阅读说明：本技术 天线装置及包括天线装置的车辆 (Antenna device and vehicle including the same ) 是由 金东真 于 2020-12-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及一种天线装置,包括导电板,该导电板上形成有主缝隙、子缝隙以及缝隙耦合器；馈电线；以及电介质,设置在导电板与馈电线之间。主缝隙、子缝隙和缝隙耦合器形成为贯穿导电板。缝隙耦合器从子缝隙延伸到主缝隙附近。从而,天线装置能够顺利地与在前车辆和/或在后车辆通信。(The present disclosure relates to an antenna device including a conductive plate on which a main slot, a sub slot, and a slot coupler are formed; a feed line; and a dielectric disposed between the conductive plate and the power feeding line. The main slot, the sub slot and the slot coupler are formed to penetrate the conductive plate. The slot coupler extends from the sub-slot to the vicinity of the main slot. Thus, the antenna device can smoothly communicate with the preceding vehicle and/or the following vehicle.)

1. An antenna device, comprising:

a conductive plate on which a main slit, a sub slit, and a slit coupler are formed;

a feed line; and

a dielectric between the conductive plate and the feed line,

wherein the main slot, the sub-slots, and the slot couplers penetrate the conductive plate; and is

The slot coupler extends from the sub-slot to a position adjacent to the main slot.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the main slot is formed such that a width in a major axis direction is larger than a width in a minor axis direction, and the sub slot is spaced apart from the main slot in the major axis direction of the main slot.

3. The antenna device of claim 2, wherein the slot coupler comprises: a coupling induction part extending in parallel to the main slit in the vicinity of the main slit; a slit connection part connected to the sub slit; and a phase delay part disposed between the coupling induction part and the slit connection part.

4. The antenna device according to claim 3, wherein the phase delaying portion is formed in an S-shape and extends from the coupling induction portion to the slot connection portion.

5. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the slot coupler is configured to couple the sub-slot to the main slot.

6. The antenna device of claim 5, further comprising: a coupler switch disposed through the slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the sub slot and the main slot.

7. The antenna device according to claim 6, wherein a radiation pattern of the antenna device is changed according to turning on or off of the coupler switch.

8. An antenna device, comprising:

the device comprises a conductive plate, a first coupler, a second coupler and a third coupler, wherein a main gap, a first sub gap, a second sub gap, a first gap coupler and a second gap coupler are formed on the conductive plate;

a feed line; and

a dielectric between the conductive plate and the feed line;

wherein the main slot, the first sub slot, the second sub slot, the first slot coupler, and the second slot coupler penetrate the conductive plate,

the first slot coupler extends from the first sub-slot to a position adjacent to the main slot,

the second slot coupler extends from the second sub-slot to a position adjacent to the main slot.

9. The antenna device according to claim 8, wherein the main slot is formed such that a width in a major axis direction is larger than a width in a minor axis direction, the first sub slot is spaced apart from the main slot in the major axis direction of the main slot, and the second sub slot is spaced apart from the main slot on an opposite side of the first sub slot in the major axis direction of the main slot.

10. The antenna device according to claim 9, wherein the first and second slot couplers respectively comprise:

a first coupling induction part and a second coupling induction part extending parallel to the main slit;

first and second slit connection parts connected to the first and second sub slits, respectively; and

the first phase delay part is arranged between the first coupling induction part and the first gap connection part, and the second phase delay part is arranged between the second coupling induction part and the second gap connection part.

11. The antenna device according to claim 10, wherein the first phase delay portion and the second phase delay portion are formed in an S-shape and extend from the first coupling induction portion and the second coupling induction portion to the first slot connection portion and the second slot connection portion, respectively.

12. The antenna device of claim 8, wherein the first and second slot couplers are configured to couple the first and second sub-slots to the main slot, respectively.

13. The antenna device of claim 12, further comprising:

a first coupler switch disposed through the first slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the first sub slot and the main slot; and

a second coupler switch disposed through the second slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the second sub slot and the main slot.

