Mounting components and mounting kits for base station antennas

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for a base station antenna and a mounting kit including the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly has a first and a second connection portion, the effective length between which is related to the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna, and the effective length is continuously adjustable. The mounting assembly includes a linkage mechanism having a first pair of links, a second pair of links, and a threaded connection device. The threaded connection device connects two relatively movable hinged connection portions of the linkage mechanism. By screwing the threaded connection device, the distance between the two relatively movable hinged connection portions and, therefore, the effective length can be continuously adjusted, so that the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna can be simply and continuously adjusted. The first and second connection portions have mutually parallel first rotation axes, and the multiple hinged connection portions of the linkage mechanism have mutually parallel second rotation axes, with the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being perpendicular to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of base station antennas, and more particularly, to a mounting assembly for a base station antenna and a mounting kit for a base station antenna. Background Art

[0002] In radio communication systems, signal transmission and reception can be achieved through base station antennas. The attitude of base station antennas can be crucial for radio communication networks, affecting their coverage. Therefore, during installation and use, the attitude of base station antennas may need to be adjusted to ensure that their coverage meets desired requirements. In some cases, it is desirable to be able to adjust the attitude of base station antennas, such as their mechanical tilt, during use.

[0003] Typically, the antenna mounting apparatus may include a mounting assembly for upper mounting and a mounting assembly for lower mounting, wherein the lower mounting assembly may provide a pivot point for the base station antenna, and the upper mounting assembly may have an adjustable effective length such that the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna can be adjusted by adjusting the effective length. Typically, the effective length of the upper mounting assembly may be discretely adjustable, and thus the base station antenna may have a limited number of selectable mechanical tilt angles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a mounting assembly for a base station antenna and a mounting kit comprising such a mounting assembly, wherein the mounting assembly can be used to simply realize continuous adjustment of the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mounting assembly for a base station antenna is proposed, the mounting assembly comprising a first connection point and a second connection point for direct or indirect connection to the base station antenna, the effective length between the first connection point and the second connection point being dependent on the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna, the effective length being continuously adjustable, the mounting assembly comprising a linkage having:

[0006] a first pair of links, the two links of the first pair being hingedly connected to each other; and

[0007] a second pair of connecting rods, wherein the two connecting rods of the second pair are hingedly connected to each other;

[0008] wherein one of the first links of the first pair and one of the third links of the second pair are hinged to each other or movably connected to the first mounting member;

[0009] wherein the second link of the first pair and the fourth link of the second pair are hinged to each other or movably connected to the second mounting member;

[0010] The installation assembly further includes:

[0011] a threaded connection connecting two relatively movable articulated connections of the linkage mechanism, wherein the distance between the two relatively movable articulated connections and thus the effective length between the first connection point and the second connection point can be continuously adjusted by turning the threaded connection; and

[0012] The first connection portion and the second connection portion have first rotation axes parallel to each other, the multiple hinged connection parts of the connecting rod mechanism have second rotation axes parallel to each other, and the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0013] In this mounting assembly, the effective working length of the threaded connection device can be continuously changed by screwing the threaded connection device, for example with the help of a manual wrench or an electric tool, so that the distance between the two relatively movable hinged connection parts can be continuously adjusted, and thus the effective length between the first connection part and the second connection part can be continuously adjusted, so that the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna can be continuously adjusted.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first link and the third link may be hinged to each other, and the second link and the fourth link may be hinged to each other.

[0015] In some embodiments, the hinged connection between the first link and the third link and the hinged connection between the second link and the fourth link may constitute the two hinged connections capable of relative movement.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first link and the third link may form the first connection point and the second connection point at ends facing away from their hinged connection.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first link and the third link may be movably connected to the first mounting member, and / or the first mounting member may constitute the second connection location.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second link and the fourth link may be movably connected to a second mounting member, and / or the second mounting member may constitute a first connection location.

