Flexible vehicle antenna

• US 6,331,838 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2000
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morris, Daniel Gordon, Scott, Stephen Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Wimer, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US09/619,244
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.132, 343/895, 343/713, 343/715, 343/900, 343/903
• US Class Current: 343/715
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/085 Flexible aerials; Whip aerials with a resilient base
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas

Abstract

An antenna adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle for receiving digital audio signals from a satellite. The antenna includes a base configured to be secured to a vehicle, and an elongated mast constructed of a polymer material and including at least one antenna-forming conductor extending along the mast to receive signals. A spring member flexibly connects the elongated mast to the base, and an elastomeric cover extends between the base and the elongated mast and envelops the spring member. A flexible conductor is connected to the antenna-forming conductor and extends through the elastomeric cover.

Claims

1. An antenna adapted to be mounted to a mobile vehicle for receiving digital signals from a satellite, comprising:

a base configured to be secured to a vehicle;

an elongated mast constructed of a polymer material and including at least one antenna-forming conductor extending along said mast to receive signals;

a spring member flexibly connecting said elongated mast to said base;

an elastomeric cover extending between said base and said elongated mast and enveloping said spring member; and

a flexible conductor connected to said antenna-forming conductor and extending through said elastomeric cover.

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

said at least one antenna-forming conductor comprises four elongated antenna conductors extending around said mast and forming a quadrifilar helical antenna.

3. The antenna set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said mast defines a base end;

each said elongated antenna conductor has an electrical feed point adjacent said base end of said mast; and

including;

a phase network electrically connecting said electrical feed points of said electrical conductors to said flexible conductor.

4. The antenna set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said base includes an electronics case having a cavity adapted to receive electronic components therein.

5. The antenna set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said electronics case has an inner shell made of a rigid material forming said cavity, and an outer cover of an elastomeric material enveloping said inner shell and forming a gasket configured to seal said cavity when said electronics case is mounted to a vehicle.

6. The antenna set forth in claim 5, including:

a cover extending over said electronics case, said cover having a perimeter portion thereof adapted to fit closely against an outer surface of a motor vehicle.

7. The antenna set forth in claim 6, including:

a circuit board disposed in said cavity of said electronics case; and

wherein;

said spring member is a coil spring; and

said flexible conductor is a coaxial cable extending through said coil spring and electrically connected to said circuit board.

8. The antenna set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said mast is constructed of a rigid polymer material.

9. An antenna for receiving digital signals from a satellite, comprising:

a base configured to be secured to a mobile vehicle;

an elongated mast constructed of a dielectric material and having a generally cylindrical outer surface, said mast defining a base end;

four elongated antenna conductors disposed on said outer surface of said elongated mast and forming a quadrifilar helical antenna, each antenna conductor having an electrical feed point adjacent said base end of said elongated mast, said feed points progressively phased by about ninety degrees relative to one another;

a flexible member connecting said elongated mast to said base and biasing said mast into a use position;

a flexible elongated conductor; and

a phase network positioned adjacent said base end of said mast and electrically connecting said electrical feed points of said elongated antenna conductors to said flexible cable.

10. The antenna set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said base includes an electronics case having a cavity adapted to receive electronic components therein.

11. The antenna set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said electronics case has an inner shell made of a rigid material forming said cavity, and an outer cover of an elastomeric material enveloping said inner shell and forming a gasket configured to seal said cavity when said electronics case is mounted to a vehicle.

12. The antenna set forth in claim 11, including:

a cover extending over said electronics case, said cover having a perimeter portion thereof adapted to fit closely against an outer surface of a motor vehicle.

13. The antenna set forth in claim 12, including:

a circuit board disposed in said cavity of said electronics case; and

wherein;

said flexible member is a coil spring; and

said flexible elongated conductor is a coaxial cable extending through said coil spring and electrically connected to said circuit board.

14. The antenna set forth in claim 13, including:

an elastomeric cover extending between said base and said mast and enveloping said coil spring.

15. The antenna set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said mast is constructed of a flexible polymer material.

16. An antenna for mounting on a mobile vehicle for receiving digital signals from a satellite, said antenna comprising:

a base including an electronics case having a cavity adapted to receive electronic components therein, said electronics case having an inner shell made of a rigid material forming said cavity, and an outer cover of an elastomeric material enveloping said inner shell and forming a gasket configured to seal said cavity when said electronics case is mounted to a vehicle;

an elongated mast secured to said base; and

at least one elongated antenna conductor extending along said mast to receive signals.

17. The antenna set forth in claim 16, including:

a flexible cable electrically interconnecting said antenna conductor to said base.

18. The antenna set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said at least one antenna conductor comprises four elongated antenna conductors extending around said mast and forming a quadrifilar helical antenna.

19. The antenna set forth in claim 18, wherein:

said mast defines a base end;

each said antenna conductor has an electrical feed point adjacent said base end of said mast; and

including;

a phase network electrically connecting said electrical feed points of said antenna conductors to said flexible cable.

20. The antenna set forth in claim 19, including:

a cover extending over said electronics case, said cover having a perimeter portion thereof adapted to fit closely against an outer surface of a motor vehicle.

21. The antenna set forth in claim 16, including:

a spring member interconnecting said base and said mast and biasing said mast into a use position.

22. The antenna set forth in claim 21, including:

said mast is constructed of a rigid polymer material.