DE102018221971A1 - Motor vehicle transmitter and / or receiver unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present development relates to a transmission and / or reception unit for a motor vehicle with a housing (12) and with at least one transmission unit (22) or reception unit (24) for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals, the transmission unit (22) or reception unit (24 ) is arranged in an interior (15) of the housing (12) which is provided at least in sections with a metal layer (40).

Description

Technical field

The present development relates to a transmitting and / or receiving unit for a motor vehicle and in particular to a transmitting and / or receiving unit which can be arranged on an outside of a motor vehicle body. The development also relates to a motor vehicle body equipped with such a transmitting and / or receiving unit and to a corresponding motor vehicle.

background

Modern motor vehicles are typically equipped with a transmitting and / or receiving unit in order to receive or transmit electromagnetic signals. Such transmitting and / or receiving units can be used for satellite navigation, telephone or mobile communication or also radio reception. Transmitting and / or receiving units are typically arranged in the outer region of a motor vehicle body.

For example, from the DE 10 2011 111 235 A1 a lighting device for a motor vehicle with at least one lighting device is known, which can be arranged or arranged in or on a transmitting and / or receiving means at least almost completely surrounding housing of a transmitting and / or receiving device. A housing for generic transmission and / or reception units must of course be transmitting for the electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted or received. This considerably limits the choice of material for a housing of the transmitting and / or receiving unit.

It is therefore the objective to provide a transmitting and / or receiving unit for a motor vehicle, the external appearance of which can be adapted as universally as possible to different design requirements. It is in particular the task of development to provide a housing for such a transmitting and / or receiving unit, which has a glossy and / or at least partially reflecting surface at least in some areas.

Advantageous configurations

This object is achieved with a transmitting and / or receiving unit according to independent claim 1 and with a motor vehicle according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

The transmitter and / or receiver unit provided in this regard is designed for a motor vehicle. It has a housing and at least one transmitter unit or receiver unit. The transmission unit is designed to transmit electromagnetic signals. The receiving unit is designed to receive electromagnetic signals. The transmitter unit or receiver unit is arranged in an interior of the housing. The housing of the transmitting and / or receiving unit is provided with a metal layer at least in sections.

The metal layer is typically designed to be transmissive for electromagnetic radiation. It can be adapted according to the wavelength of the magnetic radiation to be received and / or emitted, or it can be configured accordingly with regard to its structure or geometry. The metal layer is typically made particularly thin, so that transmission of electromagnetic signals in the required frequency band is made possible without hindrance. Furthermore, the metal layer has only a negligible effect, which only insignificantly reduces the transmission or reception quality.

The transmitting and / or receiving unit can have both a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. However, it can also have only one of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit and, accordingly, can only be designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic signals.

According to a further development, the metal layer has a layer thickness of less than 10 µm, less than 5 µm, less than 2 µm, less than 1 µm, less than 0.5 µm or less than 0.2 µm. Metal layers with this layer thickness have only a slight disruptive influence on the transmissivity of electromagnetic signals through the housing, which typically has a plastic body which is per se transmitting for the electromagnetic radiation in question.

According to a further embodiment, the metal layer has a layer thickness in the range from 0.1 μm to 0.2 μm. Such a thin layer can already give the housing or the housing section provided with the metal layer a metallic gloss effect without noticeably impairing the electromagnetic transmissivity of the housing.

According to a further embodiment, the metal layer is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic signal waves. A certain attenuation of the electromagnetic signals by the metal layer can be tolerated in favor of the optical appearance of the housing that can be achieved with the metal layer.

According to a further embodiment, the metal layer is arranged on the housing as a film or as a coating. The film can in particular be a correspondingly thin metal film which is arranged on the housing. Furthermore, the metal layer can also be applied directly to the housing by means of a coating process. For example, a powder coating or a physical vapor deposition coating method, a so-called PVD (physical vapor deposition) method, can be used as the coating method. Particularly thin metal layers can be applied to the housing in particular by means of a PVD coating. By means of a coating process, even complex housing geometries can be coated or provided with the metal layer in a comparatively uniform manner.

According to a further embodiment, the metal layer has one of the following metals: chromium, nickel, copper or silver. Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the metal layer can consist essentially of one of those metals or of a metal combination formed therefrom.

According to a further embodiment, at least one illuminant is arranged in the housing, in particular in the interior of the housing. The housing also has a light exit surface. In the area of the light exit surface, the housing is designed to be at least partially transparent, so that the light rays that can be generated by the illuminant can propagate through the housing and spread in the vicinity of the transmitting and / or receiving unit as required.

