Antenna assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

A heat dissipation system for an antenna assembly for a vehicle is disclosed that provides enhanced heat removal attributes and that provides heat transfer from various components to a heat sink through different heat transfer flow paths to reduce the transfer of heat from high heat producing components to heat sensitive components. Improved heat insulation components can be added to maximize the thermal isolation between heat producing components and to prevent heat transferred from the vehicle into the antenna assembly.

Claims

1. A heat dissipation system for an antenna assembly for a vehicle, the antenna assembly having a modem that generates heat during operation, the heat dissipation system comprising: a base comprising a body and a heat sink, the heat sink comprising a plurality of heat dissipation elements and the body defining a recess forming a component mounting surface; a first heat transfer plate in thermal contact with the modem; wherein the modem is disposed within the recess on the component mounting surface; wherein the first heat transfer plate is in thermal contact with a first area of the heat sink; wherein the recess is substantially a rectangle and wherein a first area of the heat sink is on one side of the recess and a second area of the heat sink is on a different side of the recess; and an amplifier disposed within the recess and a second heat transfer plate in thermal contact with the second area of the heat sink and the amplifier.

2. The heat dissipation system according to claim 1, further comprising a thermally conductive material disposed between the modem and the first heat transfer plate.

3. The heat dissipation system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of heat dissipation elements is selected from a group comprising a fin and a pin.

4. The heat dissipation system according to claim 3, further comprising: a thermally insulative pad; and a cable assembly comprising a threaded tube, a communication cable, a cable assembly retaining nut adapted to mate with the threaded tube, a tube bushing adapted to fit around the threaded tube, and a washer, adapted to fit around the threaded tube and mate with the surface of the vehicle, wherein, the tube bushing and washer are each made of a thermally insulative material selected to minimize the transfer of heat from the vehicle to the antenna assembly; wherein the thermally insulative pad is positioned between the base and the vehicle, and wherein the cable assembly is adapted to fasten the antenna assembly to the vehicle.

5. The heat dissipation system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one slot formed in the body.

6. The heat dissipation system according to claim 1, wherein the base has a width ranging from 2.5 inches to 5.5 inches, and a length ranging from 6.0 inches to 8.0 inches.

7. The heat dissipating antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second heat transfer plates are each made of material selected from the list consisting of copper, aluminum, graphite, carbon diamond, magnesium, gold, silver, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, and zinc.

8. A heat dissipating antenna assembly for a vehicle comprising: a base comprising a body and a heat sink, the heat sink comprising a plurality of heat dissipation elements and the body defining a recess forming a component mounting surface; a modem disposed within the recess; an antenna board disposed within the base and comprising a plurality of antenna elements; a first heat transfer plate in thermal contact with a first area of the heat sink and the modem; wherein the recess is substantially a rectangle and wherein a first area of the heat sink is on one side of the recess and a second area of the heat sink is on a different side of the recess, and an amplifier disposed within the recess and a second heat transfer plate in thermal contact with the second area of the heat sink and the amplifier.

9. The heat dissipating antenna assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a thermal insulation pad attached to a bottom surface of the base.

10. The heat dissipating antenna assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a thermally conductive material disposed between the modem and the first heat transfer plate.

11. The heat dissipating antenna assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of heat dissipation elements is selected from a group consisting of a fin and a pin.

12. The heat dissipating antenna assembly according to claim 8, wherein the base has a width ranging from 2.5 inches to 5.5 inches, and a length ranging from 6.0 inches to 8.0 inches.

13. The heat dissipating antenna assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first and second heat transfer plates are each made of material selected from the list consisting of copper, aluminum, graphite, carbon diamond, magnesium, gold, silver, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, and zinc.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a base portion of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the base portion of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a housing for an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle with a partial cut-away view.

(6) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(7) FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a top lid for an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(8) FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a modem for an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(9) FIG. 9 is block diagram of an antenna assembly connect to an internal modem of a vehicle.

