Antenna device

• US 20060109178A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AGC, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited (AGC, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sonoda, Ryuta, Hayakawa, Hiroyuki, Osada, Koichi, Takeuchi, Shoichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,365,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/700.MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1271 for mounting on windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0457 electromagnetically coupled to the feed line

Abstract

A antenna device, which includes a first dielectric substrate having a patch conductor disposed thereon; a second dielectric substrate having a grounding conductor disposed on a confronting substrate surface confronting the patch conductor; and a conductor for electromagnetic coupling, extending from the confronting substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate toward the first dielectric substrate, is provided. The antenna device is small and is capable of being mounted to a windowpane for a vehicle since the conductor for electromagnetic coupling is not connected to the grounding conductor with respect to a direct current and since the conductor for electromagnetic coupling and the patch conductor are electromagnetically coupled each other.

Claims

1. An antenna device comprising:

a first dielectric substrate having a patch conductor disposed thereon; and

a second dielectric substrate confronting the first dielectric substrate and having a grounding conductor disposed on a substrate surface confronting the patch conductor;

wherein the second dielectric substrate is disposed on a spacer disposed on the first dielectric substrate; and

the second dielectric substrate and the first dielectric substrate are separated from each other by a distance by the spacer, the space being interposed between the second dielectric substrate and the first dielectric substrate.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is disposed on the first dielectric substrate so as to serve as a lower casing;

wherein the spacer includes a first fixing means;

wherein an upper casing is disposed;

wherein the upper casing includes a second fixing means; and

wherein the upper casing is mounted to the spacer so as to cover the second dielectric substrate by fixing the second fixing means to the first fixing means.

5. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the spacer and the second dielectric substrate has a hole formed therein for introduction of a dielectric substance having fluidity.

6. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a conductor for electromagnetic coupling is disposed so as to extend toward the first dielectric substrate from a confronting surface of the second dielectric substrate confronting the first dielectric substrate;

the conductor for electromagnetic coupling and the grounding conductor are configured so as not to be connected together with respect to a direct current; and

the conductor for electromagnetic coupling and the patch conductor are electromagnetically connected together.

7. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a portion parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor.

8. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the conductor for electromagnetic coupling extends from the second dielectric substrate toward the first dielectric substrate, the conductor for electromagnetic coupling is bent before reaching a surface of the first dielectric substrate close to the second dielectric substrate, and the conductor for electromagnetic coupling extends parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor.

9. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the grounding conductor is disposed on a confronting substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate confronting the patch conductor;

wherein a transmission conductor is disposed on a substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate remote from the patch conductor; and

wherein the conductor for electromagnetic coupling passes through the second dielectric substrate in a thickness direction of the second dielectric substrate and is connected to the transmission conductor.

10. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the grounding conductor is disposed on a substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate remote from the patch conductor, and the substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate remote from the patch conductor has a slot without the grounding conductor disposed therein;

wherein a transmission conductor is disposed at a central or substantially central portion of the slot so as not to be connected to the grounding conductor with respect to a direct current; and

wherein the conductor for electromagnetic coupling passes through the second dielectric substrate in a thickness direction of the second dielectric substrate and is connected to the transmission conductor.

11. The antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna element including the patch conductor disposed on the first dielectric substrate;

and

a pillar-like conductor, which is insulated from the grounding conductor with respect to a direct current, which projects toward the first dielectric substrate from a substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate confronting the first dielectric substrate, and which is electrically connected, as a signal line, to the patch conductor disposed on the first dielectric substrate.

12. The antenna device according to claim 11, wherein the grounding conductor is disposed on a confronting substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate confronting the patch conductor;

wherein a transmission conductor is disposed on a substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate remote from the patch conductor;

wherein the pillar-like conductor passes through the second dielectric substrate in a thickness direction of the second dielectric substrate and is connected to the transmission conductor.

13. The antenna device according to claim 11, wherein the grounding conductor is disposed on a substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate remote from the patch conductor, and the substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate remote from the patch conductor has a slot without the grounding conductor disposed therein;

wherein a transmission conductor is disposed at a central or substantially central portion of the slot so as not to be connected to the grounding conductor with respect to a direct current; and

wherein the pillar-like conductor passes through the second dielectric substrate in a thickness direction of the second dielectric substrate and is connected to the transmission conductor.