14. The antenna device according to claim 13, wherein a radiation pattern of the antenna device is changed according to on or off of each of the first coupler switch and the second coupler switch.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a front window;

a wireless communication device; and

an antenna device located on the front window configured to electrically connect to the wireless communication device,

the antenna device includes:

a conductive plate on which a main slit, a sub slit, and a slit coupler are formed;

a feed line; and

a dielectric between the conductive plate and the feed line,

wherein the main slot, the sub-slot, and the slot coupler penetrate the conductive plate,

the slot coupler extending from the sub-slot to a position adjacent to the main slot to couple the sub-slot to the main slot,

the antenna device further includes: a coupler switch disposed through the slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the sub slot and the main slot according to a control signal of the wireless communication device.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein a radiation pattern of the antenna device is changed according to turning on or off of the coupler switch.

17. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the main slit is formed such that a width in a major axis direction is larger than a width in a minor axis direction, and the sub-slit is provided so as to be spaced apart from the main slit in the major axis direction of the main slit.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the slot coupler comprises: a coupling induction part extending in parallel to the main slit in the vicinity of the main slit; a slit connection part connected to the sub slit; and a phase delay part disposed between the coupling induction part and the slit connection part.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the phase delay portion is formed in an S-shape and extends from the coupling induction portion to the slot connection portion.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an antenna device and a vehicle including the same, and more particularly, to an antenna device mounted on a front window or a rear window and a vehicle including the same.

Background

In general, a vehicle refers to a vehicle that runs on a road or a track using fossil fuel, electric power, or the like as a power source.

In recent years, vehicles are used not only for transporting goods and people, but also generally include audio and video devices so that a driver can listen to music and watch videos while driving, and are also widely equipped with a navigation device that displays a route to a driver's desired location.

In recent years, the demand for a vehicle to communicate with an external device (or an external vehicle) has been increasing. For example, the demand for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication with preceding and/or following vehicles is increasing.

In order to smoothly perform inter-vehicle communication with a preceding vehicle and/or a following vehicle, it is preferable to provide an antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal at the front and/or rear of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna device disposed on a front window and/or a rear window.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to provide an antenna apparatus capable of forming a beam toward the front and/or rear of a vehicle from a tilted front window and/or a tilted rear window.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna apparatus includes: a conductive plate on which a main slit, a sub slit, and a slit coupler are formed; a feed line; and a dielectric between the conductive plate and the feeder line. The main slot, the sub slot, and the slot coupler may be formed to penetrate the conductive plate. The slot coupler may extend from the sub-slot to a position adjacent to the main slot.

The main slit may be formed such that a width in the major axis direction is larger than a width in the minor axis direction. The sub slits may be disposed to be spaced apart from the main slit in a long axis direction of the main slit.

The slot coupler may include: a coupling induction part extending in parallel to the main slit in the vicinity of the main slit; a slit connecting part connected to the sub-slit; and a phase delay part disposed between the coupling induction part and the slit connection part.

The phase delay part may be formed in an S-shape and may extend from the coupling induction part to the slot connection part.

The slot coupler may be configured to couple the sub-slot to the main slot.

The antenna device may further include: and a coupler switch disposed through the slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the sub slot and the main slot.

The radiation pattern of the antenna arrangement may be changed in dependence of the switching on or off of the coupler switch.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna apparatus includes: a conductive plate on which a main slit, a first sub slit, a second sub slit, a first slit coupler, and a second slit coupler are formed; a feed line; and a dielectric disposed between the conductive plate and the power feeding line. The main slot, the first sub slot, the second sub slot, the first slot coupler, and the second slot coupler may be formed to penetrate the conductive plate. The first slot coupler may extend from the first sub-slot to near the main slot. The second slot coupler may extend from the second sub-slot to a position adjacent to the main slot.

The main slit may be formed such that a width in the major axis direction is larger than a width in the minor axis direction. The first sub slit may be disposed to be spaced apart from the main slit in a long axis direction of the main slit. The second sub slit may be disposed to be spaced apart from the main slit on an opposite side of the first sub slit in a long axis direction of the main slit.

The first and second slot couplers may include: first and second coupling induction parts extending in parallel to the main slit in the vicinity of the main slit; first and second slit connection parts connected to the first and second sub-slits; and first and second phase delay parts respectively disposed between the first and second coupling induction parts and the first and second slit connection parts.

The first and second phase delay parts may be formed in an S-shape and extend from the first and second coupling induction parts to the first and second slit connection parts, respectively.

