Antenna bottom end cover assembly with water leakage device and base station antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of antennas, in particular to an antenna bottom end cover assembly with a water leakage device and a base station antenna, and the antenna bottom end cover assembly comprises a bottom end cover which is provided with a water leakage hole; the water leakage device is assembled in the water leakage hole, the water leakage device comprises a sealing function part, and the sealing function part is a soft flat cylinder; the water leakage device is made of elastic materials, and a pair of attaching sealing faces capable of moving relatively is formed at the end, away from the outer surface of the bottom end cover, of the soft flat barrel. When no fluid pressure acts on the attached sealing surface, the attached sealing surface is kept in an attached state through the elastic force of the material so as to block a passage of the water leakage hole; when fluid pressure acts on the attached sealing surface, the attached sealing surface overcomes the elastic force to be separated so as to form a drainage channel communicating the interior of the antenna with the outside, and the problems that in the prior art, an antenna water leakage hole is low in protection grade, and external sand and dust and winged insects cannot be effectively prevented from entering the interior of the antenna are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to an antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device and a base station antenna. Background Technology

[0002] In the telecommunications industry, when an antenna is mounted on a tower, the end facing the ground is usually called the bottom end cap, which typically has multiple drainage holes. When condensation forms inside the antenna, this condensation can drain through these holes to ensure the antenna functions properly.

[0003] However, existing drainage holes are all through holes that penetrate directly through the bottom cover, and this type of drainage hole has obvious drawbacks. Since the through hole directly connects the inside and outside of the antenna, external sand and dust can easily enter the antenna through the drainage hole, and long-term accumulation will affect the antenna's performance; at the same time, various flying insects may also crawl into the antenna through the drainage hole and breed, thereby damaging the antenna.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a technical solution that can both allow the condensate inside the antenna to flow out quickly and effectively prevent various foreign objects from entering the antenna, in order to solve the problem of low protection level of antenna leakage holes in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an antenna bottom cover assembly and a base station antenna with a water leakage device, so as to solve the problem that the protection level of the antenna water leakage hole in the prior art is low and cannot effectively prevent external sand and flying insects from entering the antenna.

[0006] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solution is adopted:

[0007] The first aspect of this invention provides an antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device, comprising:

[0008] The bottom end cover has an inner surface facing the inside of the antenna and an outer surface facing away from the inside of the antenna, and a water leakage hole is provided through the bottom end cover to connect its inner surface and outer surface.

[0009] A water leakage device is assembled inside the water leakage hole, and the water leakage device includes a sealing function part, which is a flexible flat cylinder.

[0010] The water leakage device is made of elastic material, and the end of the soft flat cylinder away from the outer surface of the bottom end cap forms a pair of relatively movable sealing surfaces;

[0011] When no fluid pressure is applied to the sealing surface, the sealing surface remains in a sealed state by the elastic force of the material itself, thereby blocking the passage of the leakage hole; when fluid pressure is applied to the sealing surface, the sealing surface overcomes the elastic force and separates, thereby forming a drainage channel connecting the inside of the antenna with the outside.

[0012] A further improvement is that the water leakage device also includes a snap-fit ​​cylinder for engaging with the bottom cover. The top opening of the snap-fit ​​cylinder communicates with the inside of the antenna, and the bottom opening of the snap-fit ​​cylinder communicates with the flexible flat cylinder. The snap-fit ​​cylinder and the flexible flat cylinder are integrally formed.

[0013] A further improvement is that a retaining ring is formed on the outer periphery of the retaining cylinder, and a retaining block adapted to the retaining ring is provided on the inner wall of the water leakage hole.

[0014] A further improvement is that the retaining ring is provided with a guide surface, which is a conical surface, and the edge of the port near the inner surface of the bottom cover on the retaining block is chamfered, and the taper of the guide surface matches the taper of the chamfer.

