Passive entry passive start antenna

Abstract

A passive entry passive start (PEPS) antenna is disclosed. In an embodiment an antenna includes an interface head component and a bobbin component comprising a ferrite core and a wire wound around the ferrite core, the wire being covered by an insulation, wherein the bobbin component and the interface head component are connectable to each other electrically and mechanically, and wherein the antenna is a PEPS antenna.

Claims

1. An antenna comprising: an interface head component; and a bobbin component comprising a ferrite core and a wire wound around the ferrite core, the wire being covered by an insulation, wherein the bobbin component and the interface head component are connectable to each other electrically and mechanically, wherein a connection of the bobbin component and the interface head component is releasable, wherein the interface head component comprises electronic components configured to apply a signal to the wire, wherein the antenna is a passive entry passive start (PEPS) antenna, wherein the interface head component comprises an integral interface configured to be mechanically fixed to a corresponding mechanical interface of a PEPS system of a vehicle, and wherein a direction of the connection of the bobbin component and the interface head component is perpendicular to a direction of the connection of the interface head component to the mechanical interface of the PEPS system.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the insulation comprises a plastic material.

3. The antenna according to claim 2, wherein the plastic material of the insulation comprises at least one of a fluorinated ethylene propylene, an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene or a thermoplastic elastomers.

4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the bobbin component comprising the wire covered by the insulation is exposed to an environment of the antenna.

5. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the bobbin component is neither encapsulated by a potting material nor by a housing.

6. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the insulation of the wire is sufficiently thick to provide a protection of the wire against environmental impacts.

7. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises passive electronic components, wherein the interface head component comprises an IP68 protected room, and wherein the passive electronic components are arranged inside the IP68 protected room.

8. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the interface head component comprises a first mechanical and electrical interface, and wherein the bobbin component comprises a second mechanical and electrical interface which is connected to the first mechanical and electrical interface of the interface head component.

9. The antenna according to claim 8, wherein one of the first mechanical and electrical interface or the second mechanical and electrical interface is a plug and the other of the first mechanical and electrical interface or the second mechanical and electrical interface is a socket corresponding to the plug.

10. The antenna according to claim 8, wherein the wire comprises two ends, and wherein the ends of the wire are arranged at the second mechanical and electrical interface and are connected to the first mechanical and electrical interface when the bobbin component and the interface head component are connected to each other.

11. The antenna according to the claim 1, wherein the integral interface comprises a mechanical interface, wherein the mechanical interface comprises an opening, and/or wherein the mechanical interface comprises a clipping mechanism for a connector of the PEPS.

12. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the wire has a diameter in a range of 0.079 mm to 0.5 mm.

13. A system comprising: a first bobbin component comprising a first ferrite core and a first wire wound around the first ferrite core, the first wire being covered by a first insulation; a second bobbin component comprising a second ferrite core and a second wire wound around the second ferrite core, the second wire being covered by a second insulation; a first interface head component comprising first electronic components configured to apply a first signal to the first wire or the second wire; and a second interface head component comprising second electronic components configured to apply a second signal to the first wire or the second wire, wherein each of the first bobbin component and the second bobbin component is connectable mechanically and electrically to each of the first interface head component and the second interface head component, wherein a connection of the first bobbin component or the second bobbin component and the first interface head component or the second interface head component is releasable, wherein an antenna is formed by connecting one of the first interface head component or the second interface head component mechanically and electrically with one of first bobbin component or the second bobbin component, wherein the antenna is a passive entry passive start (PEPS) antenna, wherein each of the first and second interface head components comprises an integral interface configured to be mechanically fixed to a corresponding mechanical interface of a PEPS system of a vehicle, and wherein directions of the connections of the first and second bobbin components and the first and second interface head components are perpendicular to directions of the connections of the first and second interface head components to the mechanical interfaces of the PEPS system.