The first and second slot couplers may be configured to couple the first and second sub-slots to the main slot, respectively.

The antenna device may further include: a first coupler switch disposed through the first slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the first sub slot and the main slot; and a second coupler switch disposed through the second slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the second sub slot and the main slot.

The radiation pattern of the antenna device may be changed according to the on or off of each of the first and second coupler switches.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a front window, a wireless communication device, and an antenna device provided on the front window to be electrically connected to the wireless communication device. The antenna device may include a conductive plate on which a main slot, a sub slot, and a slot coupler are formed; a feed line; and a dielectric disposed between the conductive plate and the power feeding line. The main slot, the sub slot, and the slot coupler may be formed to penetrate the conductive plate. A slot coupler may extend from the sub-slot to a position adjacent to the main slot to couple the sub-slot to the main slot. The antenna device may further include: and a coupler switch disposed through the slot coupler to allow or block coupling between the sub slot and the main slot according to a control signal of the wireless communication device.

The radiation pattern of the antenna arrangement may be changed in dependence of the switching on or off of the coupler switch.

The main slit may be formed such that a width in the major axis direction is larger than a width in the minor axis direction. The sub slits may be disposed to be spaced apart from the main slit in a long axis direction of the main slit.

The slot coupler may include: a coupling induction part extending in parallel to the main slit in the vicinity of the main slit; a slit connecting part connected to the sub-slit; and a phase delay part disposed between the coupling induction part and the slit connection part.

The phase delay part may be formed in an S-shape and may extend from the coupling induction part to the slot connection part.

Drawings

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates electronic components of a vehicle according to an embodiment;

fig. 3A and 3B illustrate an antenna device according to an embodiment;

fig. 4 shows the current distribution in a slot antenna comprising a main slot;

fig. 5 shows current distribution in a slot antenna including a main slot and a sub slot;

fig. 6 shows a current distribution in an antenna device according to an embodiment;

fig. 7 shows a radiation pattern in an antenna device according to an embodiment;

fig. 8 shows an antenna arrangement according to an embodiment;

fig. 9A and 9B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a first state of the antenna device according to the embodiment;

fig. 10A and 10B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a second state of the antenna device according to the embodiment;

fig. 11A and 11B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a third state of the antenna device according to the embodiment; and is

Fig. 12A and 12B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a fourth state of the antenna device according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the operational principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle according to an embodiment, and fig. 2 shows electronic components of the vehicle according to the embodiment.

The vehicle 1 may include: a vehicle body 10 that forms the appearance of the vehicle 1 and accommodates a driver and/or luggage; a chassis including configuration components of the vehicle 1 other than the vehicle body; and an electronic component that protects the driver and provides convenience to the driver.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 may include: a hood 11, a front fender 12, a roof panel 13, a door 14, a trunk lid 15, a rear panel 16, and the like. In order to ensure the driver's field of vision, a front window 17 is provided at the front portion of the vehicle body 10, side windows 18 are provided at the side portions of the vehicle body 10, and a rear window 19 is provided at the rear portion of the vehicle body 10. The front window 17 and the rear window 19 are each provided with an antenna device 100 capable of communicating with a preceding vehicle and a following vehicle, respectively.

The vehicle 1 may further include: an Engine Management System (EMS)31, a Transmission Control Unit (TCU)32, an Electronic Brake System (EBS)33, an Electric Power Steering (EPS)34, a Body Control Module (BCM)35, a display 36, a Heating Ventilation Air Conditioner (HVAC)37, an audio device 38, a wireless communication device 50, and the like.

The wireless communication device 50 can wirelessly communicate with another vehicle, a user terminal, a communication repeater, or the like. The wireless communication device 50 may be used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V communication), vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (V2I communication), vehicle-to-mobile device communication (V2N communication), vehicle-to-grid communication (V2G communication), and the like.

The wireless communication device 50 can transmit and receive signals by various communication methods. For example, the wireless communication apparatus 50 may use short-range wireless communication methods such as dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) and in-vehicle environment Wireless Access (WAVE). Also, for example, the wireless communication apparatus 50 may use a mobile communication method such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).

The wireless communication device 50 may be connected to the antenna device 100 to transmit and receive a wireless signal to and from another vehicle, a user terminal, or a communication repeater. As shown in fig. 1, the antenna device 100 may be mounted on the front window 17 and/or the rear window 19 of the vehicle 1.

