JPH10276020A - Plane antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily prevent having a trouble in getting the seal performance and the slip-off prevention of a cable connected to a plane antenna element. SOLUTION: A plane antenna element 17, a low noise amplifier board 18, a shield case 19, a rubber packing 20 with a rubber leg 14, a sealing member 21 to seal a mount of a cable 15, and a bottom plate 22 are contained in a top case 12 of the plane antenna 11. Furthermore, the bottom plate 22 is fixed to a bottom of the top case 12 to compress the rubber packing 20 and to compress the sealing member 21 thereby allowing the sealing member 21 to be pressed onto an outer circumference of the cable 15. Since a guard 21b of the sealing member 21 is fitted to lock parts 38 and an end of a lock part 21c projected upward is inserted to a lock groove 39 of the top case 12, it is prevented that the cable 15 is pulled out of the top case 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a planar antenna used in a GPS (Global Positioning System), and more particularly to a planar antenna element housed in a sealed resin case, and the resin case is fixed to a predetermined mounting position by magnetic force. The present invention relates to an improvement of a planar antenna configured to be adsorbed on a flat antenna.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a planar antenna used in a global positioning system receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite, and is attached to a metal roof panel of an automobile by magnetic force, for example. A conventional planar antenna has a structure as shown in FIG. 13, for example.

[0003] The planar antenna includes an antenna body (receiving section) 1 comprising an antenna element 1a and a circuit board 1b on which an attached circuit element is mounted. The antenna body 1 is housed in a resin case for waterproof and dustproof purposes. In this state, it can be attached to a roof panel of an automobile by suction. That is, a flat octagonal antenna body 1 whose surface opposite to the antenna element 1a is shielded by a shield box 1c is housed between a bottom case 3 and a top case 4, and the antenna body 1 is It is connected to the GPS device side by the cable 1d.

[0004] The bottom case 3 is made of a synthetic resin, and after the antenna main body 1 is accommodated in the recess 3b on the upper surface thereof, it is combined with a top case 4 covering the entire surface. A pair of permanent magnets 2L and 2R that are magnetically attracted to the surface of the roof panel are integrally mounted on both sides of the bottom surface of the bottom case 3, and a ring-shaped packing 6 is provided on the upper surface thereof. It has a cylindrical portion 3a in contact with it.

The cylindrical portion 3a is provided with a groove 8 through which the cable 1d is inserted, and a side face of the top case 4 is provided with a notch 4d formed to communicate with the groove 8. The cable 1d is heat-welded with a bush 5 made of vinyl chloride fitted. Therefore, the antenna body 1 is composed of the bottom case 3 and the top case 4
When housed in the space formed between
Is fitted in the groove 8, and a notch 4 d formed on the side surface of the top case 4 with a flange 5 a protruding from the outer periphery of the bush 5.
And the cable 1d is prevented from coming off even if the cable 1d is pulled.

In the opening of the top case 4, there is formed a cylindrical opening 4a into which the cylindrical bottom case 3 can be dropped, and the inner periphery of the cylindrical opening 4a extends toward the end face of the cylindrical portion 3a. The cylindrical projection 4b is integrally formed, and the tip of the cylindrical projection 4b is pressed against the surface of the packing 6. The cylindrical projection 4b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical projection 4b.
A plurality of engaging claws 4c equally arranged in the circumferential direction of b are integrally formed, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 3a corresponding to these engaging claws 4c has a pitch angle inclined in the circumferential direction. The plurality of lock claws 3c that can mesh with the engagement claws 4c
It is integrally molded.

In the conventional planar antenna, a pair of permanent magnets 2L and 2L are provided on both sides of the bottom of a bottom case 3 made of synthetic resin so as to be attracted to the body of the vehicle by magnetic force.
2R is integrally assembled by an insert molding method. On both sides of the permanent magnets 2L and 2R, elastic
Rubber legs 7 are provided in the recess of the back yoke 9 and the permanent magnet 2L,
Inserted between 2R.

