JP4586053B2 - Antenna device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an antenna device, and more particularly to an antenna device provided in a vehicle with improved sealing performance of a ground base and an antenna module.

  As an antenna device provided in the vehicle, there are various antennas such as an AM / FM radio antenna, a satellite radio antenna, a GPS antenna, and a television antenna. These antenna modules are provided together with a cover on the roof of the vehicle, for example. As an example, there is a vehicle antenna device disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. The vehicle antenna device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is mainly configured by a pedestal that holds an antenna element, a seal, and a case. The seal is composed of a core material and a seal material, and the seal material is provided at the bottom and the peripheral edge of the core material and serves as a lid for the case. The joint of the case and the seal is sealed by the edge of the opening of the case coming into contact with the sealing material.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-20660

  However, in the antenna device of Patent Document 1, since the sealed portion of the case and the seal is not sufficiently sealed, moisture or the like is immersed in the case, and the base made of metal such as aluminum die-casting is corroded or the antenna The module could break down. Moreover, in order to make a flexible sealing material a rigid body, it is necessary to use a pressed steel plate such as a metal plate as a core material, and the number of parts increases, so that the cost cannot be sufficiently reduced. Furthermore, since the sealing was not sufficient, the pressed steel sheet also had a problem of corrosion.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide an antenna device that improves the sealing performance of a ground base and an antenna module while reducing the number of components. It is another object of the present invention to provide an antenna device that can reduce the weight of the antenna device by reducing the size of the ground base while making the ground base versatile.

  In order to achieve the above-described object of the present invention, an antenna device provided in a vehicle according to the present invention includes an antenna module, a ground base on which the antenna module is placed, and a bottom pad positioned between the vehicle and the ground base. A bracket made of an elastic member provided on the bottom pad and into which the peripheral portion of the ground base is inserted; cover means that covers at least the antenna module and the ground base and has a rib that contacts the bracket; and the peripheral edge of the rib and the ground base Fastening means for fastening the cover means to the ground base side so that the space between the two parts is sealed by the bracket.

  Here, the bottom pad and the bracket may be integrally formed.

  The bottom pad may further include a peripheral bracket made of an elastic member into which the peripheral part of the cover means is inserted.

  The cover means includes an inner cover and an outer cover, and the bottom pad further includes a peripheral bracket made of an elastic member into which the peripheral edge of the inner cover is inserted, and the peripheral bracket may be covered with the outer cover. good.

  Further, the fastening means may include a fixing boss and a fastening nut that are screwed together, and the fixing boss may penetrate the ground base from the inside of the vehicle, and the cover means may be fastened by a fastening nut from the outside.

  The cover means includes an inner cover and an outer cover, and the fastening means includes a fixing boss and a fastening nut that are screwed together. The fixing boss penetrates the ground base from the inside of the vehicle, and the inner cover The fastening nut may be fastened from the outside, and the fastening nut may be covered with the outer cover.

  In the antenna device of the present invention, the ground base and the antenna module mounted on the ground base are completely airtight and liquid tightly sealed, thereby reducing the risk of ground base corrosion and submergence of the antenna module. There is an advantage that it is possible to do. In addition, by making the ground base size and shape independent of the shape of the cover, it becomes possible to generalize and standardize the ground base, and there is no need to create a ground base according to the shape of the cover and the vehicle type, Costs related to casting and the like can be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the weight of the antenna device by downsizing the ground base without depending on the shape of the cover. Further, there is no need to separately use a core material or the like as described in the prior art, or a packing for sealing, so that the number of parts can be reduced, so that the cost can be further reduced. . Furthermore, when it is configured so that it can be tightened from the outside of the cover using a fastening nut, it becomes easy to fix to the vehicle, and the screw for sealing and the screw for fixing to the vehicle are shared. There is also an advantage that the number of parts can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a first embodiment of an antenna device provided in a vehicle of the present invention, FIG. 1 (a) is a top view with a cover removed, and FIG. 1 (b) is an antenna. It is bb sectional drawing of an apparatus. As shown in the figure, the antenna device of the present invention mainly includes an antenna module 1, a ground base 2, a bottom pad 3, and a cover 5. The antenna module 1 may be, for example, a satellite radio antenna module, a GPS antenna module, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and antenna modules for various purposes can be applied.