In addition, the vehicle 1 may further include electronic components to protect the driver and provide convenience to the driver. For example, the vehicle 1 may include electronic components 30 such as door locks, wipers, power seats, seat heaters, instrument panels, interior lights, navigation systems, and multifunction switches.

The electronic components 30 may communicate with each other through the vehicle communication network NT. For example, the electronic components 30 may exchange data with each other through ethernet, Media Oriented System Transmission (MOST), vehicle mounted network (Flexray), Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), and the like.

Fig. 3A to 3B illustrate an antenna device according to an embodiment; fig. 4 shows the current distribution in a slot antenna comprising a main slot; fig. 5 shows current distribution in a slot antenna including a main slot and a sub slot; fig. 6 shows a current distribution in an antenna device according to an embodiment; and fig. 7 shows a radiation pattern in the antenna device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3A shows an appearance of the antenna device 100, and fig. 3B shows a cross section taken along a line a-a' in fig. 3A.

The antenna device 100 may be a slot antenna. Slot antennas typically comprise an elongated aperture or a flat plate with a slot. The length of the slot may depend on the frequency or wavelength of the radiated signal, and the width of the slot may depend on the bandwidth of the radiated signal. The slot antenna is widely used in a frequency band of 300MHz to 25GHz, and a radiation pattern of the slot antenna is substantially similar to that of a dipole antenna.

As shown in fig. 3A to 3B, the antenna device 100 includes a conductive plate 101 on which a main slot 110, a sub slot 120, and a slot coupler 130 are formed.

The conductive plate 101 may be made of a conductive material such as metal through which current can flow. For example, the conductive plate 101 may be made of a metal thin film so that the antenna device 100 may be bent.

Also, the conductive plate 101 may be made of a transparent material so as not to obstruct the view of the driver. For example, the conductive plate 101 may include Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), or may include carbon nanotubes or graphene.

The main slot 110, the sub slot 120, and the slot coupler 130 may be formed to penetrate the conductive plate 101. The radio waves are blocked by the conductive plate 101 made of a conductive material, but may pass through the main and sub slots 110 and 120 and the slot coupler 130.

The main slit 110 has an elongated shape. As shown in fig. 3A, the main slit 110 is formed such that the width W1 in the major axis X1 direction is larger than the width W2 in the minor axis X2 direction. The width W1 in the direction of the long axis X1 may depend on the wavelength or frequency of the radio signals transmitted and received by the antenna device 100. The width W2 in the direction of the minor axis X2 may depend on the bandwidth of the radio signal transmitted and received by the antenna device 100.

The sub slot 120 is formed near the main slot 110. The sub slot 120 may be located on an extension of the major axis X1 of the main slot 110. In other words, the sub slits 120 may be disposed in the long axis direction.

The sub slot 120 is disposed to be spaced apart from the main slot 110. The distance between the sub slot 120 and the main slot 110 may depend on the radiation direction of the radio waves emitted by the antenna device 100.

The sub slot 120 may be smaller than the main slot 110. In other words, the area of the sub slot 120 may be smaller than that of the main slot 110. The size of the sub slot 120 (the width of the sub slot in the major axis direction of the main slot and the width of the sub slot in the minor axis direction of the main slot) may depend on the radiation direction in which the antenna device 100 emits radio waves.

The sub slot 120 may have various shapes. The shape of the sub slit 120 may be, for example, approximately circular or approximately elliptical, or square with rounded corners, or rectangular with rounded corners.

The slot coupler 130 may be disposed near the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120.

The slot coupler 130 includes: a coupling induction part 131 for inductively coupling with the main slot 110; a phase delay part 132 for performing phase delay between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120; and a slit connection part 133 connected to the sub-slit 120.

As shown in fig. 3A, the slot coupler 130 is connected to the sub-slot 120. In other words, the slot coupler 130 may be a slot or hole integrated with the sub-slot 120. The slot coupler 130 and the sub-slot 120 may be defined by a closed curve.

The portion of the slot coupler 130 connected to the sub-slot 120 may be defined as a slot connection 133.

