EP3966890B1 - Vehicle window - Google Patents

Description

Vehicles are increasingly being equipped with electrical components. In addition to the classic radio devices, there is an increasing number of devices in a vehicle that can receive or transmit high-frequency signals.

At this point, the reception of signals from a navigation system or also signals from communication systems is given as an example.

Navigation systems can be, for example, a satellite-supported navigation satellite system (GNSS). Systems in operation are, for example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the GLObal Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). Other navigation systems are possible, e.g. based on mobile radio systems.

Communication systems can be, for example, short-range radio systems for car-to-car or car-to-infrastructure or also mobile radio communication systems, e.g. mobile communication systems of the 2nd / 3rd / 4th or 5th generation.

Appropriate antennas can be attached to the outside of the vehicle, but such additional devices pose a problem in several respects.

Exemplary arrangements are from the publication US20140176374A1 known.

On the one hand, the corresponding devices require breakthroughs that are susceptible to corrosion. On the other hand, such devices often disturb the visual impression. Frequently, however, such facilities also represent a source of noise as well increased wind resistance. In addition, such antennas are also the target of vandalism.

Based on this, in the past there has been a trend towards providing antennas at other locations.

For example, GNSS antennas can be placed within the vehicle interior, such as under the dashboard or under the windshield.

It is difficult to find a suitable position with a good view of the antenna on the GNSS satellites while avoiding EMC problems from electrical devices in the dashboard and from the vehicle engine.

Furthermore, electrically conductive layers such as infrared-reflecting layers or low-E layers can prevent the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the pane and block the GNSS signal.

Typical GPS antennas are implemented as planar antennas and typically as patch antennas and are, for example, from WO 00/22695 A1 , the DE 202006011919 U1 or the DE 202010011837 U1 known. A planar metallic antenna structure is arranged on one side of a printed circuit board or a ceramic carrier. A flat base plate is arranged on the opposite side as a ground plane. Antenna structure and base plate are connected to an electrical receiving unit via electrical lines. Due to the material thickness of the printed circuit board or the ceramic carrier, the antenna has a certain thickness and is clearly visible and not very aesthetic when arranged directly on the windshield.

From the U.S. 9,257,747 B2 a Vivaldi antenna is known which can be attached to a vehicle window. Out of WO 2005/091827 A2 a patch antenna is known which can be attached to a vehicle window. From the U.S. 2008/0 129 619 A1 a crossed dipole antenna arrangement is known which can be mounted on a vehicle window.

Furthermore, from the US patent application US 2011 / 121 924 A1 an antenna mounted on a vehicle window with a coaxial cable connection is known.

Until now, antennas mounted on the surface of the pane have been connected with a coaxial cable.

From the Japanese release JP 2014 - 179 858 A Another arrangement of an antenna with a connection for arrangement on a vehicle window is known.

The integration of antennas and supply lines in panes is desired due to many considerations. On the one hand, placement considerations play a role, and on the other hand, considerations relating to the electrical connection of the antennas.

At the same time, however, a sufficiently strong signal with as little noise as possible must be made available for the subsequent signal processing.

Therefore, signals are amplified before signal processing/decoding. It turns out, however, that the attenuation on the feed lines to the amplifiers has already led to a strong weakening of the useful signals, so that the amplifiers must be particularly low-noise, so that the signal-to-noise ratio is only slightly impaired. However, such amplifiers are expensive.

From the US patent U.S. 5,499,444 and a manufacturing method for a rigid circuit board with flexible parts is known. However, the printed circuit board provided in this way is not suitable for being integrated into a vehicle window.

Likewise is from the Chinese utility model CN203015290 an arrangement is known in which two rigid circuit boards are connected to a flexible circuit board. However, the arrangement provided in this way is not suitable for being integrated into a vehicle window.

From the Korean patent application KR 10-2008-0029054 an arrangement is also known in which two rigid circuit boards are connected to a flexible circuit board. However, the arrangement provided in this way is not suitable for being integrated into a vehicle window.

From the Chinese patent application CN106450690A1 a so-called low-profile blanket antenna is known. Although this is broadband, it cannot be integrated into a vehicle window.

From the US patent application U.S. 2015/0 102 874 A1 it is known to widen a flex circuit board to provide better RF decoupling.

All of the aforementioned documents have in common that the structures made available there cannot be integrated into a vehicle window. In addition, the structures can only be produced with considerable effort, so that they do not provide a cost-effective solution.

Proceeding from this, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle window into which an antenna together with a feed line can be integrated safely, reliably and cost-effectively.

The object is achieved by a vehicle window with a first substrate and with at least one antenna structure and a connection area, the antenna structure being arranged on a flexible film, a first line area also being provided on the flexible film, the connection area being arranged on a carrier, wherein a second line area is also provided on the carrier, wherein the flexible film has a first contact area and the carrier has a second contact area for mutually connecting the first line area to the second line area, the flexible film being guided around one end of the first substrate.

