Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-04-03
Wimer, Michael C. (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With vehicle
C343S7000MS, C343S878000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211833
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates, in general, to a device for detecting whether obstacles are being approached during parking or turning of a motor vehicle (parking aid). In particular, the device includes a transmitting and receiving device configured in the region of at least one bumper. The transmitting and receiving device has an RF circuit configured on a printed circuit board and at least two substantially planar antennas that are connected to the RF circuit.
German Patent DE 32 44 358 C2 describes the purpose and the possible places for attaching such a parking aid to a motor vehicle (also referred to as a maneuvering aid in that document).
If the parking aid uses radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation, then the precise spatial position of the substantially planar antenna elements, also known as antenna patches, is highly important, since these patches and the patch spacing determine the directional characteristics and the radiation characteristics of the radio-frequency (RF) radiation.
The antenna patches, together with a sheet bearing them, are embedded in the plastic composition of the housing of the known parking aid. As a result, in the best-case scenario, a tolerance of ±0.3 mm can be achieved regarding the spacing of the antenna patch. This spacing tolerance between the RF circuit and the antenna patches leads to a disturbing variation in the acoustic warning signals emitted by the parking aid in the event that an obstacle is being approached.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device for detecting whether obstacles are being approached during parking or turning of a motor vehicle, which overcomes the herein-mentioned disadvantageous of the heretofore known devices of this general type. In particular, an improved spacing tolerance of the antenna patches is provided. The accuracy of the parking aid is improved and the variation of the individual specimens is reduced.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a device for detecting whether obstacles are being approached during parking or turning of a motor vehicle. The device includes a support plate, and a transmitting and receiving device disposed adjacent at least one bumper. The transmitting and receiving device includes an RF circuit disposed on the support plate and at least two substantially planar antennas for interacting with the RF circuit. The obstacle detection device also includes: a plastic sheet fixed to the substantially planar antennas; a printed circuit board having perforations allowing for passage of radiation from the RF circuit to the substantially planar antennas; and spacers having a precise length. Each one of the spacers is inserted into a respective one of the perforations. The plastic sheet is bonded to the printed circuit board such that each one of the substantially planar antennas bear on a respective one of the spacers.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the spacers are bonded to the support plate.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the plastic sheet is self-adhesive.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the spacers consist of a material that is pervious to radiation and is undamaged from heat caused by soldering.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the printed circuit board has a surface that is opposite the substantially planar antennas and the support plate is bonded to the surface of the printed circuit board.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a parking aid, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4766444 (1988-08-01), Conroy et al.
patent: 4888597 (1989-12-01), Rebiez et al.
patent: 5767793 (1998-06-01), Agravante et al.
patent: 5844523 (1998-12-01), Brennan et al.
patent: 6133877 (2000-10-01), Sandstedt et al.
patent: 3244358C2 (1984-10-01), None
Alemu Ephrem
Greenberg Laurence A.
Lerner Herbert L.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Stemer Werner H.
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