ANTENNA MODULE WITH BOARD CONNECTOR

Abstract

An antenna module (1) with a number of antennas (11). Each antenna (11) includes a number of antenna elements and a number of elongated antenna contact elements (112). The antenna contact elements (112) are each configured to establish contact with an associated conductive path of a printed circuit board (2) via a movement of the antennas (11) and the printed circuit board (2) towards each other. The antenna module further includes a shielding with a shielding frame (12) and a shielding cover (15). The shielding frame (12) has a proximal shielding frame end that is configured for mounting on the printed circuit board (2) under circumferential contact. The shielding cover is in circumferential contact with the shielding frame (12). The shielding carrying the number of antennas (11, 11′).

Claims

1. An antenna module (1), comprising: a) a number of antennas (11, 11′), each antenna (11, 11′) including a number of antenna elements (111, 111′) and a number of elongated antenna contact elements (112, 112′); wherein each antenna contact element (112, 112′) has a proximal antenna contact element (112a) end and an opposed distal antenna contact element end; wherein the distal antenna contact element ends are each connected to at least one antenna element (111, 111′); wherein the antenna contact elements (112) are each configured to establish contact with an associated conductive path of a printed circuit board (2) via a movement of the antennas (11, 11′) and the printed circuit board (2) towards each other; b) a shielding, the shielding including a shielding frame (12) and a shielding cover (15), with the shielding frame (12) having a proximal shielding frame end and an opposed distal shielding frame end, wherein the proximal shielding frame end is configured for mounting on the printed circuit board (2) under circumferential contact and the shielding frame (12) is further configured to circumferentially enclose components of an antenna interface circuit (22) arranged on the printed circuit hoard (2); the shielding cover (15) being in circumferential contact with the shielding frame (12); the shielding carrying the number of antennas (11, 11′).

2. The antenna module (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one antenna contact element (112, 112′) is formed integrally with an antenna element (111, 111′).

3. The antenna module according to claim 1, wherein the antenna module (1) includes a coupling member (13), wherein the shielding frame (12) and/or the shielding cover (15) is connected to the coupling member (13), and the coupling member (13) is connected to the antennas (11, 11′).

4. The antenna module (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least one antenna contact element (112, 112′) is fed through an associated coupling member aperture (132, 132′) of the coupling member (13).

5. The antenna module (1) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling member (13) is at least partly received by the shielding frame (12) at the distal shielding frame end and circumferentially surrounded by the shielding frame (12).

6. The antenna module (1) according to claim 5, wherein the shielding frame (12) and the coupling member (13) are connected via snap-fit.

7. The antenna module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna module (1) includes an elongated antenna carrier (14), the antenna carrier (14) having a proximal antenna carrier end and an opposed distal antenna carrier end, the antenna carrier (14) extending from the shielding frame distal end and being connected to at least one antenna (11, 11′) at the distal antenna carrier end.

8. The antenna module (1) according to claim 1, wherein a number of contact elements (112) extends through the shielding cover (15) into a space that is delimited by the shielding frame (12) and the shielding cover (15).

9. The antenna module (1) according to claim 8, wherein the shielding cover comprises a number of shielding cover apertures (151) and a number of antenna contact elements (112) extends through the shielding cover apertures (151).

10. The antenna module (1) according to claim 1, wherein a number of contact elements (112′) extends outside the shielding frame (12) in an area of the shielding frame (12).

11. The antenna module (1) according to claim 1, the antenna module (1) including a support frame (16), the support frame (16) being arranged inside the shielding frame (12) in circumferential contact with the circumferential inner surface of the shielding frame (12).

12. The antenna module (1) according to claim 11, wherein the support frame (16) includes a picking surface (161), thereby enabling the support frame (16) and the shielding frame (12) to be lilted in a pre-assembled state by applying a suction pressure.

13. The antenna module (1) according to claim 1, wherein antenna module includes at least two antennas (11, 11′), the two antennas (11, 11′) being designed tor operation at different frequencies.

14. A high-frequency assembly, the high-frequency assembly including: a) a printed circuit board (2); b) a number of antenna modules (1) according to claim 1; c) a number or antenna interface circuits (22) arranged on the printed circuit board (2), the number of antenna interface circuits (22) corresponding to the number of antenna modules (1); wherein each of the shielding francs (15) is arranged on the printed circuit board (2) in circumferential contact with tire printed circuit board (2) and each of the shielding frames (12) circumferentially encloses components of an antenna interface circuit (22), and wherein each antenna contact element (112, 112′) separately contacts an associated conductive path of the printed circuit board (2).