Unlike the slot coupler 130 connected to the sub slot 120, the slot coupler 130 is not connected to the main slot 110. In other words, the slot coupler 130 may be a slot or hole that is not integral with the main slot 110. The slot coupler 130 and the main slot 110 are not defined by one closed curve and may be defined by at least two separate closed curves that do not overlap.

However, the slot coupler 130 may be disposed closer to the main slot 110 than the sub slot 120 to couple with the main slot 110. In other words, the shortest distance between the slot coupler 130 and the main slot 110 may be shorter than the shortest distance between the sub slot 120 and the main slot 110.

The portion of the slot coupler 130 coupled with the main slot 110 may be defined as a coupling induction part 131. The coupling induction part 131 may extend in the direction of the long axis X1 of the main slot 110 near the main slot 110. For example, the coupling induction part 131 may extend from one end of the main slot 110 closest to the sub slot 120 toward the other end of the main slot 110 in parallel with the main slot 110. The length of the coupling induction part 131 extending from one end of the main slot 110 toward the other end of the main slot 110 may depend on the radiation direction of the radio wave emitted from the antenna device 100.

The phase delay part 132 is located between the slot connection part 133 and the coupling induction part 131. The phase delay part 132 may adjust a phase delay between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120.

For example, the width of the major axis X1 of the main slot 110 corresponds to substantially half the wavelength of the radio signal. In the case where a phase delay of 180 degrees is required between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120, the main slot 110 needs to be spaced apart from the sub slot 120 by a distance corresponding to the width of the major axis X1 of the main slot 110. When the distance between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120 increases, the antenna device 100 may be upsized, and the efficiency of the antenna device 100 may be lowered.

The phase delay part 132 may increase a distance that the electromagnetic field coupled from the main slot 110 through the coupling induction part 131 propagates to the sub slot 120. So that a phase delay between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120 can be caused.

For example, as shown in fig. 3A, the phase delaying portion 132 may be formed in an S-shaped or zigzag pattern. The S-shaped or zigzag-shaped pattern of the phase delay parts 132 may increase the distance that a signal travels between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120, and at the same time, may keep the physical distance between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120 to a minimum. Thereby, the phase delay between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120 is sufficiently ensured, and the distance between the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120 can be minimized.

The antenna device 100 may further include a feed line 102 and a dielectric 103.

A dielectric 103 is provided between the power feeding line 102 and the conductive plate 101. The dielectric 103 may support the power feeding line 102 and the conductive plate 101 and electrically isolate the power feeding line 102 and the conductive plate 101.

Dielectric 103 may be comprised of a non-electrically conductive material and may include, for example, FR-4, which is widely used in printed circuit boards. The dielectric 103 may be made of a flexible material so that the antenna device 100 may be bent. For example, the dielectric 103 may include a polyimide film or a polyester film.

The power feeding line 102 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the conductive plate 101, and the dielectric 103 is disposed between the power feeding line 102 and the conductive plate 101. For example, the power feeding line 102 is not in contact with the conductive plate 101, and may be disposed substantially parallel to the conductive plate 101.

The feed line 102 may be arranged to extend in the direction of the minor axis X2 of the main slot 110. At least a portion of feed line 102 can overlap main slot 110. In other words, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the main slot 110 and the power feed line 102 may intersect at an angle of 90 degrees.

The power feeder 102 is electrically connected to the wireless communication device 50 of the vehicle 1. An electrical signal can be provided from wireless communication device 50 to power feed 102.

When an electric signal is input through the power feeding line 102, an electromagnetic field can be formed around the power feeding line 102. An electromagnetic field formed around the power feeding line 102 can resonate through the main slot 110. The electromagnetic field resonating in the main slot 110 may be radiated into free space.

An electric current may be induced around the main slot 110 by an electromagnetic field resonating in the main slot 110. The electromagnetic field resonating in the main slot 110 may induce a current around the coupling induction part 131 of the slot coupler 130 and around the main slot 110.

An electromagnetic field may be generated inside the coupling induction part 131 by a current induced around the coupling induction part 131. The electromagnetic field generated inside the coupling induction part 131 may propagate to the slot connection part 133 along the phase delay part 132. When the electromagnetic field propagates along the phase delaying part 132, the phase can be delayed.