14. The antenna device according to claim 11, wherein the antenna element disposed on the first dielectric substrate includes an island-like conductor in addition to the patch conductor, the island-like conductor being apart from the patch conductor and being surrounded by the patch conductor, and wherein the island-like conductor is connected to the pillar-like conductor.

15. The antenna device according to claim 11, wherein the pillar-like conductor comprises a spring probe.

16. The antenna device according to claim 15, wherein the spring probe has a repulsive force of from 0.2 to 5.0 N.

17. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein at least one selected among air, a single dielectric substance except for air and a combination of plural kinds of dielectric substances is interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate.

18. The antenna device according to claim 17, wherein when the dielectric substance comprises substance A, substance A has fluidity or semi-fluidity, or has fluidity or semi-fluidity at at least an initial stage, and substance A has a curable property or a semi-curable property with lapse of time or by being subjected to treatment.

19. The antenna device according to claim 18, wherein dielectric substance M is mixed into substance A, dielectric substance M containing powder having a larger dielectric constant than substance A.

20. The antenna device according to claim 19, wherein dielectric substance M has a particle size of from 0.1 to 50 μ

m.

21. The antenna device according to claim 18, wherein in a gap having the distance between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, cured dielectric substance B is disposed on a side of the second dielectric substrate, and dielectric substance A is disposed on a side of the first dielectric substrate;

wherein dielectric substance A has fluidity or semi-fluidity, or has fluidity or semi-fluidity at at least an initial stage, and dielectric substance A has a curable property or a semi-curable property with lapse of time or by being subjected to treatment; and

wherein a portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling is embedded in dielectric substance B, or a portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling is brought into contact with dielectric substance B.

22. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein in a case wherein a radio wave to be used for communication has a wavelength of λ

₀ in air, wherein a dielectric substance is interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, wherein the dielectric substance has a dielectric constant of ∈

_r, and wherein the grounding conductor has an area of S, when the grounding conductor has a normalized width W_g represented by (S)^0.5×

(∈

_r)^0.5/λ

₀, the formula of 0.42≦

W_g≦

0.81 is established.

23. The antenna device according to claim 21, wherein in a case wherein dielectric substance A and dielectric substance B are interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, wherein dielectric substance A has a dielectric constant of ∈

_A, and wherein dielectric substance B has a dielectric constant of ∈

_B;

when (∈

_A·

∈

_B·

(thickness of dielectric substance A+thickness of dielectric substance B))/(∈

_B·

thickness of dielectric substance A+∈

_A·

thickness of dielectric substance B) is represented by ∈

_q, and when the grounding conductor has a normalized width W_g represented by (S)^0.5×

(∈

_q)^0.5/λ

₀, the formula of 0.42≦

W_g≦

0.81 is established.

24. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein when a radio wave used in communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz,

a dielectric substance is interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, and

the dielectric substance has a dielectric constant of from 1.89 to 5.80, and the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 3,960 mm².

25. The antenna device according to claim 21, wherein in case wherein a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, wherein dielectric substance A and dielectric substance B are interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, wherein dielectric substance A has a dielectric constant of ∈

_A, and wherein dielectric substance B has a dielectric constant of ∈

_B, when (∈

_A·

∈

_B·

(thickness of dielectric substance A+thickness of dielectric substance B))/(∈

_B·

thickness of dielectric substance A+∈

_A·

thickness of dielectric substance B) is represented by ∈

_q,

∈

_q is from 1.89 to 5.80, and the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 3,960 mm².

26. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, when a dielectric substance is interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, when the dielectric substance has a dielectric constant of from 1.89 to 5.20, and when the patch conductor has a vertical width of L₁ and a horizontal width of L₁,

L₁ is from 21.3 to 36.11 mm.

27. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, and when the patch conductor has a first width of L₁ and a second width of L₁,

L₁ is from 21.5 to 34.85 mm,

the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 2,304 mm²,

the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a portion parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor, and

the portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor has a length of from 7.9 to 29.4 mm.

28. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz,

a distance between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor is from 3.6 to 10.8 mm.

29. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, when air is interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, and when the patch conductor has a first width of L₁ and a second width of L₁,

L₁ is from 32.68 to 41.80 mm,

the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a portion parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor, and

the portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor has a length of from 10.4 to 27.3 mm.

