US20010013841A1 - On-glass antenna - Google Patents

On-glass antenna Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20010013841A1
US20010013841A1 US09/094,805 US9480598A US2001013841A1 US 20010013841 A1 US20010013841 A1 US 20010013841A1 US 9480598 A US9480598 A US 9480598A US 2001013841 A1 US2001013841 A1 US 2001013841A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
patch
electroconductive
antenna
antenna element
ply
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/094,805
Other versions
US6384790B2 (en
Inventor
Peter T. Dishart
John A. Winter
Cheryl E. Belli
Steve J. Sutara
Donald P. Michelotti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC
Original Assignee
PPG Industries Ohio Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PPG Industries Ohio Inc filed Critical PPG Industries Ohio Inc
Priority to US09/094,805 priority Critical patent/US6384790B2/en
Assigned to PPG INDUSTRIES, INC. reassignment PPG INDUSTRIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BELLI, CHERYL E., DISHART, PETER T., WINTER, JOHN A., MICHELOTTI, DONALD P., SUTARA, STEVE J.
Assigned to PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC. reassignment PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PPG INDUSTRIES, INC.
Priority to BR9911854-8A priority patent/BR9911854A/en
Priority to AU43387/99A priority patent/AU755164B2/en
Priority to PCT/US1999/013080 priority patent/WO1999066588A1/en
Priority to JP2000555320A priority patent/JP4445670B2/en
Priority to DE69932930T priority patent/DE69932930T2/en
Priority to CNB998071315A priority patent/CN1151585C/en
Priority to EP99939824A priority patent/EP1088364B1/en
Priority to KR1020007014209A priority patent/KR100626500B1/en
Priority to CA002330326A priority patent/CA2330326C/en
Publication of US20010013841A1 publication Critical patent/US20010013841A1/en
Publication of US6384790B2 publication Critical patent/US6384790B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT reassignment GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC
Assigned to PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC reassignment PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
Assigned to DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS reassignment DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC
Assigned to DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC
Assigned to GTS SERVICES, LLC, PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, LYNX SERVICES, L.L.C. reassignment GTS SERVICES, LLC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT Assignors: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Assigned to PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC. reassignment PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC. CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT INCORRECT PROPERTY NUMBERS 08/666726;08/942182; 08/984387;08/990890;5645767;5698141;5723072;5744070; 5753146;5783116;5808063; 5811034 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 009737 FRAME 0591. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Assignors: PPG INDUSTRIES, INC.
Assigned to PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC reassignment PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
Assigned to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT reassignment BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, AS GRANTOR
Assigned to NEWSTAR FINANCIAL, INC. reassignment NEWSTAR FINANCIAL, INC. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC
Assigned to PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC reassignment PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Assigned to PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC reassignment PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NEWSTAR FINANCIAL, INC., AS AGENT
Assigned to PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC reassignment PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12Supports; Mounting means
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10009Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
    • B32B17/10036Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B17/00Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
    • B32B17/06Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
    • B32B17/10Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
    • B32B17/10005Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10165Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
    • B32B17/10174Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/1271Supports; Mounting means for mounting on windscreens
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/1271Supports; Mounting means for mounting on windscreens
    • H01Q1/1278Supports; Mounting means for mounting on windscreens in association with heating wires or layers
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01QANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/1271Supports; Mounting means for mounting on windscreens
    • H01Q1/1285Supports; Mounting means for mounting on windscreens with capacitive feeding through the windscreen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle antenna and, in particular to an antenna formed by a transparent coating laminated between two glass plies and an electrical connection arrangement for connecting the antenna to a radio or other transmitting/receiving device.
  • connectors such as wires, braids or tabs have been laminated within the transparency to make electrical contact with an antenna element.
  • air may be trapped in the laminate in the vicinity of the connector. It is believed that the air entrapment is the result of the connector hindering the de-airing of the laminate during a conventional roll prepress operation. Bubbles formed by the entrapped air detract from the aesthetics of the laminate, as well as increase the possibility of delamination and/or corrosion at or near the connection.
  • a capacitive type connection has been used to electrically interconnect the antenna elements to the feed lines for a radio, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,144. More specifically, an electroconductive material is applied on the inner surface of the windshield and is capacitively coupled to a portion of a coating within the windshield that forms an antenna element. The area of the material on the inner surface of the windshield is adjusted to provide the proper capacitance between the antenna coating and the material.
  • the presence of the connector material blocks the vision of the vehicle operator. It would be advantageous to provide a connection arrangement which provides the required capacitive performance for the connection while at the same time providing the vehicle operator increased visibility in the vicinity of the connector with minimal distraction.
  • the present invention provides a transparent antenna including a transparent dielectric substrate, an electroconductive antenna element positioned along a major surface of the substrate, an electroconductive patch capacitively or directly connected to the antenna element, and a connector secured to the patch to permit transfer of signals generated by the antenna element to an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving device.
  • the patch is configured to have a visibility coefficient (i.e. a ratio of the non-opaque area to the total area) between 0 and 1.
  • the antenna element includes one or more transparent, electroconductive coatings positioned between first and second glass plies of a windshield for a motor vehicle and the electroconductive patch is applied to an exposed major surface of the windshield such that it overlays at least a portion of the antenna element and is capacitively coupled to the antenna element.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transparent glass antenna incorporating features of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the particular embodiment of the antenna connection arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a patch connector of the present invention, with portions removed for clarity.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 in FIG. 1, with portions removed for clarity.
  • FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are plan views similar to FIG. 2 illustrating additional embodiments of the invention, with portions removed for clarity.
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention, with portions removed for clarity.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 - 8 in FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention, with portions removed for clarity.
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10 - 10 in FIG. 9.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views similar to FIG. 2 wherein the antenna connection arrangement is designed to provide limited visibility through the patch connector, with portions removed for clarity.
  • the present invention provides an improved connector arrangement for a glass antenna system.
  • the present invention may be used in other transmitting or receiving antenna systems where increased visibility is a priority.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an antenna system 10 , including a laminated vehicle window, i.e. a windshield 12 formed by outer and inner glass plies 14 and 16 , respectively, which are bonded together by a thermoplastic interlayer 18 , preferably polyvinyl butyral.
  • plies 14 and 16 may be other transparent rigid materials, for example, acrylic, polycarbonate, or the windshield 12 may include a combination of different transparent rigid materials.
  • Windshield 12 further includes at least one antenna element 20 .
  • the antenna element 20 is a transparent electroconductive coating applied on surface 22 of outer ply 14 , in a manner well known in the art, and generally occupies the central portion of the windshield 12 .
  • the coating may be a single or multilayered metal containing coating, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,655,545 to Gillery, et al.; 3,962,488 to Gillery; and 4,898,789 to Finley.
  • the windshield 12 may further include a decorative border (not shown) bonded to the marginal edge portion of the windshield 12 .
  • This border is typically formed from an opaque non-electrically conductive ceramic paint applied to surface 24 of inner ply 16 , as is well known to those skilled in the art.
  • antenna 20 may be a non transparent electroconductive material, for example, silver-containing ceramic paint, wires, metal foil, etc.
  • antenna element 20 may include a combination of paint, wire and/or ceramic antenna elements.
  • it is preferred that the antenna pattern provide a degree of visibility through the pattern.
  • antenna element 20 in this particular configuration is basically quadrilateral in shape and preferably spaced from the peripheral edges of the windshield 12 .
  • the antenna element 20 may have a configuration different from that shown in FIG. 1.
  • the exact shape and position of the antenna element 20 depends in part on the design of the vehicle into which the windshield 12 is installed, the angle of the windshield installation, the coating resistivity, the type of signal to be transferred or received, and the desired performance of the antenna. These types of design considerations for a transparent glass antenna are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,768,037 and 4,849,766.
  • antenna element 20 may have a shape and/or incorporate multiple elements as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,083,135; 5,528,514; 5,648,758; and 5,670,966.
  • An antenna feed arrangement 26 provides a connection between the antenna element 20 and an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving unit 28 via a feed line, for example, a coaxial cable 30 .
  • the connection may be a capacitive connection, as will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 - 12 of the present application, or it may be a direct electrical connection as will be discussed later in more detail.
  • Unit 28 may be a radio, cellular phone, television, computer, global positioning system, or any other type of system that uses antenna element 20 to transmit and/or receive signals.
  • the antenna feed arrangement 26 is positioned along the upper edge 32 of the windshield 12 .
  • the antenna feed arrangement 26 is configured such that it is not laminated between plies 14 and 16 .
  • arrangement 26 includes an electroconductive element or patch 34 which is positioned in spaced apart relation from and overlays a portion of the antenna element 20 .
  • patch 34 is secured to an exposed surface of windshield 12 , and in particular, surface 24 of inner ply 16 , and is spaced from the coating by inner ply 16 and interlayer 18 such that the patch 34 is capacitively coupled to the antenna element 20 .
  • a capacitive connection may be configured to produce a capacitive reactance that matches the inductive reactance of the antenna to the radio 28 and coaxial cable 30 by minimizing the net reactive component, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,144. This in turn results in optimal energy transfer from the antenna to the radio or other receiver.
  • the coating forming antenna element 20 in the embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 1 - 3 is positioned along surface 22 of outer ply 14 , and more specifically, applied to surface 22 and laminated between two glass plies, the coating forming the antenna element may be applied to surface 35 of inner ply 16 or as an alternative, incorporated into the interlayer 18 .
  • an antenna wire or electroconductive element may be positioned on or within interlayer 18 .
  • the antenna element may be applied to a flexible substrate such as a polyester film, which is turn is incorporated into an interlayer and/or laminate as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,547 to Hood, et al.
  • the antenna may be formed on a monolithic window assembly, e.g. along a major surface of a single glass ply with the antenna feed arrangement being positioned on the opposing major surface of the ply.
  • the required area of patch 34 overlaying a corresponding portion of antenna element 20 is based in part on the spacing between patch 34 and the antenna element 20 , i.e. the thickness of the interlayer 18 and inner ply 16 ; the types of material used for the antenna element, patch, interlayer and glass; and the required antenna performance. Because signal transfer through the patch 34 is frequency dependent, lower frequency signals (such as AM radio signals) require a larger patch area than higher frequency signals (such as FM radio signals) to achieve acceptable antenna performance. In general, as the overlaying area of the capacitive patch increases, the signal transfer from the antenna connector arrangement approaches that of a direct connection to the antenna element. Capacitance may be controlled, among other ways, by either varying the electroconductivity of the patch material or by changing the area of overlap between the patch and a corresponding portion of the antenna coating.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a capacitive connection between the antenna element 20 and the feed arrangement 26 in such a manner that the patch 34 provides a desired amount of visibility through the windshield 12 so that the vehicle operator's visibility is not impaired through the portion of the windshield where the antenna feeding arrangement 26 is located, and in particular the upper portion of the windshield 12 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, when viewing a traffic signal.
  • providing a degree of visibility through the patch 34 may be more aesthetically pleasing to the occupants of the vehicle.
  • the patch 34 may be designed to provide visibility through the connection.
  • patch 34 may be designed to purposely block a portion of the light passing through the windshield 12 , as will be discussed later in more detail.
  • the patch 34 is formed into a grid-like pattern as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 using an opaque electroconductive material.
  • the material used to form interconnected grid lines 36 may be, for example, an opaque electroconductive ceramic coating or paint. This type of material typically includes silver and glass frit combined with one of several types of carriers. It should be appreciated that the amount of silver used in an electroconductive ceramic paint depends on the conductivity required to produce the required capacitance between the grid lines 36 forming the patch 34 and the coating forming antenna element 20 and prevent significant resistive losses.
  • One type of paint that may be used to form patch 34 is an electroconductive ceramic paint of the type typically used to form heating lines on the rear window of vehicles.
  • This paint generally includes silver particles, flow modifying agents, pigments and an infrared radiation dried carrier (this paint hereinafter referred to as “electroconductive ceramic IR paint”).
  • electroconductive ceramic IR paint an infrared radiation dried carrier
  • the grid lines 36 are screen printed onto surface 24 of ply 16 using techniques well known in the art and heated in an oven or furnace to dry the ceramic paint. Additional or prolonged heating is required to cure the paint and bond it to the glass surface.