(10) FIG. 10 is block diagram of an antenna assembly connect to an internal modem of a vehicle.

(11) FIG. 11 is an illustration of a vehicle with an antenna assembly.

(12) FIG. 12 is an illustration of a vehicle with an antenna assembly connected to an internal modem of a vehicle.

(13) FIG. 13A is an exploded view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(14) FIG. 13B is an exploded view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an antenna assembly for a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) An antenna assembly 25 is shown in FIG. 1. The antenna assembly 25 preferably comprises a base 60, a modem 50, a top lid 40 and a housing 30. Alternatively, the antenna assembly comprises a base 60, a modem 50, router (not shown), a top lid 40 and a housing 30. The base 60 is preferably composed of an aluminum material. The modem 50 is disposed on the base 60. The top lid 40 is to cover the base 60 and modem 50, and the top lid 40 preferably comprises at least one antenna element disposed on an exterior surface. A radiofrequency cable 70 is attached to the modem 50 and secured to the base 60 by bolt 71. The housing 30 covers the top lid 40 and the base 60. The top lid 40 acts as an electro-magnetic barrier for the modem 50 to maintain the electro-magnetic signals inside of the base 60 to prevent interference with the antenna signals.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 60 includes a body 61 with an interior surface 62. A side wall 63 defines an interior compartment 65 in which a first plurality of heat dissipation elements 66a-66e and a second plurality of heat dissipation elements 67a-67e. An aperture 64 extends through the body 61 for access by at least one cable. The base 60 is preferably composed of a die-cast aluminum material to prevent electro-magnetic signals from the modem 50 from interfering with the antennas on the top lid 40. In this manner, the modem 50 is capable of being placed in proximity to the antennas on the top lid 50 without interference from electro-magnetic signals with the antennas on the top lid 40.

(18) The first plurality of heat dissipation elements 66a-66e and the second plurality of heat dissipation elements 67a-67e dissipate heat that is generated by the operation of the modem 50.

(19) The sidewall 63, in addition to acting as electro-magnetic barrier, also provides a structure for placement of the top lid 40 thereon.

(20) As shown in FIG. 3, the base 60 preferably has a height H2 ranging from 0.5 inch to 1.0 inch, a height, H1, ranging from 0.05 inch to 0.15 inch, and a height, H3, ranging from 0.15 inch to 0.30 inch The base preferably has a width ranging from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches, and a length, L1, ranging from 6.0 inches to 8.0 inches. The aperture 64 is preferably from 1.0 inch to 1.25 inches across.

(21) As shown in FIG. 7, the top lid 40 comprises a first antenna element 42, a second antenna element 43 and a third antenna element 41. Preferably the first antenna element 42 is a multi-band antenna for cellular communications such as disclosed in Thill, U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/109,918 for a Multi Element Antenna For Multiple bands Of Operation And Method Therefor, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, the first antenna element 42 is a multi-band antenna for cellular communications such as disclosed in He, U.S. Pat. No. 9,362,621 for a Multi Band LTE Antenna, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, the first antenna element is a 5G Sub 6 GHz antenna or a mmWave antenna.

(22) Preferably, the second antenna element 43 is selected from the group of antennas consisting of a WiFi 2G antenna, a WiFi 5G antenna, a DECT antenna, a ZigBee antenna, and a Zwave antenna. The WiFi 2G antennas are preferably 2400-2690 MegaHertz. The WiFi 5G antenna is preferably a 5.8 GigaHertz antenna. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43 operates at 5.15 GHz or at 5.85 GHz. Other possible frequencies for the second antenna element 43 include 5150 MHz, 5200 MHz, 5300 MHz, 5400 MHz, 5500 MHz, 5600 MHz, 5700 MHz, 5850 MHz, and 2.4 GHz. The second antenna element 43 preferably operates on an 802.11 communication protocol. Most preferably, the second antenna element 43 operates on an 802.11n communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43 operates on an 802.11b communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43 operates on an 802.11g communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43 operates on an 802.11a communication protocol. Alternatively, the second antenna element 43 operates on an 802.11ac communication protocol.