30. The antenna device according to claim 29, wherein the grounding conductor has an area of from 3,240 to 3,960 mm².

31. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a portion parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor,

the portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor three-dimensionally overlaps with the patch conductor, and the portion is three-dimensionally disposed inside the patch conductor, and

an axial center of the portion and a peripheral edge of the patch conductor have a gap of from 1.17 to 2.42 mm therebetween in a three-dimensional view.

32. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein when a dielectric substance interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate comprises air,

the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a portion parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor, and

the portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor has a length of from 4.7 to 49.3 mm.

33. The antenna device according to claim 7, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz,

a dielectric substrate is interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate,

the dielectric substrate has a dielectric constant of from 1.89 to 5.20,

the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a portion parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor, and

the portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor has a length of from 8.7 to 28.7 mm.

34. The antenna device according to claim 32, wherein the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a Young'"'"'s modulus of 5×

10¹⁰ Pa or above, and the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a cross-sectional area of from 0.16 to 16 mm².

35. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric substrate comprises a windowpane for a vehicle,

wherein the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 2,304 mm², and

wherein the spacer is bonded to the windowpane so as to surround the patch conductor, and a bonding portion where the spacer is bonded to the windowpane has an area of from 150 to 770 mm².

36. The antenna device according to claim 35, wherein the bonding portion where the spacer is bonded to the windowpane has a bonding strength of 0.4 N/mm² or above.

37. The antenna device according to claim 35, wherein when a dielectric substrate is interposed between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, and when the dielectric substrate has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80,

the space is disposed on the windowpane so as to depict four sides of a square or four sides of a substantially square in a band shape, and

the spacer has an outer peripheral edge width of from 33 to 50 mm.

38. The antenna device according to claim 35, wherein the spacer is bonded to the windowpane through the bonding portion, and

wherein the bonding portion has a thickness of from 0.4 to 3.0 mm.

39. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the grounding conductor is disposed between the spacer and the second dielectric substrate, and

wherein the spacer has a dielectric constant of from 1.89 to 12.0.

45. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 2,304 mm², and

wherein when the patch conductor has a vertical width of L₁ and a horizontal width of L₁, L₁ is from 19.0 to 29.0 mm, and

wherein at least one selected among air, a single sort of dielectric substance except for air, and a combination of plural sorts of dielectric substances is interposed between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor, and

the single sort of dielectric substance has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80, or at least one dielectric substance in the combination has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80.

46. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 2,304 mm², and

wherein when the patch conductor has a vertical width of L₁ and a horizontal width of L₁, L₁ is from 19.0 to 29.0 mm, and

wherein at least one selected among air, a single sort of dielectric substance except for air, and a combination of plural sorts of dielectric substances is interposed between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor to form a dielectric inclusion, and

the dielectric inclusion has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80.

49. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, the patch conductor is formed in a square shape or a substantially square shape;

and

wherein the patch conductor has cut-out portions formed in a rectangular equilateral triangle or a substantially rectangular equilateral triangle at a corner and the opposite corner thereof, and imaginary sides having a right angle included therebetween in each of the cut-out portions have a length of from 0.77 to 16.7 mm.

51. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 2,304 mm²;

wherein when the patch conductor has a vertical width of L₁ and a horizontal width of L₁, L₁ is from 19.0 to 29.0 mm;

wherein at least one selected among the dielectric substrate, the insulating sheet and the insulating substrate interposed between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80; and

wherein the conductor for electromagnetic coupling has a portion parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor, and the portion of the conductor for electromagnetic coupling parallel or substantially parallel with the patch conductor has a length of from 3.95 to 28.7 mm.

52. A method for fabricating the antenna device defined in claim 1, comprising the steps of (1) to (5) below:

(1) preparing a windowpane as the first dielectric substrate, the windowpane being fitted into an opening of a vehicle and having the patch conductor disposed thereon,

or preparing a windowpane as the first dielectric substrate, the windowpane being not fitted into an opening of a vehicle but having the patch conductor disposed thereon;

(2) disposing a bonding portion on the windowpane or disposing a bonding portion on a surface of the spacer close to the windowpane;

(3) affixing the spacer at a position on the windowpane so that the spacer is bonded to the windowpane through the bonding portion;

(4) disposing a dielectric substance on a substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate close to the windowpane, followed by fixing the second dielectric substrate to the spacer after; and

(5) fitting the windowpane into the opening when using in step (1) the windowpane that is not fitted into the opening.