By means of the invention it is possible to integrate an antenna into a vehicle window while devices for signal conditioning, such as filters/amplifiers, are provided close to the antenna on a rigid support. By providing suitable contact areas, forwarding can take place in an impedance-matched manner on the respective line areas. As a result, the signal-to-noise ratio can be maintained as far as possible. In other words, the invention allows extensive integration while at the same time being inexpensive to manufacture.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support is rigid. I.e. the invention can use circuit boards, for example.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first contact area and the second contact area have three or more electrical contact points.

This can, for example, provide a connection for co-planar waveguides.

According to a further embodiment, the first contact area and the second contact area have five or more electrical contact points.

A higher number of contact points can, for example, provide better shielding in the contact area.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the film and the carrier are arranged in an essentially overlapping manner in the area of the first contact area and the second contact area.

Structures that require several structured conductor layers can be implemented in the overlapping area, for example.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the film has a first structured conductor layer and a second structured conductor layer, with the first line region being designed as a grounded coplanar waveguide.

This means that a well-shielded, low-attenuation transmission to the contact area can be implemented in a particularly simple manner by means of the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the film has at least one via.

This means that more complex structures, e.g. waveguide structures or stripline structures, can be provided in a particularly simple manner by means of the invention.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the film has polyimide. A flexible (partial) arrangement can thus be made available in a particularly simple manner.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the carrier has FR4. A rigid (partial) arrangement can thus be made available in a particularly simple manner.

In yet another embodiment, the carrier has at least one via.

This means that more complex structures, e.g. waveguide structures or stripline structures, can be provided in a particularly simple manner by means of the invention.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a vehicle with a glass pane according to the invention, in particular a land, sea, air or space vehicle, is provided.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the glass pane according to the invention is used to receive signals for satellite-based navigation, in particular to receive GNSS signals from Navstar GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou, Navic, QZSS. Alternatively or additionally, the glass pane according to the invention is used to receive signals from a mobile communication system, in particular a mobile communication system of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th generation.

Without restricting the generality, the vehicle window can be a windshield, a rear window, a side window or a roof window.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments. The drawing is a schematic representation and not to scale. The drawing does not limit the invention in any way.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Übersicht in Bezug auf die Anordnung von Folien, Glasschicht(en) zur Verdeutlichung von Aspekten gemäß Stand der Technik und der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch Ausführungsformen einer Folie gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch Ausführungsformen eines Trägers gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

eine schematisch perspektivische Ansicht von Leitungsbereichen gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

eine schematisch perspektivische Ansicht von Kontaktbereichen gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung, und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch Ausführungsformen eines Trägers und einer Folie gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung

Show it:

1

a schematic overview in relation to the arrangement of foils, glass layer(s) to illustrate aspects according to the prior art and the invention,

2

a schematic sectional view through embodiments of a film according to embodiments of the invention,

3

a schematic sectional view through embodiments of a carrier according to embodiments of the invention,

4

a schematic perspective view of line areas according to embodiments of the invention,

figure 5

a schematic perspective view of contact areas according to embodiments of the invention, and

6

a schematic sectional view through embodiments of a carrier and a film according to embodiments of the invention

In the following the invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the figures. It should be noted that different aspects are described, which can be used individually or in combination. That is, each aspect can be used with different embodiments of the invention unless explicitly presented as purely alternative.

Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, only one entity is generally referred to below. Unless explicitly noted, however, the invention can also have several of the entities concerned. In this respect, the use of the words “a”, “an” and “an” is only to be understood as an indication that at least one entity is used in a simple embodiment.

Insofar as methods are described below, the individual steps of a method can be arranged and/or combined in any order, unless something different is explicitly stated in the context. Furthermore, the processes can be combined with one another, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Specifications with numerical values are generally not to be understood as exact values, but also include a tolerance of +/- 1% to +/- 10%.

Insofar as standards, specifications or the like are named in this application, at least the standards, specifications or the like applicable on the filing date are referred to. This means that if a standard/specification etc. is updated or replaced by a successor, the invention can also be applied to this.

Various embodiments are shown in the figures.

According to embodiments of the invention, a vehicle window 1 with a first substrate GS1 and with at least one antenna structure ANT and a connection area AB is provided.

The antenna structure ANT is arranged on a flexible film F. Furthermore, a first line area GCPW1 is provided on the flexible film F.

The flexible (dielectric) film F can have at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyurethane, polymethylene methacrylic acid, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl butyral, FR6, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyamide.

The connection area AB is arranged on a carrier T that can be produced separately. A second line area GCPW2 is also provided on the carrier T.