15. The high-frequency assembly according to claim 14, wherein the antenna modules (1) and associated antenna interface circuits (22) are arranged on the printed circuit board in a matrix arrangement.

16. The high-frequency assembly according to claim 14, wherein each antenna contact element (111, 111′) is connected in a one-to-one manner with an associated port of an antenna interface circuit (22).

17. A method assembling a high-frequency assembly according to claim 14, the method including the steps of: a) assembling the printed circuit board (2) with components of the number of interface circuits (22) and the number of shielding frames using soldering paste; b) reflow soldering the components of the number of antenna interface circuits (22) and the number of shielding frames to the printed circuit board (2); c) connecting, for each antenna module (1), the shielding cover (15) with the associated shielding frame (12); d) connecting, for each antenna module (1), the antenna contact elements (112, 112′) with the associated conductive path of the printed circuit board (2) via a relative movement of the antenna module (1) and the printed circuit board (2) towards each other.

18. A method for transmitting and/or receiving high-frequency signals, using an antenna module (1) according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary antenna assembly in a schematic perspective view;

[0065] FIG. 2 shows the first exemplary antenna assembly in a top view;

[0066] FIG. 3 shows the first exemplary antenna assembly in a longitudinal sectional view as indicated in FIG. 2;

[0067] FIG. 4 shows a detail of FIG. 4 in an enlarged view;

[0068] FIG. 5 shows the first exemplary antenna assembly in a partly exploded view;

[0069] FIG. 6 shows a second exemplary antenna assembly in a schematic perspective view;

[0070] FIG. 7 shows the second exemplary antenna assembly in an exploded view;

[0071] FIG. 8 shows a third exemplary antenna assembly in a schematic perspective view:

[0072] FIG. 9 shows a detail of FIG. 8 in an enlarged view

[0073] FIG. 10 shows the third exemplary antenna assembly in a top view;

[0074] FIG. 11 shows the third exemplary antenna assembly in a longitudinal sectional view as indicated in FIG. 10;

[0075] FIG. 12 shows a detail of FIG. 11 in an enlarged view;

[0076] FIG. 13 shows the second exemplary antenna assembly in a top view;

[0077] FIG. 14 shows the second exemplary antenna assembly in a longitudinal sectional view as indicated in FIG. 13;

[0078] FIG. 15 shows a detail FIG. 14 in an enlarged view;

[0079] FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG. 8 with a component removed; and

[0080] FIG. 17 shows a high-frequency assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0081] It is to be understood that directional expressions such as “top”, “bottom”, upper”, “lower”. “above”, “below”, “left”, right” are used with reference to the figures and are only meant to aid the reader's understanding, without implying any particular orientations or directions in use. Further, the proximal direction and the distal direction as used throughout this document are indicated by “p” and “d” as applicable. A longitudinal axis is indicated by “A”.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a first example of an antenna assembly with an antenna module 1 that is mounted on a printed circuit board 2 in a schematic perspective view, FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of FIG. 1 in a top view (from distal towards proximal), FIG. 3 shows a cross longitudinal cross sectional view, and FIG. 4 shows a detail of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of FIG. 1 in an exploded view.

[0083] In this first example, the antenna module 1 includes a single antenna 11 a single antenna element 111. That is, in this example, the number of antennas is 1 and the number of antenna elements is 1. In the shown design, the antenna element 111 is realized by four U-shaped antenna sub-elements 111a that are connected at the ends of their legs. Between each pair of adjacent legs, an antenna contact element 112 is arranged. The number of antenna contact elements is accordingly 4 in this example. While other configurations may also be used, the antenna 1 is controlled as two dipoles

[0084] The antenna element 111 extends in a common plane that is arranged parallel and distal of printed circuit board (PCB) 2. In this example, the element 111 and the antenna contact elements 112 are realized in common as a press-bent sheet metal part. The antenna contact elements 112 extend in this example perpendicular from the antenna element 111 in proximal direction towards the PCB 2.

[0085] On the PCB 2, a shielding frame 2 is arranged under circumferential contact by circumferentially soldering the proximal end of the shielding frame 12 to a conductive ground (GND) plane of the PCB 2 as generally known in the art.