  The ground base 2 is where the antenna module 1 is placed. The ground base 2 is made of a conductive member so as to be a ground plane of the antenna module, and is made of aluminum die cast or the like. Fastening bosses 71 that constitute fastening members 7 for fastening a cover 5 to be described later are provided at four locations around the ground base 2. Note that the position and number of the fastening members 7 are not limited to the illustrated example as long as a cover 5 described later is securely fastened to the ground base 2. Also, a roof fixing boss 20 is provided at a substantially central portion of the ground base 2 to be inserted into an attachment hole formed in the roof R of the vehicle to fix the antenna device. A screw thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the roof fixing boss 20, and the antenna device is fixed using a washer nut 28 screwed into the screw thread. The washer nut 28 has a projecting portion with a sharp tip, and this bites into the roof R when fixed, so that the ground of the antenna device can be reliably conducted to the roof R. The cable 10 connected to the antenna module 1 is guided into the vehicle through the inner cavity portion of the roof fixing boss 20. Furthermore, the ground base 2 is also provided with a cable holding portion 21 for preventing the cable 10 from being pulled out. Since the cable 10 is connected to the antenna module 1 after being rotated around the cable holding portion 21, the cable 10 has a structure that does not easily come out even if the cable is pulled from the inside of the vehicle. The ground base 2 is also provided with a screw boss 25 for fastening the antenna module 1 to the ground base 2 with screws 15.

  The bottom pad 3 is located between the vehicle roof R and the ground base 2. An opening 30 for passing the roof fixing boss 20 and the like is provided in a substantially central portion of the bottom pad 3. When the ground base 2 is fastened to the roof R by the roof fixing boss 20, the bottom pad 3 is sandwiched between the roof R and the ground base 2, and the mounting hole of the antenna device opened in the roof R is sealed. Therefore, the immersion of moisture and the like from here is prevented. Therefore, the bottom pad 3 is preferably made of an elastic member so as to function as a seal member. As the elastic member, it is possible to use an elastomer, polyolefin, polyurethane, or the like that can be melt-molded such as injection molding. It should be noted that a portion of the bottom pad 3 that comes into contact with the roof R may be provided with a predetermined annular ridge so as to firmly seal the space therebetween.

  A bracket 4 made of an elastic member is provided on the bottom pad 3. In the first embodiment, the bracket 4 is annularly provided on the peripheral edge of the bottom pad 3 and is configured such that the peripheral edge of the ground base 2 is inserted therein. That is, the bracket 4 has a shape that matches the shape of the peripheral edge of the ground base 2, and is configured to cover the entire peripheral edge of the ground base 2. Therefore, the bottom of the ground base 2 is covered with the bottom pad 3 and the peripheral edge is covered with the bracket 4. The bracket 4 is made of an elastic member because the peripheral portion of the ground base 2 is inserted and fits. The material of the bracket 4 is an elastomer, polyolefin, polyurethane, which can be melt-molded such as injection molding. Etc. can be used. The bracket 4 may be formed separately from the bottom pad 3 and fixed to the bottom pad 3 by bonding or the like, but may be integrally formed with the bottom pad 3. Furthermore, at four locations around the bracket 4, through-holes 72 are formed through which these penetrate through in accordance with the positions of the fastening bosses 71 constituting the fastening members 7 provided on the ground base 2.

  The cover 5 covers at least the antenna module 1 and the ground base 2 and may have any shape as long as it has a size to cover them. The cover 5 does not depend on the shape of the ground base 2 or the bottom pad 3, and can have various shapes depending on the installation position of the antenna device, the vehicle type, color, preference, and the like. Moreover, you may provide an elastic member in the peripheral part of the cover 5 so that the peripheral part of the cover 5 may contact | abut to the roof R via an elastic member.

  The cover 5 is provided with ribs 6. The rib 6 is provided so as to contact the bracket 4. Specifically, the rib 6 is annularly provided along the bracket 4 and covers the peripheral edge of the ground base 2. And the length and arrangement | positioning position are designed so that it may contact | abut to the bracket 4 without a clearance gap. The rib 6 is formed integrally with the fastening member 7, and the end portion of the fastening member 7 is also configured to abut against the bracket 4. In addition, the predetermined protrusion part may be provided in the contact surface to the bracket 4 of the rib 6 so that it may bite into the bracket 4 and may seal a contact surface firmly.

  For example, when the cover 5 is fastened to the ground base 2 by the fastening member 7 from the lower side of the antenna device, the bracket 4 is sandwiched between the rib 6 and the peripheral edge of the ground base 2, and the gap is sealed by the bracket 4. As a result, the exposed portion of the ground base 2 is hermetically / liquid tightly sealed. Note that the fastening of the cover 5 to the ground base 2 is not necessarily performed from the lower side of the antenna device, and may be fastened by screws from the upper side of the cover 5. In this case, the screw head recess or the like may be covered with a screw cap or a blindfold seal if necessary. Since the antenna device can be fastened from the upper side, the cover can be attached only from the upper side, and the cover can be removed without removing the ground base 2 from the roof R. The sex etc. improve.