  • one short coming of using this type of ceramic paint is that it remains wet for an extended period of time, i.e. generally until it is dried by an oven.
  • the grid pattern may be formed using an opaque electroconductive ceramic paint which includes silver particles, flow modifiers and pigment and incorporates a thermoplastic or thermoset carrier (hereinafter referred to as “electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic paint” and “electroconductive ceramic thermoset paint”, respectively). Paints which use a thermoplastic or thermoset carrier are often referred to as hot melt paints.
  • Non-electrically conductive hot melt coatings for use on glass are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,346,933 to Knell and 5,411,768 to Knell et al.
  • Non electrically conductive hot melt paints are also used in the can and bottling industry to mark the outer surface of the vessel.
  • Electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic paint has been used to form heating lines on a rear window of a vehicle, as disclosed in Canadian Patent 1,193,150.
  • an electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic or thermoset paint is applied along surface 24 of ply 16 to form patch 34 using a screen printing process which incorporates a heated metal screen that melts the paint and maintains it in liquid form.
  • the paint sets, i.e. it immediately dries. It should be appreciated that although the paint may be dry, it still must be heated to cure and bond the paint to the glass surface, as with an electroconductive ceramic IR paint.
  • the grid pattern may be formed using an opaque electroconductive ceramic paint which includes silver particles, flow modifiers and pigment and incorporates an ultraviolet radiation cured carrier (hereinafter referred to as “electroconductive ceramic UV paint”).
  • electroconductive ceramic UV paint is dried by exposing the grid pattern to UV light; however, like the other paints discussed above, the electroconductive ceramic UV paint still must be heated to cure and bond the paint to the glass surface.
  • patch material discussed above is an electroconductive ceramic paint
  • other electroconductive materials may be used to form a capacitive connection to the antenna coating with the required visibility coefficient, such as but limited to electrically conductive screens or meshes, wires, inks, plastics, tapes or decals.
  • the patch pattern includes an opaque area, i.e. an area physically coated with the grid lines, and a non-opaque area, i.e. the uncoated area between the grid lines.
  • the term “visibility coefficient” means the ratio of the non-opaque area of the patch to the total area of the patch, i.e. the sum of the non-opaque and opaque areas. It is apparent that the higher the visibility coefficient, the more “transparent” the patch. More specifically, a visibility coefficient of 1 would indicate that there are no opaque elements in the connector arrangement while a visibility coefficient of 0 would indicate a completely opaque connector arrangement.
  • a wire lead 38 is secured to the patch 34 .
  • wire 38 is soldered directly to the patch 34 .
  • a terminal assembly 40 (shown only in FIG. 3), for example a reinforced spade assembly, a male Jaso pin, or other electrical connection device well known in the art, is connected to end 42 of wire 38 so that the coaxial cable 30 may be secured to feed arrangement 26 .
  • a connector pad 44 in the form of a solid coating of the patch material may be provided in the patch 34 .
  • a metal clip (not shown) of a type well known in the art, may be secured to pad 44 of patch 34 , for example by soldering, with a wire or coaxial cable being secured to the metal clip.
  • coaxial cable 30 may be connected directly to pad 44 .
  • a patch 134 having grid lines 136 may be configured to include an extension 170 which extends along surface 24 of inner ply 16 from the portion of the patch 134 overlaying the coating forming antenna element 120 , toward upper edge 32 .
  • a connector pad 144 is positioned at the end of extension 170 near edge 32 .
  • the coating forming antenna element 120 may also be extended toward edge 32 to provide additional antenna area which may be overlaid by the patch 134 in order to provide the desired capacitance for the antenna feed arrangement 126 .
  • FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment where it is desired to move the entire patch of an antenna feed arrangement 226 close to windshield edge 32 while maintaining the antenna coating spaced from the edge 32 .
  • a portion of the coating forming antenna element 220 , and in particular coated area 280 is positioned on surface 22 of outer ply 14 along edge 32 with connecting area 282 electrically interconnecting area 280 with antenna element 220 .
  • Patch 234 with grid lines 236 and connecting pad 244 is positioned on surface 24 of inner ply 16 to overlay at least a portion of the area 280 and provide the desired capacitive characteristics of the connection.
  • the coated areas 280 and connecting area 282 may be made of the same material as antenna element 220 .
  • the coating forming the antenna elements 20 , 120 and 220 and additional coating areas such as area 280 not extend to the edge 32 of the windshield 12 , but rather terminate at least 1 mm from edge 32 . This will insure that the coating is completely sealed within the windshield 12 and will inhibit coating degradation along edge 32 . It is also desired that the patch 34 , 134 and 234 be positioned on the windshield 12 such that it does not electrically interact, either by direct electrical contact or capacitive coupling, with other electroconductive elements in the motor vehicle because such interaction may degrade and weaken the strength of the signal generated by the antenna element. More specifically, referring to FIG.
  • a windshield 12 is typically supported in a motor vehicle 46 on a metal ledge 48 and secured to the vehicle by an adhesive 50 , which in some instances is electrically conductive.
  • an adhesive 50 which in some instances is electrically conductive.
  • ornamental strips 52 or other types of moldings which may be formed from electrically conductive materials, may be positioned along selected edges of the windshield 12 to hide the space between the windshield 12 and the mounting frame of the vehicle 46 .
  • the patch 34 should be spaced from such vehicle elements a sufficient distance to at least minimize and preferably avoid such adverse electrical interaction.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the instant invention wherein the antenna element includes various shapes and the patch overlays selected portions of the coating forming the antenna element(s). More specifically, the antenna pattern, which is applied to surface 22 of outer ply 14 and is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,314, includes a first coating element 320 covering the central portion of the windshield 12 , a second coating element 380 positioned between the first coating element 320 and the upper edge 32 of the windshield 12 , and a third coating element 382 electrically interconnecting the first and second coating elements.
  • Patch 334 of the antenna connector arrangement 326 includes grid lines 336 and is configured to extend along surface 24 of inner ply 16 from the upper edge 32 of the windshield 12 and overlay a selected portion of the second coating element 380 . More specifically, patch 334 includes a section 372 which overlays a portion of coating element 380 and a section 370 which extends from section 372 toward edge 32 . A connection pad 344 is positioned near windshield edge 32 for connection of the patch 334 to a lead to the radio.
  • the coating pattern may include a fourth coating element 384 extending from the second coating element 382 toward the windshield edge 32 . As discussed earlier, this additional element provides additional coating area that may be overlaid by the patch 334 for additional capacitive coupling. However, it should be appreciated that the antenna pattern may eliminate the third and fourth antenna elements, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,966.
  • An embodiment of the invention that provides an acceptable signal for an antenna 20 to a receiving device 28 includes an antenna coating configured as in FIG. 6, with the coating having a resistivity of approximately 3 ohms per square.
  • Patch 334 is “T” shaped as discussed above and overlays selected portions of the antenna coating element. More specifically, in this particular embodiment, section 372 of patch 334 is about 45 mm by 130 mm and overlays a portion of second coating 380 , and section 370 of patch 334 is about 22 mm by 45 mm and overlays a portion of the fourth coating element 384 .
  • Grid lines 336 are 0.4 mm wide and spaced both horizontally and vertically at intervals ranging from about 4.5 to 20 mm, depending on the particular location of the grid line within the overall pattern.
  • An area of section 370 about 22 mm by 13 mm is covered with a solid coating of electroconductive ceramic paint, i.e. without the grid pattern, to form connection pad 344 for a connecting wire or coaxial cable.
  • the grid lines 336 and connector pad 344 are formed by an opaque electroconductive thermoplastic paint produced by Cerdec Corporation, Washington, Pa., which includes about 76% silver powder, 2% lead borosilicate glass frit, and the remainder pigment, acrylic resin (flow modifier) and 1-octadecanol (thermoplastic carrier).
  • the thermoplastic paint has a resistivity of about 0.035 ohms per square and overlays approximately 1008 mm 2 (excluding connection pad 344 ) of the antenna coating, while extending over a total area of approximately 6554 mm 2 (excluding connection pad 344 ). This pattern results in a visibility coefficient of about 0.85. Increasing the grid line width from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm would reduce the visibility coefficient to about 0.69, while reducing the line width to 0.2 mm would increase the visibility coefficient to about 0.92.
  • the opaque area required to overlay a corresponding portion of the antenna element i.e. the actual area covered by grid lines that overlays a corresponding area of the antenna element coating, will depend on the performance requirements of the antenna and the materials forming the windshield, antenna and connection. It should be further appreciated that the patch may extend beyond the antenna element such that the entire opaque area does not overlay and capacitively couple to a corresponding portion of the antenna element.
  • FIGS. 2 - 6 illustrate rectangular grid patterns for patches 34 , 134 , 234 and 334 , respectively
  • other patterns such as but not limited to interconnected circles or other curvilinear shapes and patterns, may be used to provide the necessary capacitive connection to the antenna 20 while allowing the occupant of the vehicle to “see through” the patch.
  • a pattern with the visibility coefficient approaching 1 may be formed from opaque lines and still provide acceptable capacitive coupling performance.
  • an antenna connector arrangement 426 may include a patch 434 formed from a transparent electroconductive coating 450 used in combination with opaque electroconductive members 436 to capacitively couple with antenna element 420 .
  • the coating 450 for patch 434 is applied to surface 22 of outer ply 14 and may be similar to the transparent coating forming the antenna element 420 .
  • Members 436 are applied to surface 24 of inner ply 16 and may be opaque electroconductive materials as discussed earlier.
  • Member 436 may have any configuration required to provide the desired performance. If required, the arrangement 426 may include an electroconductive connector pad 444 , similar to pad 44 discussed earlier, to facilitate connection of a connecting wire and/or coaxial cable to the patch. It should be appreciated that if the arrangement 426 does not include the opaque members 436 , the visibility coefficient of the arrangement (excluding pad 444 ) would be 1.
  • the pattern formed by material 590 may be slightly larger than the overlaying pattern of material 536 to ensure that material 536 does not make direct electrical contact with antenna element 520 .
  • material 590 and 536 would be opaque, if material 590 is opaque, e.g. a conventional ceramic paint typically used in the automotive glass industry for decorative borders, material 536 may be transparent. Conversely, if material 536 is opaque, e.g. an opaque electroconductive paint of the type discussed earlier, material 590 may be transparent.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 shown the antenna element on the exposed surface of a laminate, it should be appreciated that an antenna element positioned on a single transparent ply may use the same connector arrangement as discussed above.
  • the pattern used for the capacitive patch may be enlarged to provide partial shading for occupants of the vehicle. More specifically, sun visors are typically positioned at the upper left and right portions of the windshield of a motor vehicle to provide shading from sunlight for the driver and the front seat passenger, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, it is contemplated that a patch 634 may be positioned at the center of a windshield 12 and configured as a “third visor” to provide both shade to the inner vehicle compartment and, if desired, limited amount of visibility through the patch covered portion of the windshield, while still functioning as part of an antenna feed 626 for the antenna system. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.
  • the patch 634 configuration includes a plurality of horizontally oriented lines 636 formed from electroconductive ceramic paints of the type discussed earlier. Lines 636 are all electrically interconnected by a plurality of vertical lines 690 spaced along the length of the lines 636 .
  • This particular patch pattern includes ten lines each spaced 3 mm apart. The line width progressively changes from a 10 mm width at the top (i.e. near windshield edge 32 ) to a 1 mm width at the bottom of the pattern.
  • the uppermost line may be positioned either above or below the opaque decorative border (not shown) that may extend around the periphery of the windshield.
  • the pattern may be aligned behind a shadeband (not shown) which is typically incorporated into the interlayer 18 .
  • the entire pattern serves to block a desired amount of sunlight from entering the vehicle while still providing a limited amount of visibility through the patch.
  • the horizontal line configuration in FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 except that a single vertical line 790 is used to electrically interconnect all the horizontal lines 736 .
  • the coating forming antenna element 620 is similar to that coating pattern in FIG. 6 and the pattern of patch 634 overlays a portion of antenna coating but does not directly correspond to the shape of coating, while in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12, that coating forming antenna element 720 is configured such that most, if not all of the patch 734 overlays a corresponding portion of the antenna coating.
  • the capacitive patch as a third visor, since the line elements are electroconductive, care should be taken to configure the line elements so that the patch does not act as an antenna that interferes with antenna element 620 .
  • the present invention provides an antenna connection arrangement having a predetermined amount of visibility through the connector while capacitively coupling to the antenna coating. More specifically, the patch area has a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1, i.e. greater than 0 but less than 1, and preferably 0.1 to 0.95. In embodiments of the invention where the connector arrangement is also used to provide additional shading to the interior of the vehicle, it is preferred that the patch have a visibility coefficient of up to about 0.5, and preferably, about 0.1 to 0.4. For other connector arrangements, it is preferred that the patch have a visibility coefficient of about 0.5 to 0.95, preferably about 0.6 to 0.9.
  • the patch may be applied directly to a major surface of the transparent substrate, it should be appreciated that the patch may be applied to a separate element, e.g. a polyester film, which in turn is secured to the substrate in a manner that allows the patch to overlay and capacitively couple to the antenna element.
  • a separate element e.g. a polyester film
  • the antenna feed arrangement as discussed above and shown in FIGS. 1 - 12 is a capacitive connection. More specifically, the electroconductive patch overlays and is spaced from the coating forming the antenna element(s) by a dielectric.
  • a “see through” connector of the type disclosed herein may also be configured to make direct electrical connection to the antenna element. More specifically, for example, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, material 590 may be eliminated so that electroconductive patch material 536 is in direct electrical contact with antenna element 520 .
  • the patch material making the direct electrical connection is preferably an electroconductive ceramic paint of the type discussed earlier and would be configured to provide a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1.

