Vehicle communication system with heated antenna

• US 10,389,016 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Van Dan Elzen, Christopher L., Hassan, Hasib
• Primary Examiner(s): West, Lewis G
• Application Number:
  US15/421,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20170141461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/10 characterised by the type of camera system used
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/0015 characterised by the lens design
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/02 Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/325 characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/145 Carbon only, e.g. carbon black, graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/09 Use of materials for the conductive, e.g. metallic pattern

Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle includes a control operable to communicate with a device remote from the vehicle, and an antenna disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle. The control at least one of (i) wirelessly transmits signals via the antenna to a remote receiver and (ii) receives signals via the antenna wirelessly transmitted by a remote transmitter. A heater element is disposed at or near the antenna. The heater element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle and is energizable by the power source to generate heat to melt snow or ice at or near the antenna. The heater element may include a graphene trace disposed at a panel or housing at or near the antenna.

Claims

1. A communication system for a vehicle, said communication system comprising:

a control operable to wirelessly communicate with a device remote from the vehicle;

an antenna disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle;

a housing disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle, wherein said antenna is accommodated within said housing;

wherein said control at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) wirelessly transmits signals via said antenna to a remote receiver and (ii) receives signals via said antenna wirelessly transmitted by a remote transmitter;

a heater element disposed at said housing; and

wherein said heater element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle and is energizable by the power source to generate heat to melt snow or ice at said housing that accommodates said antenna.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said housing protrudes at a panel of the vehicle.

3. The communication system of claim 2, wherein the panel of the vehicle comprises a roof panel of the vehicle.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a plastic material.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a glass material.

6. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said heater element comprises a graphene trace.

7. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said control wirelessly transmits signals via said antenna to a remote receiver.

8. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said control receives signals via said antenna wirelessly transmitted by a remote transmitter.

9. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said heater element is actuated via a user input.

10. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said heater element is actuated responsive to a detection of snow or ice at or near said housing.

11. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said heater element is actuated responsive to a determined ambient temperature.

12. A communication system for a vehicle, said communication system comprising:

a control operable to wirelessly communicate with a device remote from the vehicle;

an antenna disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle;

a housing disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle, wherein said antenna is accommodated within said housing;

wherein said control (i) wirelessly transmits signals via said antenna to a remote receiver and (ii) receives signals via said antenna wirelessly transmitted by a remote transmitter;

a heater element disposed at said housing;

wherein said heater element comprises a graphene trace;

wherein said heater element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle and is energizable by the power source to generate heat to melt snow or ice at said housing that accommodates said antenna; and

wherein said heater element is actuated responsive to a detection of snow or ice at said housing.

13. The communication system of claim 12, wherein said housing protrudes at a panel of the vehicle.

14. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the panel of the vehicle comprises a roof panel of the vehicle.

15. The communication system of claim 12, wherein said housing comprises a plastic material.

16. The communication system of claim 12, wherein said housing comprises a glass material.

17. A communication system for a vehicle, said communication system comprising:

a control operable to wirelessly communicate with a device remote from the vehicle;

an antenna disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle;

a housing disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle, wherein said antenna is accommodated within said housing;

wherein said control (i) wirelessly transmits signals via said antenna to a remote receiver and (ii) receives signals via said antenna wirelessly transmitted by a remote transmitter;

a heater element disposed at said housing;

wherein said heater element comprises a graphene trace;

wherein said heater element is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle and is energizable by the power source to generate heat to melt snow or ice at said housing that accommodates said antenna; and

wherein said heater element is actuated responsive to a determined ambient temperature.

18. The communication system of claim 17, wherein said housing protrudes at a panel of the vehicle.

19. The communication system of claim 18, wherein the panel of the vehicle comprises a roof of the vehicle.

20. The communication system of claim 17, wherein said housing comprises a plastic material.