[0008]

In the conventional planar antenna, a bush 5 made of vinyl chloride is provided around the outer periphery of the cable 1d.
Requires a process for heat welding, which not only requires extra labor, but also increases the manufacturing cost. Then, this invention was made in view of the said subject, and an object of this invention is to provide the planar antenna which solved the said problem.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a receiving unit for receiving a signal by radio waves, a case in which the receiving unit is housed, and an end connected to the receiving unit. In a planar antenna, an end of which has a cable pulled out from a side cutout of the case, a bottom case attached to the bottom of the top case, and a sealing member that seals between the bottom case and the top case, A cable seal member having an insertion hole through which a cable is inserted and an engaging portion that engages with a side notch of the top case, wherein the cable case is such that the bottom case is attached to a bottom opening of the top case. The insertion hole is compressed to crimp the insertion hole to the outer periphery of the cable.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since the bottom case is attached to the bottom opening of the top case, the cable sealing member into which the cable is inserted is compressed and the insertion hole is crimped to the outer periphery of the cable. And the insertion hole can be sealed to improve waterproofness, and prevent the cable from being pulled out.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing an embodiment of the planar antenna according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the planar antenna, and FIG. 3 is an external view of the planar antenna. In the planar antenna 11, an antenna element to be described later is accommodated in a flat rectangular top case 12, and an aluminum ground sheet 13 is adhered to the bottom. Openings 13a are provided at four corners of the ground sheet 13 so that the rubber legs 14 protrude when the planar antenna 11 is mounted. The top case 12 has a cable 1 on one of the four sides.
An inverted U-shaped groove 16 into which 5 is inserted is provided.

The planar antenna 11 has a planar antenna element (receiving section) 17, an LNA (low noise amplifier) substrate 18 on which the planar antenna element 17 is mounted, a shield case 19, and rubber feet 14 inside a top case 12. The rubber packing 20, the cable sealing member 21 for sealing the mounting portion of the cable 15, and the bottom plate 22 are housed therein.

A seal member 21 constituting a main part of the present invention.
As described later, the bottom plate 22 is attached and compressed, and the outer periphery of the cable 15 is sealed to increase waterproofness and prevent the cable 15 from being pulled out. The bottom plate 22 is formed by pressing a metal plate made of a magnetic material such as a stainless material, and is formed by integrating a bottom case and a magnet mounting portion as described later. The bottom plate 22 is attached so that four screws 23 are screwed into the top case 12 to close the bottom opening of the top case 12. When assembling, the bottom plate 22 is attached to the top case 1.
After being fastened to the bottom of 2 by screws 23, the ground sheet 13 is adhered to the lower surface of the bottom plate 22.

FIGS. 4A and 4B and FIGS. 5A to 5F.
As shown in FIG.
0, and four insertion holes 25 provided outside the sheet portion 24 and through which the screws 23 are inserted.
A rectangular insertion hole 26 provided at the four outer corners of the seat portion 24 and through which the rubber legs 14 are inserted; and a pair of permanent magnets 27 (27a, 27b) attracted to the body of the vehicle by magnetic force.
28 (28a, 28b) to which the magnet mounting portion 2 is mounted
9, 30.

The magnet mounting portions 29 and 30 are each provided with a permanent magnet 2
The permanent magnets 27 and 28 are formed to correspond to the dimensions and shape of the contact surfaces 29a and 30a, and are mounted on both sides of the contact surfaces 29a and 30a to regulate the mounting position in the X direction. Magnet holding portions 29b, 30b, and contact surfaces 29a,
The contact surfaces 29a, 30a are formed between the magnet attachment portions 29, 30 and support the contact surfaces 29a, 30a.
Wall portions 29c, 30c for regulating the mounting position of the permanent magnets 27, 28 held in the Y direction in the Y direction.

Accordingly, the permanent magnets 27, 28 are firmly held in a state of being in close contact with the contact surfaces 29a, 30a by magnetic force, since the magnet mounting portions 29, 30 are formed of a magnetic material. Since the magnet attachment portions 29 and 30 function as back yokes, the magnetic force of the magnet attachment portions 29 and 30 is such that the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic path formed by the magnet attachment portions 29 and 30 allows the permanent magnets 27 and 28 to be attached to the vehicle. The attraction force of the permanent magnets 27 and 28 is increased by being guided to the lower surface on the side.

As shown in FIG. 5 (G) in an enlarged manner,
At a portion where the seal member 21 abuts, a protrusion 31 formed parallel to the seat portion 24 and a support portion 32 for supporting the cable 15 at a predetermined height are formed. This protrusion 31
Works together with the sheet portion 24 to press the portion of the rubber packing 20 through which the cable 15 is inserted to increase the sealing effect on the cable 15.