The electromagnetic field propagated to the slot connection 133 may be transmitted to the sub slot 120. The electromagnetic field transmitted to the sub-slot 120 may be radiated from the sub-slot 120 to a free space. In other words, a part of the electromagnetic field resonating in the main slot 110 may be radiated into the free space through the sub slot 120.

During the electromagnetic field propagating from the main slot 110 to the sub slot 120 through the slot coupler 130, a current may be induced around the slot coupler 130 by the electromagnetic field.

In this way, the slot coupler 130 may guide the electromagnetic field in the main slot 110 to the sub slot 120. In the absence of the slot coupler 130, the sub-slot 120 may not be coupled to the main slot 110.

For example, the current distribution in the antenna in which only the main slot 110 is formed is as shown in fig. 4. As shown in fig. 4, the current distribution in the antenna is concentrated around the main slot 110. Thus, it is confirmed that the radio wave is radiated from the main slot 110 to the free space.

The current distribution in the antenna in which only the main slot 110 and the sub slot 120 are formed is shown in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 5, the current distribution in the antenna is concentrated around the main slot 110. Although the sub slits 120 exist around the main slit 110, the current is concentrated around the main slit 110, and no current is distributed around the sub slits 120. Therefore, it is confirmed that radio waves are radiated only from the main slot 110, and radio waves are not radiated in the sub slot 120.

The current in the antenna device 100 formed with the main slot 110, the sub slot 120, and the slot coupler 130 is as shown in fig. 6. As shown in fig. 6, it is confirmed that the current distribution in the antenna is concentrated around the main slot 110, but the current distribution is diffused to the sub-slot 120 along the slot coupler 130. Accordingly, it is confirmed that radio waves are radiated not only from the main slot 110 but also from the sub slot 120.

As described above, the slot coupler 130 may couple the main slot 110 to the sub-slot 120, and may induce radio waves to radiate not only from the main slot 110 but also from the sub-slot 120.

In this way, since radio waves are radiated not only from the main slot 110 but also from the sub slot 120, the radiation pattern of the antenna device 100 is different from that of a general slot antenna.

As described above, the radiation pattern of the slot antenna is substantially similar to that of the dipole antenna. A general slot antenna can radiate radio waves in a direction perpendicular to a slot (front-rear direction when a long axis direction of the slot is defined as upper/lower side) and a short axis direction of the slot (left-right direction when the long axis direction of the slot is defined as upper/lower side). In particular, slot antennas exhibit a radiation pattern with a center line perpendicular to the slot.

In contrast to this, since radio waves are radiated not only from the main slot 110 but also from the sub slot 120, the radiation pattern in the antenna device 100 can radiate radio waves in an oblique direction.

The radiation patterns in the forward and backward directions (directions perpendicular to the slot) in the antenna device 100 are as shown in fig. 7. As shown in fig. 7, the antenna device 100 has a radiation pattern directed upward and forward. In other words, the antenna device 100 has a radiation pattern that is offset in a direction opposite to the direction in which the sub slot 120 is provided, with the main slot 110 as a center. Also, the antenna device 100 has a radiation pattern directed rearward and downward. In other words, the antenna device 100 has a radiation pattern that is offset from the main slot 110 toward the direction in which the sub slot 120 is disposed.

Thus, the upwardly or downwardly biased radiation pattern has an advantageous effect when the antenna device 100 is mounted on the front window 17 or the rear window 19. Usually, the preceding vehicle or the following vehicle is travelling on the same plane (road) as the vehicle 1, and it is advantageous that the antenna device has a radiation pattern in a direction parallel to the road in order to communicate with the preceding vehicle or the following vehicle.

The surfaces of the front window 17 and the rear window 19 are generally disposed to be inclined with respect to the road or a plane perpendicular to the road. When a general slot antenna is disposed on the inclined front window 17 and rear window 19, the radiation pattern of the antenna may not be parallel to the road. For example, when the front window 17 and the rear window 19 are disposed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees with respect to the road, it is predicted that the radiation pattern of the slot antenna faces upward by 45 degrees.

On the other hand, the antenna device 100 has a radiation pattern inclined forward upward or forward downward. Therefore, when the antenna device 100 is mounted on the inclined front and rear windows 17 and 19, the antenna device 100 can have a radiation pattern substantially parallel to the road. For example, when the antenna device 100 having a radiation pattern directed forward and downward at an angle of 45 degrees is mounted on the front window 17 disposed obliquely at an angle of 45 degrees, the antenna device 100 can emit radio waves in a direction substantially parallel to the road.