The carrier T can be made of a material similar to the foil F, but can also have a different material, such as a rigid plate, for example made of FR4.

The flexible foil F has a first contact area C1 and the carrier T has a second contact area C2 for the mutual connection of the first line area GCPW1 to the second line area GCPW2.

The flexible film F is led around one end of the first substrate GS1.

The invention makes it possible to integrate an antenna ANT into a vehicle window 1 while devices for signal conditioning, such as filters/amplifiers, can be provided close to the antenna ANT on a (rigid) carrier T that can be produced separately. By providing suitable contact areas C1, C2, forwarding can take place in an impedance-matched manner on the respective line areas GCPW1, GCPW2. As a result, the signal-to-noise ratio can be maintained as far as possible. In other words, the invention allows extensive integration while at the same time being inexpensive to manufacture.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support T is rigid. I.e. the invention can use circuit boards, for example. Thus, for example, electronic components EK can be fitted using conventional technology. This allows such devices to be produced inexpensively, which can be arranged close to the antenna ANT, so that the attenuation of the useful signal before amplification/filtering is minimal. In this way, for example, inexpensive amplifiers can be used.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first contact area C1 and the second contact area C2 each have three or more electrical contact points.

In this way, for example, a connection for co-planar waveguides can be made available. In this case, for example, with the outer contact points, a connection of a ground potential to be made available, while the central contact point provides a connection for the useful signal.

According to a further embodiment, the first contact area C1 and the second contact area C2 each have five (as in figure 5 shown) or more electrical contact points. In this case, for example, a connection of a ground potential can be provided with the outer contact points, while the central contact point provides a connection for the useful signal. A higher number of contact points can, for example, provide better shielding in the contact area.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the film F and the carrier T are - as in figure 6 shown - arranged essentially overlapping in the area of the first contact area C1 and the second contact area C2. For example, structures that require a plurality of structured conductor layers can be implemented in the overlapping area.

It should be noted that further optional layers are also shown in the figures.

In figure 1 a first substrate GS1 of a vehicle pane 1 can also be seen. If the vehicle pane 1 is made available as a composite pane, a connecting film VF and a second substrate GS2 can be provided, for example.

The substrate GS1, GS2 preferably contains glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass or clear plastics, preferably rigid clear plastics, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and /or mixtures thereof.

In figure 2 a sectional view through a foil F is shown. The film F can have a first electrically conductive layer LS1 and a second electrically conductive layer LS2. By structuring, one (or several) antenna(s) and a first feed line structure GCPW1 are made available. Optionally, the foil can also be equipped with a barrier layer B, for example a (flexible) solder-stop layer. One or more additional layer(s) ZS can also be provided, for example a cover layer (glued on). The cover layer can also consist of a film material, for example.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the (first and/or the second) electrically conductive layer has a height h _LS1 , h _LS2 of 10 μm-75 μm.

This enables a thin arrangement that can also be integrated into a laminated pane or that can also be adapted to a curved surface.

In figure 3 a sectional view through a carrier T is shown. The carrier T can have a third electrically conductive layer LS3 and an (optional) fourth electrically conductive layer LS4. A connection area AB and a second lead structure GPCW2 can be made available in these two electrically conductive layers by structuring. Optionally, the carrier T can also be equipped with a barrier layer B, eg a (flexible) solder-stop layer.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the (third and/or the fourth) electrically conductive layer has a height h _LS3 , h _LS4 of 10 μm-75 μm.

In conjunction with an equally thin film F (h _F = 25 µm ... 75 µm), this enables a thin arrangement which can also be integrated into a compound pane or which can also be adapted to a curved surface.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the electrically conductive layers LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4 have silver and/or copper and/or gold and/or aluminum and/or indium and/or graphene. It should be noted here that the electrically conductive layers LS1, LS2 can have different materials. Preferred however, they have the same materials. This means that the conductor structures can also be adapted to electrical and/or thermal and/or mechanical boundary conditions.

Without restricting the generality, the carrier T can cover the film F on a partial area or on the entire area.

While a small overlap area is advantageous for small sizes, a larger overlap area can be advantageous for better signal transmission and/or increased mechanical stability. Design options are thus made available to the person skilled in the art so that different needs can be satisfied.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the lateral conductors L1 and the opposite conductor to the ground potential level GP in relation to the film F are one or more vias VIA--as in FIG figure 4 implied - arranged. The vias VIA can be arranged at a predetermined distance. Furthermore, vias VIA can also be provided in an analogous manner in relation to the second lateral conductor L2 and the opposite ground potential level GP. The distance can be based on the wavelength of the signals to be conducted. Furthermore, the characteristic impedance of the line area GCPW1, GCPW2 can be adjusted by such vias VIA. In addition, improved potential equality over the extent of the arrangement is achieved by means of the plated-through holes VIA, so that the high-frequency properties can be further improved.