Abstract

The present invention provides a transparent antenna including a transparent dielectric substrate, an electroconductive antenna element positioned along a major surface of the substrate, an electroconductive patch capacitively or directly connected to the antenna element, and a connector secured to the patch to permit transfer of signals generated by the antenna element to an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving device. The patch, is configured to have a visibility coefficient (i.e. a ratio of the non-opaque area to the total area) between 0 and 1. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the antenna element includes one or more transparent, electroconductive coatings positioned between first and second glass plies of a windshield for a motor vehicle and the electroconductive patch is applied to an exposed major surface of the windshield such that it overlays at least a portion of the antenna element and is capacitively coupled to the antenna element. The patch is may be formed from an opaque electroconductive ceramic IR, UV, thermoplastic or thermoset paint.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention [0001]
  • The present invention relates to a vehicle antenna and, in particular to an antenna formed by a transparent coating laminated between two glass plies and an electrical connection arrangement for connecting the antenna to a radio or other transmitting/receiving device. [0002]
  • 2. Technical Considerations [0003]
  • In the past, the traditional motor vehicle antenna for receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals was a mast or whip type antenna. Recently there has been a trend towards incorporating the antenna into the vehicle structure. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,768,037 and 4,849,766 to Anaba, et al. and 5,355,144 to Walton, et al. disclose a transparent electroconductive coating over a substantial portion of a window and, in particular a vehicle windshield to form an antenna. In designing an antenna system, attention is given to matching the impedance of the system's components and, in particular matching the impedance of the radio, the antenna and a feed line electrically interconnecting the two components to improve the reception of selected radio signals. One way this issue has been addressed by antenna designers is to design the antenna to have a desired impedance, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,083,135; 5,528,314; and 5,648,758 to Nagey, et al. However, designing an antenna to have a predetermined impedance would require each antenna to be designed specifically for the particular type of radio and feed line used in the particular antenna system, as well as the vehicle into which the antenna is installed. [0004]
  • In order to link the antenna element to an external device, connectors such as wires, braids or tabs have been laminated within the transparency to make electrical contact with an antenna element. However, it has been found that when incorporating these type of connectors between the plies of the laminate, air may be trapped in the laminate in the vicinity of the connector. It is believed that the air entrapment is the result of the connector hindering the de-airing of the laminate during a conventional roll prepress operation. Bubbles formed by the entrapped air detract from the aesthetics of the laminate, as well as increase the possibility of delamination and/or corrosion at or near the connection. [0005]
  • To solve both these problems, a capacitive type connection has been used to electrically interconnect the antenna elements to the feed lines for a radio, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,144. More specifically, an electroconductive material is applied on the inner surface of the windshield and is capacitively coupled to a portion of a coating within the windshield that forms an antenna element. The area of the material on the inner surface of the windshield is adjusted to provide the proper capacitance between the antenna coating and the material. However, the presence of the connector material blocks the vision of the vehicle operator. It would be advantageous to provide a connection arrangement which provides the required capacitive performance for the connection while at the same time providing the vehicle operator increased visibility in the vicinity of the connector with minimal distraction. [0006]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention provides a transparent antenna including a transparent dielectric substrate, an electroconductive antenna element positioned along a major surface of the substrate, an electroconductive patch capacitively or directly connected to the antenna element, and a connector secured to the patch to permit transfer of signals generated by the antenna element to an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving device. The patch, is configured to have a visibility coefficient (i.e. a ratio of the non-opaque area to the total area) between 0 and 1. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the antenna element includes one or more transparent, electroconductive coatings positioned between first and second glass plies of a windshield for a motor vehicle and the electroconductive patch is applied to an exposed major surface of the windshield such that it overlays at least a portion of the antenna element and is capacitively coupled to the antenna element. [0007]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transparent glass antenna incorporating features of the present invention. [0008]
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the particular embodiment of the antenna connection arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a patch connector of the present invention, with portions removed for clarity. [0009]
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line [0010] 3-3 in FIG. 1, with portions removed for clarity.
  • FIGS. 4, 5 and [0011] 6 are plan views similar to FIG. 2 illustrating additional embodiments of the invention, with portions removed for clarity.
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention, with portions removed for clarity. [0012]
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line [0013] 8-8 in FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention, with portions removed for clarity. [0014]
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line [0015] 10-10 in FIG. 9.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views similar to FIG. 2 wherein the antenna connection arrangement is designed to provide limited visibility through the patch connector, with portions removed for clarity. [0016]
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention provides an improved connector arrangement for a glass antenna system. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention may be used in other transmitting or receiving antenna systems where increased visibility is a priority. [0017]
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an [0018] antenna system 10, including a laminated vehicle window, i.e. a windshield 12 formed by outer and inner glass plies 14 and 16, respectively, which are bonded together by a thermoplastic interlayer 18, preferably polyvinyl butyral. As an alternative, plies 14 and 16 may be other transparent rigid materials, for example, acrylic, polycarbonate, or the windshield 12 may include a combination of different transparent rigid materials. Windshield 12 further includes at least one antenna element 20. In the particular antenna configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the antenna element 20 is a transparent electroconductive coating applied on surface 22 of outer ply 14, in a manner well known in the art, and generally occupies the central portion of the windshield 12. The coating may be a single or multilayered metal containing coating, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,655,545 to Gillery, et al.; 3,962,488 to Gillery; and 4,898,789 to Finley. The windshield 12 may further include a decorative border (not shown) bonded to the marginal edge portion of the windshield 12. This border is typically formed from an opaque non-electrically conductive ceramic paint applied to surface 24 of inner ply 16, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
  • Although the [0019] antenna element 20 discussed above is a transparent coating, if the antenna element is not positioned in the major vision area of the windshield 12, or does not obstruct the windshield's main viewing area, antenna 20 may be a non transparent electroconductive material, for example, silver-containing ceramic paint, wires, metal foil, etc. In addition the antenna element 20 may include a combination of paint, wire and/or ceramic antenna elements. However, it is preferred that the antenna pattern provide a degree of visibility through the pattern.
  • With continued reference to FIG. 1, [0020] antenna element 20 in this particular configuration is basically quadrilateral in shape and preferably spaced from the peripheral edges of the windshield 12. However, it should be appreciated that the antenna element 20 may have a configuration different from that shown in FIG. 1. The exact shape and position of the antenna element 20, as well as inclusion of any additional antenna elements, depends in part on the design of the vehicle into which the windshield 12 is installed, the angle of the windshield installation, the coating resistivity, the type of signal to be transferred or received, and the desired performance of the antenna. These types of design considerations for a transparent glass antenna are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,768,037 and 4,849,766. For example, antenna element 20 may have a shape and/or incorporate multiple elements as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,083,135; 5,528,514; 5,648,758; and 5,670,966.
  • An antenna feed arrangement [0021] 26 provides a connection between the antenna element 20 and an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving unit 28 via a feed line, for example, a coaxial cable 30. The connection may be a capacitive connection, as will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-12 of the present application, or it may be a direct electrical connection as will be discussed later in more detail. Unit 28 may be a radio, cellular phone, television, computer, global positioning system, or any other type of system that uses antenna element 20 to transmit and/or receive signals. Though not required in the particular antenna arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the antenna feed arrangement 26 is positioned along the upper edge 32 of the windshield 12. The antenna feed arrangement 26 is configured such that it is not laminated between plies 14 and 16. More specifically and referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, arrangement 26 includes an electroconductive element or patch 34 which is positioned in spaced apart relation from and overlays a portion of the antenna element 20. In the particular embodiment illustrated in these figures, patch 34 is secured to an exposed surface of windshield 12, and in particular, surface 24 of inner ply 16, and is spaced from the coating by inner ply 16 and interlayer 18 such that the patch 34 is capacitively coupled to the antenna element 20. It has been found that a capacitive connection may be configured to produce a capacitive reactance that matches the inductive reactance of the antenna to the radio 28 and coaxial cable 30 by minimizing the net reactive component, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,144. This in turn results in optimal energy transfer from the antenna to the radio or other receiver.
  • Although the coating forming [0022] antenna element 20 in the embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 1-3 is positioned along surface 22 of outer ply 14, and more specifically, applied to surface 22 and laminated between two glass plies, the coating forming the antenna element may be applied to surface 35 of inner ply 16 or as an alternative, incorporated into the interlayer 18. Without limiting the present invention, for example, an antenna wire or electroconductive element may be positioned on or within interlayer 18. It is also contemplated that the antenna element may be applied to a flexible substrate such as a polyester film, which is turn is incorporated into an interlayer and/or laminate as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,547 to Hood, et al. In addition, it is anticipated that the antenna may be formed on a monolithic window assembly, e.g. along a major surface of a single glass ply with the antenna feed arrangement being positioned on the opposing major surface of the ply.
