Supported By Vehicle Body Patents (Class 343/713)
  • Publication number: 20120133563
    Abstract: An antenna unit incorporated into a door handle of a vehicle includes: an unlock sensor plate (first detection electrode) of a capacitive sensor configured to detect a driver's approaching or touching the door handle; and an antenna for wireless communications. The unlock sensor plate has an antenna fixing part for positioning and fixing the antenna. The antenna fixed on the antenna fixing part and the unlock sensor plate are molded into a unit with a molded resin. The unlock sensor plate has a circuit board fixing part for positioning and fixing a circuit board including a detection circuit of the capacitive sensor mounted thereon. An electrode fixing part for positioning and fixing a lock sensor plate (a second detection electrode) of the capacitive sensor is provided on an opposite surface of the circuit board from a surface on which the unlock sensor plate is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: U-SHIN LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Naka
  • Publication number: 20120119961
    Abstract: A molded radome for the beam path of a radar device with low radio transmission loss and improved resistance to attack by the environmental elements comprises a base layer or body composed of a resin and a decoration layer bearing an image. The decoration layer is characterized with bright metallic looking coat disposed on the surface of the base layer or body. The decoration layer is composed of a metalloid such as germanium or a germanium alloy applied to the base layer by sputtering deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Augusto Mayer Pujadas
  • Patent number: 8174461
    Abstract: A transportable directional antenna system includes an antenna pedestal, a plurality of outriggers, and an earth anchor. The earth anchor can be coupled to a horizontally centered point on the pedestal. Tension can be applied between the earth anchor and the pedestal to substantially preload the outriggers and the surface on which they bear to provide a highly stable antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: L-3 Communications, Corp.
    Inventor: Robert Hyrum Smith
  • Patent number: 8169375
    Abstract: A stabilizing mechanism and method for a reflector antenna, in a mobile satellite system on a transport, such as a vehicle, for substantially minimizing damage to the reflector antenna when stowed. The stabilizing mechanism uses a stabilizing surface and a pair of stabilizing devices connected on opposite sides of the reflector antenna to provide a pre-load separation distance between a stabilizing surface and the reflector antenna when the reflector antenna is stowed. The pre-loaded separation minimizes any movement of the reflector antenna towards the stabilizing surface during movement of the transport or in adverse environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Winegard Company
    Inventor: Timothy John Conrad
  • Publication number: 20120098718
    Abstract: A communication device for a vehicle in which an RF device in the room mirror is connected electrically to a radiator included in a shade band is disclosed. The communication device for a vehicle includes an RF de vice in a room mirror and a radiator disposed in a shade band and connected electrically to the RF device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: ACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tae-Hwan Yoo, Chang-Gyu Choi, Byong-Nam Kim
  • Publication number: 20120098716
    Abstract: A vehicle window assembly. The window assembly includes a glass ply and an electro-conductive coating located on a surface of the glass ply. The electro-conductive coating has an outer peripheral edge that is adapted to be spaced from an inner metal edge of a vehicle frame so as to define an antenna slot. The electro-conductive coating includes at least one deleted portion adjacent the outer peripheral edge, wherein the deleted portion is sized to tune the antenna slot to a desired resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Pittsburgh Glass Works, LLC
    Inventor: David Dai
  • Publication number: 20120098717
    Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes a primary antenna, a primary data transmission line, a secondary antenna, a secondary data transmission line, and an RF device. The primary antenna is connected to the vehicle and is located in an exterior environment. The secondary antenna is connected to the vehicle and is located in one of the exterior environment and an interior cabin of the vehicle. The primary data transmission line transmits a first RF signal and is in communication with the primary antenna. The secondary data transmission line transmits a secondary RF signal and is in communication with the secondary antenna. The fixed RF device is connected to the vehicle and is in communication with the primary data transmission line and the secondary data transmission line to provide an output RF signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATONS, INC. @@ GENERAL MOTORS LLC
    Inventors: David R. Petrucci, Charles A. Massoll, Donald B. Hibbard, JR., Nathan C. Callaghan, Mark A. Wisnewski, David J. Trzcinski, Steven P. Schwinke
  • Publication number: 20120086614
    Abstract: A pane with electrically conductive structures is described. The pane has at least two electrically conductive structures galvanically separated from each other, a galvanic separating layer on at least on one of the electrically conductive structures, and an electrical conductor on the galvanic separating layer. The galvanic separating layer galvanically separates the conductor from at least one of the structures. A method for producing the pane and a use of the same are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Droste, Bernhard Reul, Andreas Schlarb, Gunther Vortmeier, Christoph Degen