  Next, an antenna device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view for explaining a second embodiment of the antenna device provided in the vehicle of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a top view with the cover removed, and FIG. 2 (b) is the antenna. It is bb sectional drawing of an apparatus. In the figure, portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the bottom pad 3 has substantially the same shape as the opening of the cover 5, and the peripheral portion of the cover 5 is inserted on the bottom pad 3 in addition to the bracket 4 into which the ground base 2 is inserted. A peripheral bracket 40 made of an elastic member is further provided in an annular shape. The peripheral bracket 40 has a shape that matches the shape of the peripheral portion of the cover 5, and is configured to cover the entire peripheral portion of the cover 5.

  The peripheral bracket 40 is formed of an elastic member because the peripheral portion of the cover 5 is inserted and fits. As the material of the peripheral bracket 40, as in the bracket 4, melt molding such as injection molding is performed. Possible elastomers, polyolefins, polyurethanes and the like can be used. The peripheral bracket 40 may be formed separately from the bottom pad 3 and fixed to the bottom pad 3 by bonding or the like, but may be integrally formed with the bottom pad 3.

  The bottom pad 3 has the same shape as the opening of the cover 5, and the cover 5 can be stably fixed to the bottom pad 3 by inserting the peripheral edge of the cover 5 into the peripheral bracket 40, and the bottom pad 3 is attached to the cover 5. Since it is in a stretched state, it does not flex and becomes a plate shape. By increasing the size of the bottom pad 3, it is possible to suppress flooding or the like to the bottom of the antenna device. When the cover 5 is tightened by the fastening member 7, the space between the rib 6 and the ground base 2 is sealed by the bracket 4, and the peripheral portion of the cover 5 also presses the pad 3 at the peripheral bracket 40. Is also sealed. Further, when a large ground surface of the antenna device is desired, a ground surface larger than the ground base 2 can be realized by configuring the bottom pad 3 with a conductive elastic member such as a conductive rubber. Since the ground base 2 is made of aluminum die-casting or the like, the mold becomes expensive when the ground base 2 is large. However, if the bottom pad 3 is enlarged while the ground base 2 is small, the cost can be reduced.

  In the illustrated example, since the peripheral bracket 40 covers the peripheral part of the cover 5, the upper surface of the peripheral bracket 40 is exposed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the peripheral part side wall of the cover 5 does not go round. Of course, it is also possible to provide a groove portion that covers the upper surface of the peripheral bracket 40 with the upper portion of the groove portion so that the peripheral bracket 40 fits into the groove portion.

  Next, an antenna device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining a third embodiment of the antenna device provided in the vehicle of the present invention. FIG. 3 (a) is a top view with the cover removed, and FIG. 3 (b) is the antenna. It is bb sectional drawing of an apparatus. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the antenna device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) is a top perspective view and FIG. 4 (b) is a bottom perspective view. In the figure, portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 and FIG. Reference numeral 27 shown in FIG. 4 represents a temporary fixing pin for temporarily fixing the ground base 2 to the roof R via the bottom pad 3. The temporary fixing pin 27 is not an indispensable component of the antenna device of the present invention, but if it is used, the antenna device can be efficiently attached.

  In the third embodiment, an inner cover 50 and an outer cover 51 are used instead of the cover 5. Then, the bottom pad 3 has substantially the same shape as the openings of the inner cover 50 and the outer cover 51. On the bottom pad 3, in addition to the bracket 4 into which the ground base 2 is inserted, as in the second embodiment, A peripheral bracket 40 made of an elastic member into which the peripheral portion of the inner cover 50 is inserted is provided in an annular shape. The peripheral bracket 40 has a shape that matches the shape of the peripheral portion of the inner cover 50 and is configured to cover the entire peripheral portion of the inner cover 50. As shown in the figure, the peripheral edge of the inner cover 50 is inserted into the peripheral bracket 40, and the peripheral bracket 40 is covered with the outer cover 51.

