JP7561007B2 - Antenna device and method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device - Google Patents

Description

The disclosed embodiment relates to an antenna device and a method for attaching and detaching the antenna device.

Conventionally, vehicle antennas are known that are attached to the window glass of vehicles such as automobiles and receive radio waves such as television broadcasts. Between such vehicle antennas and downstream equipment, an output unit is disposed that has an output section that outputs signals received by the vehicle antenna to the downstream equipment.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an antenna device that includes a holder that is placed on a window glass, an output unit that stores an output unit in a space formed by the engagement of a case member and a cover member, and is assembled into the holder so that the connection terminal of the output unit is connected to an antenna element placed on the window glass via the holder.

In addition, this antenna device has a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the planar direction of the window glass as the engagement/disengagement direction in which the case member and the cover member are disengaged, and is provided with a restricting portion that restricts movement of the case member in this engagement/disengagement direction.

When a force greater than a predetermined value acts on the output unit in the engagement/disengagement direction while the output unit is installed in the holder, the restricting portion restricts movement of the case member, and the cover member disengages from the case member, making it possible to easily engage and disengage the output unit from the holder.

JP 2013-051187 A

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has room for further improvement in terms of preventing the connection terminal from interfering with the surroundings when the output unit is engaged or disengaged.

For example, depending on the structure of the vehicle's interior, the position of the output unit, the shape of the window glass, etc., it may be preferable for the engagement and disengagement direction to be along the planar direction of the window glass. However, in such cases, if an attempt is made to engage and disengage the output unit along the planar direction of the window glass, the connection terminal may interfere with, for example, a holder, making removal difficult.

This issue is not limited to the output unit described above, but is a common issue with antenna devices that have a connection terminal to an antenna element and a main body that can be attached to and detached from a holder.

One aspect of the embodiment has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an antenna device and a method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device that can prevent the connection terminal from interfering with the surroundings when engaging or disengaging the main body.

The antenna device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a holder and a main body. The holder is fixed to an installation surface on which an antenna is formed. The main body is provided so that a connection terminal to the antenna protrudes downward from a bottom surface, and is attached to the holder so as to be detachable with a rear direction parallel to the installation surface as an engagement/disengagement direction. The main body also includes a guide portion. The guide portion is provided so as to protrude in the width direction of the main body. The holder also includes a guide receiving portion. The guide receiving portion has an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the engagement/disengagement direction, and abuts against the guide portion to guide the guide portion when the main body is engaged or disengaged.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the connection terminal from interfering with the surroundings when the main body is engaged or disengaged.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an amplifier unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an output unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the antenna device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the antenna device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a method for engaging and disengaging an antenna device according to a comparative example of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a second explanatory diagram of a method for engaging and disengaging an antenna device according to a comparative example of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the amplifier unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the holder according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a first explanatory diagram of the operation of the amplifier unit according to the embodiment when it is engaged or disengaged. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an opening of a holder according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic view of part M5 shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of the portion M6 shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a second explanatory diagram of the operation of the amplifier unit according to the embodiment when it is engaged or disengaged. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing angles of the protrusions of the case members. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the angle of the inclined surface of the cutout portion of the holder. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the height of the protruding portion of the case member and the height of the protruding portion of the holder. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between the engagement force of the engagement claw and the protrusion and the fixing force to the window glass.

Below, embodiments of the antenna device and the method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

In the following, an amplifier unit, which is one of the output units, is given as an example of a main body to be attached to the holder, but the main body is not limited to this. For example, the main body may be an output unit that incorporates a matching circuit for impedance matching as an output unit, or an output unit that incorporates a circuit as an output unit that simply transmits a signal received by the antenna to a downstream device. The main body may also be a unit that transmits a signal to the antenna to irradiate radio waves.

In addition, for ease of understanding, each of the drawings shown below illustrates a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system in which the vehicle window glass, which is the installation surface, is the YX plane, and the Z axis direction is an orthogonal direction that is approximately perpendicular to the XY plane. Therefore, the direction along the XY plane refers to the planar direction of the window glass.

In addition, in this orthogonal coordinate system, the negative side of the Y axis points to the front of the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, and the positive side of the Y axis points to the rear.

In addition, in the following, "parallel" does not mean strictly parallel in a geometric sense, but includes cases where the two are approximately parallel with a tolerance.

First, FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an amplifier unit 11 according to an embodiment. Also, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an output section 111 according to an embodiment.

The amplifier unit 11 is a device that is provided between the vehicle antenna and a downstream device, amplifies a signal received by the vehicle antenna, and outputs the signal to the downstream device. As shown in FIG. 1, the amplifier unit 11 includes an output section 111, a cover member 112, and a case member 113.

2, the output unit 111 includes a circuit board 111a, a connector unit 111b, and connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2. The circuit board 111a has an amplifier circuit (not shown), and is housed in a space formed by the engagement of the cover member 112 and the case member 113.

The connector unit 111b is a connection interface to a downstream device, and outputs the amplified signal to the downstream device, such as a receiver for one-segment broadcasting or terrestrial digital television broadcasting, via a cable (not shown).

The connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 are arranged along the Y-axis direction on the circuit board 111a, and are provided so as to protrude downward from the case member 113 when the cover member 112 and the case member 113 are engaged to store the output unit 111. The connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 are elastic.

The amplifier unit 11 thus configured is attached to, for example, the window glass of a vehicle via the holder 12 described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 112 has an engagement claw 112a. The amplifier unit 11 engages with the holder 12 by means of the engagement claw 112a.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the antenna device 10 includes an amplifier unit 11 and a holder 12.

The holder 12 is a generally box-shaped member that is open at the top and rear end, and has a pair of protrusions 121. The holder 12 is fixed to the vehicle window glass w, for example, using double-sided tape tp-1 and tp-2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the amplifier unit 11 is attached to the window glass w so that the connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 are connected via the holder 12 to the power supply points ps-1 and ps-2 of the antenna elements e-1 and e-2, respectively, which are formed on the window glass w.

As shown in FIG. 4, the amplifier unit 11 is attached to the window glass w by engaging the aforementioned engagement claw 112a with the protrusion 121 of the holder 12. The engagement claw 112a is configured to elastically deform upward when a pulling force is applied, and to return to its original shape when the load is removed, extending along the Y-axis direction.

For example, if the amplifier unit 11 fails, the engagement claw 112a can be pulled up to release the engagement with the holder 12, allowing the amplifier unit 11 to be disengaged, i.e., removed, for replacement.

However, depending on the structure of the vehicle's interior, the position of the amplifier unit 11, the shape of the window glass w, etc., it may be preferable for the direction in which the amplifier unit 11 is engaged and disengaged to be along the planar direction of the window glass w. In such cases, however, if an attempt is made to engage and disengage the amplifier unit 11 along the planar direction of the window glass w, the aforementioned connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 may interfere with, for example, the holder 12, making removal difficult.

Specifically, the following description will be given with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of a method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to a comparative example of the embodiment. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of a method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to a comparative example of the embodiment.

When the amplifier unit 11 is to be engaged or disengaged along the planar direction of the window glass w, as shown in FIG. 5, first the engagement claw 112a is pulled up (see arrow a1 in the figure), the engagement between the engagement claw 112a and the protrusion 121 is released, and the amplifier unit 11 is then pulled out in the engagement/disengagement direction (see arrow a2 in the figure).

As a result, as shown in parts M1 and M2 in Figures 5 and 6, there is a risk that the connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 may interfere with and become caught on the peripheral portions of the openings 122-1 and 122-2 of the holder 12 that are formed to allow the connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 to protrude.

In this way, if the connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 get caught on the surroundings (here, the peripheral portions of the openings 122-1 and 122-2), it will be difficult to remove the amplifier unit 11.

In the method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, the antenna device 10 includes a holder 12 fixed to an installation surface on which the antenna element e is formed, and an amplifier unit 11 that stores an output unit 111 that outputs a signal received by the antenna element e to a downstream device in a space formed by the engagement of the case member 113 and the cover member 112, and is detachably attached to the holder 12 with the rear direction parallel to the installation surface being the engagement and disengagement direction. The amplifier unit 11 includes a connection terminal 111c that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the amplifier unit 11, and a "guide portion" that protrudes in the width direction of the amplifier unit 11. The holder 12 includes a "guide receiving portion" having an inclined surface 123a that slopes upward in the engagement and disengagement direction, and when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, the "guide portion" is abutted against the "guide receiving portion" to guide the "guide portion".