  • Publication number: 20120081253
    Abstract: A low-profile antenna assembly includes at least two antennas co-located under a cover. At least one of the at least two antennas includes an antenna configured for use with AM/FM radio. And, at least one of the at least two antennas includes an antenna configured for use with at least one or more of SDARS, GPS, cell phones, Wi-Fi, DAB-VHF-III, DAB-L, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ayman Duzdar, Gary Keith Reed, Thomas Arthur Shirley, David Allen Swartwood
  • Publication number: 20120068896
    Abstract: A microwave antenna assembly includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a conductive layer, a first conductive patch, and a second conductive patch. The conductive layer is disposed in an inner region between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The conductive layer includes a slot. A first conductive patch is surrounded by the slot. The second conductive patch is disposed against the second dielectric layer outside the inner region, and is electromagnetically coupled to the first conductive patch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: GENERAL MOTORS LLC, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CARSON R. WHITE, HYOK JAE SONG, ERAY YASAN
  • Publication number: 20120068897
    Abstract: Antenna systems and antenna filters are provided, for example for use in a windshield or on a roof of a vehicle. An antenna system comprises a first antenna, a second antenna, and a filter. The first antenna is configured to operate at a first frequency. The second antenna is configured to operate at a second frequency. The filter is coupled to the first antenna. The filter is configured to create an open circuit condition at the second frequency and reduce secondary radiation between the first and second antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: GENERAL MOTORS LLC, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: HYOK JAE SONG, CARSON R. WHITE, YOON YEONG, ERAY YASAN
  • Patent number: 8138983
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a dielectric panel mounted to the vehicle frame, an antenna unit mounted on the dielectric panel, an electrically conductive bracket connected with the antenna unit, and a resilient ground plate connected with the bracket and the vehicle frame. The dielectric panel can be interposed between the antenna unit and the bracket. The resilient ground plate can facilitate grounding the antenna unit to the vehicle frame. A vehicle antenna unit and an antenna mount for the vehicle antenna unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Yokowo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehito Oki, Michael Andrew Pilgrim, Jason Dutter, Masashi Noda, Sadao Ohno
  • Patent number: 8138885
    Abstract: A vehicle antenna device includes a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna surrounds an ignition key cylinder having a key insertion hole and is configured to receive a first signal transmitted from a first transmitter in a key insertion state where a key is inserted into the key insertion hole. The second antenna is configured to receive a second signal transmitted from a second transmitter. The first antenna is positioned between the first transmitter and the second antenna in the key insertion state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Yoshimura, Naoto Yamamoto, Hideaki Arai
  • Patent number: 8130156
    Abstract: A center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) assembly for a vehicle includes an integrated radio frequency (RF) antenna. The CHMSL assembly has an outer lens element, a lamp assembly configured to emit light through the outer lens element, and a housing for the outer lens element and the lamp assembly. The housing is adapted for attachment to an upper rear portion of the vehicle, and the housing has an interior region defined therein. The CHMSL assembly also has an RF antenna element located within the interior region. The RF antenna element is configured and positioned such that it does not obstruct a light path from the lamp assembly to the outer lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg R. Kittinger, Donald B. Hibbard, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120038527
    Abstract: Disclosed is a glass antenna wherein two antennas, which are formed on a glass surface and have different receiving frequency bands, are integrated. In the glass antenna (30), the glass surface (10) includes a first antenna pattern (31), which is composed of one perpendicular conductive body (310) and a plurality of horizontal conductive bodies (311-316) orthogonally intersecting the perpendicular conductive body, and a second antenna pattern (32), which has a receiving frequency band different from that of the first antenna pattern and is composed of one horizontal conductive body (320) capacitively coupled with the first antenna pattern. One discretionary horizontal conductive body among the plurality of horizontal conductive bodies of the first antenna pattern is connected to a power feed point (20) by means of a connecting conductive line (40). Signals received by the first antenna pattern or the second antenna pattern are amplified by means of a shared amplifier (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Kosuke Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120038526
