Antenna device mounted on vehicle

• US 20040150572A1
• Filed: 01/22/2004
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ohno, Sadao, Katono, Kazuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,019,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/711
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1214 through a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk

Abstract

An antenna device is mounted on a vehicle body. A distal end of an antenna element is attached to an antenna base. The antenna base is provided with a conductive screw projection electrically connected with the antenna element and inserted into a hole formed in the vehicle body, and a first insulative member mounted on an outer face of the vehicle body to electrically insulate the screw projection from the vehicle body. A conductive washer is disposed inside the vehicle body such that the screw projection is inserted therethrough. A conductive nut is disposed inside the vehicle body to be screwed to the screw projection to form a conductive path from the antenna element and an electric equipment disposed inside the vehicle. A second insulative member is disposed inside the vehicle body to electrically insulate the screw projection from the washer, and to electrically insulate the nut from the washer.

Claims

1. An antenna device mounted on a vehicle body, comprising:

an antenna element;

an antenna base, to which a distal end of the antenna element is attached, the antenna base comprising;

a conductive screw projection, electrically connected with the antenna element and inserted into a hole formed in the vehicle body;

a first insulative member, mounted on an outer face of the vehicle body to electrically insulate the screw projection from the vehicle body;

a conductive washer, disposed inside the vehicle body such that the screw projection is inserted therethrough;

a conductive nut, disposed inside the vehicle body to be screwed to the screw projection to form a conductive path from the antenna element and an electric equipment disposed inside the vehicle; and

a second insulative member, disposed inside the vehicle body to electrically insulate the screw projection from the washer, and to electrically insulate the nut from the washer.

2. The antenna device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the screw projection is inserted through the washer such that relative rotation therebetween is restricted;

the first insulative member comprises a projection brought into contact with the outer face of the vehicle body; and

the washer comprises a pawl arranged so as to oppose the projection through the vehicle body.

3. The antenna device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a conductive shield case having a wall interposed between the washer and the second insulative member and formed with a hole into which the screw projection is inserted, wherein:

the washer and the shield case are electrically connected;

the nut is screwed to the screw projection at the inside of the shield case; and

the screw projection and the shield case are electrically insulated by the second insulative member.

4. The antenna device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the antenna base comprises a conductive member which is continuous with the screw projection and integrally molded with the first insulative member such that the projection is arranged between the conductive member and the vehicle body.

5. The antenna device as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

the second insulative member is formed with a hole into which the screw projection is inserted; and

the screw projection and the hole of the second insulative member are so formed as to restrict relative rotation therebetween.

6. The antenna device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a conductive plate held by the second insulative member and the nut.

7. The antenna device as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

the washer and the second insulative member are fixed the shield case, and the conductive plate is fixed to the second insulative member; and

the nut comprises a pair of flanges separated from each other in an axial direction of the screw projection, between which the conductive plate is interposed.

8. The antenna device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first insulative member comprises a rubber pad mounted on the outer face of the vehicle body and formed with a hole, through which the projection extends.