[0086] A coupling member 13 is received by the shielding frame 12 in a proximal section thereof. The coupling member 13 has an outer contour (footprint) generally corresponding to the inner contour shielding frame 12 (in this example substantially square). The coupling member 13 is made from plastic material in order to avoid short-circuits between the antenna contact elements 112 as will become more apparent further below.

[0087] The coupling member 13 and the shielding frame 12 are connected via exemplary 4 snap-fit connections. For this purpose, 4 elastic latch members 121 extend in distal direction from the distal shielding frame end. The latch members 121 are configured to engage with the coupling member 13 at its periphery. In this example, the engagement is releasable by deflecting the latch members 121 towards the outside, which, however is not essential.

[0088] Further in this embodiment, an antenna carrier 14 is provided and exemplarily formed integrally with the coupling member 13, which, however, is not essential. In this example, the antenna carrier 14 is generally tubular and has an exemplary substantially square cross section. The antenna carrier 14 extends from the coupling member 13 in distal direction and carries the antenna element 111 at its distal end. In this design, the antenna carrier 14 is arranged in a coaxial manner with the coupling member 13, with the coupling member 13 surrounding the antenna carrier 14 at its distal end as a circumferential protrusion or frame.

[0089] Further in this example, the antenna contact elements 112 extend from the antenna element 111 at the outer circumferential surface of the antenna carrier 114 towards the PCB 2.

[0090] As best visible in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the antenna contact elements 112 each extend via an associated coupling member aperture 132 in the proximal direction into the room inside the shielding frame, with the proximal antenna contact element ends 112a being located somewhat above the PCB 2. PCB contact elements 21 are soldered onto the PCB 2 in corresponding contact areas as counter-elements for the antenna contact elements 112. The PCB contact elements 21 couple the antenna contact elements 112 with the antenna interface circuit via (generally internal) conductive paths of the PCB 2. In this example, the PCB contact elements 21 are substantially L-shaped, with an exemplarily shorter leg being soldered to the PCB 2 and am exemplarily longer leg projecting in the distal direction. In this design, the projecting leg has an inwards-directed bulge 21a During the assembly as explained further below, the bulge 21a comes into contact with the associated antenna contact element 112 and is somewhat radially deflected outwards, thereby establishing a spring-biased contact with the antenna contact element 112 in the antenna contact element coupling area 112b. The antenna contact elements 112 are supported against the radial spring force by support projections 141.

[0091] As also best visible in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the coupling member 13 comprises in this embodiment an inwards-directed coupling member aperture 132 for each antenna contact element 112 through which the antenna contact element 112 projects together with its support projection 141. Laterally, the coupling member aperture 132 are arranged at the transition from the coupling member 13 to the antenna carrier 14, thereby allowing the antenna contact elements 112 to extend in a straight manner. The coupling member aperture 132 ensure correct positioning of the antenna contact elements 112.

[0092] As best visible in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a metallic shielding cover 15 is arranged inside the shielding frame 12 and in a proximal region thereof. The shielding cover 15 has an outer contour that generally corresponds to the inner contour of the shielding frame. At its periphery, the shielding cover 15 is segmented and bent, thereby providing a plurality of shielding cover springs 152 at the circumference of the shielding cover 15 and providing a circumferential contact with the shielding frame 12. The shielding cover 15 is accordingly connected with the GND potential via the shielding frame 12. In the assembled configuration, the peripheral edge of the shielding cover 15 with the shielding cover springs 152 is laterally located between the shielding frame 12 and the coupling member 13. The distal end of the shielding frame 12 and the bent peripheral edge of the shielding cover 15 are bridged by the coupling member protrusions 13b as explained further below.

[0093] Further, the shielding cover 15 comprises shielding frame apertures 151 that are aligned with the coupling member apertures 132, through which the antenna contact elements 112 and associated support projections 141 project.

[0094] The coupling member 13 comprise exemplary 4 coupling member protrusions 13b that are distributed around its circumference. The coupling member protrusions 13b extend laterally beyond a coupling member body 13a (circumferentially inside the shielding fame 12) beyond the shielding frame and downwards in proximal direction towards the PCB 2. At the proximal ends, the coupling member protrusions 13b have inwards-directed chamfered or beveled alignment surfaces 13c. In the assembly process as explained further below, the alignment surfaces 13c come into contact with the shielding frame 12 first, thereby positioning respectively aligning the coupling member 12 and further elements mounted thereto with respect to the shielding frame 12.