14. An arrangement comprising: the antenna according to claim 1; and the PEPS system of the vehicle, wherein the PEPS system of the vehicle comprises an electronic system comprising a terminal configured to be electronically connected to a terminal of the antenna.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the figure.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a PEPS antenna;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a wire with an insulation in a cross-sectional view; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a first bobbin component, a second bobbin component, a first interface head component and a second interface head component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIG. 1 shows a passive entry passive start antenna (PEPS antenna) 1. The antenna 1 comprises a bobbin component 2 and an interface head component 11. All further components of the antenna 1 are arranged either on or in the bobbin component 2 or on or in the interface head component 11. The antenna 1 is adapted and arranged to be installed inside a vehicle and to form a part of a PEPS system of the vehicle. In particular, the antenna 1 is adapted and arranged to emit a low frequency signal.

(6) The bobbin component 2 and the interface head component 11 are mechanically and electrically connected to each other. The interface head component 11 comprises a first mechanical and electrical interface 12a. The first mechanical electrical interface 12a is a socket in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The bobbin component 2 comprises a second mechanical and electrical interface 12b. The second mechanical and electrical interface 12b is a plug in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment, the first mechanical electrical interface 12a is a plug and the second mechanical and electrical interface 12b is a socket.

(7) The PEPS antenna 1 is a modular device. Before assembling the PEPS antenna 1 into a vehicle, the bobbin component 2 and the interface head component 11 can be releasably fixed to each other.

(8) The interface head component 11 provides an interface and a platform for all further components of the PEPS antenna 1 apart from a wire 3 and a ferrite core 4.

(9) The bobbin component 2 comprises the wire 3 and the ferrite core 4. The wire 3 is wound around the ferrite core 4. The wire 3 forms a coil. The wire 3 is covered with an insulation 10 which consists of an insulating material. The insulating material comprises a plastic material. The insulation 10 provides an environmentally protected insulation for the wire 3. In particular, the insulating material has a thickness that ensures that the wire 3 is protected from environmental influences, e.g., temperatures, humidity, dust or splashes of water.

(10) The wire 3 is exposed on the bobbin component 2. This means that the bobbin component 2 does not comprise any potting material or a housing which encapsulates the wire. Thereby, a significant amount of material can be omitted.

(11) The coil, which is formed by the wire 3, is wound around the ferrite core 4. The ferrite core 4 magnifies an electromagnetic field emitted by the wire 3.

(12) The interface head component 11 further comprises a cavity which forms an IP68 protected room 5. Inside the IP68 protected 5 room passive electronic components are arranged. The IP68 protected room 5 is further filled by a potting material 6 which provides the IP68 protection. The potting material 6 may comprise an epoxy resin or a silicon. The potting material 6 arranged inside the IP68 protected room 5 is the only potting material of the PEPS antenna 1.

(13) Further, the interface head component 11 comprises an integral interface 7 which is adapted and arranged to provide a connection to the PEPS system of the vehicle. The integral interface 7 comprises a mechanical interface which is configured to provide a mechanical connection to the PEPS system. For this purpose, the mechanical interface comprises an opening 8. The mechanical interface comprises an ear-shape which defines the opening 8. The opening 8 is configured to receive a corresponding counter-part of a mechanical interface of the PEPS system of the vehicle. Further, the integral 7 interface is designed to provide an electronic connection to the electronic system of the vehicle. For this purpose, the integral interface 7 comprises a terminal for providing the electronic connection. The terminal may be arranged inside the opening 8.

(14) Alternatively or additionally, the mechanical interface may comprise a clipping mechanism.

(15) FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the wire 3. The wire 3 comprises a conductive core 9 consisting of a conductive material and the insulation 10 which surrounds the conductive core 9.

(16) As FIG. 2 is a schematic figure, it is not true to scale. The thickness th.sub.insul of the insulation 10 may be in the range of 0.1% to 10% of the diameter d.sub.wire of the wire 3. The thickness th.sub.insul of the insulation 10 is chosen to be thick enough to provide a sufficient protection for the conductive core 9.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a first bobbin component 2a, a second bobbin component 2b, a first interface head component 11a and a second interface head component 11b. Each of the first bobbin component 2a and the second bobbin component 2b can be connected mechanically and electrically to each of the first interface head component 11a and the second interface head component 11b.