ANTENNA PANE

Abstract

An antenna pane includes an electrically insulating substrate, an electrically conductive functional layer on a surface of the substrate, and an antenna structure, which includes an electrically conductive antenna layer for receiving and/or transmitting high-frequency antenna signals, the antenna layer being galvanically separated from the functional layer, wherein a high-frequency technical resistance between the antenna layer and the functional layer for high-frequency antenna signals is at least 10 ohm, wherein the antenna layer has a first connection region and the functional layer has a second connection region, and an insulating line that electrically divides the functional layer into a first and second functional layer zone that are galvanically separated from one another, but are coupled using high-frequency technology such that a high-frequency technical resistance for high-frequency antenna signals is less than 1 ohm, wherein the second connection region is contained in the second functional layer zone.

Claims

1. Antenna pane that comprises at least one electrically insulating substrate, at least one electrically conductive functional layer on a surface of the substrate, and at least one antenna structure, wherein the antenna structure comprises: an electrically conductive antenna layer for receiving and/or transmitting high-frequency antenna signals, wherein the antenna layer is galvanically separated from the functional layer, wherein a high-frequency technical resistance between the antenna layer and the functional layer for high-frequency antenna signals is at least 10 ohm, wherein the antenna layer has a first connection region and the functional layer has a second connection region, an insulating line, by means of which the functional layer is electrically divided into a first functional layer zone and a second functional layer zone, wherein the first and second functional layer zones are galvanically separated from one another, but are coupled using high-frequency technology such that a high-frequency technical resistance for high-frequency antenna signals is less than 1 ohm, wherein the second connection region is contained in the second functional layer zone.

2. The antenna pane according to claim 1, wherein the insulating line of the at least one antenna structure has a maximum width of less than 150 μm.

3. The antenna pane according to claim 1, wherein the antenna layer of the at least one antenna structure is arranged, at least when viewed perpendicularly through the at least one substrate, at least partially, within a cutout of the functional layer.

4. The antenna pane according to claim 3, wherein the insulating line completely surrounds a cutout edge delimiting the cutout.

5. The antenna pane according to claim 4, wherein the insulating line, which extends from a first insulating line end point to a second insulating line end point, is designed such that at least one of the first and second insulating line end point lies on a functional layer edge of the functional layer that does not form part of the cutout.

6. The antenna pane according to claim 3, wherein the insulating line does not completely surround a cutout edge delimiting the cutout.

7. The antenna pane according to claim 6, wherein the insulating line, which extends from a first insulating line end point to a second insulating line end point, is designed such that at least one of the first and second insulating line end points lies on the cutout edge.

8. The antenna pane according to claim 3, wherein the antenna layer and the functional layer of the at least one antenna structure are arranged on a same surface of the at least one substrate, wherein the antenna layer and the functional layer are galvanically separated from one another by an electrically insulating insulation zone.

9. The antenna pane according to claim 8, wherein the insulation zone has a minimum width of at least 0.5 mm.

10. The antenna pane according to claim 3, wherein the at least one antenna layer and the functional layer of the at least one antenna structure are arranged on different surfaces of the at least one substrate, wherein the antenna layer is arranged closer to the interior than the functional layer, and wherein the at least one antenna layer is situated, when viewed perpendicularly through the substrate, at least partially within a cutout formed in the functional layer, in which the functional layer is partially or completely absent such that the cutout is transparent to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation.

11. The antenna pane according to claim 1, wherein the antenna layer of the at least one antenna structure is made of the same material as the functional layer.

12. The antenna pane according to claim 1, wherein the antenna layer of the at least one antenna structure is made of a material different from the functional layer.

13. Antenna pane assembly, which comprises: an antenna pane according to claim 1, receiving and/or transmitting electronics, which are electrically connected by a signal line to the first connection region and by aground line to the second connection region of the at least one antenna structure.