[0019] In some embodiments, the hinged connection between the first link and the second link and the hinged connection between the third link and the fourth link may constitute the two hinged connections capable of relative movement.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first link and the third link can be movably connected to the first mounting member respectively through a first combined hinge connection portion, the first combined hinge connection portion includes a first U-shaped element, the first link or the third link is hinged to the two legs of the first U-shaped element in a manner that can be pivoted around a second rotation axis, the first mounting member is hinged to the bottom of the first U-shaped element in a manner that can be pivoted around the first rotation axis, and the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis can be perpendicular to each other.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second link and the fourth link can be movably connected to the second mounting member respectively through a second combined hinge connection portion, the second combined hinge connection portion includes a second U-shaped element, the second link or the fourth link is hinged to the two legs of the second U-shaped element in a manner that can be pivoted around a second rotation axis, the second mounting member is hinged to the bottom of the second U-shaped element in a manner that can be pivoted around a first rotation axis, and the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis can be perpendicular to each other.

[0022] In some embodiments, the linkage mechanism may include a first additional link, which may have a long hole, and the first additional link may be connected to one of four articulated connections, and another of the four articulated connections may be able to move in the long hole, and the four articulated connections may include an articulated connection between the first link and the first U-shaped element, an articulated connection between the third link and the first U-shaped element, a articulated connection between the second link and the second U-shaped element, and an articulated connection between the fourth link and the second U-shaped element.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first additional link may be connected to the hinged connection between the fourth link and the second U-shaped element, and the hinged connection between the first link and the first U-shaped element may be movable in the long hole of the first additional link.

[0024] In some embodiments, the linkage mechanism may include a second additional link, which may have a long hole, and the second additional link may be connected to the hinged connection between the second link and the second U-shaped element, and the hinged connection between the third link and the first U-shaped element can move in the long hole of the second additional link.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first mounting member may have a plate-shaped bottom surface and two connecting legs extending from the bottom surface, the first connecting rod is connected to one of the connecting legs, and the third connecting rod is connected to the other connecting leg.

[0026] In some embodiments, the second mounting member may have a plate-shaped bottom surface and two connecting legs extending from the bottom surface, the second link is connected to one of the connecting legs, and the fourth link is connected to the other connecting leg.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a mounting kit for a base station antenna is proposed. The mounting kit includes a first mounting component and a second mounting component. The first mounting component is configured to provide a pivot point for the base station antenna on a pole. The second mounting component is a mounting component according to the first aspect of the present invention and is configured to provide a continuously adjustable effective length between the base station antenna and the pole, so that the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna is continuously adjustable.

[0028] The technical features mentioned above, the technical features to be mentioned below, and the technical features that can be obtained in the drawings can be combined with each other arbitrarily, as long as they are not contradictory. All technically feasible feature combinations are included in the content of this disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a side view of a base station antenna system having a mounting assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention at a mechanical tilt angle of zero.

[0031] Figure 2 and Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Side and perspective views of a base station antenna system with a certain mechanical tilt angle.

[0032] Figures 4A to 4F yes Figures 1 to 3 Detailed drawings of parts A to E in the figure.

[0033] Figure 5 and Figure 6 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a base station antenna system having a mounting assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention at different mechanical tilt angles.

[0034] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a mounting assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Schematic diagrams of a mounting assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention in different states. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] First, with the help of Figures 1 to 3 as well as Figures 4A to 4FA mounting assembly 4 for a base station antenna 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of a base station antenna system having a mounting assembly 4 according to a first embodiment of the present invention when the mechanical tilt angle is zero, Figure 2 and Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Side view and perspective view of the base station antenna system with a certain mechanical tilt angle, Figure 4A yes Figure 1 Detailed drawing of part A, Figure 4B yes Figure 1 Detail of Part B, Figure 4C yes Figure 2 Detailed drawing of local C, Figure 4D yes Figure 2 Detailed drawing of local D, Figure 4E and 4F yes Figure 3 Detailed views of part E from two different perspectives.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the base station antenna 1 can be mounted to the mast 2 by means of a first mounting assembly 3 below and a second mounting assembly 4 above. The first mounting assembly 3 can be constructed in a known manner and provides a pivot point 5 for the base station antenna. Figure 4B and 4D As shown, the first mounting assembly 3 may include a clamping device 24 for fastening to the mast 2 and a connecting element 25 for fixedly connecting to the base station antenna 1. The clamping device 24 and the connecting element 25 may be hinged to each other and thus provide a pivot point 5 for the base station antenna.

[0038] Second mounting assembly 4 may be a mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and may have a continuously adjustable effective length, so that base station antenna 1 can have a continuously adjustable mechanical tilt angle. Mounting assembly 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below.

