JP2017069608A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device that can achieve low cost while ensuring antenna performance.SOLUTION: A communication device comprises: an antenna unit including one or more antenna elements; a circuit board on one surface of which formed are a power supply pattern to supply power to the antenna elements and a grounding pattern insulated from the power supply pattern; and an enclosure that is provided with the antenna unit on its outer surface and houses the circuit board, making the grounding pattern connect with its inner surface. The antenna unit, the enclosure, and the circuit board are integrally fixed by covering the antenna unit with a cover, interposing the enclosure between an edge of the cover and an edge of the circuit board, and fastening screws.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device including a metal casing.

  Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with antennas that can receive radio waves even while moving. Such antennas are, for example, those that receive radio waves for telephone and data communication such as mobile phones or car phones, those that receive radio waves for VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System (registered trademark)) information service, ITS It receives many types of radio waves, such as those that receive radio waves for (Intelligent Transport Systems) or ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System).

  In order to receive such various types of radio waves, for example, an integrated antenna is disclosed in which an antenna is also mounted on a dielectric substrate of a connector connected to an antenna mounted on a vehicle (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4286163

  However, in order to ensure the antenna performance, the integrated antenna of Patent Document 1 is installed outside the vehicle body such as the roof of the vehicle, and is provided in the vehicle via the antenna cable while using the vehicle body as a ground plane. Connected to receiving device. For this reason, the wiring of an antenna cable is required, resulting in high cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device capable of realizing low cost while ensuring antenna performance.

  A communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an antenna unit including one or a plurality of antenna elements, a power supply pattern for supplying power to the antenna element, and a substrate on which a ground pattern insulated from the power supply pattern is formed on one surface, The antenna unit is provided on an outer side surface, and includes a housing that accommodates the substrate by connecting the ground pattern to an inner side surface.

  According to the present invention, low cost can be realized while ensuring antenna performance.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the vehicle carrying the communication apparatus of this Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows an example of a structure of the communication apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a top view which shows one surface of the radio | wireless module board | substrate of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st Example of a structure of the antenna part of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd Example of a structure of the antenna part of this Embodiment.

[Description of Embodiment of Present Invention]
A communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an antenna unit including one or a plurality of antenna elements, a power supply pattern for supplying power to the antenna element, and a substrate on which a ground pattern insulated from the power supply pattern is formed on one surface, The antenna unit is provided on an outer side surface, and includes a housing that accommodates the substrate by connecting the ground pattern to an inner side surface.

  The antenna unit includes one or more antenna elements. The substrate has a power supply pattern for supplying power to the antenna element and a ground pattern insulated from the power supply pattern on one surface. The housing is provided with an antenna portion on the outer surface, and accommodates the substrate by connecting the ground pattern to the inner surface. Antenna performance (for example, radiation efficiency of the antenna) can be ensured by using the housing of the communication device as the ground plane of the antenna. In addition, since an antenna cable is not required, the cost can be reduced.

  In the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna unit includes a protruding power supply unit connected to the power supply pattern, and the housing includes an insertion hole into which the power supply unit is inserted.

  The antenna unit includes a protruding power supply unit connected to the power supply pattern, and the housing includes an insertion hole into which the power supply unit is inserted. Thus, power can be supplied to the antenna simply by inserting the protruding power supply portion of the antenna portion into the insertion hole of the housing, and an antenna cable becomes unnecessary. Moreover, since it becomes a simple structure, cost reduction can be achieved.

  In the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the substrate is mounted with a filter unit connected to the antenna element via the feeding pattern on the other surface.

  The substrate is mounted on the other surface with a filter unit connected to the antenna element via a power feeding pattern. That is, the substrate is a double-sided substrate, a power supply pattern and a ground pattern are formed on one surface, and a filter unit (for example, a circuit such as a band-pass filter) is provided on the other surface. As a result, it is possible to provide a communication device to different countries or regions simply by preparing a substrate for each country or region having a different communication standard and replacing the substrate for each country or region.

  In the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna unit includes the antenna element provided with the antenna element and including a dielectric.

  The antenna unit is provided with an antenna element and includes an antenna body including a dielectric. By increasing the relative permittivity of the dielectric, the wavelength shortening rate can be reduced and the antenna length necessary for resonance can be shortened, so that the communication device (especially the antenna unit) can be downsized. it can.

  In the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the antenna body is formed by spherically laminating a plurality of layers having different relative dielectric constants.

  The antenna body is formed by spherically laminating a plurality of layers having different relative dielectric constants. For example, by using a spherical or hemispherical antenna body in which a plurality of layers having different relative dielectric constants (the relative dielectric constant is reduced toward the outer layer) is laminated in the radial direction, transmission / reception of radio waves from a desired direction is possible. Thus, the radio waves can be converged or diffused, and the directivity of the antenna can be improved.

  A communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle.

  By installing in a vehicle, it is possible to send and receive many types of radio waves such as those for receiving radio waves for telephones such as mobile phones and for data communication, for VICS information services, for ITS, and for ETC.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Hereinafter, a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle 1 equipped with a communication device 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an example of the configuration of the communication device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, communication device 100 of the present embodiment is provided inside vehicle 1.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the communication device 100 has a box shape (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape) and includes a metal housing 10. Inside the housing 10, an ECU board 50 on which electronic components constituting an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) are mounted is fixed to the housing 10 (the bottom plate of the housing 10) with screws 71. On the ECU board 50, a connector 60 for connection with the outside is attached.