Like the film F, the carrier T can be equipped with such VIA that can perform the same function.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the arrangement - as in figure 1 indicated - a connection area AB for an electromechanical High-frequency connection element S on. In particular, the high-frequency connection element S can have or consist of an SMA socket. The SMA socket can have an angled arrangement, for example, so that a low overall height is made available in the connection area. Typically, vehicle windows are equipped with an electromechanical high-frequency connection element S as a built-in part/replacement part in order to enable quick installation and reliable contacting.

That is, unlike in the prior art, the antenna and one or more electronic components can now be brought closer to one another. As a result, the signal-to-noise ratio can be favorably influenced at an early stage.

In particular, the possibility of using so-called grounded coplanar waveguides for the line areas GCPW1, GCPW2 allows low-interference and/or low-loss transmission.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a vehicle with a glass pane 1 according to the invention, in particular a land, sea, air or space vehicle, is provided.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the glass pane 1 according to the invention is used to receive signals for satellite-based navigation, in particular to receive GNSS signals from Navstar GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou, Navic, QZSS. Alternatively or additionally, the glass pane 1 according to the invention is used to receive signals from a mobile communication system, in particular a mobile communication system of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th generation.

In other words, the integration of antennas for satellite navigation is made possible by means of the invention. In this case, the amplifier can be arranged close to the antenna. The antenna or antennas can be placed between substrates GS1, GS2 of a laminated glass pane 1 be arranged. Since the antenna(s) ANT are arranged on a flexible foil F, the antenna ANT can adapt to a curvature of the vehicle window. A feed line structure, for example as a coplanar (grounded) waveguide, GCPW1, can be made available by means of the flexible film F. Since the film F is flexible, the film can be guided around one end of a substrate GS1, for example.

The electronics for an amplifier and/or filter can be provided on a carrier T that can be produced separately.

The carrier T and the foil F can be used as an integrated element - as in figure 6 shown - or as in figure 5 shown are made available via contact elements.

In the example of figure 6 it is possible, for example, to provide a via VIA from an electrically conductive layer LS3 to the electrically conductive layer LS1. Thus, the via VIA provides a contact area C1/C2.

Thus, the high-frequency part can be implemented without significant geometry changes, leaving the impedance essentially unchanged.

The connection area AB, like a contact area C1 / C2 (e.g. as in figure 5 shown) be configured.

Reference List

1

vehicle window

GS1, GS2

substrate

f

flexible foil

T

carrier

EK

electrical component

LS1, LS2

electrically conductive layer

LS3, LS4

electrically conductive layer

ANT

antenna structure

GCPW1

lead structure

GCPW2

lead structure

hLS1 hLS2

Height

hLS3 hLS4

Height

VIA

via

vf

connecting foil

AWAY

connection area

S

Plug

C1, C2

contact area

B

barrier layer

ZS

Additional layer(s)

L1, L2

traces

ML

Middle track (useful signal)

gp

ground potential level

Claims (12)

1. Vehicle pane with a first substrate (GS1) and with at least one antenna structure (ANT) and a connection region (AB), wherein the antenna structure (ANT) is arranged on a flexible film (F), wherein, additionally, a first line region (GCPW1) is provided on the flexible film (F), wherein the connection region (AB) is arranged on a carrier (T), wherein, additionally, a second line region (GCPW2) is provided on the carrier (T), wherein the flexible film (F) has a first contact region (C1) and the carrier has a second contact region (C2) for the reciprocal connection of the first line region (GCPW1) to the second line region (GCPW2), characterized in that the flexible film (F) is routed around one end of the first substrate (GS1).
2. Vehicle pane according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier (T) is rigid.
3. Vehicle pane according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the first contact region (C1) and the second contact region (C2) has three or more electrical contact points.
4. Vehicle pane according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the first contact region (C1) and the second contact region (C2) has five or more electrical contact points.
5. Vehicle pane according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film (F) and the carrier (T) are arranged substantially overlappingly in the region of the first contact region (C1) and the second contact region (C2).
6. Vehicle pane (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film (F) has a first patterned conductor layer (LS1) and a second patterned conductor layer (LS2), wherein the first line region (GCPW1) is designed as a grounded coplanar waveguide.
7. Vehicle pane (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the film (F) has at least one via (VIA).
8. Vehicle pane (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film (F) comprises polyimide.
9. Vehicle pane (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (T) comprises FR4.
10. Vehicle pane (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (T) has at least one via (VIA).
11. Vehicle pane (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna structure is designed to receive high-frequency signals.
12. Use of a vehicle pane (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 through 11, to receive signals for satellite-based navigation, in particular to receive GNSS signals of Navstar GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, NaviC, QZSS.

Images