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the amplifier unit 11 according to the embodiment. Also, Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the holder 12 according to the embodiment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the amplifier unit 11 further includes a protrusion 113a at the front end of the case member 113. The amplifier unit 11 further includes a notch 113b at the rear end of the case member 113. The case member 113 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a longitudinal center line parallel to the Y-axis direction, and a pair of protrusions 113a and a pair of notches 113b are provided on the left and right sides of the case member 113.

The protrusion 113a is provided so as to protrude in the width direction of the amplifier unit 11. The protrusion 113a is formed in a shape that slopes downward toward the front of the amplifier unit 11, that is, slopes upward toward the rear of the amplifier unit 11 in the engagement/disengagement direction.

Like the protruding portion 113a, the cutout portion 113b is cut out in a shape that slopes downward toward the front of the amplifier unit 11, that is, slopes upward toward the rear of the amplifier unit 11 in the engagement/disengagement direction. In addition, a horizontal plane extends from the lower end of the cutout portion 113b toward the front of the amplifier unit 11.

Note that cutout portion 113b and the horizontal surface extending from cutout portion 113b are provided to protrude in the width direction of amplifier unit 11, similar to protrusion portion 113a, and therefore can be considered to be an example of a "protrusion portion."

As shown in FIG. 8, the holder 12 further includes a notch 123 at the front end. The holder 12 further includes a protrusion 124 at the rear end. The holder 12 is symmetrical about a longitudinal center line parallel to the Y-axis direction, and a pair of the notch 123 and the protrusion 124 are provided on the left and right sides of the holder 12.

The cutout portion 123 is cut out to have an inclined surface 123a that slopes downward toward the front of the holder 12, that is, slopes upward toward the rear of the holder 12 in the engagement/disengagement direction. The cutout portion 123 is further cut out to have a horizontal surface that extends from the upper end of the inclined surface 123a to the protrusion 121 described above.

Like the inclined surface 123a, the protrusion 124 is formed in a shape having an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front of the holder 12, that is, slopes upward toward the rear of the holder 12 in the engagement/disengagement direction.

In the method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, when engaging and disengaging the amplifier unit 11, the protrusion 113a of the amplifier unit 11 is moved along the inclined surface 123a of the cutout portion 123, and the cutout portion 113b of the amplifier unit 11 is moved along the inclined surface of the protrusion portion 124, thereby engaging and disengaging the amplifier unit 11 from the holder 12 without causing the connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 to interfere with the surroundings.

In other words, in the method for engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, the protrusion 113a and the cutout 113b of the amplifier unit 11 function as a "guide portion" that guides the amplifier unit 11. Also, the cutout 123 and the protrusion 124 of the holder 12 function as a "guide receiving portion" that guides the "guide portion."

An example of such operation during engagement and disengagement will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the operation during engagement and disengagement of the amplifier unit 11 according to the embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the opening 122 of the holder 12 according to the embodiment. Fig. 11 is an enlarged schematic view of the M5 portion shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of the M6 portion shown in Fig. 9.

Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the operation of the amplifier unit 11 according to the embodiment when it is engaged or disengaged. Note that in explanations using Figure 9 or Figure 13, each figure separated by a downward white arrow may be referred to as the first row, second row, third row, etc.

As shown in the first row of FIG. 9, in the method of engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, similar to that described with reference to FIG. 5, first, the engagement claw 112a is pulled up (see arrow a1 in the figure), the engagement between the engagement claw 112a and the protrusion 121 is released, and the amplifier unit 11 is pulled out in the engagement and disengagement direction (see arrow a2 in the figure).

Then, in the method of engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, the protrusion 113a of the amplifier unit 11 comes into contact with the inclined surface 123a of the holder 12, as shown in part M3 in the second row of FIG. 9. At the same time, the cutout 113b of the amplifier unit 11 comes into contact with the inclined surface of the protrusion 124 of the holder 12, as shown in part M4.

At this time, it is sufficient that a part of the protrusion 113a and the inclined surface 123a are in contact. Similarly, it is sufficient that a part of the cutout 113b and the inclined surface of the protrusion 124 are in contact. In other words, it is sufficient that there is at least linear contact between the protrusion 113a and the inclined surface 123a, and between the cutout 113b and the inclined surface of the protrusion 124.