  Insertion holes 11, 12, and 13 are formed at predetermined positions on the top plate of the housing 10 so as to be separated by an appropriate length. An antenna unit 30 including one or a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of antenna elements is disposed outside the top plate of the housing 10.

  The antenna unit 30 includes projecting power supply units 31, 32, and 33. The power feeding units 31, 32, and 33 are inserted into the insertion holes 11, 12, and 13 of the housing 10, respectively.

  A wireless module substrate 20 as a substrate is disposed inside the top plate of the housing 10. Feeding patterns 21, 22, and 23 are formed on one surface of the wireless module substrate 20 (the surface that contacts the housing 10), and a grounding pattern 24 that is insulated from each of the feeding patterns 21, 22, and 23 is formed. is there.

  And the housing | casing 10 has the antenna part 30 provided in the outer side (outer side surface) of the top plate, connects the ground pattern 24 to the inner side (inner side surface) of the top plate, and accommodates the radio | wireless module board | substrate 20. FIG.

  More specifically, the antenna unit 30 is substantially the same size as the antenna unit 30 and covers the antenna unit 30 with a cover 40 made of synthetic resin (for example, ABS resin), and the end of the cover 40 and the end of the wireless module substrate 20 By tightening the screw 41 so as to sandwich the housing 10, the antenna unit 30, the housing 10 and the wireless module substrate 20 are integrally fixed. As a result, the ground pattern 24 on the wireless module substrate 20 can be electrically connected to the casing 10, and the entire casing 10 forms the ground plane of the antenna. In addition, the antenna unit 30 can be protected by providing the cover 40.

  That is, the ground resistance can be reduced according to the size of the housing 10 by using the housing 10 of the communication device 100 as a ground plane of the antenna. Thereby, since the ratio of the ground resistance to the radiation resistance of the antenna can be reduced, the antenna performance (for example, the radiation efficiency of the antenna) can be ensured. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide an antenna outside the vehicle, an antenna cable is not necessary, and cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the antenna unit 30 includes projecting power feeding units 31, 32, and 33 connected to the power feeding patterns 21, 22, and 23, and the housing 10 has an insertion hole 11 into which the power feeding units 31, 32, and 33 are inserted. , 12 and 13. As a result, power can be supplied to the antenna simply by inserting the projecting power supply portions 31, 32, 33 of the antenna unit 30 into the insertion holes 11, 12, 13 of the housing 10, and an antenna cable is not required. Moreover, since it becomes a simple structure, cost reduction can be achieved.

  In addition, the wireless module substrate 20 mounts an electronic component 25 including a filter portion connected to the antenna element via the power feeding patterns 21, 22, and 23 on the other surface. The filter unit is, for example, a circuit such as a band-pass filter that passes only the radio wave band corresponding to each antenna element. The wireless module substrate 20 is a double-sided substrate, in which power supply patterns 21, 22, 23 and a ground pattern 24 are formed on one surface, and a filter portion is provided on the other surface. As a result, it is possible to provide a communication device to different countries or regions simply by preparing a substrate for each country or region having a different communication standard and replacing the substrate for each country or region.

  The wireless module substrate 20 and the ECU substrate 50 are connected by three connection portions 81, 82, 83. For the connection portions 81, 82, 83, for example, a through hole or the like can be used. The connecting portions 81, 82, and 83 can be a power line, a ground line, and a signal line, respectively. Note that the number of connection portions is not limited to three.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing one surface of the wireless module substrate 20 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless module substrate 20 has, for example, a rectangular shape, and is formed with power feeding patterns 21, 22, and 23 that are separated from each other by an appropriate length in the center. In addition, although the shape of the electric power feeding pattern 21, 22, 23 is circular, it is not limited to this, Other shapes, such as a rectangular shape, may be sufficient. A ground pattern 24 that is electrically insulated from the power supply patterns 21, 22, and 23 is formed on the remaining surface of one surface of the wireless module substrate 20 so as to surround the power supply patterns 21, 22, and 23. The ground pattern 24 is in contact with and electrically connected to the inside of the top plate of the housing 10. The shape of the ground pattern 24 is an example, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, a pattern provided with an appropriate width along the edge of the wireless module substrate 20 may be used.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of the configuration of the antenna unit 30 according to the present embodiment. The antenna unit 30 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, is provided with antenna elements 311, 321, and 331 and antenna elements 311, 321, and 331, and includes an antenna body 34 that includes a dielectric. The antenna elements 311, 321, and 331 may be formed on the surface of the antenna body 34 or may be formed so as to be embedded in the antenna body 34. Further, the antenna elements 311, 321, 331 may be formed so as to be embedded in the surface and inside of the antenna body 34.