14. Method for producing an antenna pane according to claim 1, comprising: providing at least one substrate, applying an electrically conductive functional layer to a surface of the substrate, forming at least one antenna structure, which comprises: an electrically conductive antenna layer for receiving and/or transmitting high-frequency antenna signals, wherein the antenna layer is galvanically separated from the functional layer, wherein a high-frequency technical resistance between the antenna layer and the functional layer for high-frequency antenna signals is at least 10 ohm, wherein the antenna layer has a first connection region and the functional layer has a second connection region, an insulating line, by means of which the functional layer is electrically divided into a first functional layer zone and a second functional layer zone, wherein the first and second functional layer zones are galvanically separated from one another, but are coupled using high-frequency technology such that a high-frequency technical resistance for high-frequency antenna signals is less than 1 ohm, wherein the second connection region is contained in the second functional layer zone.

15. A method comprising installing the antenna pane according to claim 1 in a transportation vehicle for travel on land, in the air, or on water.

16. The antenna pane according to claim 3, wherein the antenna layer of the at least one antenna structure is arranged, at least when viewed perpendicularly through the at least one substrate, completely within a cutout of the functional layer.

17. The antenna pane according to claim 5, wherein both the first and second insulating line end points lie on a functional layer edge of the functional layer that does not form part of the cutout.

18. The antenna pane according to claim 7, wherein both the first and second insulating line end points lie on the cutout edge.

19. The antenna pane according to claim 9, wherein the insulation zone has a minimum width in the range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

20. The antenna pane according to claim 10, wherein the at least one antenna layer and the functional layer of the at least one antenna structure are arranged on different surfaces of a plurality of substrates.

Description

[0078] The invention is explained in more detail in the following using exemplary embodiments, with reference being made to the accompanying figures. In simplified, not-to-scale representation, they depict:

[0079] FIG. 1 a plan view of an embodiment of the antenna pane according to the invention,

[0080] FIG. 2 a plan view of an enlarged detail of the antenna pane of FIG. 1, wherein a corner section of the antenna pane is depicted,

[0081] FIG. 3 a plan view of another embodiment of the antenna pane according to the invention, wherein only a corner section of the antenna pane is depicted,

[0082] FIG. 4 a cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of the antenna pane according to the invention, implemented in the form of a composite pane,

[0083] FIG. 5 a flow chart to illustrate the method according to the invention.

[0084] First, FIGS. 1 and 2 are considered. FIG. 1 depicts a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the antenna pane 1 according to the invention in a highly simplified, schematic representation. FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged detail of the antenna pane 1 of FIG. 1 in the upper right corner region.

[0085] Here, the antenna pane 1 comprises, for example, a glass substrate 2 (not shown in detail in FIG. 2), on the surface 3 of which a transparent, electrically conductive coating in the form of a functional layer 4 is applied. The antenna pane 1 can comprise only a single substrate 2. However, it is also possible for the substrate 2 to be laminated with another substrate to forma composite pane, wherein the functional layer 4 is arranged on the inside of the composite pane (see FIG. 4). The antenna pane 1 can, for example, be installed in a building or in a motor vehicle to separate an interior space from an external environment. The functional layer 4 serves here, for example, as a thermal protection layer to reduce heat input into the interior. The glass substrate 2 is made here, for example, of soda lime glass and is depicted in the shape of a rectangle in this simplified representation. It goes without saying that the antenna pane 1 can have any other suitable geometric shape and/or curvature. As a windshield, the antenna pane 1 typically has a convex curvature.

[0086] As is discernible in FIG. 1, the antenna pane 1 has a layer-free edge decoating region 5. The edge decoating region 5 extends from one pane edge 6 of the antenna pane 1 all the way to a set-back functional layer edge 7 of the functional layer 4. Here, the edge decoating region 5 has a constant width such that the functional layer 4 has the same shape as the substrate 2 (here, for example, rectangular). The shape of functional layer 4 can however be different from the shape of the substrate 2.