[0039] The mounting assembly 4 may include a first connection point 19 for direct or indirect connection to the mast 2 and a second connection point 20 for direct or indirect connection to the base station antenna 1. The effective length between the first connection point 19 and the second connection point 20 is related to the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna 1, where a larger effective length may indicate a larger mechanical tilt angle. For example, the mounting assembly 4 may include a clamping device 22 for fastening to the mast 2, to which the first connection point 19 may be connected. A connecting element 23 may be provided that is fixedly connected to the base station antenna 1, to which the second connection point 20 may be connected.

[0040] The mounting assembly 4 may include a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism may include a first pair of linkages, wherein the two linkages 11 and 12 of the first pair are hingedly connected to each other. The linkage mechanism may include a second pair of linkages, wherein the two linkages 13 and 14 of the second pair are hingedly connected to each other. One of the first linkages 11 of the first pair and one of the third linkages 13 of the second pair may be hingedly connected to each other to form an hinged connection 17. The second linkage 12 of the first pair and the fourth linkage 14 of the second pair may be hingedly connected to each other to form an hinged connection 18. The first linkage 11 and the third linkage 13 may be hingedly connected to each other at each of their ends. The first linkage 11 and the third linkage 13 may form a first connection portion 19 and a second connection portion 20 at their ends facing away from their hinged connection 17. The hinged connection 15 of the first linkage 11 and the second linkage 12 may be located between the hinged connection 17 and the first connection portion 19. The articulated connection 16 of the third link 13 and the fourth link 14 can be located between the articulated connection 17 and the second connection point 20 .

[0041] The mounting assembly 4 may further include a threaded connection 21 that connects the hinged connection 17 and the hinged connection 18. By screwing the threaded connection 21, the distance between the hinged connection 17 and the hinged connection 18 can be continuously adjusted, thereby continuously adjusting the effective length between the first connection portion 19 and the second connection portion 20, and thus continuously adjusting the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna 1. The threaded connection 21 can be screwed, for example, using a manual wrench or a power tool.

[0042] In the first embodiment, the first connection portion 19 and the second connection portion 20 may have first rotation axes that are parallel to each other, and the hinged connection portions 15 to 18 of the link mechanism may have second rotation axes that are parallel to each other. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis may be parallel to each other. Figure 4C , the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis can be perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0043] Then, with the help of Figure 5 and Figure 6 A second embodiment of a mounting assembly 34 according to the present invention is described, wherein: Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a base station antenna system having a mounting assembly 34 according to a second embodiment of the present invention at a mechanical tilt angle of zero, and Figure 6 This is a partial perspective view of the base station antenna system with a certain mechanical tilt angle. The base station antenna 1 can be pivotally connected to the mast 2 at the bottom. For more information, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 And the description of the first embodiment.

[0044] According to the second embodiment, the mounting assembly 34 may have a first connection portion for direct or indirect connection to the mast 2 and a second connection portion for direct or indirect connection to the base station antenna, wherein the effective length between the first connection portion and the second connection portion is related to the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna.

[0045] The mounting assembly 34 may include a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism may include a first pair of linkages, wherein the two linkages 41 and 42 of the first pair are hingedly connected to each other to form an articulated connection 45. The linkage mechanism may include a second pair of linkages, wherein the two linkages 43 and 44 of the second pair are hingedly connected to each other to form an articulated connection 46. One of the first linkages 41 of the first pair and one of the third linkages 43 of the second pair may be movably connected to the first mounting member 35. More specifically, the first linkage 41 and the third linkage 43 may each be movably connected to the first mounting member 35 via a first combined articulated connection. The first combined articulated connection may include a first U-shaped element. The first linkage 41 or the third linkage 43 may be pivotally connected to two legs of the first U-shaped element about a second rotation axis to form an articulated connection 47. The first mounting member 35 may be pivotally connected to the bottom of the first U-shaped element about the first rotation axis to form an articulated connection 52. The first rotation axis may be perpendicular to the second rotation axis. The second link 42 of the first pair and the fourth link 44 of the second pair can be movably connected to the second mounting member 36. More specifically, the second link 42 and the fourth link 44 can each be movably connected to the second mounting member 36 via a second combined hinged connection. The second combined hinged connection can include a second U-shaped element. The second link 42 or the fourth link 44 can be pivotally connected to two legs of the second U-shaped element about a second rotation axis. The second mounting member can be pivotally connected to the bottom of the second U-shaped element about a first rotation axis to form an hinged connection 53. The first rotation axis can be perpendicular to the second rotation axis. The first mounting member 35 can constitute the second connection portion, and the second mounting member 36 can constitute the first connection portion. The first mounting member 35 can have a plate-shaped bottom surface and two connecting legs extending from the bottom surface. The first link 41 is connected to one of the connecting legs, and the third link 43 is connected to the other connecting leg. The second mounting member 36 may have a plate-shaped bottom surface and two connecting legs extending from the bottom surface. The second connecting rod 42 is connected to one of the connecting legs, and the fourth connecting rod 44 is connected to the other connecting leg. The bottom surface of the first mounting member 35 may be fixed to the base station antenna 1. The bottom surface of the second mounting member 36 may be fixed to the clamping device 22.