  • The required area of [0023] patch 34 overlaying a corresponding portion of antenna element 20 is based in part on the spacing between patch 34 and the antenna element 20, i.e. the thickness of the interlayer 18 and inner ply 16; the types of material used for the antenna element, patch, interlayer and glass; and the required antenna performance. Because signal transfer through the patch 34 is frequency dependent, lower frequency signals (such as AM radio signals) require a larger patch area than higher frequency signals (such as FM radio signals) to achieve acceptable antenna performance. In general, as the overlaying area of the capacitive patch increases, the signal transfer from the antenna connector arrangement approaches that of a direct connection to the antenna element. Capacitance may be controlled, among other ways, by either varying the electroconductivity of the patch material or by changing the area of overlap between the patch and a corresponding portion of the antenna coating.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a capacitive connection between the [0024] antenna element 20 and the feed arrangement 26 in such a manner that the patch 34 provides a desired amount of visibility through the windshield 12 so that the vehicle operator's visibility is not impaired through the portion of the windshield where the antenna feeding arrangement 26 is located, and in particular the upper portion of the windshield 12 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, when viewing a traffic signal. In addition, providing a degree of visibility through the patch 34 may be more aesthetically pleasing to the occupants of the vehicle. More specifically, the patch 34 may be designed to provide visibility through the connection. As an alternative, patch 34 may be designed to purposely block a portion of the light passing through the windshield 12, as will be discussed later in more detail. To this end, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the patch 34 is formed into a grid-like pattern as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 using an opaque electroconductive material. The material used to form interconnected grid lines 36 may be, for example, an opaque electroconductive ceramic coating or paint. This type of material typically includes silver and glass frit combined with one of several types of carriers. It should be appreciated that the amount of silver used in an electroconductive ceramic paint depends on the conductivity required to produce the required capacitance between the grid lines 36 forming the patch 34 and the coating forming antenna element 20 and prevent significant resistive losses.
  • One type of paint that may be used to form [0025] patch 34 is an electroconductive ceramic paint of the type typically used to form heating lines on the rear window of vehicles. This paint generally includes silver particles, flow modifying agents, pigments and an infrared radiation dried carrier (this paint hereinafter referred to as “electroconductive ceramic IR paint”). With this type of material, the grid lines 36 are screen printed onto surface 24 of ply 16 using techniques well known in the art and heated in an oven or furnace to dry the ceramic paint. Additional or prolonged heating is required to cure the paint and bond it to the glass surface. Although it provides acceptable results, one short coming of using this type of ceramic paint is that it remains wet for an extended period of time, i.e. generally until it is dried by an oven. As an alternative, it is contemplated that the grid pattern may be formed using an opaque electroconductive ceramic paint which includes silver particles, flow modifiers and pigment and incorporates a thermoplastic or thermoset carrier (hereinafter referred to as “electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic paint” and “electroconductive ceramic thermoset paint”, respectively). Paints which use a thermoplastic or thermoset carrier are often referred to as hot melt paints. Non-electrically conductive hot melt coatings for use on glass are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,346,933 to Knell and 5,411,768 to Knell et al. Non electrically conductive hot melt paints are also used in the can and bottling industry to mark the outer surface of the vessel. Electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic paint has been used to form heating lines on a rear window of a vehicle, as disclosed in Canadian Patent 1,193,150. In the instant invention, an electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic or thermoset paint is applied along surface 24 of ply 16 to form patch 34 using a screen printing process which incorporates a heated metal screen that melts the paint and maintains it in liquid form. When the hot paint contacts the cooler glass surface, the paint sets, i.e. it immediately dries. It should be appreciated that although the paint may be dry, it still must be heated to cure and bond the paint to the glass surface, as with an electroconductive ceramic IR paint. This type of paint provides an advantage over electroconductive ceramic IR paints in that since the thermoplastic/thermoset paints dries immediately, the glass ply may be handled without fear of smudging the pattern formed by the grid lines 36, and additional material may be screen printed directly over the previously screened pattern. As another alternative, the grid pattern may be formed using an opaque electroconductive ceramic paint which includes silver particles, flow modifiers and pigment and incorporates an ultraviolet radiation cured carrier (hereinafter referred to as “electroconductive ceramic UV paint”). The electroconductive ceramic UV paint is dried by exposing the grid pattern to UV light; however, like the other paints discussed above, the electroconductive ceramic UV paint still must be heated to cure and bond the paint to the glass surface.
  • It should be appreciated that although the patch material discussed above is an electroconductive ceramic paint, other electroconductive materials may be used to form a capacitive connection to the antenna coating with the required visibility coefficient, such as but limited to electrically conductive screens or meshes, wires, inks, plastics, tapes or decals. [0026]
  • The patch pattern includes an opaque area, i.e. an area physically coated with the grid lines, and a non-opaque area, i.e. the uncoated area between the grid lines. In order to measure the degree of visibility through the patch, as used herein, the term “visibility coefficient” means the ratio of the non-opaque area of the patch to the total area of the patch, i.e. the sum of the non-opaque and opaque areas. It is apparent that the higher the visibility coefficient, the more “transparent” the patch. More specifically, a visibility coefficient of 1 would indicate that there are no opaque elements in the connector arrangement while a visibility coefficient of 0 would indicate a completely opaque connector arrangement. [0027]
  • To connect the [0028] patch 34 to cable 30, a wire lead 38 is secured to the patch 34. Although not required, in the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, wire 38 is soldered directly to the patch 34. A terminal assembly 40 (shown only in FIG. 3), for example a reinforced spade assembly, a male Jaso pin, or other electrical connection device well known in the art, is connected to end 42 of wire 38 so that the coaxial cable 30 may be secured to feed arrangement 26. To facilitate connection of lead 38 to patch 34 by soldering, a connector pad 44 in the form of a solid coating of the patch material may be provided in the patch 34. As an alternative to soldering a wire lead 38 to patch 34, a metal clip (not shown) of a type well known in the art, may be secured to pad 44 of patch 34, for example by soldering, with a wire or coaxial cable being secured to the metal clip. Furthermore, if desired, coaxial cable 30 may be connected directly to pad 44.
  • Referring to embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, if it is desired to position an antenna feed arrangement [0029] 126 near the upper edge 32 of the windshield 12 and the antenna element is configured such that it is spaced from edge 32, a patch 134 having grid lines 136 may be configured to include an extension 170 which extends along surface 24 of inner ply 16 from the portion of the patch 134 overlaying the coating forming antenna element 120, toward upper edge 32. A connector pad 144 is positioned at the end of extension 170 near edge 32. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the coating forming antenna element 120 may also be extended toward edge 32 to provide additional antenna area which may be overlaid by the patch 134 in order to provide the desired capacitance for the antenna feed arrangement 126. FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment where it is desired to move the entire patch of an antenna feed arrangement 226 close to windshield edge 32 while maintaining the antenna coating spaced from the edge 32. More specifically, a portion of the coating forming antenna element 220, and in particular coated area 280 is positioned on surface 22 of outer ply 14 along edge 32 with connecting area 282 electrically interconnecting area 280 with antenna element 220. Patch 234 with grid lines 236 and connecting pad 244 is positioned on surface 24 of inner ply 16 to overlay at least a portion of the area 280 and provide the desired capacitive characteristics of the connection. Although not required, the coated areas 280 and connecting area 282 may be made of the same material as antenna element 220.
  • Although not required, it is preferred that the coating forming the [0030] antenna elements 20, 120 and 220 and additional coating areas such as area 280 not extend to the edge 32 of the windshield 12, but rather terminate at least 1 mm from edge 32. This will insure that the coating is completely sealed within the windshield 12 and will inhibit coating degradation along edge 32. It is also desired that the patch 34, 134 and 234 be positioned on the windshield 12 such that it does not electrically interact, either by direct electrical contact or capacitive coupling, with other electroconductive elements in the motor vehicle because such interaction may degrade and weaken the strength of the signal generated by the antenna element. More specifically, referring to FIG. 3, a windshield 12 is typically supported in a motor vehicle 46 on a metal ledge 48 and secured to the vehicle by an adhesive 50, which in some instances is electrically conductive. In addition, ornamental strips 52 or other types of moldings which may be formed from electrically conductive materials, may be positioned along selected edges of the windshield 12 to hide the space between the windshield 12 and the mounting frame of the vehicle 46. The patch 34 should be spaced from such vehicle elements a sufficient distance to at least minimize and preferably avoid such adverse electrical interaction.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the instant invention wherein the antenna element includes various shapes and the patch overlays selected portions of the coating forming the antenna element(s). More specifically, the antenna pattern, which is applied to surface [0031] 22 of outer ply 14 and is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,314, includes a first coating element 320 covering the central portion of the windshield 12, a second coating element 380 positioned between the first coating element 320 and the upper edge 32 of the windshield 12, and a third coating element 382 electrically interconnecting the first and second coating elements. Patch 334 of the antenna connector arrangement 326 includes grid lines 336 and is configured to extend along surface 24 of inner ply 16 from the upper edge 32 of the windshield 12 and overlay a selected portion of the second coating element 380. More specifically, patch 334 includes a section 372 which overlays a portion of coating element 380 and a section 370 which extends from section 372 toward edge 32. A connection pad 344 is positioned near windshield edge 32 for connection of the patch 334 to a lead to the radio. Although not required, the coating pattern may include a fourth coating element 384 extending from the second coating element 382 toward the windshield edge 32. As discussed earlier, this additional element provides additional coating area that may be overlaid by the patch 334 for additional capacitive coupling. However, it should be appreciated that the antenna pattern may eliminate the third and fourth antenna elements, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,966.
