EP1411585B1

EP1411585B1 - Cover for vehicular antennas

Info

Publication number: EP1411585B1
Application number: EP20030023235
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Ambrogi; Giovanna Collareda
Original assignee: Calearo Antenne SpA
Current assignee: Calearo Antenne SpA
Priority date: 2002-10-15
Filing date: 2003-10-14
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-14
Also published as: DE60313270T2; EP1411585A1; ITVI20020213A1; DE60313270D1

Description

The invention concerns a cover for vehicular antennas particularly suitable to be used for the protection of elements transmitting and/or receiving signals through the air and belonging to equipment installed on motor vehicles, e.g. telephones, car radios, satellite navigation systems.
It is known that the transmitting and receiving elements that make up the antenna for the above mentioned equipment and in particular for telephones are applied externally to the roof of the vehicle and then protected with covers, commonly called "RADOME", which guarantee safe and efficient operation in any weather conditions.
For this purpose materials with particular physical-mechanical features are used, mainly nylon, which make it possible to obtain strong covers and at the same time, in the moulding phase, to satisfy the aesthetic requirements imposed by the manufacturer's design.
As regards the terminal elements that make up the antennas for transmitting and receiving signals through the air, in particular telephone signals with GSM or AMPS technology, they comprise mainly longitudinal metallic elements that constitute monopoles in tune with the signal transmitting/receiving frequency and are fixed to a base for installation on the vehicle's bodywork.
It is clear that these monopoles constitute elements that protrude from the external surface onto which they are applied, generally the car roof.
In this regard regulations are known, which set the maximum overall length admissible for the parts protruding from the car's bodywork, in particular for antennas.
Furthermore, in some cases car makers require that antennas have particularly restrictive flexibility characteristics, in such a way as to comply with the standards in force regarding protruding elements in the interior fittings of motor vehicles (European Norm 7460/EEC).
In order to meet the above mentioned requirements, the covers for vehicular antennas are carried out with specific geometric and physical-mechanical characteristics.
The covers produced according to a first known technique feature the coupling of two distinct elements: the first one of these elements, essentially in the shape of a shell, is suited to be coupled to the connection base on the motor vehicle's bodywork, while the second one comprises a hood wrapped around the monopole and fitted into the first element.
The structure of the cover obtained through the union of two separate elements has the flexibility necessary to comply with the regulation mentioned above.
One of the drawbacks of this technique is represented by the fact that the cover produced as described above requires several operations for the assembly of its various components during the installation of the antenna on the motor vehicle.
Another drawback of this technique consists in the fact that the production of the cover with separate elements negatively affects the aesthetic aspect of the antenna, since a line of discontinuity appears on its external surface.
To partially overcome these drawbacks, antenna covers made in one single piece, for example through moulding, have been designed, said covers having on their outer surface, and at predetermined heights, annular grooves suitable for creating areas with reduced thickness that make the protruding part flexible in case of impact.
This solution, however, does not ensure the desired aesthetic affect, that is, an external surface without discontinuities.
US 6,275,194 discloses a cover for vehicular antennas comprising a breaking point located underneath a threaded head and serves as the breakable fastening element in case of emergency.
EP 0989629 discloses a cover and a metal base for a vehicular antenna which is mounted on the roof or a vehicle.
It is the objective of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above.
A first objective of the invention is to produce a cover for vehicular antennas with physical-mechanical characteristics in compliance with the regulations in force and with external surface without discontinuities.
Another objective of the invention is to obtain a cover for antennas whose production requires simpler operations compared to the equivalent covers already known.
The objectives mentioned above are achieved through the implementation of a cover for vehicular antennas according to the main claim.
According to a preferred embodiment, the notch is annular with an elliptical profile.
To advantage, in the area where the notch is obtained, the cover has a lowered area that gives the cover itself the flexibility required by the above mentioned safety standards.
The objectives and advantages described above will be highlighted in greater detail in the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention among many possible ones, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the cover object of the invention combined with a vehicular antenna;
Figure 2 is a rear plan view of the cover object of the invention;
Figure 3 is a side plan view of the cover object of the invention;
Figure 4 is a sectional view along plane I°-I° of Figure 2;
Figure 4a shows an enlarged detail of Figure 4;
Figure 5 is a sectional view along plane II°-II° with reference to Figure 3;
Figure 5a shows an enlarged detail of Figure 5;
Fig 6 is a view from below of the cover object of the invention;
Figure 7 shows the cover object of the invention applied to a different type of antenna.

