CN110718737A

CN110718737A - Antenna with automatic telescopic rod and alarm in locked state to avoid rod bending

Info

Publication number: CN110718737A
Application number: CN201811105677.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·K·真塔拉帕里; 黄真万; 黄承海; M·M·维卡斯; P·阿克拉; J·约瑟夫
Original assignee: Modern Auto Co Ltd; Kia Motors Corp
Current assignee: Modern Auto Co Ltd; Hyundai Motor Co; Kia Corp
Priority date: 2018-07-13
Filing date: 2018-09-21
Publication date: 2020-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-21
Also published as: CN110718737B

Abstract

The present invention provides an antenna with an automatic telescopic rod and an alarm in a locked state to avoid bending of the rod, which can be bent and retracted to the same position without damage. It also provides an antenna that locks itself in a particular position under a constant force and can be retracted to the original position manually or automatically by the user.

Description

Antenna with automatic telescopic rod and alarm in locked state to avoid rod bending

Technical Field

The present invention provides a vehicle antenna having a telescoping rod and an alarm that avoids the rod bending problem. The present invention provides a vehicle antenna that can be bent and retracted to the same position without damage. It also provides an antenna that locks itself in a particular position under the action of a continuous force and that can be retracted to the original position manually or automatically by the user.

Background

With the development of communication devices, several types of antennas have been developed for receiving frequencies of radio, frequencies of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), frequencies of remote access control (RKE), and the like. Such an antenna is mounted in or on the body of the vehicle, preferably on the roof of the vehicle.

In particular, the antenna receiving radio frequencies is of the rod type, in which the flexible tube is controlled vertically. Such a mast may hit or bump against another object when erected (e.g. a roof when parking, e.g. an overpass when walking), resulting in extreme bending and/or damage of the mast. Such an antenna mast is also extremely bent when a vehicle hood without an antenna groove is used. Furthermore, when the antenna stick is bent, it does not function sufficiently when receiving mobile services.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved vehicle antenna that automatically flexes and retracts when an obstacle passes. Moreover, there is a need for a vehicle antenna having improved durability and having significantly fewer mast bending and damage problems than conventionally available vehicle antennas.

Disclosure of Invention

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a vehicle antenna comprising: a base defining a cavity having a first spring disposed therein, the cavity having a protruding structure defining a recess therein; a printed circuit board defining a vertical elongate channel having a push switch disposed therein; a rod bending and retracting structure comprising: a connection pin capable of connecting the antenna rod to the printed circuit board by a push switch disposed within the vertical elongate channel; a housing having a torsion bar rigidly attached such that a distal end of the torsion bar includes a second spring slidable over the protruding structure of the cavity, the torsion bar further including a support device secured proximate the distal end of the torsion bar to assist in the retraction of the first spring; the housing is rigidly attached to a connecting pin; and a mast cover configured to accommodate the mast and rotatable on an axis thereof for bending of the mast; the antenna mast cover is rigidly attached to the housing; wherein the push switch is in an on position when the antenna is not bent; wherein upon bending of the antenna rod, the connecting pin slides away from the push switch using the torsion bar, the first spring and the second spring, thereby opening the push switch, and further bending of the antenna rod helps lock the antenna rod in a fixed position by limiting movement of the second spring within the groove.

In another embodiment according to the present invention, the push switch is turned on when the antenna is not bent.

In another embodiment according to the present invention, the connection pin 410 slides away from the push switch 500 using the torsion bar 310 and the first and

second springs

210 and 220 when the antenna rod 110 is bent, thereby disconnecting the push switch 500.

In another embodiment according to the present invention, further bending of the antenna rod 110 helps to lock the antenna rod 110 in a fixed position by limiting the movement of the second spring 220 within the groove 240.

In another embodiment, the vehicle antenna further comprises a cover configured to receive the rod flex and retract structure.

In another embodiment, the cover is configured to receive the antenna rod.

In another embodiment, the cover can be mounted on the base.

In another embodiment, the vehicle antenna further comprises a rubber pad mountable on the base.

In another embodiment, the locking of the antenna mast and the opening of the push switch send a signal to the vehicle's audio system alerting the user to adjust the position of the antenna mast for better reception of the radio.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates bending of a vehicle antenna due to an obstacle and retraction of the vehicle antenna when the vehicle passes the obstacle in an embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a conventional vehicle antenna.