[0087] Here, the antenna pane 1 includes, for example, a rectangular layer-free cutout 8 of the functional layer 4, in which an antenna layer 9 is situated. The cutout 8 is arranged at the very edge and implemented as a depression of the functional layer edge 7. The shape of the cutout 8 is only exemplary, with the understanding that the cutout 8 can also have any other shape, for example, circular. The expression “layer-free” means that, in the cutout 8, the functional layer 4 is removed or not formed (in the context of the invention, if the antenna layer 9 situated in the cutout is formed from the material of the functional layer 4, it is not considered to be part of the functional layer 4).

[0088] As depicted in FIG. 1, the functional layer edge 7 can be divided into four respective rectilinear functional layer edge sections 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d. Corresponding to the exemplary rectangular shape of the functional layer 4, the functional layer edge 7 comprises the two parallel functional layer edge sections 7a, 7b and the two parallel functional layer edge sections 7d [sic: 7c], 7d. If the antenna pane 1 is intended to be the windshield of a motor vehicle, the outer shape can, for example, resemble a trapezoid. In this case, for example, the two functional layer edge sections 7d [sic: 7c], 7d could be positioned at an angle relative to one another rather than parallel. In the figure, the cutout 8 is illustrated as a depression of the functional layer edge section 7a, with it being equally possible for the cutout 8 to be implemented on one of the other functional layer edge sections 7b, 7c, 7d.

[0089] The cutout 8, which is, for example, rectangular here, is delimited by a cutout edge 16, which is a part or region of the functional layer edge 7, here, for example, of the functional layer edge section 7a. The cutout edge 16 is a recessed part of the functional layer edge section 7a such that the functional layer edge section 7a can be divided into a recess region (i.e., the cutout edge 16) and a non-recessed region. The cutout edge 16 is formed by the functional layer 4.

[0090] The cutout edge 16 can, according to the shape of the cutout 8, be divided into three rectilinear cutout edge sections 16a, 16b, 16c. Thus, the cutout edge 16 comprises two parallel cutout edge sections 16a, 16b, which are connected by a cutout edge section 16c perpendicular thereto. Here, the two parallel cutout edge sections 16a, 16b extend, for example, perpendicular to the functional layer edge section 7a; the other cutout edge section 16c is arranged parallel to the functional layer edge section 7a. Here, a first cutout edge section 16a extends from an outer edge section end point 17 of the non-recessed functional layer edge section 7a to an inwardly offset, inner edge section end point 18. A second cutout edge section 16b extends from an outer edge section end point 17′ of the non-recessed functional layer edge section 7a to an inwardly offset inner edge section end point 18′. The third cutout edge section 16c extends from the one inner edge section end point 18 to the other inner edge section end point 18′.

[0091] The electrically conductive antenna layer 9, which serves as a patch antenna, is situated within the cutout 8. Accordingly, the antenna layer 9 is designed layer-shaped or a really expanded. The antenna layer 9 is delimited by a circumferential antenna layer edge 10. Adjacent the pane edge 6, the antenna layer edge 10 ends flush with the functional layer edge 7, in this case, for example, the non-recessed functional layer edge section 7a An insulation zone 11 (see also enlarged view FIG. 2) is situated between the antenna layer 9 and the functional layer 4. The insulation zone 11 is the part of the layer-free cutout 8 immediately adjacent the functional layer 4 that has no antenna layer 9. Accordingly, the insulation zone 11 is equally layer-free, with the functional layer 4 removed or not formed.

[0092] The antenna layer 9 is galvanically separated from the functional layer 4 by the insulation zone 11. The insulation zone 11 has a minimum width, defined by the shortest distance between the cutout edge 16 and the antenna layer edge 10, which is dimensioned in a size such that there is a high-ohmic resistance (at least 10 ohm) for high-frequency antenna signals received and/or transmitted by the antenna layer 9. For example, the insulation zone 11 has a constant width. Preferably, the antenna layer 9 is designed such that high-frequency electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range from 0.6 to 6 GHz (5G mobile communication standard) can be received. The minimum width of the insulation zone 11 is preferably at least 0.5 mm and is, in particular, in the range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, as a result of which a high-ohmic resistance of at least 50 ohm can be achieved for the high-frequency antenna signals received and/or transmitted by the antenna layer 9.