(23) The third antenna element 41 is preferably a GPS/GLONASS module.

(24) Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that other antenna types may be used for the first antenna element 42, the second antenna element 43 and/or the third antenna element 41 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

(25) The top lid 40 is preferably composed of an aluminum material, at least on a bottom surface. Alternatively, the top lid 40 is composed of materials that can act as a barrier to electro-magnetic signals.

(26) The modem 50 preferably includes at least one of a computation component, a communication chip 55, a switch, an antenna switch circuit, a GNSS reception component 56, a security access module 53, a mobile phone communication component 54, and a power supply source. The computation component preferably includes a CPU 51, a memory 52, and an interface (I/F) component. The modem 50 preferably operates for cellular protocols including 3G, 4G, 4G HPUE and 5G technology. HPUE is High Power User Equipment, and is more specifically a special class of user equipment for a cellular network, such as a LTE cellular network.

(27) Preferably, the housing 30 is composed of a polypropylene material. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the housing 30 preferably has a height, H4, ranging from 50 to 90 millimeters (mm), more preferably from 60 to 80 mm, and most preferably from 65 to 75 mm. The housing 30 preferably has a length, L2, ranging from 100 to 250 mm, more preferably from 150 to 200 mm, and most preferably from 160 to 190 mm. The housing 30 preferably has a width, W1 ranging from 50 to 100 mm, more preferably from 60 to 90 mm, and most preferably from 65 to 85 mm. An internal width W2 is preferably 70 to 80 mm. A width W3 is preferably 10 to 15 mm. The housing 30 has a sidewall 32, a crown 33 and a rear wall 31. The walls of the housing 30 preferably have a thickness ranging from 2 to 7 mm, and most preferably are 5 mm.

(28) Another embodiment of the invention is set forth in FIGS. 9-12. The antenna assembly system is used as a remote modem plus an antenna plus a serial communication system for upgrading existing installed routers to 5G sub 6 GHz, or adding a failover modem. To upgrade an existing router to 5G with a new internal modem, a technician must: remove the router from the vehicle; take the router apart to remove the modem; install a new modem; install the router in the vehicle; and test the router to verify the new modem is working properly.

(29) To upgrade an existing router to 5G using an antenna assembly of the present invention, a technician must, leveraging the already-installed coax cables (as shown in FIG. 9): loosen the existing antenna on a vehicle roof; cut the coax cables; add a coax connector to two of the cables; use one coax cable for powering the antenna assembly and for serial Ethernet communications; use the second coax cable for GPS/GNSS; connect a coax-to-Ethernet combiner and power injector to the router's spare Ethernet WAN port to 12V power (it combines Ethernet and power and conveys them over coax) and to an ignition sense; configure the router to use the Ethernet port as the WAN if it is not already configured; test the router to verify it is communicating over the new modem; remove the existing antenna and cables; disconnect the coax cables from the router; remove the antenna from the roof of the vehicle; install the new antenna and connect the coax cables to the router; connect the injector module to the router Ethernet, vehicle power and ignition sense; connect the combiner module Ethernet connector to the router; configure the router to use the Ethernet port as the WAN if it is not already configured; and test the router to verify it is communicating over the new modem.