[0046] The mounting assembly 34 may further include a threaded connection 51 that connects the hinged connection 45 and the hinged connection 46. By screwing the threaded connection 51, the distance between the hinged connection 45 and the hinged connection 46 can be continuously adjusted, thereby continuously adjusting the effective length between the first connection point and the second connection point, and thus continuously adjusting the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna 1. The threaded connection 51 can be screwed, for example, using a manual wrench or a power tool.

[0047] In a second embodiment, the first connection portion and the second connection portion may have first rotation axes parallel to each other (rotation axes defined by the hinged connection portions 52 and 53), the multiple hinged connection portions 45~50 of the connecting rod mechanism may have second rotation axes parallel to each other, and the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis may be perpendicular to each other.

[0048] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the installation assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention in two different states, wherein: Figure 8 The state shown may correspond to the maximum adjustable mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna, Figure 9 The illustrated state may correspond to a situation where the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna is zero. A third embodiment may be based on the second embodiment, with the addition of a first additional link 31 and a second additional link 32. The first additional link 31 may have an elongated hole 37. The first additional link 31 may be connected to the hinged connection 50 between the fourth link 44 and the second U-shaped element, and the hinged connection 47 between the first link 41 and the first U-shaped element may be movable within the elongated hole 37 of the first additional link 31. The second additional link 32 may have an elongated hole 38. The second additional link 32 may be connected to the hinged connection 49 between the second link 42 and the second U-shaped element, and the hinged connection 48 between the third link 43 and the first U-shaped element may be movable within the elongated hole 38 of the second additional link 32. When one end of the long hole 37 of the first additional link 31 contacts the hinged connection 47 and one end of the long hole 38 of the second additional link 32 contacts the hinged connection 48, a maximum effective length between the first connection point and the second connection point can be defined, wherein the first additional link 31 and the second additional link 32 can additionally support the base station antenna 1. The first additional link 31 and the second additional link 32 can contribute to the load-bearing capacity of the mounting assembly for the base station antenna 1.

[0049] It should be noted that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific aspects only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the one" shall include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms "include" and "comprise" and other similar terms, when used in the application documents, specify the presence of the stated operations, elements and / or parts, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, parts and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more related enumerated items. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals always represent similar elements.

[0050] The thickness of the elements in the accompanying drawings can be exaggerated for the sake of clarity. It will also be understood that if an element is referred to as being on, coupled to, or connected to another element, then the element can be formed directly on, coupled to, or connected to the other element, or one or more intervening elements can be present between them. On the contrary, if the expressions "directly on...", "directly coupled to...", and "directly connected to..." are used herein, then there is no intervening element. Other words used to illustrate the relationship between elements should be interpreted similarly, such as "between..." and "directly between...", "attached to," and "directly attached to," "adjacent to," and "directly adjacent to," etc.

[0051] Terms such as "top," "bottom," "above," "below," "upper," "below," etc., are used herein to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0052] It will be understood that although the terms "first," "second," and the like may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0053] It is also conceivable that all exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with one another in any desired manner.

