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US5818394A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Flat antenna

Assignee: Fuba Automotive GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1997-04-04
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2017-04-04
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Abstract

Abstract A flat antenna for mounting on windowpanes of motor vehicles reduces the dimensions of the mass reference area of the mass plane, and the structural height without unfavorably influencing the functions and operating parameters of the antenna. The mass reference area has a trough-like shape, is centrally positioned under an aerial segment, and has conductive coating impermeable to the operating frequency of the antenna. The inside and outside conductors of the coaxial feed cable are connected to the aerial segment and mass reference area shifted to outside the aerial elements and thereby enables a significant reduction in overall dimensions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mehran Aminzadeh
  • 👤 Manfred Burkert
  • 👤 Michael Daginnus
  • 👤 Shun-Ping Chen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 16:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/0407

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 174 words
A flat antenna for frequencies in the Ghz range comprising: a first planar aerial segment (10) having an electrically conductive surface and marginal zones with edges; a second electrically conductive surface forming a mass reference area (8) disposed below said aerial segment, said mass reference area (8) having marginal zones with opposite side edges curved upwardly to form a flat trough-like shape beneath said aerial segment (10), said aerial segment (10) being conductively connected to said mass reference area (8) within its marginal zone via a short circuit connection (9), said mass reference area being mass connected along one edge to a large metallic vehicle mass (11); said mass reference area (8) and said aerial segment (10) having an aerial content ratio of 4:1, respectively, wherein said aerial segment (10) is centrally disposed above said mass reference area (8); a coaxial feed cable (3) having an inside conductor and an outside conductor, said inside conductor being connected to said aerial segment (10) and said outside conductor being connected to said mass reference area (8).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 174 words
A flat antenna for frequencies in the Ghz range comprising: a first planar aerial segment (10) having an electrically conductive surface and marginal zones with edges; a second electrically conductive surface forming a mass reference area (8) disposed below said aerial segment, said mass reference area (8) having marginal zones with opposite side edges curved upwardly to form a flat trough-like shape beneath said aerial segment (10), said aerial segment (10) being conductively connected to said mass reference area (8) within its marginal zone via a short circuit connection (9), said mass reference area being mass connected along one edge to a large metallic vehicle mass (11); said mass reference area (8) and said aerial segment (10) having an aerial content ratio of 4:1, respectively, wherein said aerial segment (10) is centrally disposed above said mass reference area (8); a coaxial feed cable (3) having an inside conductor and an outside conductor, said inside conductor being connected to said aerial segment (10) and said outside conductor being connected to said mass reference area (8).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 56 words
The flat antenna according to claim 1, wherein the connection of said inside conductor with said aerial segment (10) further comprises a line piece (12) having one end connected to an edge of said aerial segment (10) opposite said short circuit connection (9), and an opposite end projecting beyond the edge of said aerial segment (10).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 50 words
The flat antenna according to claim 1, wherein the connection of the inside conductor with said aerial segment (10) is performed by extending and exposing a portion of the inside conductor and connecting the end to said aerial segment (10) as an extension of the plane of said aerial segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 117 words
The flat antenna according to claim 2, further comprising: a dielectric outer body vehicle part (13, 15) electrically connected to said mass reference area (8), said outer body part (13, 15) being inclined with respect to the horizontal by no more than 40°, and said mass reference area (8) being disposed underneath and partially resting against said dielectric vehicle body part (13, 15); a flange (14) disposed along one edge of said mass reference area (8), said flange (14) connecting said mass reference area (8) to a metallic body part (11) of the vehicle body, the remaining marginal zones of said mass reference area (8) resting against an interior surface of said outer body part (13, 15).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 50 words
The flat antenna according to claim 1, wherein said mass reference area (8) is positioned such that an upper marginal zone is electrically connected to the vehicle mass (11) and positioned in a top zone of a windowpane (15), the remaining marginal zones of the edges resting against the windowpane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
The flat antenna according to claim 1, wherein said mass reference (8) area further comprises outer contoured edges (17) adapted to the shape of said aerial segment (10) such that an equally spaced zone is created between said aerial segment (10) and the outer edges (17) of said mass reference area (8).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
The flat antenna according to claim 1, wherein the short circuit connection (9) is disposed on a side of said mass reference area (8) that is remote from the mass connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
The flat antenna according to claim 6, wherein said edges (17) abut the dielectric body part (13, 15) as a low bridge at an obtuse angle with respect to said body parts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The flat antenna according to claim 1, said aerial segment (10) and said mass reference area (8) are structured from molded elements made of dielectric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 43 words
The flat antenna according to claim 9, wherein said conductive surfaces of said aerial segment (10) and said mass reference area (8) are formed using a method selected from the group consisting of spray-application, inter-joining of metallic foils, and foils with conductive coating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 49 words
The flat antenna according to claim 1, wherein said outer body parts (13, 15) within the environment of said mass reference area (8) are provided with a coating that is impermeable to a wavelength corresponding to the operation frequency and represents a continuation of said mass reference area (8).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 33 words
The flat antenna according to claim 11, wherein said coating on said outer body parts (13, 15) is a coating selected from the group consisting of a conductive coating and thin conductor trains.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-10-05 2002-04-06 2002-10-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-10-05 2006-04-06 2006-10-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-10-05 2010-04-06 2010-10-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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