    Abstract: A low-profile antenna is provided. A laminated substrate is formed into a structure in which a plurality of substrates having different permittivities are stacked, and a radiator consists of a plurality of unit patches disposed on an upper surface of the laminated substrate and generates an electric field perpendicular to the upper surface of the laminated substrate. Ground vias are formed from the respective unit patches to a ground plane disposed on a lower surface of the laminated substrate through the substrates constituting the laminated substrate. In the low-profile antenna, the radiator consisting of the plurality of patches is disposed on the upper surface of the laminated substrate having a structure in which the plurality of substrates are stacked to generate a magnetic loop around the patches, so that vertical polarized signals can be received due to a magnetic field perpendicular to the upper surface of the laminated substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: CHUNG-ANG UNIVERSITY-ACADEMY COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Sungjoon LIM, Seunghee BAEK, Yong Soo CHO
  • Patent number: 8111202
    Abstract: A high frequency wave glass antenna for an automobile includes an antenna conductor formed in a loop shape and disposed in or an automobile window glass sheet, the antenna conductor having a discontinuity and feeding portions at both ends of the discontinuity or in the vicinity of said both ends, the discontinuity being formed of a portion of the loop shape cut by a length. The antenna conductor includes a detour in a portion of the loop shape, the detour being formed of a single or a plurality of detour elements, the detour being disposed in a position, which satisfies that a rate of a distance from a center of the discontinuity of the original loop shape to a center of the detour of the original loop shape with respect to a length of an inner peripheral edge or an outer peripheral edge of the original loop shape ranges from 0.18 to 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Kagaya, Kotaro Suenaga, Koji Ikawa
  • Patent number: 8111203
    Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna apparatus, including: a support member; a drum which is rotatably supported by the support member and whose outer circumference corresponds to faces of polygonal column; a case which covers the support member and the drum and which has a hole along a circumference direction of the drum; an antenna rod which extends from the outer circumference of the drum in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the drum toward an outside of the case through the hole of the case, and polyhedral faces which are provided inside the case and which are to be fitted into the outer circumference of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8106840
    Abstract: A window glass of a vehicle having a roof antenna mounted on an upper rear portion of a roof of the vehicle, has a defogger formed, on the rear window glass, by a plurality of horizontal heating lines which are connected with each other at the respective both ends by busbars; a noise shield pattern provided at a head space of the defogger on the rear window glass and having at least three horizontal lines and at least one vertical line that cross each other; and at least three connecting lines that connect the noise shield pattern and the defogger. The noise shield pattern is formed in a symmetrical shape, and the connecting lines connect the noise shield pattern and the defogger symmetrically at center position and symmetrical positions about the center position in right-and-left direction of the noise shield pattern and the defogger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Ryota Sato, Shingo Tadokoro, Susumu Chonan, Yukihisa Shimazu
  • Patent number: 8102322
    Abstract: A vehicle antenna assembly is provided with an antenna and a mounting bracket. The antenna includes an elongated mast section and a base section. The mounting bracket includes a first end with an antenna attachment section fixed to the base section of the antenna, a middle section extending downwardly from the antenna attachment section, and a second end with a vehicle attachment section extending from the middle section in a radial direction with respect to a center longitudinal axis of the elongated mast section as viewed along the center longitudinal axis of the elongated mast section. The middle section includes a fulcrum point arranged to engage a portion of the vehicle for pivoting the mounting bracket about the fulcrum point to move the vehicle facing support surface towards the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Khreizat, Christopher Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120013512
    Abstract: An antenna device includes a housing having a base portion for attaching to a vehicle, and having a chamber formed in the housing and defined by a peripheral wall, and an antenna member engaged in the chamber of the housing and engaged within the peripheral wall of the housing and having a feed formed beside a groove, the antenna member is arranged to receive signals only from a predetermined direction for preventing the vehicle remote control locking system from being opened or unlocked with the signals from the other directions of the vehicle, the antenna member includes a ground terminal, and the groove of the antenna member is formed and located between the feed and the ground terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Huei Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 8098205