[0093] Here, the antenna layer 9 is, for example, made of the same material of the functional layer 4, whereby the insulation zone 11 merely has to be decoated to create the cutout 8. Alternatively, the antenna layer 9 can be made from a material different from the functional layer 4 and can, for example, be applied on the substrate 2 in the form of a metal foil or a plastic film coated with a metal or a metal alloy.

[0094] As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the antenna layer 9 has a first connection region 13 (signal-line connection region), which is or can be electrically coupled, for example, galvanically or capacitively, to a signal line (not shown). The signal line is, for example, a flat conductor. The functional layer 4 further has a second connection region 14 (ground-line connection region), which is or can be electrically coupled, for example, galvanically or capacitively, to a ground line (not shown). The ground line is, for example, a flat conductor. When the antenna pane 1 is a composite pane, the two flat conductors can be laminated between a in a simple manner and routed out of the pane composite.

[0095] The antenna layer 9 is, for example, a broadband monopole antenna of the unipolar type, with the first connection region 13 serving as a first electrode and the second connection region 14 serving as a second electrode. High-frequency antenna signals received by the antenna layer 9 can be coupled out or antenna signals can be coupled in through the first connection region 13, with a reference potential for the antenna signals provided by the second connection region 14. For example, the first connection region 13 can be electrically connected to the inner conductor and the second connection region 14 can be electrically connected to the outer conductor of a coaxial conductor, which is known to the person skilled in the art such that is unnecessary to go into greater detail here. Through the use of the functional layer 4 as a reference potential, the transmitting/receiving performance of the antenna layer 9 can be significantly improved.

[0096] As depicted in FIG. 2, the functional layer 4 includes an insulating line, wherein three exemplary alternatives for such an insulating line, labeled with the reference characters 12, 12′, 12′″ [sic: 12″], are depicted in FIG. 2. In each case, only a single insulating line 12, 12′, 12′″ [sic: 12″] is provided.

[0097] Common to the alternative insulating lines 12, 12′, 12″ is the fact that they electrically divide the functional layer 4 into a first functional layer zone 4.1 and a second functional layer zone 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″ containing the second connection region 14. Thus, the functional layer 4 is electrically divided by the insulating line 12 into a first functional layer zone 4.1 and a second functional layer zone 4.2. The functional layer 4 is electrically divided into a first functional layer zone 4.1 and a second functional layer zone 4.2′ by the alternative insulating line 12′. The functional layer 4 is electrically divided into a first functional layer zone 4.1 and a second functional layer zone 4.2″ by the alternative insulating line 12″. It is essential here that the second functional layer zones 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″ contain, in each case, the second connection region 14.

[0098] The alternative insulating lines 12, 12′, 12″ have a different course. The insulating line 12 completely surrounds the cutout 8 or the cutout edge 16. The insulating line 12 begins at a first insulating line end point 19 of the non-recessed functional layer edge 7a and ends at a second insulating line end point 20 of the non-recessed functional layer edge 7a. The second functional layer zone 4.2 electrically divided thereby from the functional layer 4 surrounds the antenna layer 9 as much as possible, i.e., partially or completely with the exception of the “open” side of the functional layer edge section 7a. It would be equally possible for the insulating line 12 to begin and/or end at one of the other functional layer edge sections 7b, 7c, 7d. For example, the insulating line 12 could begin at the functional layer edge section 7c and end at the (non-recessed) functional layer edge section 7a. Here, for example, the insulating line 12 follows the contour of the cutout edge 16, with a shortest distance between the insulating line 12 and the cutout edge 16 being equal, with it being equally possible for the insulating line 12 not to follow the contour of the cutout edge 16.