  • An embodiment of the invention that provides an acceptable signal for an [0032] antenna 20 to a receiving device 28, includes an antenna coating configured as in FIG. 6, with the coating having a resistivity of approximately 3 ohms per square. Patch 334 is “T” shaped as discussed above and overlays selected portions of the antenna coating element. More specifically, in this particular embodiment, section 372 of patch 334 is about 45 mm by 130 mm and overlays a portion of second coating 380, and section 370 of patch 334 is about 22 mm by 45 mm and overlays a portion of the fourth coating element 384. Grid lines 336 are 0.4 mm wide and spaced both horizontally and vertically at intervals ranging from about 4.5 to 20 mm, depending on the particular location of the grid line within the overall pattern. An area of section 370 about 22 mm by 13 mm is covered with a solid coating of electroconductive ceramic paint, i.e. without the grid pattern, to form connection pad 344 for a connecting wire or coaxial cable. The grid lines 336 and connector pad 344 are formed by an opaque electroconductive thermoplastic paint produced by Cerdec Corporation, Washington, Pa., which includes about 76% silver powder, 2% lead borosilicate glass frit, and the remainder pigment, acrylic resin (flow modifier) and 1-octadecanol (thermoplastic carrier). The thermoplastic paint has a resistivity of about 0.035 ohms per square and overlays approximately 1008 mm2 (excluding connection pad 344) of the antenna coating, while extending over a total area of approximately 6554 mm2 (excluding connection pad 344). This pattern results in a visibility coefficient of about 0.85. Increasing the grid line width from 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm would reduce the visibility coefficient to about 0.69, while reducing the line width to 0.2 mm would increase the visibility coefficient to about 0.92.
  • It should be appreciated that the opaque area required to overlay a corresponding portion of the antenna element, i.e. the actual area covered by grid lines that overlays a corresponding area of the antenna element coating, will depend on the performance requirements of the antenna and the materials forming the windshield, antenna and connection. It should be further appreciated that the patch may extend beyond the antenna element such that the entire opaque area does not overlay and capacitively couple to a corresponding portion of the antenna element. [0033]
  • Although FIGS. [0034] 2-6 illustrate rectangular grid patterns for patches 34, 134, 234 and 334, respectively, other patterns, such as but not limited to interconnected circles or other curvilinear shapes and patterns, may be used to provide the necessary capacitive connection to the antenna 20 while allowing the occupant of the vehicle to “see through” the patch. Based on the design requirements, it is expected that a pattern with the visibility coefficient approaching 1 may be formed from opaque lines and still provide acceptable capacitive coupling performance.
  • As an alternative to using only a single type of material for the patch, it should be appreciated that the patch may be constructed from a combination of materials of the type discussed earlier, such as but not limited to electroconductive paints and metal tape. Referring to FIGS. [0035] 7 and 8, it is also contemplated that an antenna connector arrangement 426 may include a patch 434 formed from a transparent electroconductive coating 450 used in combination with opaque electroconductive members 436 to capacitively couple with antenna element 420. The coating 450 for patch 434 is applied to surface 22 of outer ply 14 and may be similar to the transparent coating forming the antenna element 420. Members 436 are applied to surface 24 of inner ply 16 and may be opaque electroconductive materials as discussed earlier. Member 436 may have any configuration required to provide the desired performance. If required, the arrangement 426 may include an electroconductive connector pad 444, similar to pad 44 discussed earlier, to facilitate connection of a connecting wire and/or coaxial cable to the patch. It should be appreciated that if the arrangement 426 does not include the opaque members 436, the visibility coefficient of the arrangement (excluding pad 444) would be 1.
  • In the embodiments of the invention discussed above, at least one glass ply serves to separate the antenna element from the antenna connection. However it should be appreciated that the antenna coating and the connector may both be applied to the same surface of the substrate. More specifically, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the coating forming [0036] antenna element 520 is applied to major surface 24 of inner ply 16. Connector arrangement 526 includes a patch 534 having a non-electroconductive material 590 applied in a predetermined pattern over a portion of antenna element 520, and an electroconductive material 536 applied over the pattern of material 590. Material 590 will electrically insulate material 536 from antenna element 520 such that material 536 is capacitively coupled to the antenna coating. If required, the pattern formed by material 590 may be slightly larger than the overlaying pattern of material 536 to ensure that material 536 does not make direct electrical contact with antenna element 520. Although it is anticipated that both materials 590 and 536 would be opaque, if material 590 is opaque, e.g. a conventional ceramic paint typically used in the automotive glass industry for decorative borders, material 536 may be transparent. Conversely, if material 536 is opaque, e.g. an opaque electroconductive paint of the type discussed earlier, material 590 may be transparent. In addition, although FIGS. 9 and 10 shown the antenna element on the exposed surface of a laminate, it should be appreciated that an antenna element positioned on a single transparent ply may use the same connector arrangement as discussed above.
  • It is also contemplated that the pattern used for the capacitive patch may be enlarged to provide partial shading for occupants of the vehicle. More specifically, sun visors are typically positioned at the upper left and right portions of the windshield of a motor vehicle to provide shading from sunlight for the driver and the front seat passenger, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, it is contemplated that a patch [0037] 634 may be positioned at the center of a windshield 12 and configured as a “third visor” to provide both shade to the inner vehicle compartment and, if desired, limited amount of visibility through the patch covered portion of the windshield, while still functioning as part of an antenna feed 626 for the antenna system. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11, the patch 634 configuration includes a plurality of horizontally oriented lines 636 formed from electroconductive ceramic paints of the type discussed earlier. Lines 636 are all electrically interconnected by a plurality of vertical lines 690 spaced along the length of the lines 636. This particular patch pattern includes ten lines each spaced 3 mm apart. The line width progressively changes from a 10 mm width at the top (i.e. near windshield edge 32) to a 1 mm width at the bottom of the pattern. In positioning the pattern on the inner major surface of the windshield 12, the uppermost line may be positioned either above or below the opaque decorative border (not shown) that may extend around the periphery of the windshield. In addition, if desired, at least a portion of the pattern may be aligned behind a shadeband (not shown) which is typically incorporated into the interlayer 18. The entire pattern serves to block a desired amount of sunlight from entering the vehicle while still providing a limited amount of visibility through the patch. The horizontal line configuration in FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 except that a single vertical line 790 is used to electrically interconnect all the horizontal lines 736. The portion of the patches in FIGS. 11 and 12 which overlays a portion of the coating forming antenna elements 620 and 720, respectively, forms a capacitive couple to the antenna as discussed earlier. These particular configurations provide a visibility coefficient of approximately 0.33. It should be noted that in the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11, the coating forming antenna element 620 is similar to that coating pattern in FIG. 6 and the pattern of patch 634 overlays a portion of antenna coating but does not directly correspond to the shape of coating, while in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12, that coating forming antenna element 720 is configured such that most, if not all of the patch 734 overlays a corresponding portion of the antenna coating.
  • The incorporation of the capacitive connector into a third visor enables very large patches, which in turn improve signal coupling for low frequency signal antenna, without aesthetic impairment of the windshield. [0038]
  • In designing the capacitive patch as a third visor, since the line elements are electroconductive, care should be taken to configure the line elements so that the patch does not act as an antenna that interferes with [0039] antenna element 620.
  • The present invention provides an antenna connection arrangement having a predetermined amount of visibility through the connector while capacitively coupling to the antenna coating. More specifically, the patch area has a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1, i.e. greater than 0 but less than 1, and preferably 0.1 to 0.95. In embodiments of the invention where the connector arrangement is also used to provide additional shading to the interior of the vehicle, it is preferred that the patch have a visibility coefficient of up to about 0.5, and preferably, about 0.1 to 0.4. For other connector arrangements, it is preferred that the patch have a visibility coefficient of about 0.5 to 0.95, preferably about 0.6 to 0.9. [0040]
  • Although the embodiments of the invention discussed above show the patch being applied directly to a major surface of the transparent substrate, it should be appreciated that the patch may be applied to a separate element, e.g. a polyester film, which in turn is secured to the substrate in a manner that allows the patch to overlay and capacitively couple to the antenna element. [0041]
  • The antenna feed arrangement as discussed above and shown in FIGS. [0042] 1-12 is a capacitive connection. More specifically, the electroconductive patch overlays and is spaced from the coating forming the antenna element(s) by a dielectric. However, it should be appreciated that a “see through” connector of the type disclosed herein may also be configured to make direct electrical connection to the antenna element. More specifically, for example, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, material 590 may be eliminated so that electroconductive patch material 536 is in direct electrical contact with antenna element 520. The patch material making the direct electrical connection is preferably an electroconductive ceramic paint of the type discussed earlier and would be configured to provide a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1. It is noted that for a direct electrical connection, it is not necessary for the patch to overlay a portion of the antenna element but merely be in direct electrical contact with the antenna element. It should also be appreciated that outer ply 14 and interlayer 18 may be eliminated so that the transparent antenna would include only a single glass ply. In addition, another ply may be secured to the single glass ply such that the antenna element and direct connection are laminated between the plies.
  • The invention described and illustrated herein represents a description of illustrative preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the gist of the invention defined in the following claims. [0043]