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6E, the rubber packing 20 has an area opposed to the bottom plate 22 and is in contact with the sheet portion 24, and corresponds to the sheet portion 24. The top case 12 is formed in a square frame shape.
A parallel contact portion 20b that abuts on the seat portion 32 inside and a seat portion 33 (33a, 33b) inside the top case 12 that is formed to correspond to the seat portion 24 and whose mounting position is regulated. And a square supporting portion 20d for supporting the rubber legs 14 integrally formed at the four corners of the flat plate portion 20a.

Since the rubber packing 20 does not come off at the central portion unlike the ring packing used in the prior art, it is necessary to ensure the sealing property between the rubber plate 20 and the bottom plate 22 with which the lower surface of the flat plate portion 20a contacts. Instead, the inside of the top case 12 is made airtight and the waterproof property can be secured by enhancing the sealing performance between the top case 12 and the top case 12. Also,
The rubber packing 20 has a flat plate portion 20a in contact with the sheet portion 24 of the bottom plate 22, and a frame-shaped contact portion 20b protruding from the upper peripheral portion has sheet portions 33a, 33b (see FIG. , See FIG. 2) between the bottom plate 22 and the top case 12 so as to contact the lower end. Then, the four screws 23 are screwed into the top case 12 and tightened, and the flat portion 20a and the contact portion 20b of the rubber packing 20 are compressed from above and below to seal the gap at the bottom opening of the top case 12. To prevent rainwater from entering the inside of the top case 12.

The rubber legs 14 projecting from the four corners of the rubber packing 20 are inserted into insertion holes 26 formed at the four corners of the bottom plate 22 and project below the bottom plate 22. Since the rubber leg 14 is formed to have a size slightly larger than the insertion hole 26, when the rubber leg 14 is press-fitted into the insertion hole 26, the support portion 20 d of the rubber packing 20 comes into contact with the upper surface side of the bottom plate 22 and the ground sheet 13. The length of the rubber leg 14 is restricted from the insertion hole 2.
6 is locked to the inner circumference to prevent falling off.

Therefore, the rubber packing 20 is mounted between the bottom plate 22 and the top case 12 and
The rubber feet 14 can project below the bottom plate 22. As described above, since the rubber feet 14 are provided integrally with the sealing portion, the rubber packing 20 does not need to attach the rubber feet 14 to both sides of the permanent magnet one by one as in the related art. Work efficiency can be improved, and the number of parts can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the structure of the top case 12, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 7. The top case 12 includes a square storage room 35 in which the planar antenna element 17, the LNA substrate 18, and the shield case 19 are stored in the center of the inside, and a double seat portion 33 surrounding the storage room 35. (33a, 33b) and a rib 36 that abuts against the support portion 20d that supports the rubber leg 14 and supports the rubber leg 14 so as to project below the ground sheet 13.
And a mounting hole 37 into which the four screws 23 are screwed, and a locking portion 38 to which the seal member 21 through which the cable 15 is inserted is attached and which locks the cable 15 so as not to be pulled out.
And

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the seal member 21. As shown in FIG. The sealing member 21 is provided in the groove 16 of the top case 12.
Is formed in a substantially semicircular outer shape corresponding to the shape of the above, an insertion hole 21a through which the cable 15 is inserted passes through the center on the lower surface side, and a flange portion 21b protruding in the radial direction is provided on the outer periphery except the lower surface side. Have been. A hook 21c is formed on the end surface of the seal member 21 so as to protrude upward. The locking portion 21c is used for the top case 1
The engagement in the second locking groove 39 restricts displacement in the axial direction.

On the lower surface of the seal member 21, a part of the insertion hole 21a is cut so as to open the lower side of the insertion hole 21a, and the opening 21d of the insertion hole 21a is cut.
Is opened, the end of the cable 15 is
8 is soldered to the sealing member 21 and the cable 15
Can easily be attached to the seal member 21.

The collar 21b has a semicircular outer cross section, and can be easily fitted between the locking portions 38 inside the top case 12. Further, the sealing member 2
The lower surface side of 1 is formed so as to spread to both sides, and the contact area of the lower surface 21e is increased to ensure stability at the time of mounting. Instead, it is formed so that a compressive force in the lateral direction also acts.

Therefore, the insertion hole 21a of the seal member 21
In the case of, the separation dimension of the opening 21d of the insertion hole 21a is reduced by the compressive force in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the outer periphery of the cable 15 can be strongly tightened. As a result, the seal member 21 can enhance the sealing performance with respect to the outer periphery of the cable 15 and can increase the frictional force on the cable 15 to prevent the cable 15 from being pulled out.