[0015] A further improvement is that the water leakage device, through the guide surface and the chamfer guide, undergoes elastic deformation after radial compression, causing the retaining ring to be interference-locked onto the retaining block, thereby achieving axial fixation between the water leakage device and the bottom end cover.

[0016] A further improvement is that an annular protrusion is provided on the outer surface of the bottom cover around the water leakage hole, and the protrusion is an integral structure with the bottom cover.

[0017] A further improvement is that the soft flat cylinder is completely within the protective area enclosed by the convex edge.

[0018] A further improvement is that the water-leaking device is made of rubber material.

[0019] A further improvement is that the bottom cover has several connection holes for installing connectors.

[0020] A second aspect of the present invention provides a base station antenna, including an antenna cover and an antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device as described in any one of the first aspects, wherein the antenna bottom cover assembly is installed at the bottom of the antenna cover.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] This invention cleverly achieves a drainage mechanism of "open when there is water and closed when there is no water" by introducing a water-leaking device made of elastic material into the water-leaking hole. This solves the problem that the protection level of the antenna water-leaking hole in the prior art is low and cannot effectively prevent external sand and flying insects from entering the antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the water leakage device in this invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the water leakage device and the bottom end cover water leakage hole assembled in this invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 1. Bottom cap; 2. Leakage device; 11. Leakage hole; 12. Protruding edge; 13. Connecting hole; 21. Snap-fit ​​cylinder; 22. Guide surface; 23. Flexible flat cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0029] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to," "set on," "fixed to," or "mounted on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component. Furthermore, when a component is considered to be "transmittally connected" to another component, the two components only need to be able to transmit power; the specific implementation can be achieved using existing technologies, which will not be elaborated here. When a component is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to another component, it means that the two components are ideally perpendicular, but due to manufacturing and assembly effects, there may be a certain degree of perpendicularity error. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] In this invention, the terms "first" and "second" do not represent a specific quantity or order, but are merely used to distinguish names.

[0032] Please refer to the attached Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 3 To address the issues of simple structure and low protection level of the antenna drainage hole 11 in existing technologies, the first aspect of this invention proposes an antenna bottom cover 1 assembly with a drainage device 2, which combines efficient drainage and dust and insect prevention functions. Specifically, it includes:

[0033] The bottom cover 1 has an inner surface facing the inside of the antenna and an outer surface facing away from the inside of the antenna. A water leakage hole 11 is provided through the bottom cover 1 to connect its inner surface and outer surface.

[0034] A water leakage device 2 is assembled inside the water leakage hole 11. The water leakage device 2 includes a sealing function part, which is a soft flat cylinder 23.

[0035] The water leakage device 2 is made of elastic material. The end of the soft flat tube 23 away from the outer surface of the bottom cover 1 forms a pair of relatively movable sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces are flat. The left and right ends of the two sealing surfaces are closed and connected. One end of the soft flat tube 23 opens towards the inside of the antenna, and the other end opens on the outer surface of the bottom cover 1. The two sealing surfaces fit tightly together in a natural state to form a closed state.

[0036] Specifically, the water leakage device 2 is made of elastic materials (such as silicone, rubber and other flexible polymer materials), which has good resilience and weather resistance, and is suitable for long-term use in outdoor environments.

[0037] When no fluid pressure is applied to the sealing surface, the sealing surface remains in a sealed state by the elastic force of the material itself, thereby blocking the passage of the water leakage hole 11, preventing external air, sand, insects, etc. from passing through; when fluid pressure is applied to the sealing surface, the sealing surface overcomes the elastic force and separates, thereby forming a drainage channel connecting the inside of the antenna with the outside.

[0038] Understandably, when condensation occurs inside the antenna, the condensation enters the water leakage device 2 through the water leakage hole 11 and accumulates to a certain amount. The water pressure acts on the inner side of the flexible flat cylinder 23 and is transmitted to the sealing surface. When the water pressure exceeds the elastic force of the material, the two sealing surfaces are forced to separate, forming a temporary drainage channel. The condensation is then discharged to the outside. After drainage is completed, the pressure disappears, and the two sealing surfaces re-fit under their own elasticity, restoring the sealing state.