Fig. 8 illustrates an antenna device according to an embodiment, fig. 9A to 9B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a first state of the antenna device according to the embodiment, fig. 10A to 10B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a second state of the antenna device according to the embodiment, fig. 11A and 11B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a third state of the antenna device according to the embodiment, and fig. 12A and 12B illustrate a current distribution and a radiation pattern in a fourth state of the antenna device according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 8, the antenna device 100a includes a conductive plate 101, and the conductive plate 101 has a main slot 110, a first sub slot 120a, a second sub slot 120b, a first slot coupler 130a, a second slot coupler 130b, a first coupler switch 140a, and a second coupler switch 140b formed thereon.

The conductive plate 101 may be made of the same material as the conductive plate shown in fig. 3A and 3B, and the main slot 110, the first sub slot 120a, the second sub slot 120B, the first slot coupler 130a, and the second slot coupler 130B are formed to penetrate through the conductive plate 101.

The main slit 110 has an elongated shape and has the same shape as the main slit 110 shown in fig. 3A and 3B, and may provide the same function.

The first sub slot 120a is formed in the vicinity of the main slot 110 (below the main slot in the drawing), and has the same shape as the sub slot 120 shown in fig. 3A and 3B, and can provide the same function.

The first slot coupler 130a is disposed in the vicinity of the main slot 110 and the first sub slot 120a (on the right side of the main slot and the first sub slot in the drawing), and has the same shape as the slot coupler 130 shown in fig. 3A and can provide the same function. The first slot coupler 130a includes a first coupling induction part 131a, a first phase delay part 132a, and a first slot connection part 133 a.

The second sub slit 120b may be disposed near the main slit 110 on the opposite side of the first sub slit 120a (above the main slit in the drawing). The second sub slot 120B has the same shape as the sub slot 120 shown in fig. a and 3B, and may provide the same function.

The second slot coupler 130b is disposed in the vicinity of the main slot 110 and the second sub slot 120b (on the left side of the main slot and the second sub slot in the drawing), and has the same shape as the slot coupler 130 shown in fig. 3A and can provide the same function. The second slot coupler 130b includes a second coupling induction portion 131b, a second phase delay portion 132b, and a second slot connection portion 133 b.

The first coupler switch 140a may allow or block coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub-slot 120a through the first slot coupler 130 a.

As shown in fig. 8, the first coupler switch 140a may be disposed between the first coupling induction part 131a and the first phase delay part 132 a. The first coupler switch 140a may allow or block the connection between the first coupling induction part 131a and the first phase delay part 132 a. The first coupler switch 140a is disposed between the first coupling induction part 131a and the first phase delay part 132a through the first slot coupler 130 a.

In order to block the connection between the first coupling induction part 131a and the first phase delay part 132a in response to a control signal of the wireless communication device 50, the first coupler switch 140a may electrically connect the right and left sides of the first slot coupler 130a on the conductive plate 101. In other words, the first coupler switch 140a may be conductive or closed. When the right and left sides of the first slot coupler 130a on the conductive plate 101 are electrically connected, the electromagnetic field may be blocked from propagating along the first slot coupler 130 a. In this way, when the first coupler switch 140a is turned on or closed, the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub slot 120a is blocked, and the main slot 110 can be independently operated.

Also, in order to allow the connection between the first coupling induction part 131a and the first phase delay part 132a in response to the control signal of the wireless communication device 50, the first coupler switch 140a may block the electrical connection between the right and left sides of the first slot coupler 130a on the conductive plate 101. In other words, the first coupler switch 140a may be opened or closed. When the electrical connection between the right and left sides of the first slot coupler 130a on the conductive plate 101 is blocked, an electromagnetic field may be allowed to propagate along the first slot coupler 130 a. In this way, when the first coupler switch 140a is opened or opened, the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub slot 120a is allowed, and the main slot 110 and the first sub slot 120a may operate together.

The second coupler switch 140b may allow or block coupling between the main slot 110 and the second sub-slot 120b through the second slot coupler 130 b.