Here, the sealing member 21 having the above-described structure is used.
Will be described. First, the LNA substrate 1
The cable 15 soldered to 8 is inserted from the opening 21d of the sealing member 21 into the insertion hole 21a. Next, the sealing member 2 is inserted into the groove 16 formed inside the top case 12.
1 is press-fitted. At this time, the sealing member 21 is
Are fitted between the locking portions 38 and are projected upward.
The end of 1 c is inserted into the locking groove 39 of the top case 12.

Thereafter, the flat antenna element 17 and the LNA substrate 1 are placed in a storage chamber 35 formed inside the top case 12.
8. The shield case 19 is housed, and in this state, the bottom plate 22 in which the rubber legs 14 of the rubber packing 20 are inserted through the insertion holes 26 is applied to the bottom opening of the top case 12. Then, when the screw 23 is screwed into the mounting hole 37 and tightened, it is assembled as shown in FIG.

At this time, the sheet portion 24 formed in a square frame shape on the bottom plate 22 is located between the sheet portions 33a and 33b formed doubly around the storage chamber 35, and the sheet portions 33a, 33b are formed. Contact part 20 between 33b and rubber packing 20
The sealing force is further improved by ensuring the pressure bonding force between the first and second b. Further, a protrusion 2 is formed on the lower surface 21e of the seal member 21 so as to protrude from the contact portion 20b of the rubber packing 20.
0c is pressed. Therefore, the space between the rubber packing 20 and the seal member 21 is sealed by the projection 20c.
Further, by tightening the screw 23, the rubber packing 20 is attached to the seat portions 33a and 33b and the bottom plate 2.
2 and the seal member 21 is compressed between the groove 16 and the rubber packing 20.

As a result, since the outer shape of the seal member 21 is wider on the lower surface side, the insertion hole 21a of the seal member 21 receives not only a vertical load but also a compressive load not only in the horizontal direction but also inwardly. The entire insertion hole 21a is compressed by the load. Therefore, the cable 15 inserted through the insertion hole 21a is inserted into the insertion hole 2 so that the cable 15 is tightened all around.
The entirety of the cable 1a comes into close contact with each other, so that the sealing performance with respect to the outer periphery of the cable 15 is enhanced, and the cable 15 is firmly held.

In this compressed state, the flange 2 of the seal member 21
1b is fitted between the locking portions 38 and the end of the locking portion 21c projecting upward is inserted into the locking groove 39 of the top case 12, so that the cable 15 is pulled out from the top case 12 and pulled out. Can be prevented. In addition, the protrusion 40 protruding inside the top case 12 bites into the upper side of the cable 15, and the support portion 32 of the bottom plate 22 provided at a position facing the protrusion 40 contacts the lower side of the cable 15. , The cable 15 is connected to the sealing member 21
And it is firmly held between the projection 40 and the support portion 32 to prevent pulling out.

Further, even if rainwater enters between the lower surface of the rubber packing 20 and the bottom plate 22, the rubber packing 2
0 is closed so as to cover the lower opening of the storage chamber 35, for example, the sheet portion 24 and the rubber packing 2
Even if water leaks from the lower surface of the storage room 35, rainwater does not enter the storage room 35, and the waterproofness of the storage room 35 is ensured. Further, in the groove 16 of the top case 12 through which the cable 15 is inserted, the sealing member 21 locked by the locking portion 38 in the groove 16 is locally compressed by the seat portion 24 and the projection 31 to form a sealing member. The sealing performance of the inner circumference and the outer circumference of 21 is ensured. Therefore, between the top case 12 and the bottom plate 22, the rubber packing 20 and the sealing member 21 are provided.
Thereby, the waterproof performance of the storage chamber 35 formed inside the top case 12 by being securely sealed can be further ensured.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the seal member 21. As shown in FIG. In addition, in the same part as the above-mentioned seal member 21,
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. Seal member 21
A is formed in a substantially semicircular outer shape corresponding to the shape of the groove 16 of the top case 12, has a through hole 21a through which the cable 15 is inserted in the center on the lower surface side, and has a radius on the outer periphery except the lower surface side. A flange 21b protruding in the direction is provided. The top case 1 is provided above the seal member 21.
A locking portion 21f is provided which is fitted between the locking portions 38 inside and is restricted from being displaced in the axial direction.