    Abstract: A Global Positioning System (GPS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna, including a dielectric board including a ground plane; a first antenna trace line disposed on a first portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line including at least one first meandered trace for transmitting and receive a WLAN radio frequency signal; a second antenna trace line disposed on a second portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the second antenna trace line including at least one second meandered trace for transmitting and receiving a GSM radio frequency signal; a GPS antenna for receiving radio frequency signals from at least one global positioning satellite; and a vehicle mountable housing for enclosing the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line, the second antenna trace line, and the GPS antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Rabinovich, Michael Matkiwsky
  • Patent number: 8099065
    Abstract: Communication with less noise is to be performed. A voltage value control signal functioning as an instruction to change the voltage value supplied from a voltage converting section to an LFI is output from a CPU. A driving section for the LFI outputs the control signal at 125 kHz that drives an FET circuit section according to the voltage value supplied from an ECU. The FET circuit section outputs the driving current for an antenna under the control of the driving section. A connecter terminal that connects to a harness is connected to a connecter terminal for GND connection along with the GND terminal of the voltage converting section. A connecter terminal that connects to a harness is connected to a connecter terminal for GND connection along with the GND terminal of the FET circuit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Fujii
  • Patent number: 8094085
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cabinet of an electrical apparatus including: a base; a cover to cover over the base; a gasket placed on a top face of the base and nipped between a bottom edge section of the cover and the base; a fastening section to penetrate through the base from a bottom face to the top face of the base to connect to an inner face of the cover and to tighten so that the base is pulled to a cover side; a seal integrally formed with the gasket to surround on the top face of the base a through hole which the fastening section penetrates; and a hood provided on an inner face of the cover so as to surround a connecting portion of the fastening section and the cover, and the hood being pressed against the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyuichi Sato, Hiroshi Suzuki, Kenichi Kamada, Takao Kato
  • Publication number: 20120001811
    Abstract: An antenna for a vehicle for enabling to design freely and enhance characteristics of the antenna such as isolation, etc. is disclosed. The antenna includes a substrate and a case configured to cover the substrate. Here, one or more radiator is disposed on an outer surface of the case, and a power is fed to the radiator from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: ACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tae-Hwan Yoo, Byong-Nam Kim, Seung-Yong Lee, Han-Soo Park, Sung-Bok Cho
  • Patent number: 8085207
    Abstract: A guard (120) for an antenna (602) includes a base (206) defined between a front edge (209), a rear edge (211), and two lateral edges (213, 215). A front generally triangular surface (208) extends from the front edge (209) to a narrowed upper edge, a rear generally triangular surface (210) extends from the rear edge (211) to a narrowed upper edge, and two lateral generally triangular surfaces (212, 214), each having a narrowed upper edge, extend from their respective lateral edge (213, 215). The narrowed upper edges form an apex (204), which forms an opening (202). The surfaces (208, 210, 212, 214) at least partially define an internal cavity (304) that encloses a portion (604) of the antenna (602). The front surface (208) is at a first angle (?) relative to a mounting surface (117) and the rear surface (210) is at a second, larger angle (?) relative to the mounting surface (117).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Lee Miller, Kevin M. Sergeant
  • Patent number: 8081126
    Abstract: Even though an antenna apparatus is low profile to have a height of not more than 70 mm, sensitivity is maximally suppressed from being deteriorated. In an antenna case 10 projecting from a vehicle in a height of not more than 70 mm, an antenna circuit board 30 on which an antenna pattern is formed is uprightly arranged and an amplifier circuit board 34 which amplifies a received signal output from the antenna circuit board 30 are housed. In the antenna circuit board 30, an antenna coil to resonate the antenna pattern in an FM waveband is inserted between the antenna pattern and a feeding point. Therefore, a low-profile antenna pattern having a length which is about 1/20 a wavelength of an FM broadcast resonates the FM band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Antena Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Ikeda, Yusuke Tainaka
  • Patent number: 8077100
