Antenna device for a vehicle with a fastening element formed as detent element

The invention relates to an antenna device for a vehicle, in particular a rooftop antenna device, according to the features of claim 1.

Such an antenna device is known from DE 102 58 102.9. These The antenna device comprises a metal base plate, which on its Bottom is provided with a threaded pin, a bushing for cable having. On top of the base plate, a circuit board with Antenna elements such as an antenna rod to be attached. The electrical connection between the antenna elements, the printed circuit board and a downstream electronic device (such as an antenna amplifier) via cables and if appropriate connectors, which by the implementation of the base plate should be maintained. To ensure the Stability, it is necessary, the circuit board having a plurality of openings (holes) to provide that correspond to threaded holes in the base plate, so that the circuit board can then be bolted to the base plate. The attachment of the base plate or of the entire antenna apparatus which as a can be pre-assembled module, via the threaded stud in an Opening inserted in a part of the vehicle and subsequently screwed becomes. In general, the assembly of the antenna device is carried out on a roof of the vehicle, so that it is here a disadvantage that the mounting for the Antenna apparatus requires two people, namely that of the Top of the roof to keep the antenna device and the second person Feathers from inside the threaded pin with a corresponding nut and this tightening. For aesthetic reasons, has to very precisely on the Ausrichtun g the antenna apparatus can be ensured on the roof of the vehicle. A further disadvantage is that the fixing of the circuit board at the Baseplate is very costly means of screws, on the one hand, the base plate provided with corresponding threaded holes, and then the PCB must be fastened with screws to the base plate. This increases disadvantageously the variety of parts, hence the cost and, above all, installation costs. Although it has been already thought that PCB by means of pins, which are located on the base plate and in holes in the engage circuit board to fix by caulking thereby, the downside given that the circuit board replaced only with increased expenditure in the defect case can be. A further disadvantage is that after the Assembling the antenna device which is soldered to the circuit board cable by conducting the threaded pin in the antenna device have been taken out and it can not be avoided that, for example during of transportation, installation or operation of the antenna device from Direction of the electronic device to tensile or compressive forces on the cable and thus also act on the solder on the circuit board. However, this means in the worst case, that, when large forces acting on the cable Soldering of the printed circuit board will be demolished and thus lost contact goes. The electrical traces are on the circuit board in Solder area demolished, so that these already finished antenna apparatus not more usable and has to be disposed of expensively.

The invention is therefore based on the object, the initially described improve antenna device to the effect that with simplified installation a reduction in the number of parts is achieved and moreover the outset described disadvantages are avoided.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, on the one hand, the circuit board to the base plate and on the other hand, the base plate at the part of the vehicle via a Fasteners exhibiting fastener can be fastened. By Use of a single fastener reduces the number of parts and the Manufacturing expense, since, for example the introduction of holes in the base plate and the use of screws for fixing the circuit board to the base plate is avoided. It can also mean an Vorverrastung between PCB and locking element for ease of installation done; the module "PCB assembled" with locking element must in this case, after locking in the base plate still screwed, stamped or brazed, otherwise no sufficient Shielding can be achieved. At the same time is formed in one piece Fastener designed such that with it the pre-assembled antenna apparatus attached to the part, in particular a roof of the vehicle can be. Thus, not two, but only one person required for mounting the antenna apparatus to the vehicle.

In development of the invention, the fastening element is in a Injection molding manufacturable plastic part, which is just for manufactured, mass production cheap. In the forms for the injection molding process be used can already be all fasteners integrate. Moreover, an adaptation of the fastener element to Various constructions of antenna devices readily adaptable.