The specific configuration and operation of the second coupler switch 140b may be the same as the specific configuration and operation of the first coupler switch 140 a.

The antenna device 100a may further include a feed line 102 and a dielectric 103. The feed line 102 and the dielectric 103 may be the same as the feed line 102 and the dielectric 103 shown in fig. 3A.

Hereinafter, a current distribution and a radiation pattern of the antenna device 100a according to the opening and closing of the first and second coupler switches 140a and 140b will be described.

When both the first coupler switch 140a and the second coupler switch 140b are turned on (or closed) in the first state, the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub-slot 120a is blocked, and the coupling between the main slot 110 and the second sub-slot 120b is blocked.

When an electric signal is supplied to the antenna device 100a through the power feed line 102 in a state where the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first and second sub-slots 120a and 120b is interrupted, an electric current is induced around the main slot 110 as shown in fig. 9A. Since the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first and second sub slots 120a and 120b is blocked, the current around the main slot 110 may not propagate to the first and second sub slots 120a and 120 b.

Therefore, radio waves are radiated only in the main slot 110, and as shown in fig. 9B, the antenna device 100a may have a radiation pattern in which radio waves are radiated to the front and rear (the direction perpendicular to the main slot) of the antenna device 100 a.

When the first coupler switch 140a is open (or open) and the second coupler switch 140b is closed (or closed) in the second state, the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub-slot 120a is allowed and the coupling between the main slot 110 and the second sub-slot 120b is blocked.

When an electric signal is supplied to the antenna device 100A through the power feeding line 102 in the second state, a current is induced around the main slot 110 as shown in fig. 10A. Since the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub slot 120a is allowed, the current may also be induced around the first sub slot 120 a. On the other hand, since the coupling between the main slot 110 and the second sub slot 120b is blocked, no current is induced around the second sub slot 120 b.

Accordingly, radio waves are radiated in the main slot 110 and the first sub slot 120a, and as shown in fig. 10B, the antenna device 100a may have a radiation pattern in which radio waves are radiated forward upward and backward downward.

When the first coupler switch 140a is turned on (or closed) and the second coupler switch 140b is turned off (or open) in the third state, the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub-slot 120a is blocked and the coupling between the main slot 110 and the second sub-slot 120b is allowed.

When an electric signal is supplied to the antenna device 100a through the power feeding line 102 in the third state, a current is induced around the main slot 110 as shown in fig. 11A. Since the coupling between the main slot 110 and the second sub slot 120b is allowed, the current may also be induced around the second sub slot 120 b. On the other hand, since the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub slot 120a is blocked, no current is induced around the first sub slot 120 a.

Accordingly, radio waves are radiated in the main slot 110 and the second sub slot 120B, and as shown in fig. 11B, the antenna device 100a may have a radiation pattern in which radio waves are radiated to the front lower side and the rear upper side.

When both the first coupler switch 140a and the second coupler switch 140b are turned off (or open) in the fourth state, the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first sub-slot 120a is allowed, and the coupling between the main slot 110 and the second sub-slot 120b is allowed.

When an electric signal is supplied to the antenna device 100a through the power feed line 102 in a state where coupling between the main slot 110 and the first and second sub-slots 120a and 120b is allowed, as shown in fig. 12A, current is induced around the main slot 110. Since the coupling between the main slot 110 and the first and second sub slots 120a and 120b is allowed, the current around the main slot 110 may propagate to the first and second sub slots 120a and 120 b.

Accordingly, radio waves are radiated in each of the main slot 110, the first sub-slot 120a, and the second sub-slot 120B, and as shown in fig. 12B, the antenna device 100a may have a radiation pattern in which radio waves are radiated to the front and rear (the direction perpendicular to the main slot) of the antenna device 100 a. However, the radiation pattern of the antenna device 100a in the fourth state has a narrower width and a longer length than the radiation pattern of the antenna device 100a in the first state. In other words, in the fourth state, the antenna device 100a can radiate radio waves farther within a narrower range.

As is apparent from the above, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna device provided on a front window and/or a rear window may be provided.

Further, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, an antenna apparatus capable of forming a beam from a tilted front window and/or a tilted rear window toward the front and/or the rear of a vehicle may be provided. Therefore, the antenna device can smoothly communicate with the preceding vehicle and/or the following vehicle.

While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.