    Abstract: An automotive glazing, comprising an antenna connector is disclosed. The glazing comprises at least a first ply of a transparent glazing material, and a ply of a plastics material extending across the ply of glazing material and having a line-like electrical conductor in contact therewith, a portion of the electrical conductor line being configured to form an antenna conductor and a portion being configured to form a coupling region. In addition, a surface contact is provided on the surface of the first ply of glazing material situated away from the plastics material, in registration with the coupling region. The coupling region and the surface contact form a transmission line acting as a bandpass filter for a frequency band f, the portion of the electrical conductor forming the coupling region having a length approximately equal to an odd multiple of a quarter of a first effective wavelength ?eff in the glazing corresponding to f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pilkington Automotive Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Baranski
  • Publication number: 20110298677
    Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna and an interior antenna. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface generally opposing the outer surface. The inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin of the vehicle. The exterior antenna is disposed on the outer surface of the wall, where the exterior antenna transmits and receives RF signals to and from an external RF device that is located in the exterior environment. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined by the inner surface of the wall. The interior antenna receives and transmits RF signals to and from an interior RF device located within the interior cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Petrucci, Charles A. Massoll, Donald B. Hibbard, JR., Nathan C. Callaghan
  • Publication number: 20110298678
    Abstract: An antenna system connectable to a vehicle includes an exterior antenna, an interior antenna, and a data transmission line. The vehicle has a wall including an outer surface and an inner surface that generally opposes the outer surface, where the inner surface and the outer surface cooperate together to create an aperture. The wall defines an exterior environment and an interior cabin. The exterior antenna is located within the exterior environment and is connectable to the vehicle. The interior antenna is located within the interior cabin defined. The data transmission line transmits RF signals and is in communication with both the exterior antenna and the interior antenna. The transmission line passes through the aperture located in the plate between the exterior antenna and the interior antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Petrucci, Charles A. Massoll, Donald B. Hibbard, JR., Nathan C. Callaghan
  • Patent number: 8063845
    Abstract: A symmetrical printed meander dipole antenna includes a dielectric board including a ground plane; a first antenna trace line disposed on a first portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line including a plurality of first vertical meandered traces; a second antenna trace line disposed on a second portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the second antenna trace line including a plurality second vertical meandered traces, wherein the first and second plurality of vertical meandered traces are symmetrical to each other; and an inductor in contact with the first and second antenna trace lines for tuning the impedance of the symmetrical printed meander dipole antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Rabinovich
  • Publication number: 20110279337
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a radio communication system comprises a removable antenna platform and an antenna interface bulkhead connected to a roof of a locomotive. The antenna platform includes a blind mate connector connected to an antenna mount. The antenna mount is connected to a ground plane. The antenna interface bulkhead includes a blind mate connector configured to mate with the blind mate connector of the antenna platform when the antenna platform is attached to the antenna interface bulkhead. The antenna interface bulkhead is configured to attach to the antenna platform in one orientation. Thus, one or more antennas may be quickly attached to or removed from the roof of the locomotive reducing maintenance time for the locomotive when an antenna upgrade may be desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Mark Corwin, Gerard Cafferty, Timothy John Opalka
  • Patent number: 8059044
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of apparatus and methods relating to mounting antenna components, modules, and assemblies, such as antenna modules or RF amplifier modules. In an exemplary embodiment, a fastener includes a clamping portion. An actuator is configured to convert a rotational force applied for rotating the fastener into a clamping force applied to the mounting surface generally between the at least one antenna component and the clamping portion of the fastener, to thereby mount the at least one antenna component to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Laird Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Nils Rode, Jens Simon, Gerd Kallmeyer
  • Patent number: 8059043
    Abstract: An antenna assembly for installation in a vehicle, such as an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The antenna assembly includes at least one window mounted antenna for an aircraft for enabling the aircraft to communicate wirelessly with a network, such as a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). The window mounted antenna includes a panel that is transparent to visible light and has at least one antenna element, which can be etched onto the panel. The panel can attach to the interior window of the aircraft, or to an inner surface of the inner pressure window of the aircraft, or can replace the interior window, so as to position the antenna element in a side-looking direction with respect to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brady, Jr., George Treneer