53. The method according to claim 52, comprising, instead of step (4), a step for affixing the spacer to the windowpane, followed by disposing a dielectric substance on the patch conductor and by fixing the second dielectric substrate to the spacer.

54. The method according to claim 52, comprising, instead of step (4), a step for fixing the second dielectric substrate to the spacer, followed by introducing a dielectric substrate, through a hole formed in the spacer or the second dielectric substrate, into a gap surrounded by the windowpane and the second dielectric substrate, the dielectric substance having fluidity.

55. The method according to claim 52, further comprising in step (4) or the step in exchange for step (4):

providing the spacer with a first fixing means, and preparing an upper casing having a second fixing means formed therein; and

fixing the second fixing means to the first fixing means so that the second dielectric substrate is sandwiched between the spacer and the upper casing and that the upper casing is mounted to the spacer so as to cover the second dielectric substrate.

56. The method according to claim 52, further comprising in step (4) or the step in exchange for step (4):

providing the spacer with a first fixing means, and preparing an upper casing having a second fixing means and having the second dielectric substrate disposed therein; and

fixing the second fixing means to the first fixing means so that the upper casing is mounted to the spacer.

57. The method according to claim 52, further comprising in step (4) or the step in exchange for step (4):

providing the second dielectric substrate with a conductor for electromagnetic coupling or a pillar-like conductor.

58. The method according to claim 52, further comprising in step (4):

using the dielectric substance having fluidity; and

disposing a molding frame on the second dielectric substrate when disposing the dielectric substance on the grounding conductor on the second dielectric substrate, and introducing the dielectric substance into the molding frame, followed by removing the molding frame after causing the dielectric substance to lose the fluidity or to slightly lose the fluidity and by fixing the second dielectric substrate to the spacer.

59. A method for fabricating the antenna device defined in claim 1, comprising the steps of (1) to (5) below:

(1) preparing a windowpane as the first dielectric substrate, the windowpane being fitted into an opening of a vehicle and having the patch conductor disposed thereon,

or preparing a windowpane as the first dielectric substrate, the windowpane being not fitted into an opening of a vehicle but having the patch conductor disposed thereon;

(2) disposing a bonding portion on the windowpane or disposing a bonding portion on a surface of the spacer close to the windowpane;

(3) fixing the second dielectric substrate to the spacer;

(4) disposing a dielectric substance on a substrate surface of the second dielectric substrate close to the windowpane, followed by affixing the spacer at a position on the windowpane so as to bond the spacer to the windowpane through the bonding portion; and

(5) fitting the windowpane into the opening when using in step (1) the windowpane that is not fitted into the opening.

60. The method according to claim 59, comprising, instead of step (4), a step for disposing a dielectric substance on the patch conductor on the windowpane, followed by fixing the spacer to the windowpane.

61. The method according to claim 59, instead of step (4), comprising a step for fixing the spacer to the windowpane, followed by introducing a dielectric substrate, through a hole formed in the spacer or the second dielectric substrate, into a gap surrounded by the windowpane and the second dielectric substrate, the dielectric substance having fluidity.

62. The method according to claim 59, further comprising, instead of step (3):

providing the spacer with a first fixing means, and preparing an upper casing having a second fixing means; and

fixing the second fixing means to the first fixing means so that the second dielectric substrate is sandwiched between the spacer and the upper casing and that the upper casing is mounted to the spacer so as to cover the second dielectric substrate.

63. The method according to claim 59, comprising, instead of step (3):

providing the spacer with a first fixing means, and preparing an upper casing having a second fixing means formed therein and having the second dielectric substrate disposed therein; and

fixing the second fixing means to the first fixing means so that the upper casing is mounted to the spacer.

64. The method according to claim 59, further comprising in step (3) or the step in exchange for step (4):

mounting a conductor for electromagnetic coupling or a pillar-like conductor before fixing the second dielectric substrate to the spacer or after fixing the second dielectric substrate to the spacer.

65. The method according to claim 60, further comprising in a step in exchange for step (4):

using the dielectric substance having fluidity; and

disposing a molding frame on the windowpane when disposing the dielectric substance on the patch conductor on the windowpane, and introducing the dielectric substance into the molding frame, followed by removing the molding frame after causing the dielectric substance to lose the fluidity or to slightly lose the fluidity and by affixing the spacer at a position on the windowpane.