[0039] This invention cleverly achieves a drainage mechanism of "open when water is present, closed when water is absent" by introducing a drainage device 2 made of elastic material into the drainage hole 11. This solves the problem of low protection level of the antenna drainage hole 11 in the prior art, which cannot effectively prevent external sand, dust and flying insects from entering the antenna. The invention has a simple and reliable structure and low maintenance cost. Compared with the traditional method of simply opening a hole or adding a fixed filter, this invention greatly enhances the adaptability to complex environments while ensuring efficient drainage, effectively ensuring the long-term stable operation of the electronic components inside the antenna and extending the service life of the equipment.

[0040] In this embodiment, the water leakage device 2 further includes a snap-fit ​​cylinder 21 for snapping into the bottom cover 1. The top opening of the snap-fit ​​cylinder 21 communicates with the inside of the antenna, and the bottom opening of the snap-fit ​​cylinder 21 communicates with the flexible flat cylinder 23. The snap-fit ​​cylinder 21 and the flexible flat cylinder 23 are integrally formed.

[0041] Specifically, if Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the flexible flat cylinder 23 also includes a concave arc-shaped transition portion, and the bottom opening of the snap-fit ​​cylinder 21 is connected to the flexible flat cylinder 23 through the arc-shaped transition portion.

[0042] Understandably, the snap-fit ​​cylinder 21 is used to securely fix the entire water leakage device 2 in the water leakage hole 11 of the bottom cover 1, and to store condensate that can be stretched to fit the sealing surface.

[0043] Specifically, if Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a retaining ring structure is formed on the periphery of the retaining cylinder 21, and a retaining block adapted to the retaining ring is provided on the inner wall of the water leakage hole 11.

[0044] The retaining ring is provided with a guide surface 22, which is a conical surface. The edge of the port near the inner surface of the bottom cover 1 on the retaining block is chamfered, and the taper of the guide surface 22 is adapted to the taper of the chamfer.

[0045] The water leakage device 2 is guided by the guide surface 22 and the chamfer guide. After being radially compressed and elastically deformed, the retaining ring is interference-locked onto the retaining block, thereby achieving axial fixation between the water leakage device 2 and the bottom cover 1.

[0046] Understandably, during assembly, the guide surface 22 and the chamfer form a sliding guide, causing the retaining ring to undergo elastic deformation under radial compression. After smoothly passing through the retaining block, it resets and the retaining ring is interference-locked onto the retaining block, thereby completing the axial fixation of the water leakage device 2 and the bottom cover 1. Since the water leakage device 2 is made of elastic material, it can fit tightly against the inner wall of the retaining block on the water leakage hole 11, achieving a complete seal.

[0047] Specifically, in this embodiment, an annular protrusion 12 is provided on the outer surface of the bottom cover 1 around the water leakage hole 11. The protrusion 12 and the bottom cover 1 are an integral structure, and the soft flat cylinder 23 is completely within the protective area enclosed by the protrusion 12.

[0048] Specifically, the height of the convex edge 12 along the axial direction of the bottom cover 1 is H, and the length of the soft flat cylinder 23 along the axial direction of the water leakage device 2 is L, satisfying: H > L.

[0049] Understandably, the raised edge 12 can prevent external foreign objects (such as dust, sand, and splashing water droplets) from directly impacting the flexible flat cylinder 23, avoiding contamination or damage to the sealing surface, ensuring the stability of sealing and drainage functions, and at the same time, preventing the flexible flat cylinder 23 from being accelerated to age due to long-term exposure to external light.

[0050] Specifically, in this embodiment, the water leakage device 2 is made of rubber material.

[0051] Specifically, in this embodiment, the bottom cover 1 is provided with a plurality of connection holes 13, which are used to install connectors (not shown in the figure).