The illuminant can in particular be designed as a light-emitting diode (LED). The illuminant can also have several LEDs. The light exit surface is typically arranged facing the illuminant. The light exit surface can be provided with an optical element, for example with a refractive or diffractive optical element, in order to bring about spatial light effects, for example scattering or focusing of the light originating from the illuminant. In particular, the light exit surface can be provided with a diffusing screen or with a light-diffusing structure. This can give the light exit surface a homogeneous appearance based on a spatial intensity distribution of the light.

The illuminant can in particular act as a brake light or be designed as an illuminant of a brake light. In this respect, corresponding control electronics for the lamp can also be arranged in the lamp holder or in the interior of the housing.

According to a further embodiment, the light exit surface is completely provided with the metal layer. The housing has an at least partially transparent plastic, in particular in the area of the light exit surface. The light exit surface or the material forming the light exit surface can also be provided with a color tint which effects spectral filtering of the light emitted by the illuminant. When the light is switched off, that is to say when the lamp is inactive, the light exit surface can be specular or metallic reflective. When the light is switched on, that is to say when the at least one illuminant is activated, the light exit surface can shine in a predetermined spectral color.

According to a further embodiment, the housing has a lamp holder for receiving the lamp. The lamp holder or a region of the interior of the housing adjoining it is provided with an electromagnetic shield. In this way it can be ensured that the operation of the illuminant has no interference with the operation of the at least one transmitter unit or receiver unit.

To this extent, electromagnetic shielding can be used to provide electromagnetic decoupling between the lamp holder and the rest of the interior of the housing. The lamp holder can in particular adjoin the light exit surface. Opposite the light exit surface, the lamp holder can be separated from the rest of the interior of the housing via the electromagnetic shielding. The electromagnetic shielding can have, for example, a metal insert embedded in a plastic partition.

The lamp holder can be designed, for example, with a shielding lacquer, a sheet metal insert or a plastic insert with a shielding function. The partition or partition which separates the lamp holder from the rest of the interior of the housing can likewise function as a carrier for the lamp and / or for control electronics provided for the lamp.

According to a further embodiment, the entire surface of the housing is covered with the metal layer. In this case, in particular the light exit surface and the housing areas adjoining it or the entire remaining housing can be uniformly covered or provided with the metal layer. This gives the housing of the transmitter and / or receiver unit a uniform appearance in a shiny metal look, for example.

According to a further embodiment, the metal layer is arranged on an outside or on an inside of the housing. An inner arrangement of the metal layer is particularly only possible in the case of housing configurations in which the housing, but in particular its light exit surface, is designed to be transparent or translucent. The arrangement of the metal layer on the inside of a transparent housing has the advantage that the metal layer is largely protected from environmental influences.

The arrangement of the metal layer on an outside of the housing is conceivable and provided for all conceivable housing constellations regardless of the degree of transparency of the housing. The arrangement of the metal layer on or on the outside of the housing gives the housing a particularly high-quality, metallic-looking appearance.

According to a further embodiment, the metal layer is covered with a protective layer. The protective layer can be a UV-hardening protective layer. The protective layer is typically transparent and colorless. For example, it can be designed as a protective lacquer.

According to a further embodiment, the housing has a plastic body which is provided with an adhesion promoter at least in the area of the metal layer. The adhesion promoter is located between the plastic body and the metal layer. A particularly good and durable adhesion of the metal layer to the plastic body can be provided by means of the adhesion promoter.

The plastic body can be designed as a one-piece plastic body. If a light exit surface is provided, the plastic body can be made of a transparent plastic. However, the housing can also have a plurality of plastic bodies or a multi-part plastic body, the light exit surface having a transparent and colorless or tinted plastic, the remaining or further regions of the housing being made from another, for example opaque, plastic. A multi-part plastic body can be manufactured, for example, as a 2-component injection molded component.

According to a further embodiment, only the light exit surface is provided with the metal layer at least in regions, possibly also completely, while other regions of the housing are designed to be free of metal layers.

According to a further embodiment, the transmitting and / or receiving unit is designed as a roof antenna that can be arranged on an outside of a motor vehicle roof. The roof antenna can in particular have an integrated brake light. The lamp of the brake light comes to rest in the lamp holder of the transmitting and / or receiving unit. The light generated by the brake light or by the at least one illuminant can propagate via the optionally metallized light exit surface.

Finally, in a further aspect, a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body is provided, on which a previously described transmission and / or reception unit is arranged. The transmitting and / or receiving unit is typically designed as a roof antenna with an integrated brake light and is accordingly arranged on a rear end region of a motor vehicle roof.