66. The method according to claim 59, wherein the spacer and the upper casing are integrally formed.

67. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate have a mixed dielectric substance interposed therebetween, the mixed dielectric substance comprising dielectric substance A and dielectric substance M mixed together therein, dielectric substance M having a different dielectric constant from dielectric substance A, and the mixed dielectric substance having a dielectric constant determined according to an area of the grounding conductor.

3. An antenna device having a microstrip antenna, comprising a patch conductor, a second dielectric substrate and a grounding conductor, the patch conductor being disposed on an interior surface of a windowpane for a vehicle as a first dielectric substrate or on a dielectric film disposed on an interior surface of a windowpane for a vehicle as a first dielectric substance, the second dielectric substrate being disposed so as to be apart from the windowpane by a distance so as to confront the patch conductor, and the grounding conductor being disposed on the second dielectric substrate;

wherein when a radio wave to be used in communication has a wavelength of λ

₀ in air, and when a shortest distance between the patch conductor and an edge of an opening of a vehicle body is D,

the formula of 0.01≦

D/λ

₀ is established; and

wherein a shortest distance between a portion of the antenna device farthest from the edge of the opening of the vehicle body and the edge of the opening of the vehicle body is 200 mm or below.

4. The antenna device according to claim 3, wherein the second dielectric substrate and the first dielectric substrate are separated from each other by the distance by at least one of a spacer, an insulating sheet and an insulating substrate interposed between the second dielectric substrate and the first dielectric substrate.

40. An antenna device having a microstrip antenna, comprising a patch conductor, an insulating sheet or insulating substrate and a grounding conductor, the patch conductor being disposed on an interior surface of a windowpane for a vehicle as a first dielectric substrate or on a dielectric film disposed on an interior surface of a windowpane for a vehicle as a first dielectric substrate, the insulating sheet or insulating substrate being disposed on the windowpane so as to confront the patch conductor, and the grounding conductor being disposed on the insulating sheet or insulating substrate;

wherein when a radio wave to be used in communication has a wavelength of λ

₀ in air, and when a shortest distance between the patch conductor and an edge of an opening of a vehicle body is D,

the formula of 0.01≦

D/λ

₀ is established; and

wherein a shortest distance between a portion of the antenna device farthest from the edge of the opening of the vehicle body and the edge of the opening of the vehicle body is 200 mm or below.

41. The antenna device according to claim 40, wherein when the insulating sheet or insulating substrate is called an insulating supporting means,

a second dielectric substrate is disposed on a side of the insulating supporting means remote from the windowpane, and

the grounding conductor is interposed between the insulating supporting means and the second dielectric substrate, or the grounding conductor is disposed on the second dielectric substrate in exchange for the grounding conductor being disposed on the insulating supporting means.

42. The antenna device according to claim 40, wherein when a radio wave to be used for communication has a frequency of from 2.10 to 2.65 GHz, the grounding conductor has an area of from 1,024 to 2,304 mm², and

wherein when the patch conductor has a first width of L₁ and a second width of L₁, L₁ is from 19.0 to 29.0 mm, and

wherein the insulating sheet or insulating substrate has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80.

43. The antenna device according to claim 42, wherein at least one selected among air, a single sort of dielectric substance except for air, and a combination of plural sorts of dielectric substances in addition to the insulating sheet or insulating substrate is interposed between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor;

and

wherein the single sort of dielectric substance has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80, or at least one dielectric substance in the combination has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80.

44. The antenna device according to claim 40, wherein when the insulating sheet or insulating substrate is called an insulating supporting means,

at least one selected among air, a single sort of dielectric substance except for air, and a combination of plural sorts of dielectric substances in addition to the insulating supporting means is interposed between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor to form a dielectric inclusion;

and

at least one portion of the dielectric inclusion has a dielectric constant of from 2.56 to 5.80.

47. The antenna device according to claim 44, wherein the dielectric constant of the dielectric inclusion is an average value of the dielectric constants of the respective substances forming the dielectric inclusion.

48. The antenna device according to claim 40, wherein a distance between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor is from 2.92 to 15.3 mm.

50. The antenna device according to claim 40, wherein a conductor for electromagnetic coupling is partly or entirely disposed between the patch conductor and the grounding conductor, and the patch conductor and the grounding conductor are electromagnetically coupled with each other to feed power.