Antenna arrangement in motor vehicles

• US 6,417,810 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Huels, Helmut, Reinhardt, Matthias, Ruther, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US09/585,400
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/713, 343/848, 343/711, 343/712
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0043 for integrated articles, i.e. not substantially protruding from the surrounding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/245 where the antenna reception area plays a role
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1271 for mounting on windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3241 particular used in keyless entry systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40

Abstract

An antenna arrangement in a motor vehicle, in particular, an antenna of a radio remotely controllable locking system. The antenna surface is preferably arranged in the region of a window opening of the vehicle, in particular in the windshield, with one surface edge facing a bodywork part. The bodywork part acts as a ground for the RF signals. The antenna arrangement is of simple construction and can advantageously be combined with other functional units.

Claims

1. An antenna system for a motor vehicle, said system comprising:

a receiver;

an electrically conductive antenna surface connected to said receiver by a supply lead wherein said conductive antenna surface has an active surface edge positioned to face a part of said motor vehicle functioning as a ground surface and wherein said conductive antenna surface is positioned at a given distance from said ground surface, wherein the receiver is arranged close to the ground surface and is coupled, with a low impedance, to the ground surface of one side for radio-frequency signals at an operating frequency of the antenna surface.

2. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein in that the antenna surface is positioned in a rim region of a front window.

3. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the active surface edge of the antenna surface faces the vehicle roof as the ground surface.

4. The antenna system according to claim 1, further including a dielectric surface of a functional unit attached to the vehicle additionally used as a support for the antenna surface.

5. The antenna system according to claim 4, wherein the functional unit is a rain sensor arranged at the rim of a stationary window.

6. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is positioned a short distance away from the antenna surface.

7. The antenna system according to claim 6, wherein the length of the supply lead is shorter than half the operating wavelength of the antenna surface.

8. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver supply lead is connected in a section of the antenna surface facing the ground surface.

9. The antenna system according to claim 8, wherein the receiver supply lead is connected to the antenna active edge of the antenna surface.

10. The antenna system according to claim 1, further comprising reactive elements inserted between the antenna surface and the receiver, for impedance matching.

11. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein the reactive elements are inserted between the antenna surface and the receiver supply lead.

12. The antenna system according to claim 11, wherein the reactive elements are in the form of structured conductive surfaces.

13. The antenna system according to claim 12, wherein the reactive elements are formed on the same dielectric support as the antenna surface.

14. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna surface is intrinsically structured with surface interruptions.

15. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein a minimum distance between the active surface edge of the antenna surface and the ground surface is greater than 0.005 λ

, and less than 0.05 λ

, where λ

is the operating wavelength of the antenna arrangement.

16. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the surface transverse dimensions of the antenna surface in two mutually perpendicular directions is between 0.25 and 4.

17. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said remote control device is a locking system, which can be operated by radio and has a radio key.

18. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna surface is used at an operating wavelength between 0.2 m and 2 m.

19. The antenna system according to claim 15, wherein the minimum distance between the active surface edge of the antenna surface and the ground surface is greater than 0.01 λ

and less than 0.025 λ

.

20. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein an extent of said conductive antenna surface is in a direction away from said ground surface.