Figure list

• 1 eine Heckansicht eines Kraftfahrzeugs,
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung des Gehäuses der Sende- und/oder Empfangseinheit,
• 3 eine Seitenansicht des Gehäuses,
• 4 eine perspektivische Darstellung des Gehäuses von schräg unten betrachtet,
• 5 eine Draufsicht auf das Gehäuse von unten,
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung der Sende- und/oder Empfangseinheit und
• 7 eine stark vergrößerte schematische Darstellung eines Schnitts durch einen Gehäuseabschnitt.

Further goals, features and advantageous configurations of the transmitting and / or receiving unit and of the motor vehicle are explained in the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures. Here show:

• 1 a rear view of a motor vehicle,
• 2nd a perspective view of the housing of the transmitting and / or receiving unit,
• 3rd a side view of the housing,
• 4th a perspective view of the housing viewed obliquely from below,
• 5 a top view of the housing from below,
• 6 a schematic representation of the transmitting and / or receiving unit and
• 7 a greatly enlarged schematic representation of a section through a housing section.

Detailed description

This in 1 shown motor vehicle 1 has a motor vehicle body 2nd with a passenger compartment 3rd on. The passenger compartment 3rd is up from a vehicle roof 4th limited. On the outside of the vehicle roof 4th there is a transmitting and / or receiving unit 10th , the present as a roof antenna 5 is designed. The sending and / or receiving unit 10th or the roof antenna 5 is in 6 shown schematically in more detail. It has a basis 20th on which at least one transmitter unit 22 and / or a receiving unit 24th is or are arranged. The base 20th is with a housing 12 connectable. On the housing side there are some fastening points 25th on a bottom 18th of the housing provided or formed.

The housing 12 has a trough-shaped, fin-like structure. It tapers to a longitudinal end and has an essentially planar rear side at an opposite longitudinal end 14 on. Adjacent to the back 14 extend two opposite side cheeks 16 that the the back 14 opposite end are tapered. At the base 20th interacting or connectable bottom 18th points the case 12 , especially in the 4th and 5 shown several attachment points 25th by means of which the housing 12 with the base 20th and / or directly with the body 2nd , that is with the vehicle roof 4th can be connected. The opposite and symmetrical side cheeks 16 go in the area of a longitudinal ridge 30th into each other.

The housing 12 can be a single or multi-part plastic body 32 exhibit. The interior 15 is at the top of the ridge 30th , to the sides of the opposite side cheeks 16 and down from the base 20th limited.

The housing is at least in some areas 12 , or its plastic body 32 with a metal layer 40 Mistake. The metal layer 40 can be made particularly thin. It can have a layer thickness in the range from 0.1 µm to 0.2 µm. It can also have a layer thickness between 0.1 µm and 0.5 µm and a layer thickness between 0.5 µm and 1 µm. Such thin metal layers allow almost unhindered transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the transmitter unit 22 or receiving unit 24th surrounding housing 12 .

A reception or transmission power of the transmission and / or reception unit is insignificantly, if at all, impaired by the metal layer provided at least in some areas.

The metal layer can in particular by means of PVD coating on an outside 13 of the housing 12 be upset. For this, the outside 13 of the plastic body 32 first with an adhesion promoter 36 be coated like this in 7 is indicated. The adhesion promoter can have a layer thickness between 10 and 20 μm, for example. On the adhesion promoter 36 then the much thinner metal layer 40 be upset. That to the adhesion promoter 36 or the plastic body 32 facing away from the outside of the metal layer 40 can finally with a protective layer 38 , for example, be coated with a UV-curing lacquer. The protective layer can also have a layer thickness of 10 to 20 μm.

In the 7 shown metal layer 40 can, for example, as a film 41 , but also as a coating 42 , especially as a PVD coating on the plastic body 32 be upset.

The housing 12 , but especially its back 14 can be made of a transparent plastic material. In particular, only the back can be used 14 be made of a transparent plastic while the adjacent side panels 16 are made of an opaque and therefore non-transparent plastic material. Unless the housing 12 Has transparent areas, a metal layer can also in these areas 40 on an inside 11 of the housing 12 be provided.