In the method of engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, as shown in the third and fourth rows of FIG. 9, when the amplifier unit 11 is further pulled out in the engaging and disengaging direction (see arrow a2 in the figure), the protrusion 113a is guided along the inclined surface 123a (see arrows a3 and a5 in the figure). Similarly, the cutout portion 113b is guided along the inclined surface of the protrusion 124 (see arrows a4 and a6 in the figure). That is, the amplifier unit 11 is guided by the inclined surface 123a and the inclined surface of the protrusion 124, causing it to tilt.

During this process, the connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 pass through openings 122-1 and 122-2, respectively, which are opened in the bottom surface of the holder 12, as shown in FIG. 10. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the opening 122-1 is opened so that a sufficient clearance i1 is ensured when the connection terminal 111c-1 passes through.

As shown in FIG. 12, the opening 122-2 is opened so that a sufficient clearance i2 is ensured when the connection terminal 111c-2 passes through. This makes it possible to prevent the connection terminals 111c-1 and 111c-2 from interfering with the openings 122-1 and 122-2 of the holder 12 when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged.

In the method of engaging and disengaging the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment, as shown in the first row of FIG. 13, when the amplifier unit 11 is further pulled out in the engaging and disengaging direction (see arrow a2 in the figure), the protrusion 113a is further guided along the inclined surface 123a (see arrow a7 in the figure) and then leaves the inclined surface 123a. Also, the cutout portion 113b is further guided along the inclined surface of the protrusion 124 (see arrow a8 in the figure) and then leaves the inclined surface of the protrusion 124.

Then, as shown in the second row of FIG. 13, when the amplifier unit 11 is pulled further in the engagement/disengagement direction (see arrow a2 in the figure), the protrusion 113a is guided along the horizontal surface of the cutout portion 123, which extends further along the Y-axis direction from the inclined surface 123a (see arrow a9 in the figure).

The horizontal surface of the case member 113 extending from the cutout portion 113b along the Y-axis direction is guided along the tip of the protrusion portion 124 (see arrow a10 in the figure). Then, as shown by the M7 portion in the figure, the protrusion portion 113a comes into contact with the protrusion portion 121 of the holder 12.

As shown in the third row of FIG. 13, when the amplifier unit 11 is further pulled out in the engagement/disengagement direction (see arrow a2 in the figure), the protrusion 113a moves further without getting caught while abutting against the protrusion 121 due to its inclined shape (see arrow a11 in the figure). Then, as shown in part M8 in the figure, the protrusion 113a rides up onto the tip of the protrusion 121.

This prevents damage to the case member 113 and holder 12 when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged.

Then, by pulling the amplifier unit 11 further in the engagement/disengagement direction, the amplifier unit 11 can be completely disengaged from the holder 12.

Next, the relationship between the angle of the protrusion 113a and the angle of the inclined surface 123a will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a diagram showing the angle of the protrusion 113a of the case member 113. Also, Figure 15 is a diagram showing the angle of the inclined surface 123a of the cutout portion 123 of the holder 12.

As shown in FIG. 14, the angle between the protrusion 113a and the Y-axis direction, in other words, the inclination angle of the protrusion 113a, is defined as angle a. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the angle between the inclined surface 123a and the Y-axis direction, in other words, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 123a, is defined as angle b.

Angle a is an angle that slopes downward toward the front of the case member 113 and slopes upward toward the rear, which is the direction of engagement and disengagement, and is set, for example, so that "5 degrees ≦ a ≦ 60 degrees." Angle b is an angle that slopes downward toward the front of the holder 12 and slopes upward toward the rear, which is the direction of engagement and disengagement, and is set, like angle a, so that, for example, "5 degrees ≦ a ≦ 60 degrees."

The angles a and b are set so that the relative relationship between them is "a ≥ b." This allows the lower end of the protrusion 113a to come into at least line contact with the inclined surface 123a when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged.

Note that even if the inclination angle of the cutout portion 113b is angle a and the inclination angle of the inclined surface of the protrusion portion 124 is angle b, the possible ranges of angles a and b, as well as the relative relationship between angles a and b, are the same as those described above.

Next, the relationship between the height of the protrusion 113a and the height of the protrusion 121 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the height of the protrusion 113a of the case member 113 and the height of the protrusion 121 of the holder 12. Note that FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of the state in which the protrusion 113a abuts against the protrusion 121 (see part M7 in FIG. 13).

As shown in FIG. 16, the height of the protrusion 113a is defined as height h1. The height of the protrusion 121 is defined as height h2. In this case, the heights h1 and h2 are set so that the relative relationship is "h1>h2."