  • Publication number: 20110267243
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods relating to mounting antenna components, modules, assemblies, etc. to mounting surfaces, such as vehicle roofs, hoods, trunk lids, etc. Other aspects relate to antenna assemblies including the mounting apparatus. An exemplary embodiment generally includes one or more contact parts, a clamping piece, and a fastener. The one or more contact parts, clamping piece, and fastener may be used for mounting an antenna assembly to a mounting surface, such as a vehicle body wall (e.g., a vehicle's roof, hood, trunk lid, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Steinkamp, Jens Simon, Rainer Ecker, Otto Heinemeyer
  • Publication number: 20110260935
    Abstract: An antenna embedded into armor plates. The armor material is of low dielectric constant preferably less than 20 permitting radio radiation to be emitted through the armor by the antenna. In a preferred embodiment the armor is a composite of different materials, with the antenna placed between elements of the armor, creating a multi-level design. The antenna elements are preferably printed for low-profile and ease of integration or the antenna elements can be fabricated from larger elements and placed into a space between vehicle and armor or in a cavity cut into the vehicle or armor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Robert S. Bortoin, Hao Xin, Andrey Berezin, Jayanth Kudva, Hualiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8044870
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus includes an antenna, and a resin material provided between the antenna and a reflector (windshield). The resin material includes portions, and the thickness (or dielectric constant) of each portion of the resin material is determined in accordance with a length of a straight line connecting a feeding point of the antenna, each portion of the resin material, and the reflector. Therefore, a phase of a reflected wave can be easily adjusted, thereby improving a performance of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Okada, Tetsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8044876
    Abstract: A rigid substrate including at least one electrically conducting element that provides an antenna function to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals, the electrically conducting element having a pattern with a fractal geometry. The electrically conducting element is formed from an electrically conductive ink or enamel that is printed directly on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Sebastien Collinet, Jose Jaime Cruzado
  • Patent number: 8044871
    Abstract: A hybrid antenna unit includes a circuit board having top and bottom surfaces, a planer antenna element which is mounted on the top surface of the circuit board and which receives first and second radio waves, an antenna base and a top cover that cover the circuit board and the planer antenna element. A bar antenna element stands on the top cover in a slanting position. A processing unit is mounted on the bottom surface of the circuit board and is connected to the planer antenna element. The processing unit processes the first and the second radio waves. A shielding case is mounted on the bottom surface of the circuit board and shields the processing unit. A booster circuit is mounted on the circuit board and is for use in the bar antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Takisawa, Junichi Noro, Takao Kato, Kenichi Kamada, Kyuichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20110254746
    Abstract: A transmission line for a vehicle includes: a steel plate for forming a body of a vehicle; a dielectric formed on the steel plate; and a conductive line formed on the dielectric. An antenna for a vehicle includes: a steel plate for forming a body of a vehicle; a dielectric formed on the steel plate; and a conductive line formed on the dielectric in such a manner as to include a radiating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: POSTECH Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Wee Sang Park, Dae Woong Woo, Jae Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 8040285
    Abstract: A glass antenna for an automobile improving antenna gain is provided. The glass antenna can receive two wavelength bands, that are a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band higher than the first wavelength band, and provided that the first wavelength band is designated as H band and the second wavelength band is designated as L band, antenna conductors 6, 7 for H band each having a shape and dimension configured to receive H band is provided on a rear glass plate 10 for an automobile, and an antenna conductor 1 for L band having a shape and dimension configured to receive L band is provided on the rear window glass plate 10, the antenna conductors 6, 7 for H band and the antenna conductor 1 for L band constitute two types of antenna conductors, the antenna conductor 1 for L band has a portion extending in a predetermined direction, and provided that the portion is designated as a predetermined direction extending portion 1c, the predetermined direction extending portion 1c has a detour portion 1b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenichiro Shimo, Mitsuro Watanabe, Masaki Ito
  • Publication number: 20110238286