[0052] Understandably, the connector can be fixed to the bottom cover 1 by passing the connecting wire through the connecting hole 13.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, the inner surface of the sealing surface of the flexible flat cylinder 23 is provided with a micron-level texture structure (not shown in the figure). The texture structure is arranged in concentric circles or radially to regulate surface tension, enhance hydrophobic properties, and prevent water film adhesion that would prevent the sealing surface from opening normally.

[0054] Understandably, when condensate accumulates on a sealing surface, if the surface is highly hydrophilic or too smooth, a continuous water film can easily form. This water film generates capillary adhesion and liquid bridge adhesion on two tightly fitted flexible surfaces, creating an "adhesion effect." This adhesion can make it difficult for a sealing surface that relies on elastic rebound to open smoothly during drainage, resulting in "opening / closing lag" or even "failure and blockage." This invention, through a micron-level textured structure, can alter the contact angle between the liquid and the solid, thereby enhancing hydrophobicity. Concentric or radial grooves can divide a large-area water film into multiple isolated droplets or discontinuous liquid lines, reducing the effective adhesion area and preventing "opening / closing lag" or even "failure and blockage."

[0055] The second aspect of the present invention provides a base station antenna, including an antenna cover (not shown in the figure) and an antenna bottom cover 1 assembly with a water leakage device 2 as described in any one of the first aspects. The antenna bottom cover 1 assembly is installed at the bottom of the antenna cover. The antenna cover is generally molded from materials such as plastic and resin, and can accommodate other electronic components such as dipoles inside.

[0056] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0057] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of specific implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device, characterized in that, include: The bottom end cover has an inner surface facing the inside of the antenna and an outer surface facing away from the inside of the antenna, and a water leakage hole is provided through the bottom end cover to connect its inner surface and outer surface. A water leakage device is assembled inside the water leakage hole, and the water leakage device includes a sealing function part, which is a flexible flat cylinder. The water leakage device is made of elastic material, and the end of the soft flat cylinder away from the outer surface of the bottom end cap forms a pair of relatively movable sealing surfaces; When no fluid pressure is applied to the sealing surface, the sealing surface remains in a sealed state by the elastic force of the material itself, thereby blocking the passage of the leakage hole; when fluid pressure is applied to the sealing surface, the sealing surface overcomes the elastic force and separates, thereby forming a drainage channel connecting the inside of the antenna with the outside.

2. The antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water leakage device also includes a snap-fit ​​cylinder for snapping into the bottom cover. The top opening of the snap-fit ​​cylinder is connected to the inside of the antenna, and the bottom opening of the snap-fit ​​cylinder is connected to the flexible flat cylinder. The snap-fit ​​cylinder and the flexible flat cylinder are integrally formed.

3. The antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A retaining ring is formed on the outer periphery of the retaining cylinder, and a retaining block adapted to the retaining ring is provided on the inner wall of the water leakage hole.

4. The antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The retaining ring is provided with a guide surface, which is a conical surface. The edge of the port near the inner surface of the bottom cover on the retaining block is chamfered, and the taper of the guide surface matches the taper of the chamfer.

5. An antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water leakage device uses a guide surface and a chamfered guide to engage. After radial compression and elastic deformation, the retaining ring is pressed into the retaining block, thus achieving axial fixation between the water leakage device and the bottom cover.

6. An antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface of the bottom end cover has an annular protrusion around the water leakage hole, and the protrusion is an integral structure with the bottom end cover.

7. An antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The soft flat cylinder is completely within the protective area enclosed by the raised edge.

8. An antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The leak-proof device is made of rubber.

9. An antenna bottom cover assembly with a water leakage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom cover has several connection holes for installing connectors.

10. A base station antenna, characterized in that, The antenna includes a radome and an antenna bottom cover assembly with a water-leaking device as described in any one of claims 1-9, the antenna bottom cover assembly being mounted on the bottom of the radome.

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