  The inner cover 50 is fastened to the ground base 2 side with the bracket 4 interposed therebetween. The rib 6 that abuts on the bracket 4 is provided on the inner cover 50, and the inner cover 50 is firmly fastened to the ground base 2 by a fastening member 7 including a screw 70 and a fastening boss 71. Thereby, the gap between the rib 6 and the peripheral edge of the ground base 2 is sealed by the bracket 4. In the illustrated example, the inner cover 50 is fastened to the ground base 2 from the upper side of the inner cover 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inner cover 50 is connected to the ground base 2 from the lower side of the antenna device. May be concluded. However, since the antenna device can be fastened from the upper side, the cover can be attached only from the upper side, and the cover can be removed without removing the ground base 2 from the roof R. In addition, maintainability is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the outer cover 51 is fixed by a latch 54 provided on the outer cover 51 being hooked on a latch receiving portion 55 provided on the inner cover 50. The present invention is not limited to this, and any method may be used as long as the outer cover 51 is fixed to the inner cover 50.

  In the third embodiment, the cover is divided into the inner cover 50 and the outer cover 51 so that the appearance of the antenna device does not depend on the shape of the inner cover 50 provided with various structures such as the rib 6. Is possible. Even when the inner cover 50 is fastened from the upper side, the screw holes and the like can be completely covered with the outer cover 51, so that the appearance is not impaired.

  Next, an antenna device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the antenna device provided in the vehicle of the present invention. FIG. 5 (a) is a top view with the outer cover removed, and FIG. It is bb sectional drawing of the antenna apparatus in the state which attached the outer cover. 5A shows a state in which the inner cover 50 is attached to the bottom pad 3. FIG. In the figure, portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In the fourth embodiment, a roof fixing fastening boss 75, a flange nut 76, and a toothed washer 78 are used in place of the fastening member 7, the roof fixing boss 20 and the washer nut 28 in the third embodiment. The roof fixing fastening boss 75 that is a fixing boss and the flange nut 76 that is a fastening nut are screwed together.

  The roof fixing fastening boss 75 is threaded at the tip and has a flange portion 79 near the center. The flange portion 79 supports the toothed washer 78 and prevents the toothed washer 78 from dropping from the roof fixing fastening boss 75. The toothed washer 78 has a projecting portion with a sharp tip, and this bites into the roof R when fixed, so that the ground of the antenna device can be reliably conducted to the roof R. Further, the roof fixing fastening boss 75 passes through the opening of the ground base 2 from the inside of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, a temporary fixing latch 77 is provided on the roof fixing fastening boss 75. The temporary fixing latch 77 is for temporarily fixing the roof fixing fastening boss 75 to the roof R when the roof fixing fastening boss 75 is inserted from the inside of the vehicle. The temporary fixing latch 77 is not an essential component of the antenna device of the present invention, but if it is used, the antenna device can be attached efficiently. The roof fixing and fastening boss 75 has a hollow cylindrical shape for passing a cable or the like (not shown) inside, and the cable or the like is provided in the antenna module or the like inside the antenna by providing a notch in the cylindrical portion. It is possible to connect.

  The flange nut 76 has a thread on the inner side thereof that matches the thread at the tip of the roof fixing fastening boss 75, and is screwed into the roof fixing fastening boss 75. Further, the inner cover 50 is provided with a recess 57 that matches the shape of the flange nut 76, and the flange nut 76 is fitted into the recess 57. The outer cover 51 covers the inner cover including the flange nut 76.

  In the fourth embodiment of the antenna device according to the present invention, the inner cover 50 is fastened by the flange nut 76 at the position of the recess 57 from the outside of the inner cover 50, so that the flange portion of the flange nut 76 connects the inner cover 50 to the antenna base. The bracket 6 is sealed between the rib 6 and the peripheral edge of the ground base 2. At the same time, by tightening the flange nut 76, the toothed washer 78 bites into the roof R, and the antenna device is securely fixed to the roof. In this way, the sealing and fixing are completed by only tightening one nut only from the side where the antenna device is attached, that is, from the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, it is only necessary to confirm the tightness of the nut to determine whether it is securely sealed and fixed. For this reason, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the fixing to the vehicle is facilitated, the screw for sealing and the screw for fixing to the vehicle can be made common, and the number of parts can be reduced. .

  It should be noted that a thread may also be cut in the opening of the ground base 2 through which the roof fixing fastening boss 75 passes. Thereby, it is possible to separate and tighten the tightening on the roof side and the tightening on the seal (bracket 4) side.

  If necessary, the inner cover may be fastened to the ground base side more firmly using screws or the like in addition to the flange nut and the roof fixing fastening boss in order to further improve the waterproofness. Further, the concave portion provided in the inner cover may have a wider range, and the flange of the flange nut may be enlarged, or a separate washer may be used to press the wide range of the inner cover.