Fig. 3 shows a vehicle antenna according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4A, 4B show enlarged views of a vehicle antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4C shows an enlarged view of the rod bending and retracting structure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a mechanism of a vehicle antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention when an obstacle hits and passes the vehicle antenna.

Fig. 6 illustrates locking of an antenna mast according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a vehicle antenna lock state (lock position) detection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows the transmission of a signal to the vehicle's audio system alerting the user to adjust the position of the antenna when the antenna is in a locked state for better radio reception.

Fig. 9 illustrates steps for assembling various components of a vehicle antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the appended drawings are not to scale, showing a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the invention disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular application and environment of use contemplated.

In the drawings, reference numerals refer to identical or equivalent parts of the invention throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

In the following, reference will be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. The present invention is intended to cover not only these exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention provides a vehicle antenna capable of automatically bending and retracting when struck by an obstacle. The vehicle antenna is capable of locking the antenna mast in a fixed position, thereby protecting the vehicle antenna from high continuous bending forces such as parking or garage conditions. The disclosed vehicle antenna provides a pop-up window on the vehicle's audio system informing the user to unlock the mast for better radio reception. The disclosed vehicle antenna has improved durability compared to conventional antennas, and it reduces consumer complaints about bending and damage problems to the mast with this configuration.

Fig. 1 illustrates bending of a vehicle antenna due to an obstacle and retraction of the vehicle antenna when the obstacle passes, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the vehicle antenna automatically bends when it strikes an obstacle (e.g., a overpass). Subsequently, the vehicle antenna is automatically retracted when the vehicle passes over an obstacle.

Fig. 2 shows a conventional antenna 10 for mobile services. As shown in fig. 2, the antenna 10 includes an antenna rod 20, a cover 30, a printed circuit board 40, a rubber pad 50, a base 60, a terminal and terminal guide 70, and a flange nut 80.

As shown in fig. 3, vehicle antenna 100 includes antenna mast 110, cover 120, printed circuit board PCB130, rubber pad 140, base 150, terminal and terminal guide 160, and flange nut 170.

Referring to fig. 4A, 4B and 4C, the vehicle antenna includes a base 150 defining a cavity 200, a printed circuit board 130 defining a vertical elongate channel 260, and a rod bend and retract structure 400; the cavity 200 has a first spring 210 disposed therein, the cavity 200 having a protruding structure 230, thereby defining a recess 240 in the cavity 200; the channel has a push switch (500 shown in fig. 7) disposed therein. The rod bending and retracting structure 400 includes: a connection pin 410 capable of connecting the antenna rod 110 to the printed circuit board 130 through a push switch (500 as shown in fig. 7) disposed within the vertical elongate channel 260; a housing 280 having a torsion bar 310 rigidly attached such that a distal end of the torsion bar 310 includes the second spring 220 capable of sliding over the protruding structure 230 of the cavity 200, the torsion bar further including a support device 250 fixed proximate the distal end of the torsion bar to facilitate contraction of the first spring 210, the housing 280 being rigidly attached to the connection pin 410; and an antenna mast cover 330 configured to accommodate the antenna mast 110 and rotatable on its axis for bending of the antenna mast 110; the antenna mast cover 330 is rigidly attached to the housing 280. The vertical elongate channel 260 is a mast connection point receptacle on the printed circuit board 130 that avoids losing connection when the mast 110 is bent. The housing 280 is configured to hold the torsion bar 310 and prevent signal to ground connection.

According to an embodiment, the support means 250 is rigidly fixed near the distal end of the torsion bar 310, the support means 250 having a predetermined shape, preferably rectangular, and being capable of pushing the first spring 210, thereby facilitating the contraction thereof.

According to an embodiment, vehicle antenna 100 further includes a cover 120, cover 120 configured to accommodate rod bending and retracting structure 400. The cover 120 is configured to receive the antenna mast 110 and is mountable on the base 150.

According to an embodiment, vehicle antenna 100 further includes a rubber pad 140 capable of being mounted on a base 150.

As shown in fig. 5, when an obstacle hits the antenna rod 110, the rod begins to bend using the torsion bar 310, the first spring 210, and the second spring 220. The support means 250 disposed near the distal end of the torsion bar 310 pushes the first spring 210, thereby contracting the first spring 210. The second spring 220 slides on the projection 230 in a forward direction. When the vehicle passes an obstacle, the antenna mast 110 is automatically retracted such that the support means 250 returns to its original position, thereby facilitating the expansion of the first spring 210, and the second spring slides in a rearward direction on the protruding structure, facilitating the retraction of the antenna mast to its original position.