In development of the invention, the fastener of the fastener Locking arms with arranged at their ends snap hook, into corresponding Recesses and / or grooves in the circuit board and the base plate latch engage and after assembly. This is particularly advantageous when Assembly of the antenna device and their subsequent assembly on the vehicle. Are all involved components of the antenna apparatus, such as Base plate, printed circuit board and the like, prefabricated, can the fastener first by means of a locking connection, the circuit board at the fixed base, are locked. Subsequently, the already with the PCB soldered cable, wherein the circuit board already the antenna elements includes, performed by the base plate and the printed circuit board through the Fastener engaged with the base plate. This is the final Antenna device ready for mounting to the vehicle. About the direction the vehicle part aligned latch arms of the fastener can the antenna device inserted into an opening in the part of the vehicle be and latched there. Depending on the size of the antenna device forces ranges these fastening the antenna device via the Fixing element made of on the part of the vehicle. In this case, should the designed detent element for receiving the forces sufficiently stable will. In addition, it is conceivable that the base plate while a threaded pin by means of which the antenna device in the part of the vehicle known manner is screwed. But this alone can one person occur, since the antenna device in its position already on the vehicle secured defined. A counter-holding when screwing through another Person is no longer necessary in an advantageous manner.

In development of the invention is to increase the positional fixing of the individual elements to one another conceivable that the fastening element comprises at least one guide element, with which the position of the fastening element can be fixed to the circuit board and / or the base plate. Thus, firstly, the locking arms, the location positioning of the fastening element in make reference to the base plate or the printed circuit board. If this is constructive Reasons (eg arrangement of the locking arms in a circular path) not possible, a guide member, in addition to the fixing member are provided, wherein the circuit board and the base plate a this having guide member corresponding counterpart. Such a guide element may for example be a guide pin which engages in a recess engages (or vice versa).

In development of the invention, the fastening element for strain relief the at least one cable for tensile and compressive forces from the direction of electronic device formed. This has the advantage that the cable, consisting of the base plate protrude to the electronic device by the mounting to be connected, can be loaded with tension or compression forces without that these have an effect on the solder on the circuit board. In order to accepts fastener according to the invention not only a fixing function, but also a strain relief function.

An embodiment of a fastening element according to the invention, to which however is not to limit the invention and within the framework of constructive Circumstances of the antenna device can be varied for in vehicle, explained below and described with reference to FIGS.

Show it:<dl tsize="8"><dt>Figure 1:</dt><dd>a fastener for a roof antenna device,</dd><dt>Figure 2:</dt><dd>a fastener with cables for their relief,</dd><dt>Figure 3:</dt><dd>the fastener with cables to a circuit board (view mounted from below)</dd><dt>Figure 4:</dt><dd>the fastening element to the printed circuit board (view from the Top) mounted,</dd><dt>Figure 5:</dt><dd>a base plate of the roof antenna device (top view)</dd><dt>Figure 6:</dt><dd>the base plate of the roof antenna device in the view of below,</dd><dt>Figure 7:</dt><dd>the base plate of the roof antenna device via the Fastener mounted PCB with antenna elements (View from above),</dd><dt>Figure 8:</dt><dd>the base plate of the roof antenna device via the fastener mounted circuit board in the bottom view.</dd></dl>

Figure 1 shows the fastening element 1 of the invention in its construction, which the installation of the antenna device, in particular the roof antenna device, corresponds for a vehicle. Since the constructions of such Roof antenna devices may vary, it will be understood by itself, the design of the fastening element 1 of the invention in accordance with adapt these constructions of the antenna devices, under Maintaining the functioning of the fastener. 1

The fastener shown in Figure 1 1, in a plastic part an injection molding process has been established, has as fastening means down once aligned latch arms 2, on the ends of which corresponding Locking hooks 3 are. Other fastening means are upwardly Locking arms 4 arranged at the end that are available latching hooks. 5 As Guide element for positioning of the fastening element 1 is a Guide pins 6 provided. To the guide pin 6 and the locking arms 4 around are bearing surfaces 7 for receiving the printed circuit board, not shown here available. The locking arms 4 and the bearing surfaces 7 are part of unspecified frame of the fastening element 1, so that this frame in its center forms a performing. At this frame hanging almost down the other locking arms 2. In the frame are still Cable guides 8, 9 integrated with the position, shape and the number of Cable guides 8, 9 conform to the cables from the circuit board are available to the electronic device. About different diameters the cable guides 8, 9, for example, an accurate location of the assignment Cable used follow when this in turn a correspondingly adapted have outer diameters.