The design of the back 14 or other areas of the housing 12 made of a transparent plastic material also enable the integration of a brake light in the transmitting and / or receiving unit. Thus, as in particular in 6 shown the housing 12 a lamp holder 17th adjacent to the back 14 exhibit. The lamp holder 17th serves to accommodate and / or arrange at least one lamp 26 , for example one or more LEDs. The lamp holder 17th can compared to the rest of the interior 15 of the housing 12 by means of a partition 34 be separated.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the dividing wall extends completely between the opposite side cheeks 16 . Opposing ends or end portions of the partition 34 can with the inside of the opposite side panels 16 be connected. Here, too, is a one-piece design of the housing 12 conceivable, after which the partition 34 in one piece with the adjacent side walls 16 connected is.

The lamp or lamps 26 can in particular on one of the back 14 or on one of the light exit surfaces 50 facing area of the partition 34 be arranged. The partition 34 can be used as a carrier for the lamp or lamps 26 act.

In addition, the partition 34 or the lamp holder 17th with an electromagnetic shield 19th be provided, for example, an electrical control of the lamp or lamps 26 towards the transmitter unit 22 or the receiving unit 24th to decouple. The electromagnetic shield 19th can the entire lamp holder 17th undress or also only in certain areas due to the spatial limitation of the lamp holder 17th be arranged. For example, it can have a shielding lacquer, a metal insert or plastic insert with corresponding shielding functions. The metal or plastic insert can in particular in the partition 34 be integrated. The partition 34 but can also be designed directly as a metallic shield.

As especially in 6 indicated, the lamp can 26 , the transmitter unit 22 and / or the receiving unit 24th via a signal connection 28 , typically be connected to the motor vehicle electronics via a wired signal connection. The signal connection can also be a supply voltage for the transmitter unit 22 , the receiving unit as well as a control for the illuminant 26 provide. An electronic control for the lamp 26 is not explicitly shown here. You can in that 6 only indicated illuminants 26 be integrated. The illuminant, in particular one or more LEDs and the associated control electronics, can be implemented in a common integrated circuit.

The illustrated embodiments only show possible configurations of the development, for which numerous other variants are conceivable during the development. The exemplary embodiments shown as examples are in no way to be interpreted as restricting in terms of the scope, the applicability or the configuration options of the development. The present description only shows one or a few possible implementation (s) of an exemplary embodiment to the person skilled in the art. In this way, a wide variety of modifications can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements described, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the following claims or their equivalents.

Reference symbol list

1

Motor vehicle

2nd

Motor vehicle body

3rd

Passenger compartment

4th

Vehicle roof

5

Roof antenna

10th

Sending and / or receiving unit

11

inside

12

casing

13

Outside

14

back

15

inner space

16

Sidewall

17th

Bulb holder

18th

bottom

19th

shielding

20th

Base

22

Transmitter unit

24th

Receiving unit

25th

Attachment point

26

Illuminant

28

Signal connection

30th

ridge

32

Plastic body

34

partition wall

36

Adhesion promoter

38

Protective layer

40

Metal layer

41

foil

42

Coating

50

Light exit surface

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102011111235 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Transmitting and / or receiving unit for a motor vehicle with a housing (12) and with at least one transmitting unit (22) or receiving unit (24) for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals, the transmitting unit (22) or receiving unit (24) being located in an interior ( 15) of the housing (12), which is provided at least in sections with a metal layer (40). Sending and / or receiving unit after Claim 1 , wherein the metal layer (40) has a layer thickness of less than 10 µm, less than 5 µm, less than 2 µm, less than 1 µm, less than 0.5 µm or less than 0.2 µm. Sending and / or receiving unit after Claim 2 , wherein the metal layer (40) has a layer thickness in the range of 0.1 microns to 0.2 microns. Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal layer (40) is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic signals. Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal layer (40) is arranged as a film (41) or as a coating (42) on the housing (42). Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal layer (40) has one of the following metals: chromium, nickel, copper or silver or consists thereof. Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one illuminant (26) is arranged in the housing (12) and wherein the housing (12) has at least one light exit surface (50). Sending and / or receiving unit after Claim 7 , wherein the light exit surface (50) is completely provided with the metal layer (40). Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding Claims 7 or 8th The housing (12) has a lamp holder (17) for receiving the lamp (26), which is provided with an electromagnetic shield (19). Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an entire surface of the housing (12) is coated with the metal layer (40). Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal layer (40) is arranged on an outside (13) or on an inside (11) of the housing (12). Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal layer (40) is coated with a protective layer (38). Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (12) has a plastic body (32) which is provided with an adhesion promoter at least in the region of the metal layer (40), the adhesion promoter (36) between the plastic body ( 32) and the metal layer (40) is arranged. Transmitting and / or receiving unit according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as a roof antenna (5) which can be arranged on an outside of a motor vehicle roof (4). Motor vehicle with a motor vehicle body (2), on which a transmitting and / or receiving unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged.

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