(30) FIG. 9 illustrates the removal of the existing antenna 900 of a vehicle, and the installation of an embodiment of antenna assembly 25 as described herein. FIGS. 10-12 illustrate the connections between the antenna assembly and the existing router 125 of the vehicle 1100. The antenna assembly 25 preferably comprises a base 60, a modem 50, a CPU 51, a combiner 92, a power regulator 94, and a plurality of antenna elements 41, 42, 43 and 44 within a housing 30. Four coaxial cables 131, 132, 133 and 135 are connected from the antenna assembly 25 to connectors on the vehicle. The coaxial cable 135 is connected to an injector 105, the coaxial cables 132 and 133 are connected to WiFi connectors 161 and 162 of a router 125. The coaxial cable 131 is connected to a GPS/GNSS connector 160 of the router 125. The injector 105 comprises a reset button 95, a SIM card 96, a USB connection 97 and a power-conditioning unit. The router 125 preferably comprises a modem 130, an Ethernet or USB WAN connector 170, LTE connectors 163 and 164, an ignition sense and 12 Volt connector 171 which an ignition sense cable 185 and 12 Volt cable 190 connect thereto.

(31) Using certain embodiments described herein, there is no need to remove, open the existing router, remove and replace modem module, close the router, re-install the router, test the router and modem.

(32) Using certain embodiments described herein, installation is quicker and a lower risk (no static discharge accidental damage to the router or modem due to opening the router).

(33) Signal loss is typically higher at 5G mid-band frequencies than traditional cellular, and those losses are mitigated if not eliminated by the present invention. Using the modem that is embedded in the antenna housing avoids cable loss and thereby extends coverage range.

(34) A user of certain embodiments of antenna assemblies described herein can continue to use the software they have been using with their existing router.

(35) The combiner 92 preferably inputs a wide area network connection from the router for send and receive data to/from Internet, and an ignition sense to put the unit to sleep and draw minimal power when the ignition is off. The combiner 92 also inputs twelve volts to power the antenna assembly 25, which allows the combiner 92 to perform power regulation and surge protection, and pass the power up to the modem 50 in the antenna housing 60. The combiner 92 also inputs a SIM card for a carrier (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) subscriber identity module remoted from the modem 50 so that it can be easily accessed in the trunk of the vehicle 1100. All of the above are combined and sent up to the antenna assembly 25 over the existing coaxial cable, or over the Ethernet plus other wires.

(36) FIGS. 13A, 13B and 14 illustrate thermal dissipation and isolation features that are utilized in certain embodiments of an antenna assembly 25 for a vehicle to optimize heat removal and to protect certain heat sensitive components. The antenna assembly 25 preferably comprises a housing 30, a top lid 40 with antenna elements and a base 60. The base 60 preferably has a body 61 and a heat sink 68, but those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that the base may take various other forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The body 61 preferably has a structure that forms a mounting surface 69 for some, or all, of the rest of the components of the antenna assembly 25. In some embodiments, the body 61 has an internal compartment or recess 65 forming a mounting surface 69 for mounting certain components directly on the body 61 itself, while other components are mounted on other features that themselves are mounted to the body 61. In certain embodiments having a recess 65 formed by a sidewall 63, the recess 65 has a shape that allows components to be mounted in proximity to or in contact with the heat sink 68. In yet other embodiments, the recess 65 is formed in a shape that allows components to contact the heat sink 68 in substantially different areas, thereby transmitting their respective generated heat to different parts of the heat sink 68, and minimizing the crossflow of heat from one component to another through the heat sink 68. For example, a first area of the heat sink 68 is located on one side of the base 60 and a second area of the heat sink 68 is located on an opposing side of the base 60. Alternatively, a first area of the heat sink 68 is located on one side of the base 60, a second area of the heat sink 68 is located on an opposing side of the base 60, and a third area of the heat sink 68 is located at a rear section of the base 60. Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that the heat sink 68 may be partitioned into multiple areas without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The heat sink 68 preferably comprises a plurality of heat dissipation elements. The heat dissipation elements are preferably fins or pins. In some embodiments, the recess 65 is generally rectangular and has mounting surfaces such that one component is in contact with one side of the heat sink 68 formed by the recess 65 and heat from another component is directed to another side of the heat sink 68 formed by the recess. The component mounting surface 69 is preferably formed to mount multiple components that have different heat sensitivities and heat generating characteristics. For example, a first component, such as a modem 50, has a high heat sensitivity and lower heat generation and a second component, such as a high-power amplifier 57, has a lower heat sensitivity, but a much higher heat generation characteristic. Those of skill in the art will know that for different components, different heat sensitivities and different heat generating characteristics may apply and may require further heat dissipation features. In some embodiments, to increase the flow of heat from the components mounted on the base 60, heat transfer plates 72, 73 are attached to the body 61 or heat sink 68 and in thermal contact with the components mounted on the body 61. The heat transfer plates 72, 73 are preferably mounted directly on the components (e.g., modem 50 and high-power amplifier 57) or alternatively in thermal contact with the components via thermally conductive materials 1302 and 1303 (as shown in FIG. 13B). The heat transfer plates 72, 73 of in these embodiments are mounted directly or via fasteners to the body 61 or the heat sink 68. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second heat transfer plates are each made of material selected from the list consisting of copper, aluminum, graphite, carbon diamond, magnesium, gold, silver, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, and zinc. To provide additional thermal insulation between the components mounted to the body 61, slots (not shown) are formed by molding, cutting or otherwise in the mounting surface 69, to impede the flow of heat from one component to another and encourage the heat flow through the heat sink 68.