[0054] Finally, it should be pointed out that the above embodiments are only used to understand the present invention and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, modifications can be made based on the above embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for a base station antenna, the mounting assembly comprising a first connection portion (19) and a second connection portion (20) for direct or indirect connection to the base station antenna (1), wherein the effective length between the first connection portion and the second connection portion is related to the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna, and wherein: The effective length is continuously adjustable, wherein the mounting assembly includes a linkage mechanism having: A first pair of connecting rods, wherein the two connecting rods (11, 12, 41, 42) of the first pair are hingedly connected to each other; and a second pair of connecting rods, wherein the two connecting rods (13, 14, 43, 44) of the second pair are hingedly connected to each other; wherein one of the first connecting rods (11, 41) of the first pair and one of the third connecting rods (13, 43) of the second pair are hinged to each other or movably connected to the first mounting member (35); wherein the second connecting rod (12, 42) of the first pair and the fourth connecting rod (14, 44) of the second pair are hinged to each other or movably connected to the second mounting member (36); The installation assembly further includes: A threaded connection device (21, 51) connecting two relatively movable articulated connection parts of the linkage mechanism, wherein the distance between the two relatively movable articulated connection parts and thus the effective length between the first connection part and the second connection part can be continuously adjusted by screwing the threaded connection device; and The first connection portion and the second connection portion have first rotation axes parallel to each other, the multiple hinged connection parts of the connecting rod mechanism have second rotation axes parallel to each other, and the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are perpendicular to each other.

2. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The first link and the third link are hinged to each other, and the second link and the fourth link are hinged to each other, and the hinged connection (17) of the first link and the third link and the hinged connection (18) of the second link and the fourth link constitute the two hinged connections that can move relative to each other.

3. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 2, wherein: The first connecting rod and the third connecting rod form the first connecting point (19) and the second connecting point (20) at their ends facing away from their articulated connection (17).

4. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The first link (41) and the third link (43) are movably connected to the first mounting member (35), and the second link (42) and the fourth link (44) are movably connected to the second mounting member (36), the first mounting member constitutes the second connection portion, the second mounting member constitutes the first connection portion, the hinged connection portion (45) of the first link and the second link and the hinged connection portion (46) of the third link and the fourth link constitute the two hinged connections that can move relative to each other.

5. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first link and the third link are movably connected to the first mounting member (35) via a first combined hinge connection, the first combined hinge connection comprising a first U-shaped element, the first link or the third link being hinged to two legs of the first U-shaped element in a manner pivotable about a second rotation axis, the first mounting member being hinged to the bottom of the first U-shaped element in a manner pivotable about the first rotation axis, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being perpendicular to each other; and / or The second link and the fourth link are movably connected to the second mounting member (36) via a second combined hinge connection portion, respectively. The second combined hinge connection portion includes a second U-shaped element. The second link or the fourth link is hinged to the two legs of the second U-shaped element in a manner that is pivotable around a second rotation axis. The second mounting member is hinged to the bottom of the second U-shaped element in a manner that is pivotable around a first rotation axis. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are perpendicular to each other.

6. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The link mechanism includes a first additional link (31), the first additional link having a long hole (37), the first additional link being connected to one of four articulated connections, and another of the four articulated connections being movable in the long hole, the four articulated connections including an articulated connection (47) between the first link and the first U-shaped element, an articulated connection (48) between the third link and the first U-shaped element, an articulated connection (49) between the second link and the second U-shaped element, and an articulated connection (50) between the fourth link and the second U-shaped element.

7. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 6, wherein: The first additional link (31) is connected to the hinged connection (50) of the fourth link and the second U-shaped element, and the hinged connection (47) of the first link and the first U-shaped element is movable in the long hole (37) of the first additional link.

8. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 7, wherein: The linkage mechanism comprises a second additional link (32) having a long hole (38), the second additional link being connected to an articulated connection (49) of the second link and the second U-shaped element, and the articulated connection (48) of the third link and the first U-shaped element being movable in the long hole (38) of the second additional link.

9. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The first mounting member (35) has a plate-shaped bottom surface and two connecting legs extending from the bottom surface, the first connecting rod is connected to one of the connecting legs, and the third connecting rod is connected to the other connecting leg.

10. The mounting assembly for a base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein: The second mounting member (36) has a plate-shaped bottom surface and two connecting legs extending from the bottom surface, the second connecting rod is connected to one of the connecting legs, and the fourth connecting rod is connected to the other connecting leg.

11. A mounting kit for a base station antenna, the mounting kit comprising a first mounting assembly and a second mounting assembly, the first mounting assembly being configured to provide a pivot point for the base station antenna on a pole, the second mounting assembly being a mounting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and being configured to provide a continuously adjustable effective length between the base station antenna and the pole, such that the mechanical tilt angle of the base station antenna is continuously adjustable.

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