The cover of the invention is shown in Figure 1, where it is indicated as a whole by 1.
It is represented in combination with the parts that comprise the antenna, a base B and the relative case G for the connection to the roof of the motor vehicle and a monopole M that stands on the base B.
The monopole M is electrically connected to signal receiving and/or transmitting means installed on the vehicle, not shown in the figure to simplify the representation and because they are of the known type.
The monopole M represented here substantially comprises an antenna that receives and/or transmits telephone signals, e.g. signals used for GSM or AMPS communication.
It has an elongated geometric shape to ensure its correct operation in the frequency band of the analogue or digital signal to which it is tuned.
The cover for antennas 1 object of the invention substantially comprises a lower part 2 covering the base B on which it rests and an upper part 3 covering the monopole M when the antenna is assembled.
According to the invention, the lower part 2 and the upper part 3 make up a single body inside which, as shown in figures 4 and 5, a notch 4 is obtained to reduce the thickness of the material of which the cover is made in correspondence with the connection area between the lower part 2 and the upper part 3.
Said notch 4, as shown in the view from below of Figure 6, is annular in shape, with an elliptical profile and reflects the shape of the upper part 3 of the cover 1.
As can be seen in the detail of Figure 4a, the cross section of the notch 4 has a substantially right shape and comprises two concurrent walls 4a, 4b that cut the cover 1 in the connection area between the lower part 2 and the upper part 3.
To advantage, the notch 4 is obtained during the moulding of the cover 1, which is preferably made of nylon PA6, commercially known as WELLAMID.
It is evident that in other embodiments the profile of the notch 4 may be different, according to the design, the moulding techniques and the material used.
The annular notch 4 obtained in this way, independently of its shape, makes it possible to obtain a reduced resistance area compared to the other parts of the cover 1, so that in case of impact the upper part 3 will yield and even come off the lower part 2, according to the provisions of the regulations in force.
The upper part 3, as can be seen in detail in Figure 3, is substantially fin-shaped and adapts to the shape of the monopole, which makes it possible to obtain better aerodynamic penetration coefficients for the antenna.
On the perimeter 2a of the lower part 2, as shown in Figure 6 and in Figure 1, holes 5 are provided, which are suited to receive fixing screws V for fastening to the base B during the assembly of the antenna.
A lower annular circle 6 is also obtained on the lower part 2 and is suited to house the sealing gasket G associated to the base B that, upon completion of the assembly, guarantees the protection of the antenna from seepage of water. In Figure 7 the cover 1 object of the invention is applied to an antenna in which, in addition to the monopole M for transmitting and receiving telephone signals, means S are provided for receiving satellite signals, e.g. the GPS type, said means being substantially flat in shape and housed in a compartment in the base B.
The above description shows that the cover object of the invention achieves the objectives set and offers the advantages needed.
Upon implementation, modifications that are not described and represented herein may be made on the cover object of the invention.
Said variants may for example involve a different shape of the lower and upper parts, as well as a different shape of the notch, or even a different type of connection to the support base.

Claims

Cover (1) for vehicular antennas of the type comprising a lower part (2) covering a base (B) resting on said vehicle and an upper part (3) cove ring a monopole (M) that stands on said base (B) and is electrically connected to signal receiving and/or transmitting means installed on said vehicle, characterized in that said parts (2,3 define a single body having an internal annular notch (4) suited to reduce the thickness of the material, in correspondence with the connection area between said lower part (2) and said upper part (3), said notch having at least right angled section and comprising two concurrent walls (4a. 4b) which internally cut said cover (1) in the connection area of said parts (2, 3).
Cover (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said annular shape has an elliptical profile.
Cover (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that on the perimeter (2a) of said lower part (2) holes (5) are provided for the insertion of fixing screws (V) for fastening to said base (B).
Cover (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said lower part (2) comprises a lower annular circle (6) suited to receve a sealing gasket (G) associated to said base (B).
Cover (1) according to claim 1), characterised in that said lower part (2) internally houses auxiliary signal receiving means (3).
Cover (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said auxiliary signal receiving means (S) comprises a GPS antenna for receiving satellite signals.
Cover (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said upper part (3) has a fin-shaped profile.
Cover (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said cover (1) is produced through a single moulding phase.
Cover (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that it is made of nylon PA6.