[0099] The alternative insulating line 12′ does not completely surround the cutout 8 or the cutout edge 16. The insulating line 12′ begins at a first insulating line end point 19′ of the non-recessed functional layer edge 7a and ends at a second insulating line end point 20′ of the recessed functional layer edge 7a, i.e., at the cutout edge 16, here, for example, at the cutout edge section 16c. It would be equally possible for the insulating line 12′ to begin at one of the other functional layer edge sections 7b, 7c, 7d. For example, the insulating line 12′ could begin at the functional layer edge section 7c and end at the recessed functional layer edge 7a, i.e., at the cutout edge 16. It would also be equally possible for the insulating line 12′ to end at one of the other cutout edge sections 16a, 16b. Here, the insulating line 12′ partly follows the contour of the cutout edge 16, with a shortest distance between the insulating line 12 and the cutout edge 16 being equal, with it being equally possible for the insulating line 12 not to follow the contour of the cutout edge 16.

[0100] The alternative insulating line 12″ does not completely surround the cutout 8 or the cutout edge 16. The insulating line 12″ begins at a first insulating line end point 19′ of the recessed functional layer edge 7a, i.e., at the cutout edge 16, here, for example, at the cutout edge section 16a, and ends at a second insulating line end point 20′ of the recessed functional layer edge 7a, i.e., at the cutout edge 16, here, for example, at the cutout edge section 16a. It would be equally possible for the insulating line 12″ to end at one of the other cutout edge sections 16b, 16c.

[0101] The respective insulating line 12, 12′, 12″ divides the functional layer 4 into two directly adjacent functional layer zones 4.1, 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″, which are galvanically separated from one another, but coupled low ohmically (less than 1 ohm) with respect to high-frequency antenna signals. For this purpose, the insulating line 12, 12′, 12″ is implemented correspondingly thin (line width preferably less than 150 μm). The insulating line 12, 12′, 12″ prevents an electrical current flowing in the functional layer 4, which is introduced into the functional layer 4, for example, through bus bars, to control the functional layer 4, from being able to flow into the functional layer zone 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″ containing the second connection region 14. As a result, an undesired malfunction of the antenna structure 100 can be avoided and the antenna function can be further improved.

[0102] The assembly comprising the antenna layer 9, the insulation zone 11, the first connection region 13, and the second connection region 14 constitutes an antenna structure 100 for receiving/transmitting high-frequency antenna signals.

[0103] It would also be conceivable for the cutout 8 to be arranged completely within the functional layer 4, i.e., fully surrounded by the functional layer 4. This is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0104] FIG. 1 depicts an antenna structure 100′ alternative to the antenna structure 100, in which the cutout 8′ is arranged completely within the functional layer 4. The antenna layer 10′, which is electrically insulated from the surrounding functional layer 4 by the insulation zone 11′, is situated within the cutout 8′. The antenna layer 9′ has a first connection region 13′ (signal-line connection region); the functional layer 4 has a second connection region 14′ (ground-line connection region). The cutout 8′ is delimited by the cutout edge 16′.

[0105] The insulating line 12″ divides the functional layer 4 into a first functional layer zone 4.1 and a second functional layer zone 4.2″ containing the second connection region 14′. The insulating line 12″ does not completely surround the cutout 8′ or the cutout edge 16′.

[0106] The insulating line 12″ begins at a first insulating line end point 19′ at the cutout edge 16′ ends at the second insulating line end point 20′ of the cutout edge 16′.

[0107] Now, FIG. 3 is considered, wherein another embodiment of the antenna pane 1 is illustrated. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, only the differences from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 are discussed. FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged detail of the antenna pane 1 in the corner region analogous to FIG. 2. Accordingly, the antenna pane 1 includes a plurality of antenna structures 100, as depicted in FIG. 2. The functional layer 4 has, for this purpose, a plurality of cutouts 8, in which, in each case, antenna layers 9 are arranged. The antenna layers 9 are, in each case, galvanically separated from the functional layer 4 by an insulation zone 11. The antenna layer 9 of each antenna structure 100 has a first connection region 13 and a second connection region 14. The functional layer 4 provides a common reference potential for all antenna layers 9. Each antenna structure 100 includes a separate insulating line 12, 12′, 12″, with only the alternative in accordance with reference number “12” shown in FIG. 3.