As a result, when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, the protrusion 113a that has left the inclined surface 123a can be stopped once by the protrusion 121, and can then be made to ride up onto the tip of the protrusion 121 while abutting against the protrusion 121. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the case member 113 and the holder 12 when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged.

Next, the relationship between the engagement force of the engagement claw 112a and the protrusion 121 and the fixing force to the window glass w will be explained using Figure 17. Figure 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between the engagement force of the engagement claw 112a and the protrusion 121 and the fixing force to the window glass w.

As shown in FIG. 17, the engagement force of the engagement claw 112a and the protrusion 121 applied to part M9 in the figure and the fixing force to the window glass w applied to part M10 in the figure by the double-sided tapes tp-1 and tp-2 are set so that the relative "engagement force < fixing force".

This makes it possible to reliably detach only the amplifier unit 11 from the holder 12 when engaging or disengaging the amplifier unit 11. Note that, although the holder 12 is fixed to the window glass w using double-sided tapes tp-1 and tp-2 here, this is not limited to this, and for example, an adhesive may also be used between the double-sided tapes tp-1 and tp-2.

As described above, the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment includes a holder 12 and an amplifier unit 11 (corresponding to an example of a "main body"). The holder 12 is fixed to a window glass w (corresponding to an example of an "installation surface") on which an antenna element e (corresponding to an example of an "antenna") is formed. The amplifier unit 11 is attached to the holder 12 so that a connection terminal 111c to the antenna element e protrudes downward from the bottom surface, and is detachably attached to the holder 12 with the rear direction parallel to the window glass w as the engagement and detachment direction. The amplifier unit 11 also includes a protrusion 113a and a cutout portion 113b (corresponding to an example of a "guide portion"). The protrusion 113a and the cutout portion 113b are provided so as to protrude in the width direction of the amplifier unit 11. The holder 12 also includes a cutout portion 123 and a protrusion portion 124 (corresponding to an example of a "guide receiving portion"). The notch 123 and the protrusion 124 have an inclined surface that slopes upward in the direction of engagement and disengagement, and come into contact with the protrusion 113a and the notch 113b to guide the protrusion 113a and the notch 113b when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the connection terminal 111c from interfering with the surroundings when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged.

In addition, the protrusion 113a and the cutout 113b are formed with an inclination angle that slopes upward in the engagement/disengagement direction.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, it is possible to tilt the amplifier unit 11 so that the connection terminal 111c dodges the surroundings.

The protrusions 113a and cutouts 113b are provided in pairs on the left and right at the front and rear ends of the amplifier unit 11, and the cutouts 123 and protrusions 124 are provided in pairs on the left and right at the front and rear ends of the holder 12.

Therefore, the antenna device 10 according to the embodiment makes it possible to stably guide the amplifier unit 11 when engaging or disengaging the amplifier unit 11.

The holder 12 further includes a protrusion 121 that is arranged to come into contact with the protrusion 113a when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged after the protrusion 113a leaves the inclined surface 123a and the amplifier unit 11 is further engaged or disengaged in the engagement or disengagement direction.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, the protrusion 113a that has left the inclined surface 123a can be temporarily stopped by the protrusion 121.

In addition, the protrusion 121 has a shape that allows the protrusion 113a to ride up onto the tip of the protrusion 121 while abutting when a force acts to disengage the amplifier unit 11 in the engagement/disengagement direction after the protrusion 113a abuts against the protrusion 121.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, the inclined surface 123a, which has been stopped once, can be made to ride up onto the tip of the protrusion 121 while abutting against the protrusion 121. Therefore, damage to the case member 113 and the holder 12 when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged can be prevented.

The amplifier unit 11 further includes an engagement claw 112a that extends in a direction opposite to the engagement/disengagement direction, and the protrusion 121 has a shape that can engage with the engagement claw 112a, and engages with the engagement claw 112a when the amplifier unit 11 is attached to the holder 12.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, when the amplifier unit 11 is attached to the holder 12, the amplifier unit 11 can be held in place by the holder 12 with a predetermined engagement force.

In addition, the engagement force between the engagement claw 112a and the protrusion 121 is smaller than the fixing force of the holder 12 to the window glass w.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, it is possible to reliably detach only the amplifier unit 11 from the holder 12.