Claims (27)

We claim:
1. A transparent antenna comprising:
a transparent dielectric substrate;
an electroconductive antenna element positioned along a major surface of said substrate;
an electroconductive patch having opaque elements electrically connected to said antenna element, wherein said patch has a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1; and
a connector secured to said patch to permit transfer of signals generated by said antenna element to an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving device.
2. The antenna as in
claim 1
wherein said opaque elements of said patch are formed from material selected from the group consisting of electroconductive ceramic IR paints, electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic paints, electroconductive ceramic thermoset paints, and electroconductive ceramic UV paints.
3. The antenna as in
claim 1
wherein said transparent substrate is a glass ply, said antenna element is a transparent electroconductive coating applied to said major surface of said glass ply, and said patch includes an opaque electroconductive paint in direct electrical contact with selected portions of said electroconductive coating.
4. The antenna as in
claim 1
wherein said transparent substrate is a glass ply, said antenna element is a transparent electroconductive coating applied to said major surface of said glass ply, and said patch includes a nonelectroconductive material applied in a predetermined pattern over a portion of said electroconductive coating and an opaque electroconductive paint applied over selected portions of said nonelectroconductive material such that said electroconductive paint is spaced from and capacitively coupled to said electroconductive coating.
5. The antenna as in
claim 1
wherein said transparent substrate is a glass ply, said antenna element is a transparent electroconductive coating applied to said major surface of said glass ply, and said patch includes an opaque electroconductive paint applied along an opposing major surface of said glass ply such that said paint overlays at least a portion of said coating and is capacitively coupled to said electroconductive coating.
6. The antenna as in
claim 1
wherein said patch includes a plurality of interconnected opaque elements forming a pattern having a visibility coefficient of 0.1 to 0.95.
7. A transparent antenna for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a first glass ply;
a second glass ply secured in overlaying relation to said first glass ply to form a windshield;
a transparent electroconductive antenna element positioned between said first and second glass plies;
an electroconductive patch positioned at least in close proximity to an exposed major surface of said second ply, and including opaque elements forming a pattern which overlays at least a portion of said antenna element to capacitively couple with said antenna element, wherein said patch has a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1; and
a connector secured to said patch to permit transfer of signals generated by said antenna element to an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving device.
8. The antenna as in
claim 7
wherein said antenna element is a transparent electroconductive coating applied to a major surface of said first ply and said patch includes an opaque coating applied to said exposed major surface of said second ply.
9. The antenna as in
claim 8
wherein said patch is spaced a sufficient distance from any electroconductive elements of said motor vehicle to prevent degradation of said signal due to electrical interaction between said patch and said electroconductive elements of said motor vehicle.
10. The antenna as in
claim 8
wherein said patch has a visibility coefficient of 0.1 to 0.95.
11. The antenna as in
claim 10
wherein said antenna element is a first antenna element positioned at least on a central portion of said major surface of said first ply of said windshield and spaced from and extending along peripheral edges of said first ply, and at least one additional antenna element positioned on said first major surface of said first ply between said first antenna element and a selected peripheral edge of said first ply, wherein said patch overlays at least a portion of said additional antenna element.
12. The antenna as in
claim 10
wherein said opaque coating of said patch is formed from material selected from the group consisting of electroconductive ceramic IR paints, electroconductive ceramic thermoplastic paints, electroconductive ceramic thermoset paints, and electroconductive ceramic UV paints.
13. The antenna as in
claim 10
wherein said patch is spaced a sufficient distance from any electroconductive elements of said motor vehicle to prevent degradation of said signal due to electrical interaction between said patch and said electroconductive elements of said motor vehicle.
14. The antenna as in
claim 10
wherein said patch has a visibility coefficient of 0.1 to 0.5.
15. The antenna as in
claim 10
wherein said patch has a visibility coefficient of 0.5 to 0.95.
16. The antenna as in
claim 10
wherein said patch further includes a transparent electroconductive coating.
17. The antenna as in
claim 10
wherein said patch further includes an opaque pad portion of electroconductive material for securing said connector to said patch.
18. The antenna as in
claim 17
wherein said patch includes a first section spaced from an edge of said second substrate and a second section extending from said first section toward said edge of said second substrate, wherein said opaque pad portion is positioned within said second portion of said patch.
19. A connector for electrically connecting to a transparent antenna element positioned along a major surface of a transparent dielectric substrate, comprising;
first opaque electroconductive elements forming a pattern with selected portions corresponding to selected portions of said antenna element, wherein said pattern has a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1; and
a second opaque electroconductive element to secure a lead to said connector to permit transfer of signals generated by said antenna element to an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving device.
20. The antenna as in clam 19 wherein said patch further including a transparent electroconductive coating.
21. The antenna as in
claim 19
wherein said patch has a visibility coefficient of 0.1 to 0.95.
22. The antenna as in clam 21 wherein said first and second elements are an opaque electroconductive ceramic paint.
23. A method of making a transparent antenna comprising the steps of:
positioning an electroconductive antenna element at least in close proximity to a major surface of a rigid transparent dielectric ply;
configuring an electroconductive patch with opaque elements forming a pattern having a visibility coefficient between 0 and 1;
positioning said patch such that said patch is electrically connected to said antenna element; and
securing a lead to said patch to permit transfer of signals generated by said antenna element to an electromagnetic energy transmitting and/or receiving device.
24. The method as in
claim 23
wherein said ply is a glass ply and said first positioning step includes the step of applying a transparent electroconductive coating to said major surface of said ply, and said second positioning step includes the step of positioning said patch on said major surface such that said patch is in direct electrical contact with said coating.
25. The method as in
claim 23
wherein said ply is a glass ply and said first positioning step includes the step of applying a transparent electroconductive coating to said major surface of said glass ply, and said second positioning step includes the step of positioning said patch in spaced apart relation from said coating such that said patch overlays at least a portion of said antenna element and is capacitively coupled to said antenna element.
26. The method as in
claim 25
further including the step of securing a second glass ply to said first glass ply to form a laminate, such that said antenna element is between said first and second plies, and wherein said second positioning step includes the step of applying said electroconductive patch to an exposed major surface of said laminate.
27. The method as in
claim 23
wherein said ply is a glass ply and said first positioning step includes the step of applying a transparent electroconductive coating to said major surface of said glass ply, and said second positioning step includes the step of positioning said patch on an opposing major surface of said glass ply such that said patch overlays at least a portion of said antenna element and is capacitively coupled to said antenna element.
US09/094,805 1998-06-15 1998-06-15 Antenna on-glass Expired - Lifetime US6384790B2 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/094,805 US6384790B2 (en) 1998-06-15 1998-06-15 Antenna on-glass
CA002330326A CA2330326C (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 On-glass antenna
DE69932930T DE69932930T2 (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 WINDOW ANTENNA
KR1020007014209A KR100626500B1 (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 On-glass antenna
PCT/US1999/013080 WO1999066588A1 (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 On-glass antenna
JP2000555320A JP4445670B2 (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 Transparent antenna
BR9911854-8A BR9911854A (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 Transparent antennas for vehicles and their method of manufacture
CNB998071315A CN1151585C (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 On-glass antenna
EP99939824A EP1088364B1 (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 On-glass antenna
AU43387/99A AU755164B2 (en) 1998-06-15 1999-06-09 On-glass antenna