As shown in fig. 6, when the antenna lever 110 is subjected to a continuous force, it is locked in a fixed closed position. For example, when a vehicle is parked in a garage having a garage height less than the vehicle antenna height, the vehicle antenna is continuously subjected to bending forces. To avoid this, the antenna mast 110 is locked in a fixed position (locked position) upon being subjected to further bending forces. This is facilitated by limiting the movement of the second spring 220 within the groove 240. As an alternative example, when a vehicle hood without an antenna slot is used, the antenna mast is locked. Once the mast is in the locked position, it will not automatically maintain its original position. The user can pull the antenna stick 110 to adjust it to its original position when needed.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the push switch 500 is in the on position when the antenna lever 110 is in the normal position, i.e., not bent. Bending of antenna rod 110 causes connection pin 410 to slide away from push switch 500 using the torsion bar (310 in fig. 4B), first spring (210 in fig. 4B), and second spring (220 in fig. 4B), thereby opening push switch 500. Further bending of the antenna mast 110 helps to lock the antenna mast 110 in a fixed position, as shown in fig. 6, by limiting the movement of the second spring (220, shown in fig. 4B) in the groove (240, shown in fig. 4B and 4C).

According to an embodiment, the locking of the antenna mast and the opening of the push switch 500 sends a signal (lock detect signal) to the vehicle's audio system, alerting the user to adjust the position of the antenna mast 110 for better reception of the radio, as shown in fig. 8.

As shown in fig. 9, in order to accomplish the assembly of the antenna system according to the present invention, the rubber pad 140 is first mounted on the base 150, and then the base assembly is obtained by mounting the printed circuit board 130 on the rubber pad 140. The cover 120 is mounted on the rod bending and retracting structure 400 and then mounted to the base assembly. The antenna mast 110 is then mounted on the cover 120, the cover 120 being configured to receive the antenna mast 110.

Claims

1. A vehicle antenna (100), comprising:

-a base (150) defining a cavity (200), the cavity (200) having a first spring (210) disposed therein, the cavity having a protruding structure (230) defining a recess (240) in the cavity (200);

-a printed circuit board (130) defining a vertical elongated channel (260), the vertical elongated channel (260) having a push switch (500) disposed therein; and

-a rod bending and retracting structure (400) comprising:

a connection pin (410) capable of connecting the antenna rod (110) to the printed circuit board (130) through a push switch (500) disposed within the vertical elongate channel (260);

a housing (280) having a torsion bar (310) rigidly attached such that a distal end of the torsion bar comprises a second spring (220), the second spring (220) being slidable over the protruding structure (230) of the cavity (200), the torsion bar (310) further comprising a support means (250) fixed proximate the distal end of the torsion bar (310) to assist in the contraction of the first spring (210); the housing (280) is rigidly attached to a connecting pin (410); and

an antenna mast cover (330) configured to receive an antenna mast (110) and the antenna mast cover (330) is rotatable on its axis for bending of the antenna mast (110); the antenna mast cover (330) is rigidly attached to the housing (280).

2. The vehicle antenna (100) of claim 1, wherein the push switch is on when the antenna is not bent.

3. The vehicle antenna (100) of claim 1, wherein the connection pin (410) slides away from the push switch (500) using the torsion bar (310) and first and second springs (210, 220) when the antenna rod (110) is bent, thereby opening the push switch (500).

4. The vehicle antenna (100) of claim 3, wherein the further bending of the antenna mast (110) facilitates locking the antenna mast (110) in the fixed position by limiting movement of the second spring (220) within the groove (240).

5. The vehicle antenna (100) of claim 1, further comprising a cover (120), the cover (120) configured to accommodate the rod flex and retract structure (400).

6. The vehicle antenna (100) of claim 5, wherein the cover (120) is configured to receive the antenna rod (110).

7. The vehicle antenna (100) according to claim 5, wherein the cover (120) is mountable on the base (150).

8. The vehicle antenna (100) of claim 1, further comprising a rubber pad (140), the rubber pad (140) mountable on the base (150).

9. The vehicle antenna (100) of claim 1, wherein the locking of the antenna mast (110) and the opening of the push switch (500) send a signal to a vehicle's audio system alerting a user to adjust the position of the antenna mast (110) for better reception of radio.