(37) In other embodiments, further thermal insulation of the antenna assembly 25 from the vehicle 1100 is desired to prevent heat from the vehicle 1100 from transferring to the antenna assembly 25. In these embodiments, each interface between the antenna assembly 25 and the vehicle 1100 is evaluated for thermal insulation. In these embodiments, a thermally insulative pad is added between the base 61 to reduce heat transmitted from the vehicle 1100 to the antenna assembly 25. In alternative embodiments, the thermally insulative pad is also water resistant to aid in the prevention of water intrusion around and under the antenna assembly 25. In alternative embodiments, a thermally insulative washer is installed between the mounting nut 71 and the vehicle 1100. In other embodiments, a thermally insulative bushing, or other thermally insulating part, is installed between the threaded tube 82, through which the radiofrequency cable 70 is routed, that fastens with the mounting nut 71 and the vehicle 1100 to avoid heat transfer from the vehicle 1100.

(38) He, U.S. Pat. No. 9,362,621 for a Multi-Band LTE Antenna is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(39) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,296 for a Switch Multi-Beam Antenna Serial is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(40) Salo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,907,971 for an Optimized Directional Antenna System is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(41) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,570,215 for an Antenna device with a controlled directional pattern and a planar directional antenna is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(42) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,423,084 for a Method for radio communication in a wireless local area network and transceiving device is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(43) Khitrik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,336,959 for an Information transmission method for a wireless local network is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(44) Khitrik et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,252 for an Information transmission method for a wireless local network is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(45) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,184,601 for a METHOD FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION INA WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK AND TRANSCEIVING DEVICE is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(46) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,627,300 for a Dynamically optimized smart antenna system is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(47) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,832 for a Direction-agile antenna system for wireless communications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(48) Yang, U.S. Pat. No. 8,081,123 for a COMPACT MULTI-LEVEL ANTENNA WITH PHASE SHIFT is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(49) Nagaev et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,201 for a Directional antenna system with multi-use elements is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(50) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,696,948 for a Configurable directional antenna is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(51) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,965,242 for a Dual-band antenna is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(52) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,662 for a Radio communication method in a wireless local network is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(53) Abramov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,248,970 for an OPTIMIZED DIRECTIONAL MIMO ANTENNA SYSTEM is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(54) Visuri et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,175,036 for a MULTIMEDIA WIRELESS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(55) Yang, U.S. Patent Publication Number 20110235755 for an MIMO Radio System With Antenna Signal Combiner is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(56) Yang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,013,355 for an L SHAPED FEED AS PART OF A MATCHING NETWORK FOR A MICROSTRIP ANTENNA is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(57) From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes modification and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claim. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.