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/094,805 US6384790B2 (en) 1998-06-15 1998-06-15 Antenna on-glass

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20010013841A1 true US20010013841A1 (en) 2001-08-16
US6384790B2 US6384790B2 (en) 2002-05-07

Family

ID=22247263

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/094,805 Expired - Lifetime US6384790B2 (en) 1998-06-15 1998-06-15 Antenna on-glass

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US6384790B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1088364B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4445670B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100626500B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1151585C (en)
AU (1) AU755164B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9911854A (en)
CA (1) CA2330326C (en)
DE (1) DE69932930T2 (en)
WO (1) WO1999066588A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070052590A1 (en) * 2005-08-23 2007-03-08 Tze-Hsuan Chang Miniatured microstrip antenna
WO2008058881A1 (en) * 2006-11-15 2008-05-22 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Glazing
US20090032007A1 (en) * 2005-10-13 2009-02-05 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Heating cooker
US20100085261A1 (en) * 2006-11-15 2010-04-08 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Antenna connector
US20110074643A1 (en) * 2008-05-02 2011-03-31 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Retaining socket for vehicle glazing
US20110210895A1 (en) * 2008-11-04 2011-09-01 Buff Iii Peter Marcus Motor vehicle antenna system
EP3624261A4 (en) * 2017-06-23 2020-05-13 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Antenna device
US20210234253A1 (en) * 2018-06-05 2021-07-29 AGC Inc. Vehicle window glass with terminal
US20220200128A1 (en) * 2016-07-28 2022-06-23 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Display device for mobile electronic device

Families Citing this family (40)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1526604A1 (en) 1999-09-20 2005-04-27 Fractus, S.A. Multilevel antenna
JP4070462B2 (en) 2000-01-19 2008-04-02 フラクトゥス・ソシエダッド・アノニマ Small space-filling antenna
US6552690B2 (en) * 2001-08-14 2003-04-22 Guardian Industries Corp. Vehicle windshield with fractal antenna(s)
WO2003034538A1 (en) * 2001-10-16 2003-04-24 Fractus, S.A. Loaded antenna
US9755314B2 (en) 2001-10-16 2017-09-05 Fractus S.A. Loaded antenna
JP4029274B2 (en) * 2002-04-09 2008-01-09 ソニー株式会社 Broadband antenna device
ATE545173T1 (en) * 2002-12-22 2012-02-15 Fractus Sa MULTI-BAND MONOPOLE ANTENNA FOR A MOBILE TELEPHONE DEVICE
JP4337817B2 (en) * 2003-04-24 2009-09-30 旭硝子株式会社 Antenna device
US6822611B1 (en) * 2003-05-08 2004-11-23 Motorola, Inc. Wideband internal antenna for communication device
EP1709704A2 (en) * 2004-01-30 2006-10-11 Fractus, S.A. Multi-band monopole antennas for mobile communications devices
DE102004029242B4 (en) * 2004-06-17 2008-04-03 Job Lizenz Gmbh & Co Kg alarm Devices
JP2006140789A (en) * 2004-11-12 2006-06-01 Hitachi Cable Ltd Invisible antenna
KR101025054B1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2011-03-25 니폰샤신인사츠가부시키가이샤 Transparent antenna for display, light transmissive member for display, having antenna, and part for housing, having antenna
KR101060424B1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2011-08-29 니폰샤신인사츠가부시키가이샤 Automotive transparent antenna and vehicle glass with antenna
US7612727B2 (en) * 2005-12-29 2009-11-03 Exatec, Llc Antenna for plastic window panel
US7567183B2 (en) 2006-01-06 2009-07-28 Exatec Llc Printable sensors for plastic glazing
US20070194216A1 (en) 2006-02-21 2007-08-23 Exatec, Llc Printable controls for a window assembly
US8738103B2 (en) 2006-07-18 2014-05-27 Fractus, S.A. Multiple-body-configuration multimedia and smartphone multifunction wireless devices
GB0622785D0 (en) * 2006-11-15 2006-12-27 Pilkington Automotive D Gmbh Glazing
GB0724157D0 (en) * 2007-12-11 2008-01-23 Pilkington Automotive D Gmbh Antenna
KR20100111723A (en) * 2008-02-13 2010-10-15 니혼 이타가라스 가부시키가이샤 Window pane with sintered conductive ceramic
KR100977035B1 (en) * 2008-08-12 2010-08-19 주식회사 모비텍 Ceramic antenna and manufacturing method thereof
US8576130B2 (en) 2010-10-22 2013-11-05 Pittsburgh Glass Works, Llc Wideband antenna
WO2012079034A1 (en) 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 Agc Automotive Americas R&D, Inc. Window assembly having a transparent layer with an antenna extension defining a slot therein
BR112013024506B1 (en) * 2011-04-12 2021-05-25 Saint-Gobain Glass France PANEL HEATING ELEMENT, CARRIER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PANEL HEATING ELEMENT
JP2011172281A (en) * 2011-05-23 2011-09-01 Central Glass Co Ltd Component for forming vehicular glass antenna
PL3081378T3 (en) * 2012-10-15 2019-05-31 Saint Gobain Pane with high frequency transmission
DE102012111571A1 (en) 2012-11-29 2014-06-05 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Arrangement, used to mount satellite digital audio radio service antenna on disk e.g. rear window of vehicle, includes antenna and permissive high-frequency mass field having predetermined minimum field depending on frequency of signal
CN103855461B (en) * 2012-12-06 2016-05-11 瑞声声学科技(深圳)有限公司 Antenna
GB201223253D0 (en) * 2012-12-21 2013-02-06 Pilkington Group Ltd Glazing
WO2014172383A2 (en) 2013-04-16 2014-10-23 Paneratech, Inc. Antenna and method for optimizing the design thereof
US9413059B2 (en) 2013-05-14 2016-08-09 Paneratech, Inc. Adaptive antenna feeding and method for optimizing the design thereof
US9502751B2 (en) 2013-09-03 2016-11-22 Paneratech, Inc. Desensitized antenna and design method thereof
US9653792B2 (en) 2014-02-03 2017-05-16 Pittsburgh Glass Works, Llc Window antenna loaded with a coupled transmission line filter
US20170274832A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-28 Nidec Elesys Corporation Windshield including vehicle-mounted radar
DE102017220732A1 (en) * 2017-11-21 2019-05-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Motor vehicle with a glass roof and with a mounted on this glass roof antenna arrangement
KR102041690B1 (en) 2017-12-14 2019-11-27 주식회사 제이마이크로 Transparent antenna, device having the same, and method for preparing the same
US10615496B1 (en) 2018-03-08 2020-04-07 Government Of The United States, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Nested split crescent dipole antenna
US11394429B2 (en) 2020-12-02 2022-07-19 Dupont Electronics, Inc. Panel having integrated antennas for enhancing range of telecommunication signal transmissions inside buildings
WO2023249141A1 (en) * 2022-06-23 2023-12-28 엘지전자 주식회사 Antenna module disposed in vehicle