The axial distance between the flange portion 21b and the locking portion 21f is set so as to correspond to each of the three locking portions 38 formed in the groove 16. The sealing member 21 </ b> A configured as described above is attached to the groove 16
When the cable 15 is attached, the flange portion 21b and the locking portion 21f are fitted and locked between the locking portions 38, so that the cable 15 can be prevented from being pulled out from the top case 12.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a modified example of the rubber packing 20. The rubber packing 20A has a seal member 21 on one side of the contact portion 20b where the groove 16 of the top case 12 faces.
A seal portion 20e having the same shape as A is integrally formed. That is, the seal portion 20e is formed in a substantially semicircular outer shape corresponding to the shape of the groove 16, the insertion hole 20f through which the cable 15 is inserted penetrates the inside, and the outer periphery except the lower surface side is radially formed. A protruding flange portion 20g is provided. A locking portion 20h that fits between the locking portions 38 inside the top case 12 and restricts displacement in the axial direction protrudes above the seal portion 20e.

The axial distance between the flange portion 20g and the locking portion 20h is set so as to correspond to each of the three locking portions 38 formed in the groove 16. Since the sealing portion 20e configured as described above is integrally formed with the rubber packing 20A, the rubber packing 20A is
And the bottom plate 22, and inserted into the groove 16 of the top case 12. And screw 23
Are tightened and the bottom plate 22 is the top case 1
2, the rubber packing 20A is compressed, and the seal portion 20e is also compressed in the groove 16 so that the insertion hole 20f is crimped to the outer periphery of the cable 15 to seal the space between the cable 15 and the outer periphery. Is done.

Further, when fitted into the groove 16 inside the top case 12, the flange 20g and the locking portion 20h are locked by the locking portion 38.
Since the cable 15 is fitted and locked therebetween, it is possible to prevent the cable 15 from being pulled out from the top case 12. in this way,
In the rubber packing 20A, since the seal portion 20e that fits into the groove 16 of the top case 12 is integrally formed, the number of parts is reduced by that much, and the labor of the assembling process is reduced, and the assembling efficiency can be increased. This makes it possible to reduce production costs.

In the above embodiment, the planar antenna for GPS is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a planar antenna used for other purposes.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the bottom case is attached to the bottom opening of the top case, the cable sealing member into which the cable is inserted is compressed, and the insertion hole is crimped to the outer periphery of the cable. Therefore, the space between the cable outer periphery and the insertion hole can be sealed to increase the waterproofness, and the cable can be prevented from being pulled out. Further, the step of heat-welding the bush into which the cable has been inserted as in the related art is not required, so that the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, the production efficiency can be increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing an embodiment of a planar antenna according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the planar antenna.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a planar antenna.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which a permanent magnet is attached to a bottom plate.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a bottom plate.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a rubber packing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a top case.

8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a configuration of a cable sealing member.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a configuration of a modified example of the cable seal member.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a modified example of the rubber packing.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a conventional planar antenna.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 flat antenna 12 top case 13 ground sheet 14 rubber leg 15 cable 17 flat antenna element 18 LNA board 19 shield case 20, 20A rubber packing 20a flat plate portion 20b contact portion 20c protrusion 20d support portion 20e seal portion 20f insertion hole 20g flange Part 20h Locking part 21, 21A Sealing member 21a Inserting hole 21b Flange part 21c Locking part 21d Opening 21f Locking part 22 Bottom plate 24 Sheet part 26 Inserting hole 27 (27a, 27b), 28 (28a, 28b) Permanent Magnet 33 (33a, 33b) Seat part 31 Projection part 35 Storage room 38 Lock part 39 Lock groove

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Nobuaki Monma 95-2, Iizuka-shi Iizuka-shi, Minamiakita-gun, Akita

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A receiving section for receiving a signal by radio waves, a case in which the receiving section is housed, a cable having one end connected to the receiving section and the other end drawn out from a side cutout of the case, In a planar antenna having a bottom case attached to the bottom of a case, and a seal member for sealing between the bottom case and the top case, the flat antenna includes a through hole through which the cable is inserted and a side cutout of the top case. A cable sealing member having a mating engagement portion, wherein the cable sealing member is compressed by attaching the bottom case to a bottom opening of the top case, and the insertion hole is crimped to the outer periphery of the cable. A planar antenna.