    Abstract: A system and method for populating a map database for a vehicle navigation system with the location and type of wireless access points that can be used to update or service wireless systems on the vehicle. The map database can be initially populated with the known wireless access points at the time of manufacture of the vehicle, and then the vehicle communications system can detect new wireless access points as the vehicle travels, which can be stored on the map database. By storing the location and type of the access points in the map database, the vehicle will know the direction of the access point relative to the vehicle, and can compensate for the Doppler shift as a result of the relative movement of the vehicle to the access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert P. Roesser
  • Patent number: 8026858
    Abstract: An antenna element 1 is installed at a glass part 5 of a vehicle 4. The antennal element 1 has a ground part 3 and a radiating element 2. A metallic part side ground part 3b of the ground part 3 is overlapped with a metallic part 6 of the vehicle 4, while a glass part side ground part 3a of the ground part 3 and the radiating element 2 are not overlapped with the metallic part 6. The ground part 3 is installed such that a ratio of the area of the glass part side ground part 3a to be overlapped with the glass part 5 to the area of the metallic part side ground part 3b to be overlapped with the metallic part 6 is from 1:5 to 1:10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Takaba, Hitoshi Horita, Yuichi Anzai, Masayoshi Kaneyasu
  • Patent number: 8026861
    Abstract: A shielding device for an electronic component for use in a vehicle. The electronic component is positioned on the vehicle and generates an electromagnetic wave. A conductive panel is positioned between the electronic component and an antenna and substantially covers the electronic component. A ground wire is connected to the conductive panel and the vehicle so as to establish a ground connection for the electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Syunji Kondou
  • Patent number: 8022883
    Abstract: In an automobile rear windowpane antenna apparatus including a defogger disposed on a rear windowpane plate at a lower portion thereof an antenna pattern is disposed above the defogger on the rear windowpane plate at an upper portion thereof and is disposed so as to extend between near a right end edge of a window frame and near a left end edge thereof. A feeding point is disposed inside the antenna pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Shinkawa, Takao Kato, Nobuo Tamura, Wassom Pierre
  • Publication number: 20110221640
    Abstract: The invention relates to an antenna device (1), in particular a roof antenna device (19), for a motor vehicle, having at least one antenna (6) and at least one electronic assembly (7). In this case, provision is made for the antenna (6) and the electronic assembly (7) to be arranged in a water-tight inner housing (2) and for a visible housing (5) to cover the inner housing (2). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having an antenna device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Harald Huber
  • Patent number: 8018394
    Abstract: An aftermarket UHF parasitic antenna kit and method for a mobile television antenna includes: a base having an engagement surface and an extending boom; rivet holes in the engagement surface that correspond in size and location to a corresponding number of holes in the bottom of the mobile television antenna; push rivets that engage the rivet and bottom holes to hold the base to the bottom of the mobile television antenna; base foot holes in the engagement surface and boom; resilient base feet that engage the base foot holes; and at least one parasitic antenna element connected to the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Winegard Company
    Inventors: Timothy John Conrad, Gail Edwin McCollum
  • Patent number: 8013802
    Abstract: A portable fairing for a mobile radar array system includes at least partially open housing surrounding the mobile radar array and a curved covering mounted on the housing. The curved covering is adapted to cover the radar array in a closed position. The sides of the housing are curved such that when the curved covering is closed, the housing and the curved covering form a generally curved structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Hall, Matthew A. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 8009107
    Abstract: An antenna for radiating an electromagnetic field having both linear and circular polarization includes a ground plane and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the ground plane and has at least one exposed surface that radiates the electromagnetic field. A first feeding element is disposed on the exposed surface for electrically exciting the dielectric layer to provide the linear polarization at a first frequency having a first effective wavelength. A second feeding element is disposed on the exposed surface for electrically exciting the dielectric layer to provide the circular polarization at a second frequency having a second effective wavelength. The feeding elements are separated by a distance greater than ? wavelength of the largest of the effective wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Qian Li, Wladimiro Villarroel
  • Publication number: 20110205132
    Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna capable of receiving a very wide band of frequencies. The antenna includes a pair of antenna elements and a pair of feeding legs, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line L, with a narrow space G in between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Toshio Kudo, Shoji Nasu, Kazuyuki Kashihara, Toshiyuki Baba