Modular antenna assembly for automotive vehicles

• US 20070103374A1
• Filed: 11/10/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laird Technologies Incorporated (DuPont de Nemours, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Receptec Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Fuchs, Andreas, Duzdar, Ayman, Lindackers, Ralf, Yasin, Hasan
• Granted Patent: US 7,333,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk

Abstract

The specification discloses a modular antenna for automotive vehicles. The antenna includes a base assembly that can be used on a variety of vehicle platforms and a radome assembly that is specific to a particular vehicle platform. The radome assembly snap-fits onto the base assembly, and can be installed during or after vehicle assembly. A wide variety of radome assemblies of different shapes, styles, and colors can be used in conjunction with a single base assembly.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle antenna comprising:

a base assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicle; and

a radome assembly adapted to be attached to the base assembly, the radome assembly including a lower peripheral edge adapted to closely conform to the vehicle when the antenna is mounted on the vehicle.

2. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 1 wherein the base assembly and the radome assembly include means for snap-fitting the radome assembly onto the base assembly.

3. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 2 where the snap-fitting means includes barbs.

4. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 1 wherein the base assembly and the radome assembly each include at least one antenna element.

5. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 1 wherein the base assembly includes a chassis, a base cover attached to the chassis, and a PC board between the chassis and the base cover, the base cover adapted to connect to the radome assembly.

6. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 1 wherein the radome assembly includes a radome, an antenna element within the radome, and a connector piece attached to the radome, the connector piece adapted to connect to the base assembly.

7. An automotive vehicle comprising:

a vehicle portion;

a base assembly mounted on the vehicle portion; and

a radome assembly mounted on the base assembly and including a skirt terminating in a peripheral lower edge closely conforming to the vehicle portion.

8. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 7 wherein the base assembly and the radome assembly include means for snap-fitting the radome assembly onto the base assembly.

9. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 8 where the snap-fitting means includes barbs.

10. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 7 wherein the base assembly and the radome assembly each include at least one antenna element.

11. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 7 wherein the base assembly includes a chassis, a base cover attached to the chassis, and a PC board between the chassis and the base cover, the base cover adapted to connect to the radome assembly.

12. An automotive vehicle antenna as defined in claim 7 wherein the radome assembly includes a radome, an antenna element within the radome, and a connector piece attached to the radome, the connector piece adapted to connect to the base assembly.

13. A method of installing an antenna assembly on an automotive vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing an antenna base assembly and an antenna radome assembly;

attaching the base assembly to the vehicle;

shipping the vehicle with the radome assembly; and

subsequent to the shipping step, attaching the radome assembly to the base assembly.

14. A method as defined in claim 13 wherein the second attaching step includes snap-fitting the radome assembly onto the base assembly.

15. A method as defined in claim 13 wherein the providing step includes providing at least one antenna element in each of the base assembly and the radome assembly.