on the second guide groove1410. As a result, the second radiator1300can be supported by the guide grooves1400and1410to maintain coupling with the second support320.

FIG.15shows a third radiator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.15, the third radiator1500according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a cut-loop structure. A feed point1510is also formed at a lower portion of the third radiator and is coupled to a feed line formed on the substrate200.

For example, the third radiator1500may be a radiator that transmits and receives signals in an LTE band.

FIGS.16A and16Bshow a state in which a third radiator is coupled to a third support, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.16Ashows a state in which the third radiator1500is coupled to the third support330, as viewed from the front, andFIG.16Bshows a state in which the third radiator1500is coupled to the third support330, as viewed from the side.

Referring toFIGS.16A and16B, the third radiator1500is coupled to the side of the third support330, and the side of the third support330has an inclined structure.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the third radiator1500and the third support330may be coupled in various ways.

FIG.17shows a structure of a first support leg formed on a second support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.18shows a structure of a second support leg formed on a third support according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.17, the first support leg1700formed on the second support320is formed in a direction parallel to the substrate by bending one side of the second support320. A screw hole1710is formed in the first support leg1700. The thickness of the first support leg1700is preferably the same as that of the substrate200.

Referring toFIG.18, the second support leg1800formed on the third support330is also formed in a direction parallel to the substrate by bending one side of the third support330. A screw hole1810is also formed in the second support leg1800, and the thickness of the second support leg1800is preferably the same as that of the substrate200.

FIG.19is a view for explaining coupling of a first antenna frame and a substrate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.19, regions of the substrate corresponding to the first support leg1700and the second support leg1800are removed corresponding to the shapes of the first support leg1700and the second support leg1800.

The first support leg1700and the second support leg1800are inserted into the removed regions and coupled to the substrate200and the base100.

FIG.20shows a state in which a first antenna frame, a substrate and a base are coupled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.20, the first support leg1700and the second support leg1800are inserted into the regions from which the substrate has been removed, and then coupled to the substrate200and the base100through screw coupling.

In a typical antenna for a vehicle, a structure installed on a substrate is primarily coupled to the substrate, and then the substrate and a base are coupled using a separate coupling structure. However, in the present disclosure, in order to avoid such a multi-stage coupling method and reduce manufacturing costs, coupling of the antenna frame, the substrate, and the base is made at once.

Since the first support leg1700and the second support leg1800have the same thickness as the substrate, they have the same height as the substrate when inserted into the substrate removal region, and a screw thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the screw hole, so that the first antenna frame300, the substrate200and the base100can be simultaneously coupled through a screw.

While the present disclosure is described with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, these are provided as examples only, and the person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that many variations and other equivalent embodiments can be derived from the embodiments described herein.

Therefore, the true technical scope of the present disclosure is to be defined by the technical spirit set forth in the appended scope of claims.