Antenna for vehicle platooning

• US 10,027,024 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2016
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Powell, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): LINDGREN BALTZELL, ANDREA J
• Application Number:
  US15/196,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20180006365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 343711
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3283 side-mounted antennas, e.g. bumper-mounted, door-mounted mounted on windscreens H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors

Abstract

An antenna for vehicle platooning. The antenna includes a housing, a light emitting element within the housing, and a conductor configured to at least one of transmit and receive radiofrequency signals.

Claims

1. An antenna for vehicle platooning, the antenna comprising:

a housing;

a light emitting element within the housing; and

a conductor within the housing configured to at least one of transmit and receive radiofrequency signals;

wherein the housing is configured for receipt by at least one of a taillight socket and a headlight socket of a vehicle.

2. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising a cover sealed to the housing.

3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the cover is removably sealed to the housing with at least one fastener;

and

wherein a seal is between the cover and the housing.

4. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the light emitting element includes at least one of a light bulb and a light emitting diode.

5. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the conductor is a metallic element.

6. The antenna of claim 1, wherein the conductor is sealed within the housing.

7. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising an antenna transmission line configured to couple with a vehicle transmission line when the housing is seated within a taillight socket or a headlight socket of a vehicle.

8. The antenna of claim 1, further comprising an antenna current conduction line extending from an exterior of the housing to the light emitting element, the antenna current conduction line is configured to couple with a current source onboard a vehicle to conduct current to the light emitting element for illumination of the light emitting element when the housing is seated within a taillight socket or a headlight socket of a vehicle.

9. A system for transmitting vehicle operating commands from a lead vehicle of a vehicle platoon to a following vehicle, the system comprising:

a lead vehicle controller configured to generate the vehicle operating commands for the following vehicle;

a transmitter of the lead vehicle configured to transmit the vehicle operating commands to the following vehicle by way of an antenna; and

the antenna includes a housing having a conductor configured to transmit radiofrequency signals, and a light emitting element;

wherein the housing of the antenna is configured for receipt by at least one of a taillight socket and a headlight socket of a vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle operating commands include acceleration, braking, following distance, and steering commands.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a vehicle transmission line connecting the transmitter to the antenna.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the vehicle transmission line includes a first portion extending directly from the transmitter of the lead vehicle, and a second portion extending across a trailer of the lead vehicle to the antenna at a taillight of the lead vehicle;

wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion with a pin and socket connection.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the light emitting element includes at least one of a light bulb and a light emitting diode.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the light emitting element is a taillight of the lead vehicle.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the housing includes a first seal and a second seal both at an exterior of the housing;

wherein the first seal is configured to seal a first connection between a vehicle transmission line of the lead vehicle and an antenna transmission line of the antenna that extends to the conductor; and

wherein the second seal is configured to seal a second connection between a vehicle current conduction line and an antenna current conduction line configured to conduct current from a current source to the light emitting element to illuminate the light emitting element.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the antenna is a lead vehicle antenna seated within a taillight socket of the lead vehicle, the system further comprising:

a following vehicle antenna including a housing containing both a conductor configured to receive radiofrequency signals and a headlight.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the lead vehicle antenna and the following vehicle antenna are within line-of-sight of each another.