Figure 2 shows the fastener 1 with cables for their relief. Here, the printed circuit board is omitted for simplicity of illustration been, so that the arrangement of the cable in the cable guides 8, 9 can be seen is. The specified therein cable 10, 11 are within the scope of the fastener 1 angled so that this provides strain relief, when the board rests on the support surfaces. 7 The cables 10, 11 is it to per se known high-frequency cable, here as Coaxial cable. Thus, for example, the cable 10 has an inner conductor 12 which coaxially surrounded by an insulation 13, which insulation 13 a Shield 14 (in particular a shielded) bears. This whole structure is by a jacket 15, which may for example be colored, surrounded. In Figure 2 is seen that the two cables 10, 11 (or also more than two cable) have different diameters, so that these diameters of the Cable guides are adjusted 8.9. But that is the same diameter more cables and thus equal diameters not the cable guides 8, 9 locked out.

Figure 3 shows the fastener 1 with the cables 10, 11 to a circuit board 16, wherein the printed circuit board 16 is shown from below. Here, the Fastener 1 already on the locking arms 4 and their locking hooks 5 at the PCB 16 is fixed. Present but not shown here, are on the Underside of the printed circuit board 16 electrical traces electrically coupled to the Inner conductors 12 and the shield 14 of the cable 10, are contacted by 11th These Contacting can by soldering, crimping or any other electrical Contacting done.

Figure 4 shows the fastening element 1 to the circuit board 16, in which case the View from the top of the circuit board is illustrated 16th Very good is to recognize that the circuit board 16 for receiving the locking arms 4 of the fastening element corresponding recesses 1 17 has. The location and Shape of the recesses 17 is chosen such that due to the inclined surface the latch hook 5 of the locking arms 4 this when inserting the fastener 1 are slightly compressed into the recesses 17 and again occupy their original position when the locking arms 4 through the recesses out 17 and the circuit board 16 on the supporting surfaces 7 of the fastening element 1 comes to rest. At this stage, engage behind the Locking hooks 5, the top of the circuit board 16 so that by this simple Use operation of the fastening element, the circuit board 16 effective but is still releasably secured to the fastener. 1 In FIG 4 yet be seen that the circuit board 16 has a further recess 18, which in Position and shape of the guide pin 6 of the fastener 1 corresponds. This is a unique and not be confused position of Fastener 1 to the circuit board 16 secured.

Figure 5 shows as a further element of the antenna device includes a base plate 19, consisting of metal for the purpose of shielding. This base plate 19 can, for example in a casting or die casting process are prepared. The base plate 19 has a receiving area 20 for the printed circuit board 16, wherein around the Receiving area 20 around a peripheral web 21 provided with transverse webs is, to which the circuit board 16 can be placed with their outer areas. About the metallized or metallic strips 21 carried an electrical contact with corresponding regions (conductors), the circuit board 16, which is For example, due to the electrical contact to shield can act. Furthermore, the base plate 19 is a passage 22 for the Cable 10, 11, which conduct 22 for example with a roof antenna device in an interior (passenger compartment) of the vehicle is sufficient. Around this implementation 22 around are further recesses 23 in the base plate 19 is introduced, in which the locking arms 2 of the fastening element 1 (not shown) are insertable and fixable.

Figure 6 shows the base plate 19 according to Figure 5 of the roof antenna device the view from below, a round outside edge to the base plate 19 around circumferential seal 24 is provided. Likewise, the implementation of 22 coaxially around also provided a circumferential seal 25, which means of the seals 24, 25 the opening in the part of the vehicle towards the outside is sealed, shown when the base plate 19 with her in Figure 6 Underside is placed on the part of the vehicle. In order to carry out 22 around is a threaded pin 26 is present, which is also part of the Base plate 19 is. Also to the implementation 22 around are capable of Locking arms 2 of the fastener corresponding grooves 27 provided 1, here symmetrical, asymmetrical conceivable in order to carry 22 around are arranged. At the end of the grooves 27 is a shoulder 28, in particular one to the threaded pin 26 completely around arranged paragraph exist, where the latch hook of the locking arms 2 can come to rest.