  In the illustrated example described above, based on the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inner cover 50 is provided with the recess 57, the flange nut 76 is fitted therein, and the outer cover 51 is covered from above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be based on the first embodiment or the second embodiment shown in FIGS. That is, the concave portion 57 into which the flange nut 76 is fitted may be provided in the cover 5. In this case, in order to avoid the flange nut 76 being exposed to the outside, the concave portion 57 may be covered with a screw cap or the like.

  Further, in the illustrated example, the roof fixing fastening boss is shown as penetrating through the opening of the ground base. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the opening inside the cover such as a circuit board is further provided if necessary. Of course, it may be provided so as to penetrate here.

  Here, in the illustrated example described above, the roof fixing fastening boss 75 is inserted into the roof mounting hole from the inside of the vehicle and temporarily fixed by the temporary fixing latch 77, and then the ground base or the like is installed from the outside of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, instead of the toothed washer 78, it is also possible to use a legged washer for a vehicle roof antenna mounting apparatus as described in JP-A-2006-248486 by the same applicant as the present applicant. In this case, the leg portion is provided with a tapered portion so that the leg portion closed at the time of attachment spreads outward from the attachment hole at the time of fastening. If such a washer with a leg is used, the antenna device in which the roof fixing fastening boss is temporarily fastened to the flange nut is inserted into the roof mounting hole from the outside of the vehicle, and the flange nut is tightened on the antenna device. The leg of the attached washer spreads out and is fixed to the roof and is sealed by the bracket. If comprised in this way, the operation | work from the vehicle inner side will become unnecessary at all, and a seal | sticker and fixation will be completed only by the operation | work only from the vehicle outer side. The legged washer may be pressed by the flange portion 79 of FIG. 5, or the roof fixing fastening boss may be formed in a bolt shape, and the head portion of the bolt may be used as the flange portion.

  The antenna device of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples described above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the illustrated example described above, the antenna device provided on the roof of the vehicle has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to an antenna device provided on a trunk lid, a fender, a back door, or the like. Moreover, although only the planar antenna structure is shown in the illustrated example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to an antenna device having a rod antenna structure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a first embodiment of an antenna device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a top view with a cover removed, and FIG. It is b sectional drawing. 2A and 2B are schematic views for explaining a second embodiment of the antenna device of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a top view of the antenna device with the cover removed, and FIG. It is b sectional drawing. 3A and 3B are schematic views for explaining a third embodiment of the antenna device of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a top view of the antenna device with the cover removed, and FIG. It is b sectional drawing. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the antenna device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a top perspective view and FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view. FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the antenna device of the present invention, FIG. 4 (a) is a top view with the outer cover removed, and FIG. 4 (b) is an attached outer cover. It is bb sectional drawing of the antenna apparatus in a state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Antenna module 2 Ground base 3 Bottom pad 4 Bracket 5 Cover 6 Rib 7 Fastening member 10 Cable 15 Screw 20 Roof fixing boss 21 Cable clamping part 25 Screw boss 27 Temporary fixing pin 28 Washer nut 30 Opening 40 Peripheral bracket 50 Inner cover 51 Outer Cover 54 Latch 55 Latch receiving part 57 Recess 70 Screw 71 Fastening boss 72 Through hole 75 Roof fixing fastening boss 76 Flange nut 77 Temporary fastening latch 78 Toothed washer 79 Flange part R Roof

Claims (6)

An antenna device provided in a vehicle, the antenna device is
An antenna module;
A ground base on which the antenna module is placed;
A bottom pad located between the vehicle and the ground base;
A bracket made of an elastic member provided on the bottom pad and into which a peripheral edge of the ground base is inserted;
Cover means for covering at least the antenna module and the ground base and having a rib abutting against the bracket;
Fastening means for fastening the cover means to the ground base side so that a gap between the rib and the peripheral edge of the ground base is sealed by the bracket;
An antenna device comprising:   The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom pad and the bracket are integrally formed.   3. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom pad further includes a peripheral bracket made of an elastic member into which a peripheral portion of the cover means is inserted.   3. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the cover means includes an inner cover and an outer cover, and the bottom pad further includes a peripheral bracket including an elastic member into which a peripheral portion of the inner cover is inserted. The antenna device is characterized in that the peripheral bracket is covered with the outer cover.   4. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means includes a fixing boss and a fastening nut that are screwed together, and the fixing boss penetrates the ground base from the inside of the vehicle. And the said antenna means is fastened with the said fastening nut from the outer side, The antenna apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   3. The antenna device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover means includes an inner cover and an outer cover, and the fastening means includes a fixing boss and a fastening nut that are screwed together. A boss penetrates the ground base from the inside of the vehicle, the inner cover is fastened from the outside by the fastening nut, and the fastening nut is covered by the outer cover.