  The antenna element 311 is for mobile phone communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), and transmits and receives radio waves in the band of 800 MHz to 2 GHz, for example. The antenna element 321 is, for example, for a wireless LAN communication standard, and transmits / receives radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band, for example. The antenna element 331 is for ITS communication standards, for example, and transmits and receives radio waves in a band of 5.9 GHz, for example. Each communication standard is an example, and the present invention is not limited to these. The shapes of the antenna elements 311, 321, and 331 are schematically illustrated and are not limited to the shapes shown in FIG.

  One end of the antenna element 311 serves as a power feeding unit 31. Similarly, one end of the antenna element 321 is a power feeding unit 32, and one end of the antenna element 331 is a power feeding unit 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the power feeding units 31, 32, and 33 have a protruding shape, and the cross-sectional shape is a circular shape. The power feeding units 31, 32, and 33 are electrically connected to the power feeding patterns 21, 22, and 23 illustrated in FIG.

  The antenna unit 30 includes antenna elements 311, 321, and 331, and includes an antenna body 34 that includes a dielectric. If the relative permittivity of the antenna body 34 is Er, the wavelength shortening rate is inversely proportional to the square root (root) of the relative permittivity Er. Therefore, by increasing the relative permittivity of the dielectric, the wavelength shortening rate can be reduced and the antenna length necessary for resonance can be shortened, so that the communication device (particularly the antenna unit) can be downsized. be able to.

  The relative dielectric constant of the antenna body 34 can be set to, for example, about 25 to 26, but is not limited thereto. The smaller the relative permittivity, the easier it is to process the antenna body 34, but the wavelength shortening rate becomes large, and it becomes difficult to reduce the size of the communication device. Further, when the relative dielectric constant is increased, the wavelength shortening rate can be reduced, but the processing becomes difficult. What is necessary is just to select the dielectric material which has a suitable dielectric constant according to the shape, size, etc. of the antenna body 34. FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the projecting power feeding portions 31, 32, 33 are provided with an insulating portion 36 (a member that prevents electrical contact). Thereby, when the antenna unit 30 is fixed to the housing 10, it is possible to prevent the power feeding units 31, 32, and 33 from coming into contact with the ground pattern 24 of the module substrate 20.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the antenna unit 30 according to the present embodiment. In the first embodiment of FIG. 4, the antenna elements 311, 321, and 331 are separated from each other. However, in the second embodiment, the three antenna elements are integrated into one, and the shape of the antenna element 35 is changed. By appropriately setting, transmission / reception of radio waves in each band similar to the antenna elements 311, 321, and 331 can be performed. Since the three antenna elements are integrated into one, the antenna unit 30 and the communication device 100 can be further downsized.

  In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the three antenna elements 311, 321, and 331 have a structure provided in one antenna body 34, but are not limited thereto. For example, the antenna elements 311, 321, and 331 may be provided in separate and independent antenna bodies, and the three antenna bodies may be separated into appropriate lengths and fixed to the housing 10. This makes it easier to achieve the antenna performance of each antenna element 311, 321, 331.

  In the above example, the shape of the antenna body 34 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the antenna body 34 is not limited to this. For example, the antenna body can be formed by spherically laminating a plurality of layers having different relative dielectric constants. That is, by using a spherical or hemispherical antenna body in which a plurality of layers having different relative dielectric constants (the relative dielectric constant is reduced toward the outer layer) are laminated in the radial direction, transmission / reception of radio waves from a desired direction is achieved. Thus, the radio waves can be converged or diffused, and the directivity of the antenna can be improved.

  By mounting the communication device 100 according to the present embodiment on a vehicle, many types of radio waves such as those for receiving radio waves for telephone and data communication, VICS information service, ITS and ETC for mobile phones and the like are provided. It is possible to send and receive. Moreover, the communication apparatus which integrated the communication functions which vehicles require, such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication, road-to-vehicle communication, and server vehicle-to-vehicle communication, can be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, examples of LTE, wireless LAN, ITS wireless, and the like have been given. However, the communication enabled by the communication apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is not limited to these, and GPS (Global Positioning) System) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are not particularly limited.

  The disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 Vehicle 10 Housing 11, 12, 13 Insertion Hole 20 Wireless Module Board (Board)
21, 22, 23 Power supply pattern 24 Grounding pattern 25 Electronic component (filter part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Antenna part 31,32,33 Feed part 34 Antenna body 311,321,331,35 Antenna element 36 Insulation part 40 Cover 41,71 Screw 50 ECU board 60 Connector 81,82,83 Connection part

Claims (6)

An antenna unit including one or more antenna elements;
A power supply pattern for supplying power to the antenna element and a substrate on which a ground pattern insulated from the power supply pattern is formed on one surface;
A communication device comprising: a housing for housing the substrate by connecting the ground pattern to an inner surface, wherein the antenna portion is provided on an outer surface. The antenna unit is
Protruding power supply unit connected to the power supply pattern,
The housing is
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion hole into which the power feeding unit is inserted. The substrate is
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a filter unit connected to the antenna element via the power feeding pattern is mounted on the other surface. The antenna unit is
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an antenna body including the dielectric element and provided with the antenna element. The antenna body is
The communication device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of layers having different relative dielectric constants are laminated in a spherical shape.   The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is mounted on a vehicle.

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