In addition, the height h2 of the protrusion 121 is smaller than the height h1 of the protrusion 113a.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, the protrusion 113a that has left the inclined surface 123a is temporarily stopped by the protrusion 121, and can be made to ride up reliably onto the tip of the protrusion 121 while abutting against the protrusion 121.

In addition, the inclination angle of the protrusion 113a and the cutout 113b is greater than or equal to the inclination angle of the cutout 123 and the protrusion 124.

Therefore, according to the antenna device 10 of the embodiment, when the amplifier unit 11 is engaged or disengaged, the lower ends of the protrusion 113a and the cutout 113b can be in at least line contact with the cutout 123 and the protrusion 124.

In the above embodiment, the protrusion 113a and the notch 113b, which correspond to the "guide portion," are shaped to have an upward incline toward the engagement/disengagement direction. However, this is not limiting and any shape that allows movement along the "guide receiving portion" may be used. For example, the protrusion 113a and the notch 113b may be shaped like a shaft that protrudes toward the width of the amplifier unit 11.

In the above embodiment, the antenna device 10 attached to the vehicle window glass w on which the antenna elements e-1 and e-2 are formed is given as an example of an antenna device, but the antenna device is not limited to this. For example, the antenna device may be an antenna device in which an antenna element is formed on glass other than the window glass w or in a location including a member other than the vehicle window glass w, and the main body is fixed via a holder so that a connection terminal is connected to the antenna element.

Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Antenna device 11 Amplifier unit 12 Holder 111 Output section 111a Circuit board 111b Connector section 111c Connection terminal 112 Cover member 112a Engagement claw 113 Case member 113a Protrusion 113b Cutout section 121 Protruding section 122 Opening 123 Cutout section 123a Inclined surface 124 Protruding section e Antenna element w Window glass

Claims (10)

a holder that is fixed to an installation surface on which the antenna is formed;
a main body portion having a connection terminal for connecting to the antenna protruding downward from a bottom surface thereof, the main body portion being detachably attached to the holder with a rear direction parallel to the installation surface as an engagement/disengagement direction;
The main body portion is
a guide portion provided so as to protrude in a width direction of the main body portion,
The holder includes:
an antenna device comprising: a guide receiving portion having an inclined surface that slopes upward in the engagement/disengagement direction, the guide receiving portion abutting against the guide portion when the main body portion is engaged or disengaged to guide the guide portion. The guide portion is
The antenna device according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna device is formed in a shape having an inclination angle that is an upward inclination toward the engaging/disengaging direction. The guide portion is
A pair of left and right electrodes are provided at the front end and the rear end of the main body,
The guide receiving portion is
The antenna device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pair of the antenna elements are provided on the left and right sides of the front and rear ends of the holder. The holder includes:
The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion that is arranged to abut against the guide portion while the main body portion is being engaged or disengaged in the engagement/disengagement direction after the guide portion leaves the inclined surface when the main body portion is engaged or disengaged. The protrusion is
The antenna device according to claim 4, characterized in that, when a force is applied to disengage the main body in the engagement/disengagement direction after the guide portion abuts against the protrusion, the guide portion has a shape that enables it to ride up onto the tip of the protrusion while abutting against it. The main body portion is
The locking mechanism further includes an engagement claw extending in a direction opposite to the locking and unlocking direction,
The protrusion is
The antenna device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a shape engageable with the engagement claw, and engaging with the engagement claw when the main body is attached to the holder. The antenna device according to claim 6 , wherein an engagement force between the engagement claw and the protrusion is smaller than a fixing force of the holder to the installation surface. 8. The antenna device according to claim 4, wherein the height of the protrusion is smaller than the height of the guide portion. 9. The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein an inclination angle of the guide portion is equal to or larger than an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the guide receiving portion. A method for engaging and disengaging an antenna device comprising: a holder fixed to an installation surface on which an antenna is formed; and a main body portion having a connection terminal for the antenna protruding downward from a bottom surface thereof and releasably attached to the holder with a rear direction parallel to the installation surface being the engaging and disengaging direction, the main body portion having a guide portion protruding in a width direction of the main body portion, and the holder having a guide receiving portion having an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the engaging and disengaging direction,
a guiding step of contacting the guide portion with the guide receiving portion and guiding the guide portion when engaging or disengaging the main body portion, the guide portion being guided by the guide receiving portion when engaging or disengaging the main body portion.

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