Family Cites Families (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3655545A (en) 1968-02-28 1972-04-11 Ppg Industries Inc Post heating of sputtered metal oxide films
US3962488A (en) 1974-08-09 1976-06-08 Ppg Industries, Inc. Electrically conductive coating
US3977004A (en) 1975-06-16 1976-08-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Aircraft VLF/LF/MF window antenna receiving system
JPS5624802A (en) * 1979-08-07 1981-03-10 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Window glass antenna
CA1193150A (en) 1981-04-23 1985-09-10 Miller Screen & Design, Inc. Method and apparatus for printing with paint
GB2193846B (en) 1986-07-04 1990-04-18 Central Glass Co Ltd Vehicle window glass antenna using transparent conductive film
GB2200498B (en) 1986-12-19 1990-07-18 Central Glass Co Ltd Vehicle window glass antenna using transparent conductive film
JPS63196106U (en) * 1987-01-20 1988-12-16
US4898789A (en) 1988-04-04 1990-02-06 Ppg Industries, Inc. Low emissivity film for automotive heat load reduction
DE68922797T2 (en) 1988-07-14 1996-02-08 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Motor vehicle antenna.
DE68921115T2 (en) 1988-07-25 1995-10-12 Asahi Glass Co Ltd Window antenna for a motor vehicle.
DE4033188A1 (en) 1990-10-19 1992-04-23 Daimler Benz Ag WINDOW DISC OF A VEHICLE
US5083135A (en) 1990-11-13 1992-01-21 General Motors Corporation Transparent film antenna for a vehicle window
US5306547A (en) 1990-12-14 1994-04-26 Southwall Technologies Inc. Low transmission heat-reflective glazing materials
US5416491A (en) 1992-01-31 1995-05-16 Central Glass Company, Limited Automotive window glass antenna
US5355144A (en) 1992-03-16 1994-10-11 The Ohio State University Transparent window antenna
US5346933A (en) 1992-12-30 1994-09-13 Cerdec Corporation Thermoplastic/thermosettable coatings or inks for glass, ceramic and other hard surfaces
JP3468428B2 (en) 1993-03-24 2003-11-17 富士重工業株式会社 Vehicle distance detection device
JP3458975B2 (en) * 1993-12-28 2003-10-20 マツダ株式会社 Glass antenna for vehicle and setting method thereof
US5670966A (en) 1994-12-27 1997-09-23 Ppg Industries, Inc. Glass antenna for vehicle window
US5528314A (en) 1995-05-22 1996-06-18 General Motors Corporation Transparent vehicle window antenna
DE19532431C2 (en) * 1995-09-02 1998-07-02 Flachglas Automotive Gmbh Antenna pane in at least one window opening of a metallic body of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car
US5748155A (en) 1995-09-13 1998-05-05 Ppg Industries, Inc. On-glass antenna and connector arrangement
US5648758A (en) 1995-11-03 1997-07-15 Ford Motor Company Pre-assembled glass breakage detector applique
US5926141A (en) 1996-08-16 1999-07-20 Fuba Automotive Gmbh Windowpane antenna with transparent conductive layer
DE19735395A1 (en) 1996-08-16 1998-02-19 Lindenmeier Heinz Low loss aerial especially for vehicle windscreen
US6020855A (en) * 1998-05-26 2000-02-01 General Motors Corporation Transparent vehicle window antenna with capacitive connection apparatus

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070052590A1 (en) * 2005-08-23 2007-03-08 Tze-Hsuan Chang Miniatured microstrip antenna
US7793648B2 (en) * 2005-10-13 2010-09-14 Panasonic Corporation Heating cooker
US20090032007A1 (en) * 2005-10-13 2009-02-05 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Heating cooker
US8077100B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2011-12-13 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Antenna connector
US20100085261A1 (en) * 2006-11-15 2010-04-08 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Antenna connector
US20100060077A1 (en) * 2006-11-15 2010-03-11 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Glazing
US7960854B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2011-06-14 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Electrical connector configured to form coupling region in automotive glazing
WO2008058881A1 (en) * 2006-11-15 2008-05-22 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Glazing
US20110074643A1 (en) * 2008-05-02 2011-03-31 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Retaining socket for vehicle glazing
US8378907B2 (en) 2008-05-02 2013-02-19 Pilkington Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Retaining socket for vehicle glazing
US20110210895A1 (en) * 2008-11-04 2011-09-01 Buff Iii Peter Marcus Motor vehicle antenna system
US20220200128A1 (en) * 2016-07-28 2022-06-23 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Display device for mobile electronic device
EP3624261A4 (en) * 2017-06-23 2020-05-13 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Antenna device
US20210234253A1 (en) * 2018-06-05 2021-07-29 AGC Inc. Vehicle window glass with terminal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2330326C (en) 2003-08-12
JP2002518920A (en) 2002-06-25
KR20010052871A (en) 2001-06-25
JP4445670B2 (en) 2010-04-07
WO1999066588A1 (en) 1999-12-23
KR100626500B1 (en) 2006-09-20
CA2330326A1 (en) 1999-12-23
CN1305651A (en) 2001-07-25
AU4338799A (en) 2000-01-05
AU755164B2 (en) 2002-12-05
CN1151585C (en) 2004-05-26
US6384790B2 (en) 2002-05-07
DE69932930D1 (en) 2006-10-05
BR9911854A (en) 2001-03-20
EP1088364B1 (en) 2006-08-23
DE69932930T2 (en) 2007-02-08
EP1088364A1 (en) 2001-04-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6384790B2 (en) Antenna on-glass
CA2163812C (en) Vehicle glass antenna with multiple conductive coatings
EP2345303B2 (en) Heated vehicle window
JP2774913B2 (en) Slot antenna
US9815433B2 (en) Transparent window with a heatable coating and low-impedance conducting structures
US6320276B1 (en) Window with an aerial for motor vehicles
EP2229708B1 (en) A vehicle windshield with an embedded antenna and method of manufacturing
KR960016366B1 (en) Window glass for an automobile
CA2164366C (en) Electrical connector
US5748155A (en) On-glass antenna and connector arrangement
JP5650840B2 (en) Antenna assembly and antenna structure with improved signal-to-noise ratio
CN106465486A (en) Electrically heatable windscreen antenna, and method for producing same
US9196949B2 (en) Panel having electrically conductive structures
CN106416425A (en) Transparent panel having a heatable coating
CN111886133A (en) Composite glass sheet having electrically controllable optical properties and composite glass sheet assembly
CA2958597A1 (en) Transparent pane with heated coating
CN112186346A (en) GPS antenna and vehicle
MXPA00012110A (en) On-glass antenna
MXPA99006603A (en) Crystal with antenna for automotive vehicles

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PPG INDUSTRIES, INC., PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DISHART, PETER T.;WINTER, JOHN A.;BELLI, CHERYL E.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:009397/0679;SIGNING DATES FROM 19980717 TO 19980807

AS Assignment

Owner name: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC., OHIO

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PPG INDUSTRIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:009737/0591

Effective date: 19990204

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT, CO

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:026142/0840

Effective date: 20110415

AS Assignment

Owner name: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.;REEL/FRAME:026208/0226

Effective date: 20100607

AS Assignment

Owner name: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, NEW JERSEY

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:026213/0357

Effective date: 20110415

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

AS Assignment

Owner name: LYNX SERVICES, L.L.C., PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:031666/0737

Effective date: 20131112

Owner name: GTS SERVICES, LLC, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:031666/0737

Effective date: 20131112

Owner name: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY, AS NOTES COLLATERAL A

Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:031666/0582

Effective date: 20131112

Owner name: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:031666/0737

Effective date: 20131112

AS Assignment

Owner name: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC., OHIO

Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT INCORRECT PROPERTY NUMBERS 08/666726;08/942182;08/984387;08/990890;5645767;5698141;5723072;5744070;5753146;5783116;5808063;5811034 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 009737 FRAME 0591. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:PPG INDUSTRIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:032513/0174

Effective date: 19990204

AS Assignment

Owner name: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:037165/0366

Effective date: 20151125

AS Assignment

Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT, ILLINOIS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, AS GRANTOR;REEL/FRAME:037352/0600

Effective date: 20151125

AS Assignment

Owner name: NEWSTAR FINANCIAL, INC., GEORGIA

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:037579/0001

Effective date: 20151125

AS Assignment

Owner name: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS;REEL/FRAME:038183/0855

Effective date: 20160401

AS Assignment

Owner name: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:NEWSTAR FINANCIAL, INC., AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:038358/0495

Effective date: 20160421

AS Assignment

Owner name: PITTSBURGH GLASS WORKS, LLC, NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:038411/0911

Effective date: 20160421