Figure 7 shows the base plate 19 of the roof antenna device via the Fastener 1 mounted PCB 16 with antenna elements. Both Antenna elements is, for example, an electrically with the PCB 16-contacted antenna module 29, as a GPS receiver is trained. Another antenna element a rod antenna 30 is provided, their structure is not important here and also to the circuit board 16 electrically contacted. Depending on the services, with the antenna device are to be received, the number, the structure and Operation, above all the receivable frequency range, the Antenna elements, which are located on the circuit board 16 vary. In the Figure 7 is clearly seen that the circuit board 16 via the detent arms 4 by a simple Verrastvorganges on the circumferential rib 21 of the Base plate 19 can be held. Are the peripheral web 21 and the corresponding portions of the circuit board 16 is electrically conductive, with this simple Verrastvorgang not only the circuit board 16 to the base plate 19 set, but also at the same time carried out a contact. to to achieve lasting and sufficient protection, a further or better electrical connection: for example, by screwing, soldering, or Stamping be performed.

Figure 8 shows the base plate 19 of the roof antenna device with more than the fastening element 1 mounted printed circuit board 16 in a view from below, which is very easy to see that the locking arms 2 of the fastener 1 in the grooves 27 of the base plate are inserted 19th Here are the catches 3 the latching arms 2 coaxially outwardly so that the thus prepared Roof antenna device in a corresponding opening in the part (roof) of the used vehicle and by means of a likewise simple Verrastvorganges can be fixed there. Here, too, can again guide elements and corresponding counterparts are used to a defined arrangement rooftop antenna apparatus to ensure on the roof of the vehicle. Depending on the size of the forces acting on the roof antenna device, It may be that the latching connection is not sufficient by means of the locking hooks 3 is and therefore the base plate 19 via the threaded pin 26 with a still here Mother not shown is screwed onto the vehicle roof. Referring the representation in the figure 8, it should again be noted that the lead-out by performing 22 Cable 10, 11 by their Leadership in cable management 8, 9 and the bent path before pulling or Compressive stress are relieved. This means that on the lead-out Cable 10, 11 acting compressive or tensile loads as these are not on the electrical contact point with the circuit board 16 impact.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

<dl tsize="3" compact="compact"><dt>1.</dt><dd>fastener</dd><dt>. 2</dt><dd>detent arm</dd><dt>. 3</dt><dd>latch hook</dd><dt>. 4</dt><dd>detent arm</dd><dt>. 5</dt><dd>latch hook</dd><dt>. 6</dt><dd>guide pin</dd><dt>. 7</dt><dd>bearing surface</dd><dt>8th.</dt><dd>cable management</dd><dt>. 9</dt><dd>cable management</dd><dt>10th</dt><dd>Electric wire</dd><dt>11th</dt><dd>Electric wire</dd><dt>12th</dt><dd>inner conductor</dd><dt>. 13</dt><dd>insulation</dd><dt>14th</dt><dd>shielding</dd><dt>15th</dt><dd>jacket</dd><dt>16th</dt><dd>circuit board</dd><dt>17th</dt><dd>recess</dd><dt>18th</dt><dd>recess</dd><dt>19th</dt><dd>baseplate</dd><dt>20th</dt><dd>receiving area</dd><dt>21st</dt><dd>Circumferential web</dd><dt>22nd</dt><dd>implementation</dd><dt>23rd</dt><dd>recess</dd><dt>24th</dt><dd>Circumferential Seal</dd><dt>25th</dt><dd>Circumferential Seal</dd><dt>26th</dt><dd>threaded stud</dd><dt>27th</dt><dd>groove</dd><dt>28th</dt><dd>paragraph</dd><dt>29th</dt><dd>antenna module</dd><dt>30th</dt><dd>rod antenna</dd><dt>31st</dt><dd>openings</dd><dt>32nd</dt><dd>bearing surface</dd></dl>