[0095] Further, a support frame 16 is provided inside the shielding frame 12 and in circumferential contact with the inner surface of the inner shielding frame 12. A proximal end of the support frame may be flush with the proximal end of the shielding frame 12, such that both the shielding frame 12 and the support frame 16 both contact the PCB 2. In the distal direction, the support frame 12 serves as support and stop for the shielding cover 15, and the shielding frame serves as support for the coupling member 13. In this way, the shielding frame 12, the shielding cover 15 and the coupling member 13 are correctly aligned with each other during the assembly process. The support frame 16 has inwards-directed recess or cutouts (not referenced) at its distal end that receive the legs of the PCB contact elements 21 which are paced on the PCB.

[0096] On its inside, the support frame 16 provides sufficient free space for the arrangement of the antenna interface circuit respectively its electronic components 22. However, the support frame 16 provides in particular at its distal side, sufficient surface to al-low picking via a suction cup or the like of an assembly station. In this way, the shielding frame 12 and the support frame 16 can be automated positioned and assembled to the PCB 2 via with well-established suction based pick-and place device of an assembly station. For this purpose, the support frame 16 favorably comprise one or more picking surfaces 161 at its distal side (see FIG. 4).

[0097] In the following, a favorable assembly process for the antenna assembly of the antenna assembly is described with particular reference to FIG. 5.

[0098] The PCB 2 is assembled with the required electronic component, contact elements etc. as generally known in the art. The electronic components are favorably surface mounted devices (exemplarily represented by electronic component 22) and placed on the PCB 2 and temporarily fixed using soldering paste. Along with the other components, the shielding frame 12 together with the support frame 16 and the PCB contact elements 21 are placed and fixed on the PCB 2 using soldering paste.

[0099] Subsequent to the PCB assembly, the components are, including the PCB contact elements 21 and the shielding frame 12, permanently fixed and electric contacted in a reflow soldering process as known in the art. All elements that are mounted to the PCB 2 are designed to withstand the conditions occurring during reflow soldering, in particular using an infra-red reflow soldering oven. Further, the components on the PCB 2 and the soldering paste are directly exposed to the radiation and heat since they are not covered by any further element during the soldering process.

[0100] Subsequently, the shielding cover 15 is assembled by placement in the assembly direction A.

[0101] Subsequently, the coupling member 13 with the integral antenna carrier 14 is assembled by placement in the assembly direction A. In its final position the coupling member 13 is locked in position via elastic latch members.

[0102] Subsequently, the antenna 11 is assembled by a movement in the assembly direction A. In doing so, the antenna contact elements 112 move along the circumference of the antenna carrier 14, with their proximal end regions each being finally fed through the associated coupling member apertures 132 and shielding cover aperture 151. In the final assembled position, the antenna contact element coupling areas 112b each contact the associated PCB contact element 21 via a spring-biased contact as explained before. In this example, the contacts are releasable by a movement in the opposite direction (against the assembly direction A). If desired, the contact may be designed to be non-releasable, e. g. via interlocking. Optionally, the antenna 11 may be permanently fixed, e. g. adhesively fixed, to the antenna carrier 14 and/or the coupling member 13.

[0103] In a variant, the antenna 11 is first assembled to the antenna carrier 14 and the coupling member 13, thereby forming an antenna module subassembly that is subsequently mounted to the shielding frame 12 and the PCB 2 via a movement in the assembly direction A as explained before.

[0104] In a further variant, the shielding cover 15 is not directly inserted into the shielding frame 12 but mounted to the coupling member 13 and assembled together with the position member as a common unit.

[0105] In the following, reference is additionally made to FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIGS. 13-15, showing a second example of an antenna assembly in an assembled view (FIGS. 6, 13-15) and exploded view (FIG. 7), respectively. As this embodiment is in some respects similar to the before-described embodiment, the following description is focused on the differences.

[0106] In this embodiment, 4 antenna elements 111 are present that are realized as plates, in particular square plates. Like in the before-described embodiment, however, the antenna elements 111 extend in a common plane parallel to the PCB 2. Diagonal antenna elements 111 form a dipole. In contrast to the first example, each antenna element and associated antenna contact element is a separate component. An antenna contact element 112 is associated with and connected to each antenna element 111 in a one-to-one manner.

