Multilayer antenna of planar construction

• US 20080122697A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kathrein Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Kathrein-Werke KG. (Kathrein SE)
• Inventors: Mierke, Frank, Schillmeier, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 7,741,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/700MS
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0414 in a stacked or folded configuration

Abstract

A multilayer antenna of planar construction comprises an electrically conductive ground face and a conductive radiation face which is arranged with lateral spacing from the ground face and extends substantially parallel thereto. A dielectric carrier is arranged between the ground face and the radiation face. Above the radiation face there is a carrying means. Above the carrying means there is provided an electrically conductive patch element. The carrying means has a thickness or height which is less than the thickness or height of the patch element.

Claims

1. A multilayer patch antenna of planar construction having a plurality of faces and/or layers arranged along an axial axis comprising:

an electrically conductive ground face,

a conductive radiation face which is arranged with lateral spacing from the ground face and extending substantially parallel thereto,

a dielectric carrier arranged between the ground face and the radiation face,

the radiation face being electrically connected to an electrically conductive supply line,

a carrying means provided on the side of the radiation face that opposes the ground face, and

an electrically conductive patch element provided on the side of the carrying means that opposes the radiation face,

the carrying means having a thickness or height which is less than the thickness or height of the patch element,

wherein the thickness or height of the patch element is more than double the thickness of the ground face and/or the thickness of the radiation face.

2. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness or height of the patch element is less than the thickness or height of the dielectric carrier between the outer face and the radiation face.

3. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the thickness and the height of the patch element is a multiple of the corresponding thickness or height of the dielectric carrier.

4. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patch element has at least substantially a longitudinal and/or transverse extension of the radiation face which is greater than or equal to the longitudinal and/or transverse extension of the dielectric carrier and/or is greater than the longitudinal or transverse extension of the ground face, wherein the patch element has an extent that is greater than the dielectric carrier, the dielectric face, the carrying means and the dielectric ground face.

6. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness or height of the dielectric carrying means is greater than 0.5 mm.

7. The antenna as claimed in claim 6, wherein the thickness or height of the dielectric carrying means is less than 5 mm.

8. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dielectric carrying means comprises an adhesion or mounting layer.

9. The antenna as claimed in claim 7, wherein the dielectric carrying layer comprises a double-sided adhesive adhesion or mounting means.

10. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patch element comprises a three-dimensional volume member.

11. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patch element comprises a metal sheet-type, foil-type or layer-type base portion, elevations, edges and/or webs being configured on the base or central portion, projecting transversely to the face thereof.

12. The antenna as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elevations, edges and/or webs are configured on the peripheral edge of the base or central portion of the patch element and project transversely to the base portion face.

13. The antenna as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elevations, edges and/or webs are provided further inwardly offset at the outer edge of the central or base portion of the patch element.

14. The antenna as claimed in claim 11, wherein the patch element consists of a metal sheet, the webs or edges of which are formed by cutting or punching and subsequent edging.

19. The antenna as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patch element is made from an electrically conductive material, in particular metal.

5. (canceled)

15. A multilayer patch antenna of planar construction having a plurality of faces and/or layers arranged along an axial axis comprising:

an electrically conductive ground face,

a conductive radiation face which is arranged with lateral spacing from the ground face and extending substantially parallel thereto,

a dielectric carrier arranged between the ground face and the radiation face,

the radiation face being electrically connected to an electrically conductive supply line,

a carrying means provided on the side of the radiation face that opposes the ground face, and

an electrically conductive patch element provided on the side of the carrying means that opposes the radiation face,

the carrying means having a thickness or height which is less than the thickness or height of the patch element,

wherein the patch element comprises a metal sheet-type, foil-type or layer-type base portion, elevations, edges and/or webs being configured on the base or central portion, projecting transversely to the face thereof, and

wherein the edges or webs are oriented perpendicularly to the face of the central or base portion of the patch element.

16. A multilayer patch antenna of planar construction having a plurality of faces and/or layers arranged along an axial axis comprising:

an electrically conductive ground face,

a conductive radiation face which is arranged with lateral spacing from the ground face and extending substantially parallel thereto,

a dielectric carrier arranged between the ground face and the radiation face,

the radiation face being electrically connected to an electrically conductive supply line,

a carrying means provided on the side of the radiation face that opposes the ground face, and

an electrically conductive patch element provided on the side of the carrying means that opposes the radiation face,

the carrying means having a thickness or height which is less than the thickness or height of the patch element,

wherein the patch element comprises a metal sheet-type, foil-type or layer-type base portion, elevations, edges and/or webs being configured on the base or central portion, protecting transversely to the face thereof, and

wherein the edges or webs are oriented at an angle, diverging from the perpendicular, to the face of the central or base portion of the patch element.

17. A multilayer patch antenna of planar construction having a plurality of faces and/or layers arranged along an axial axis comprising:

an electrically conductive ground face,

a conductive radiation face which is arranged with lateral spacing from the ground face and extending substantially parallel thereto,

a dielectric carrier arranged between the ground face and the radiation face,

the radiation face being electrically connected to an electrically conductive supply line,

a carrying means provided on the side of the radiation face that opposes the ground face, and

an electrically conductive patch element provided on the side of the carrying means that opposes the radiation face,

the carrying means having a thickness or height which is less than the thickness or height of the patch element,

wherein the patch element comprises a lower plane, and there is provided in the patch element a recess or a hole or an indentation which extends above the lower plane of the patch element, away from the radiation face located therebelow.

18. The antenna as claimed in claim 17, wherein the hole or the recess or the indentation is provided in the region in which, in plan view, the supply line is contacted with the radiation face.

20. A multilayer patch antenna of planar construction having a plurality of faces and/or layers arranged along an axial axis comprising:

an electrically conductive ground face,

a conductive radiation face which is arranged with lateral spacing from the ground face and extending substantially parallel thereto,

a dielectric carrier arranged between the ground face and the radiation face,

the radiation face being electrically connected to an electrically conductive supply line,

a carrying means provided on the side of the radiation face that opposes the ground face, and

an electrically conductive patch element provided on the side of the carrying means that opposes the radiation face,

the carrying means having a thickness or height which is less than the thickness or height of the patch element,

wherein the patch element is made from an electrically non-conductive material and is entirely or partially coated with an electrically conductive layer, at least the central or base portion and the peripheral lateral boundaries or the provided edges or webs being provided with an electrically conductive layer.