[0108] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional representation through another embodiment of the antenna pane 1. Only the features discernible here are described and, otherwise, reference is made to the statements above. In this embodiment, the antenna pane is a composite pane, in which a first substrate 2 (e.g., inner pane) and a second substrate 2′ (e.g., outer pane) are fixedly bonded to one another by a thermoplastic intermediate layer 15. The two substrates 2, 2′ are made, in each case, of glass, preferably thermally toughened soda lime glass, and are transparent to visible light. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 15 is made of a thermoplastic plastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The outer surface of the second substrate 2′ faces the external environment and is, at the same time, the outer surface of the antenna pane 1. The inner surface of the second substrate 2′ as well as the inner surface of the first substrate 2 face the intermediate layer 15 in each case. The outer surface of the first substrate 2 faces an interior space, e.g., a vehicle interior, and is, at the same time, the inner surface of the antenna pane 1.

[0109] The functional layer 4, which is provided with a cutout 8 in which the functional layer 4 is removed or is not formed, is situated on the first substrate 2. An antenna layer 9, implemented here, for example, as a metal foil (sketched thickened for illustration purposes) is arranged within the cutout 8. The metal foil is, for example, adhesively bonded to the substrate 2. The antenna layer 9 is protected against external influences by the thermoplastic intermediate layer 15. It goes without saying that an insulation zone 11, not shown in FIG. 4, is situated between the antenna layer 9 and the functional zone 4.

[0110] FIG. 5 illustrates the method according to the invention, using a flow chart. Here, in a first step I, at least one substrate (2, 2′) is provided. Ina second step II, an electrically conductive functional layer (4) is applied to a surface (3) of the substrate (2, 2′). The method includes a third step III, in which at least one antenna structure (100, 100′) is formed, which comprises: [0111] an electrically conductive antenna layer (9, 9′) for receiving and/or transmitting high-frequency antenna signals, wherein the antenna layer (9, 9′) is galvanically separated from the functional layer (4), wherein a high-frequency technical resistance between the antenna layer (9, 9′) and the functional layer (4) for high-frequency antenna signals is at least 10 ohm, wherein the antenna layer (9, 9′) has a first connection region (13, 13′) and the functional layer (4) has a second connection region (14, 14′), [0112] an insulating line (12 12′, 12″), by means of which the functional layer (4) is electrically divided into a first functional layer zone (4.1) and a second functional layer zone (4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″), wherein the two functional layer zones (4.1, 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″) are galvanically separated from one another, but coupled using high-frequency technology such that a high-frequency technical resistance for high-frequency antenna signals is less than 1 ohm, wherein the second connection region (14, 14′) is contained in the second functional layer zone (4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″).

[0113] From the above statements, it follows that the invention makes available an improved antenna pane with one or a plurality of integrated antenna structures. The functional layer of the antenna pane serves to provide an electrical reference potential for one or a plurality of antenna layers.

[0114] High-frequency antenna signals can be received/transmitted with a good signal strength. A plurality of antenna structures can be implemented in a simple manner. The antenna pane is particularly well-suited for the new 5G mobile communication standard.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0115] 1 antenna pane [0116] 2, 2′ substrate [0117] 3 surface [0118] 4 functional layer [0119] 4.1 first functional layer zone [0120] 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2′″ second functional layer zone [0121] 5 edge decoating region [0122] 6 pane edge [0123] 7 functional layer edge [0124] 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d functional layer edge section [0125] 8, 8′ cutout [0126] 9, 9′ antenna layer [0127] 10, 10′ antenna layer edge [0128] 11, 11′ insulation zone [0129] 12, 12′, 12″ insulating line [0130] 13, 13′ first connection region [0131] 14, 14′ second connection region [0132] 15 intermediate layer [0133] 16, 16′ cutout edge [0134] 16a, 16b, 16c cutout edge section [0135] 17, 17′ outer edge section end point [0136] 18, 18′ inner edge section end point [0137] 19, 19′, 19″ first insulating line end point [0138] 20, 20′, 20″ second insulating line end point [0139] 100 antenna structure