HOLDING DEVICE FOR AN ANTENNA CABLE

Description

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of devices enabling the support of telescopic antenna cables.

[0002] Mobile telecommunications or direction-finding devices require the use of retractable antennas for ease of transport. These antennas must also be able to be erected several meters high to achieve satisfactory performance. For this purpose, it is common to use telescopic or folding antennas.

[0003] Patent EP0518139 discloses a trailer incorporating a receiving antenna with a telescopic mast of adjustable length. Furthermore, this antenna can be positioned horizontally by pivoting for transport when folded, or pivoted vertically before being unfolded. The power supply and signal transmission requirements of this type of antenna necessitate conductive cables connecting the antenna to ground-based power and signal processing equipment.

[0004] Cables are particularly vulnerable to bending and unbending, especially if their minimum bend radius is large (several tens of centimeters), which often makes integrating cables into such antennas very complicated. Indeed, cables used with these antennas all have a minimum bend radius that must be respected. Bending them at a radius smaller than the specified minimum radius will lead to cable damage (breakage of conductors or insulating layers, for example).

[0005] Furthermore, the cables, due to their mass, introduce sway to the antenna, which generates antenna oscillation phenomena that are detrimental to transmissions and to the longevity of the antenna and cables, particularly at the level of their connections.

[0006] Patent CN209675870 discloses a support device for at least one cable of a telescopic antenna according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] The invention proposes a solution to the problem of integrating cables with a large minimum bend radius with a telescopic antenna. The invention thus provides a device that supports the cables during the deployment and retraction of the antenna while ensuring compliance with the minimum bend radii of the cables.

[0008] The invention also proposes to solve a problem of strength and longevity of cables for telescopic antennas.

[0009] The invention thus relates to a support device for at least one cable of a telescopic antenna, which support device comprises an arm having at least two sections articulated to each other by means of a hinge, a first end of the arm being intended to be made fixed by a first pivot joint to a fixed support receiving a foot of the antenna and a second end of the arm being intended to be made fixed to a head of the antenna by a second pivot joint so that the extension of the antenna unfolds the arm and the retraction of the antenna folds the arm, each section of the arm comprising at least one channel intended to contain at least one cable, a cable guidance means being located in the vicinity of the hinge so as to prevent movement of the cable(s) in a direction parallel to the axis of the hinge, at least one cable tensioning means being fixed to the second end of the arm,characterized in that the cable tensioning means may comprise at least one conduit arranged in the extension of a duct and having two successive sections with curves whose radii are at least equal to the minimum permissible radius of curvature for the cable(s), the two sections having opposite orientations, the conduit thus having an S-shape, a first section of conduit being intended to orient the cable(s) towards the antenna head when the arm is folded, and a second section of conduit having an open profile allowing the cable(s) to exit the second section of conduit to orient themselves freely towards the antenna head when the arm is in the folded position, the curvature of the second section of conduit also allowing the cable(s) to be tensioned when the arm is in the unfolded position.

[0010] Advantageously, the tensioning means may also include a drum intended to be made integral with the antenna head and having at least one curved profile with a radius at least equal to the minimum radius of curvature permissible by the cable or cables, a drum on which the cable or cables are wound according to the position of the antenna.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment, the cable guide means at the hinge may comprise two substantially vertical sides attached to a section of arm exiting the chute, sides arranged on either side of the cable(s) so as to channel it or them laterally while leaving them free to move vertically.

[0012] Advantageously, each section of the arm may include two parallel ducts, each receiving a cable.

[0013] The ducts in each section can then be spaced apart to provide space for positioning the antenna.

[0014] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description, a description made with reference to the appended drawings, drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a partial three-quarter rear right view of a vehicle carrying a telescopic antenna in the retracted position and a device according to the invention in the folded position. Fig. 2 ] represents a detailed three-quarter rear left view of a vehicle carrying a telescopic antenna in the retracted position and a device according to the invention in the folded position. Fig. 3 ] represents a partial view of a vehicle carrying a telescopic antenna in the extended position and a device according to the invention in the unfolded position. [ Fig. 4 ] represents a detailed view of a device according to the invention in the unfolded position.

[0015] According to the figure 1 , a military vehicle 100 carries a telescopic antenna 200 represented here in the retracted position, that is to say in the position where the distance between a foot 200a of the antenna 200 and a head 200b of the antenna 200 is the smallest.

[0016] The antenna 200 is attached to a support device 1 for cables 300, a device comprising an articulated arm 10 shown here in its folded position. The arm 10 has two sections 10a and 10b which are positioned parallel to each other, one above the other, and which are connected by a hinge 2 whose axis is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the antenna 200.

[0017] A first end 1a of the arm 10 is attached to the base 200a of the antenna 200 (or to a support attached to the vehicle 100 and carrying this antenna base 200a) by means of a first pivot joint 3a with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge 2.

[0018] A second end 1b of the arm 10 is fixed to the head 200b of the antenna 200 by means of a second pivot link 3b with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge 2.

[0019] Each section 10a and 10b of the arm 10 comprises two parallel channels 11, each with a closed profile extending along the length of each section 10a and 10b, from the pivot joint 3a or 3b to the vicinity of the hinge 2. Each channel 11 receives a separate cable 300. According to the embodiment of the figure 1 , two parallel cables 300 thus pass through two separate 11 conduits.

[0020] At the hinge 2, the arm 10 has a guide means 4 for each cable 300. These guide means 4 are here fixed to the lower section 10b of the arm 10. Each guide means 4 has a pair of flanks (or flat plates) 4a and 4b, parallel and located in the extension of the channels 11.

[0021] These sides 4a and 4b are essentially vertical and positioned on either side of the cable 300 exiting the conduit 11. The spacing between sides 4a and 4b is such that it allows the cables to be channeled laterally while leaving them free to move vertically. Thus, the cable 300 is free to adopt a radius of curvature that least constrains it when it is bent, as in the figure 1 in order to adapt to the bending angle between the two sections 10a and 10b of the arm 10.

[0022] According to the figure 3 The telescopic antenna 200 is in the extended position, that is, in the position where the distance between the base 200a of the antenna 200 and the head 200b of the antenna 200 is greatest. The transition from the retracted to the extended position is achieved by the vertical translation of the antenna head 200b. As this happens, the second pivot joint 3b, which connects the antenna head 200b to the second end 1b of the device 1, pulls the arm 10 upwards, causing the arm 10 to extend and move into the unfolded position.

[0023] The second end of arm 1b includes a means for tensioning cables 5 of 300.

[0024] The tensioning means 5 of the 300 cables is visible at figures 2 , 3 And 4. It comprises for each cable 300 a conduit 6 arranged in the extension of the chutes 11. Each conduit 6 has two successive portions 7 and 8 having bends of radii at least equal to the minimum bend radius admissible by the cables 300 so that they are not damaged by bending.

[0025] Sections 7 and 8 have opposite orientations to each other, so pipe 6 has an S-shape, as can be clearly seen in the figure 1 .

[0026] A first section 7 of conduit is intended to orient the 300 cable towards the antenna head when the arm is folded ( figures 1 And 2 ). A second section 8 of the pipe has an open profile (without a cover), as seen in figures 2 And 4. Thus this second portion 8 allows the cable 300 to exit the second portion 8 of conduit to orient itself freely towards the antenna head 200b when the arm 10 is in the folded position ( figures 1 And 2 ).

[0027] Furthermore, the curvature of the second section 8 of the conduit allows the cable 300 to be tensioned when the arm 10 is in the unfolded position ( figures 3 And 4 ).

[0028] Such arrangements make it possible both to guide the cable 300 in all positions of the arm 10 and to absorb the slack in the cable 300 when the arm 10 is in the unfolded position as in figures 3 And 4 .

[0029] The absorption of slack consists of tensioning the 300 cable to impose a path on it such that it cannot be slack.

[0030] The tensioning device 5 also includes a drum 9 attached to the antenna head 200b, which has a curved profile with a radius at least equal to the minimum permissible bending radius of the cable(s). The cable 300 winds around the drum 9, following a sector of varying size depending on the antenna's position.

[0031] The drum 9 may have sides 9a guiding the cable 300 laterally.

[0032] We note therefore that the absorption of the slack in the cable 300 is continuous, the cable 300 being partly curved around the drum 9 when the arm 10 is folded or curved around the second portion 8 of the conduit 6 when the arm 10 is in the folded position.

[0033] In all intermediate positions of the arm, when the arm 10 unfolds, the cable 300 unwinds from the drum 9 and simultaneously winds in comparable proportions at the level of the second portion 8 of the conduit, and conversely when the arm 10 folds.

[0034] Such an arrangement advantageously protects the cables from mechanical stresses due to antenna deployment during transport or during antenna use in intermediate positions before full deployment.

[0035] Thus, the support device 1 according to the invention allows large cross-section cables (between 40 and 100 mm in diameter) to not be damaged.

[0036] As previously mentioned, each section 10a and 10b of the arm therefore comprises two parallel channels 11, each receiving a 300 cable. This arrangement provides support for two separate 300 cables, one supplying power to the antenna, for example, and the other transmitting or receiving signals. This design also allows sections 10a and 10b of the arm to be constructed as a welded steel structure with a degree of rigidity, thus improving the antenna's strength.

[0037] The invention thus provides rigidity to the antenna 200 in its raised position, reducing the stress on the antenna from forces oriented parallel to the axes of the pivot joints 3a and 3b. These forces are absorbed by sections 10a and 10b of the arm 10 and the hinges 2 and pivot joints 3a and 3b. The figures also show that the parallel channels 11 of each arm 10a and 10b are spaced to create a gap in which the antenna 200 is positioned.

[0038] This symmetry of the arms and cables on either side of the antenna makes it possible to balance the forces undergone by the antenna, which is therefore not subjected to bending stress due to the support device 1. This assembly also makes it possible to minimize the effect of the wind suffered by the antenna.

Claims

1. - A support device (1) for at least one cable (300) of a telescopic antenna (200), which support device (1) includes an arm (10) comprising at least two sections (10a, 10b) hinged together by means of a hinge (2), a first end of the arm (1a) being intended to be secured by a first pivot connection (3a) to a fixed support receiving a foot (200a) of the antenna and a second end (1b) of the arm (10) being intended to be secured to a head (200b) of the antenna (200) by a second pivot connection (3b), so that extending the antenna (200) unfolds the arm (10) and retracting the antenna (200) folds back the arm (10), each section (10a, 10b) of the arm (10) comprising at least one trough (11) intended to contain at least one cable (300), a means (4) for guiding the cable or cables (300) being located in the vicinity of the hinge (2) so as to prevent movement of the cable or cables (300) in a direction parallel to the axis of the hinge (2), at least one means (5) for tensioning the cable or cables (300) being secured to the second end (1b) of the arm (10), characterised in that the means (5) for tensioning the cable or cables (300) comprises at least one duct (6) arranged in the extension of a trough (11) and presenting two successive portions (7, 8) having bends the radii of which are at least equal to the minimum bend radius allowed by the cable or cables (300), the two portions (7, 8) having orientations opposite to one another, the duct (6) thus having an S shape, a first portion (7) of the duct being intended to orientate the cable or cables (300) towards the head (200a) of the antenna (200) when the arm (10) is folded, and a second portion (8) of the duct (6) having an open profile allowing the cable or cables (300) to emerge from the second portion (8) of the duct (6) to freely orientate towards the head (200a) of the antenna (200) when the arm (10) is in the folded position, the bending of the second portion (8) of the duct (6) furthermore allowing the cable or cables (300) to be tensioned when the arm (10) is in the unfolded position.

2. - The support device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (5) for tensioning comprises a drum (9) intended to be secured to the head of the antenna (200), comprising at least one curved profile (9) with a radius at least equal to the minimum bend radius allowed by the cable or cables (300), and on which the cable or cables (300) wind depending on the position of the antenna (200).

3. - The support device (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the means (4) for guiding the cable or cables (300) at the hinge (2) comprises two substantially vertical sidewalls (4a, 4b) secured to a section (10a) of the arm (10) at the outlet of the trough (11), these sidewalls (4a, 4b) being arranged on either side of the cable or cables (300) so as to direct it or them laterally while leaving them free to move vertically.

4. - The support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each section (10a, 10b) of the arm comprises two parallel troughs (11) each receiving a cable (300).

5. - The support device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the troughs (11) of each section (10a, 10b) are spaced apart by a distance providing a space intended to allow positioning of the antenna (200).