[0107] In this embodiment, the antenna carrier 14 has the geometry of an (exemplarily asymmetric) cross or star with for legs 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d which that extend in the proximal-distal direction. As best visible in FIG. 7, the four antenna contact elements 112 are each connected to the associated antenna element 111 at an inner corner of the antenna elements. The antenna contact elements 112 are separated by the legs of the antenna carrier 14. Further, the antenna contact elements 112 of diagonal antenna elements 111 (belonging to a common dipole) are arranged parallel. One pair of antenna contact elements 112 runs on both sides of antenna carrier leg 14a, and the other pair of antenna contact elements 112 runs on both sides of opposed antenna carrier leg 14b. Consequently, coupling member apertures 132 are arranged in the coupling member 13 on both sides of the legs 14a. 14b.

[0108] The contacting of the antenna contact elements 112 in the second example is best visible in FIG. 15, showing a detail of FIG. 14. In the second example, the PCB contact elements 21 are arranged pairwise opposite to each and spaced apart from each other, with the spring forces being directed towards each other.

[0109] In the following, reference is additionally made to FIGS. 8 to 12 and 16, showing a third example of an antenna assembly. This third example differs from the before-described examples in that the antenna module 1 comprises two antennas namely antenna 11 and further antenna 11′.

[0110] FIG. 8 shows the antenna assembly in a schematic perspective view and FIG. 10 shows a top view. FIG. 9 sows a detail C of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 shows a cross sectional view as indicated in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 shows a detail of FIG. 11. FIG. 16 generally corresponds to FIG. 8, with the element referenced 14′ (antenna support) being removed.

[0111] The antenna 11 is designed in substantially the same way as in the first example. The following description is therefore mainly focused on the further antenna 11′ which is set up as four dipoles with a total number of 8 further antenna elements 111′. The further antenna elements 111′ are arranged as a ring in coaxial arrangement with the antenna elements 111 of the antenna 11 and spaced a larger distance apart from the PCB 2 as compared to the antenna 11.

[0112] As best visible from FIG. 16, a further antenna contact element 112′ is connected to each further antenna element 111′ and is realized with the latter as a common press-bent sheet metal part. As best seen in FIG. 8, a antenna support 14′ is provided that is ring-shaped, corresponding to the outer contour formed by the further antenna elements 111′. The antenna support 14′ is made from insulating plastic material and comprises a circumferential groove that receives the further antenna elements 111′.

[0113] Both the further antenna elements 111′ as well as the antenna support 14′ are supported and held in position by the further antenna contact elements 112′. The further antenna contact elements 112′ extend in the proximal directions towards the PCB 2 and further inwards. Coupling of the further antenna contact elements 112′ with the PCB 2 is established in proximity but outside of the shielding frame 12, as explained in the following with particular reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 12. The position member 13 comprises in this example further coupling member apertures 132′, corresponding to the further antenna contact elements 112′. The further coupling member apertures 132′ are arranged in the coupling member protrusion 13b in an area outside of the shielding frame 12. Each proximal end section of a further antenna contact element 112′ is fed through an associated further coupling member aperture 132′. The further antenna contact elements are contacted from the outside via a corresponding further PCB contact element 21′. The further PCB contact elements 21′ are arranged such that their spring force F is directed inwards, towards the antenna contact element and the shielding frame 12. As best seen in FIG. 12, a proximal end section of the coupling member protrusion 13b serves as support for the further antenna contact element 112′ to absorb the spring force F.

[0114] The further PCB contact elements 21′ are electrically connected with the antenna interface circuit inside the shielding frame 12 via inner conductor paths of the printed circuit board 2, the conductor paths crossing below the shielding frame 12.

[0115] Like in the before-described examples, each antenna element 111 and further antenna element 111′ is favorably connected to a separate port of the antenna interface circuitry, typically a port of a high-frequency semiconductor component, and is individually controlled.

[0116] FIG. 17 shows a high-frequency assembly in a schematic top view. The high frequency assembly includes a number of antenna modules 1 that are commonly arranged on PCB 2 in a matrix arrangement. For exemplary purposes, FIG. 17 shows an arrangement 64 antenna modules 1 in an 8×8 matrix. The antenna modules 1 may be of the same or of different types and may be designed according to any embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure.