Antenna mounting device, related assembly and public transport vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mounting device (15) for an antenna (20), intended to be attached to the underside of a public transport vehicle. The mounting device (15) comprises a base (25) and a support. The base (25) is configured to be attached to the underside, the support being configured to support the antenna (20) and to be attached jointly to the antenna (20) and the base (25). The support is rotatable relative to the base (25) between a first position and a second position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rail public transport vehicle equipped with a device for attaching an antenna to the vehicle chassis. The present invention also relates to a public transport vehicle equipped with an assembly comprising such a attachment device and an antenna.

[0002] Documents CN 204 775 290, US 2014 / 270927, US 2001 / 045913, FR 2 983 357 and CN 103 378 403 disclose examples of vehicle antenna mounting devices.

[0003] Antennas are frequently used to allow a vehicle to exchange information with devices located near the vehicle while it is moving. In particular, in public transport systems such as rail or road networks, these devices are positioned close to the ground along the traffic lanes, and the corresponding antennas are therefore attached to the lower part of the vehicle's chassis, specifically underneath the chassis.

[0004] To ensure optimal communication between the antenna and the corresponding ground-based device, the antenna must be very precisely attached to the vehicle for optimal positioning, as the transmitted information is often critical for the safe operation of the transport network. Consequently, the antenna's positioning is optimized through a testing and adjustment phase, which can last several hours, to verify that the communication signal is sufficient for reliable data transfer.

[0005] However, the antenna is generally mounted near other devices and equipment installed on the vehicle, restricting access to them since, by its very nature, the antenna must be positioned on the exterior of the vehicle. Consequently, when it is necessary to service one of these devices, the presence of the antenna makes the work difficult, as it is often necessary to remove it to access the equipment behind it. Furthermore, it is then necessary to repeat the testing phase to precisely reposition the antenna.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a vehicle with an antenna, which requires less time-consuming interventions during its maintenance or modification and whose availability is therefore greater than that of state-of-the-art vehicles.

[0007] This goal is achieved using a rail public transport vehicle according to claim 1.

[0008] Indeed, the mobile support rotating relative to the base allows access to the space located behind the antenna, by rotating the latter on its support without dismantling it, while ensuring that the antenna is returned by the same rotation to its initial position and that it is therefore not necessary to repeat a tedious and long testing and adjustment phase to obtain the same degree of precision on the positioning of the antenna as before the rotation.

[0009] According to advantageous but not mandatory embodiments, the fastening device may be according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

[0010] Also offered is a set comprising a mounting device as previously described and an antenna configured to be attached to the support.

[0011] According to an advantageous but not mandatory embodiment, the assembly includes the following characteristic: When the mount is in the first position, the antenna extends perpendicularly in a vertical direction from the vehicle.

[0012] A public transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, equipped with a fastening device as previously described, or an assembly as previously described, is also proposed, with the underside of said vehicle facing the ground when the vehicle is in motion.

[0013] Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 is a view of an assembly comprising an antenna and a mounting device according to the invention, comprising a base and a support movable relative to the base, the support being in a first position, and [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is an overview of the figure 1 , the support being in second position.

[0014] An example of set 10 is shown on the figure 1 .

[0015] The set 10 is, for example, carried in a public transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle such as a locomotive or a passenger or freight transport car.

[0016] The vehicle comprises, in a manner known per se, a chassis supporting a body and / or vehicle propulsion means such as an engine. For example, the chassis is supported by a set of wheels, in particular by one or more bogies. Alternatively, the wheels are mounted directly to the chassis without using an intermediate bogie.

[0017] Three perpendicular directions, X, Y, and Z, are defined for the vehicle. The Z direction is vertical when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal surface. The X and Y directions are then horizontal. In particular, the Y direction is the direction in which the vehicle is intended to move. However, it should be noted that the orientation of the X and Y directions in the horizontal plane, relative to the rest of the vehicle, is subject to change.

[0018] Assembly 10 is fixed under the vehicle, in particular under the chassis or under the body. In particular, assembly 10 is fixed to an underside of the vehicle, in particular the chassis or the body, that is to say to a side of the vehicle, chassis or body that faces the ground when the vehicle is moving.

[0019] The assembly 10 includes a fixing device 15 and an antenna 20.

[0020] The mounting device 15 is configured to be fixed under the vehicle, specifically to the aforementioned lower face of the vehicle to fix the antenna 20 to the vehicle.

[0021] The fixing device 15 comprises a base 25 and a support 30.

[0022] Base 25 is made of a metallic material, for example steel, but alternatively can be made of one or more different material(s), for example plastic.

[0023] Base 25 is configured to be fixed under the vehicle, specifically on the aforementioned lower face.

[0024] The base 25 is configured to exert on the support 30 a force tending to oppose the weight of the support 30 and the antenna 20, so as to keep the support 30 and the antenna 20 in position relative to the rest of the vehicle.

[0025] The base 25 includes, for example, a 35 attachment portion and at least one 40A, 40B arm, for example two 40A, 40B arms, in particular four 40A, 40B arms, two of which are visible on the figures 1 And 2 .

[0026] The attachment portion 35 connects the arm(s) 40A, 40B to the underside of the vehicle to hold the arm(s) 40A, 40B in position relative to the rest of the vehicle. The attachment portion 35 is interposed between the arm(s) 40A, 40B and this underside in the Z direction. The attachment portion 35 is, for example, fixed to this underside by one or more screws.

[0027] According to the embodiment shown on the figures 1 And 2 , base 25 consists of three pieces 45, 50 and 55, however the number of pieces constituting base 25 is likely to vary, for example if base 25 is a single piece.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, parts 45, 50 and 55 are each obtained by cutting and / or bending a sheet of metal and assembled together to form a rigid base 25.

[0029] Parts 45 and 55 are offset from each other along the X direction, and part 50 is interposed between these parts 45 and 55 along the X direction and fixed jointly to these two parts 45, 55 to secure them.

[0030] Parts 45 and 55 are, for example, mirror images of each other with respect to a plane parallel to the Z and Y directions.

[0031] Each of the parts 45, 55 is fixed to the underside of the vehicle at one of its ends, the other end being connected to two arms 40A, 40B.

[0032] In the example shown, each arm 40A, 40B is formed from the material along with the attachment portion 35. For example, each part 45, 55 comprises two arms 40A, 40B. However, embodiments in which each arm 40A, 40B is formed by an independent part attached to the attachment portion 35 are also conceivable.

[0033] Each arm 40A, 40B extends along the Y direction from one end of the attachment portion 35.

[0034] In the embodiment shown, each part 45 or 55 comprises an arm 40A and an arm 40B.

[0035] Each arm 40A extends in a first direction along the Y direction, and each arm 40B extends in the opposite direction along the Y direction. Thus, the two arms 40A are opposite each other along the X direction, as are the two arms 40B.

[0036] Each arm 40A, 40B is, for example, formed by a vertical portion extending along the Y direction of the corresponding part 45, 55.

[0037] Each arm 40A has a top face delimiting the arm 40A along the vertical direction Z and directed towards the bottom face of the vehicle.

[0038] Each arm 40A has a cavity or depression 43 extending along the X direction.

[0039] For example, each arm 40A has, on its upper face, a depression 43 extending along the X direction, notably opening onto each of the faces of the arm 40A delimiting the arm 40A along the X direction.

[0040] The support 30 is configured to support the antenna 20, that is to say to exert on the antenna 20 a force opposing the weight of the antenna 20, and to be fixed jointly to the antenna 20 at the base 25.

[0041] The support 30 has, in particular, a mounting face to which the antenna 20 is attached, for example screwed, and which extends perpendicularly to the Z direction when the support 30 is in the first position, as visible on the figure 1 .

[0042] The support 30 is mobile in rotation relative to the base 25 between a first position and a second position around an axis A extending along the X direction.

[0043] The 30 support level is in the first position on the figure 1 , and in second position on the figure 2 .

[0044] An angular displacement between the first position and the second position is between 45 degrees (°) and 90°, in particular equal to 60°.

[0045] The support 30 comprises at least one first support element 60, at least one pivoting element 65, at least one second support element 70 and at least one locking element 75.

[0046] In the example shown, two separate support elements 60 are present, however this number may vary, for example if a single support element 60 is present.

[0047] Each first support element 60 is configured to be fixed to the base 25 and to be mobile in rotation relative to the base 25 around the axis A.

[0048] Each first support element 60 is, for example, formed by a cut and bent sheet metal.

[0049] Each first support element 60 has, for example, a vertical portion 80 and a fixing portion 85.

[0050] Each vertical portion 80 extends in a plane perpendicular to the X direction.

[0051] In particular, the two vertical portions 60 are each supported against a piece 45, 55, the two vertical portions 80 being for example interposed between the two pieces 45 and 55 along the X direction.

[0052] Each fixing portion 85 is configured to be fixed to the underside or to another element attached to it when the support 30 is in the first position, for example by one or more screws 90, so as to hold the support 30 in the first position.

[0053] The pivoting element(s) 65 is / are configured to guide the support 30 in rotation, and in particular the first support element(s) 60, around the axis A, and therefore has a rotational symmetry around the axis A over at least part of its length.

[0054] Each pivoting element 65 extends along axis A.

[0055] Each pivoting element 65 is integral with, for example welded to, one of the first support elements 60.

[0056] Each pivoting element 65 is, for example, a pawn.

[0057] Each pivoting element 65 is accommodated in the cavity or depression 43 of a corresponding arm 40A.

[0058] In particular, each pivoting element 65 is supported by the corresponding arm 40A, notably by the walls of the depression 43 or cavity in which it is housed, so as to rest on the arm 40A to support the bracket 30 and the antenna 20.

[0059] Alternatively, a single pivoting element 65 fixed jointly to the first two support elements 60 is present and jointly accommodated in the two depressions 43 or cavities of the two arms 40A.

[0060] According to the example shown, two second support elements 70 are present, however variants in which these two elements are combined, for example by adding to the parts 70 shown in the figures a part joining these parts 70 to form a single second support element, are also conceivable.

[0061] Each second support element 70 is fixed jointly to the antenna 20 and to a first support element 60 to which it is integral. Thus, the second support element 70 (or the two support elements jointly) cooperate with the first support element(s) 60 in order to support the antenna 20 and guide it in rotation around the axis A.

[0062] The antenna 20 is, for example, screwed, bolted or glued to every second support element 70.

[0063] Each second support element 70 is configured to cooperate with the corresponding first support element 60 to allow the second support element 70 to be fixed in a plurality of different fixing positions to the first support element.

[0064] For example, one of the second support element 70 and the first support element 60 (the second support element 70 in the embodiment shown) has a plurality of through holes 95, the other of the second support element 70 and the first support element 60 having one or more additional hole(s), thus allowing the positioning of the second support element 70 in a plurality of fixing positions by selecting one or the other of the plurality of through holes 95 to receive a screw 100 received jointly in this hole and in the additional hole and held in position by a nut 105 so as to clamp the elements 60 and 70 between the head of the screw and the nut.

[0065] Such sets of through holes 95 are for example provided at two ends of the second support element 70, delimiting this element 70 in the Y direction, so as to provide two fixing points of the element 70 to the corresponding element 60 by two screws 100, and thus four fixing points in total of the set of second support elements 70.

[0066] The through holes 95 are, for example, arranged in a staggered pattern in a plane perpendicular to the X direction, for example forming a two-dimensional network with a triangular or hexagonal mesh, as shown in the figures.

[0067] A vertical offset between two neighboring through holes is, for example, between 2 millimeters (mm) and 10 mm, in particular equal to 5 mm.

[0068] For the second support element 70, a distance is defined, along the Z direction, between the lower face of the vehicle and the second support element 70 when the second support element is in a fixed position and the support 30 is in the first position.

[0069] The distance varies from one fixing position to at least one other. For example, two or more of the 95 holes are located at different distances from the underside when the bracket 30 is in the first position.

[0070] Alternatively, each screw 100 can be replaced by another type of fastener for connecting elements 60 and 70. Furthermore, other methods for varying the relative positions of these elements 60 and 70 while still allowing them to be secured together can be considered, for example, a slide combined with clamping means.

[0071] Each locking element 75 is configured to hold the support 30 in the first position. Each locking element 75 is, moreover, removable or switchable between at least two configurations, one of which holds the support 30 in the first position and at least one other of which allows the support 30 to rotate relative to the base 25.

[0072] For example, each locking element 75 is a bolt received jointly in two holes of the base 25 and the support 30 when the support 30 is in the first position.

[0073] According to the example shown in the figures, the locking elements 75 are, for example, four in number, each being received in corresponding holes of the support 30 and of a respective arm 40A, 40B.

[0074] Antenna 20 is configured to communicate with a device external to the vehicle, particularly while the vehicle is moving. The external device is, for example, located between the rails of a railway track.

[0075] Antenna 20 is configured to transmit and / or receive information via a set of electromagnetic waves.

[0076] The antenna 20 extends, when the support 30 is in the first position, substantially perpendicular to the Z direction, for example to within 10° or less.

[0077] For example, antenna 20 is essentially parallelepiped-shaped. Antenna 20 is, in particular, fixed at each of its corners to support 30, so as to limit potential interference between support 30 and the emitted or received waves.

[0078] In particular, the antenna 20 has an active face 110 interposed between the ground and the electromagnetic wave transmission / reception element(s) of the antenna 20, this active face being substantially perpendicular to the Z direction when the support 30 is in the first position.

[0079] The rotating mobile support allows access to the space behind the antenna by pivoting it on its support without dismantling it. This ensures that the antenna is returned to its initial position by the same rotation, eliminating the need for a lengthy and tedious testing and adjustment phase to achieve the same level of antenna positioning accuracy as before the rotation. Consequently, vehicle maintenance time is reduced when working on a device located behind the antenna.

[0080] The two elements 60 and 70 optimize the positioning of antenna 20 relative to the rest of the vehicle and the device with which antenna 20 communicates. The ability to adjust the distance between elements 70 and the underside of the vehicle allows, in particular, for adjustments to the distance between antenna 20 and this device when it is positioned under the vehicle during movement, thus ensuring reliable communication.

[0081] A plurality of holes 95 arranged at different distances from the underside allows the element 70 to be fixed easily and permanently at various heights by means of one or more fixing elements.

[0082] The use of an arm 40A having a depression 43 on its upper face allows the support 30 to be positioned precisely on the base 25, by placing the support on the base 25 so that the pivoting element(s) 65 are each accommodated in the corresponding depression(s) 43.

[0083] The locking element(s) 75 allow the support 30 to be held in position relative to the base 25 and thus ensure the reliability of the communication.

Claims

1. A railway public transport vehicle equipped with an assembly (10) comprising an antenna (20) and a fastening device (15) for the antenna (20), the fastening device (15) being fastened to a lower face of the public transport vehicle, the lower face facing the ground when the vehicle is running, the fastening device (15) comprising a base (25) and a support (30), the base (25) being configured to be fastened to the lower face, the support (30) being configured to support the antenna (20) and to be fastened to both the antenna (20) and the base (25), the antenna (20) being configured to be fastened to the support (30), the support (30) being movable in rotation relative to the base (25) between a first position and a second position, wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one locking element (75) configured to hold the support (30) in the first position, each locking element (75) being removable or switchable between at least two configurations one of which holds the support (30) in the first position and at least another one allows rotation of the support (30) relative to the base (25).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support (30) comprises a first support element (60) fastened to the base (25) and movable in rotation relative to the latter and a second support element (70) configured to support the antenna (20) and fastened to the first support element (60).

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the first and second support element (60, 70) are configured to enable fastening of the second support element (70) to the first support element (60) in a plurality of fastening positions, a distance between the lower face and the second support element (70) being defined for each fastening position when the support (30) is in the first position, the distance of at least one fastening position being different from the distance of at least one other fastening position.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein a support element (60, 70) among the first and second support elements (60, 70) comprises at least one first hole, the other support element (60, 70) among the first and second support elements (60, 70) comprising a plurality of second holes (95), at least two second holes (95) being disposed at different distances from the lower face when the support (30) is in the first position, the first and second support elements (60, 70) being fastened to one another by at least one fastening element (100) jointly accommodated in the first hole and in one of the second holes (95).

5. The vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (25) comprises at least one arm (40A) extending substantially horizontally when the base (25) is fastened to the lower face, the arm (45) having an upper face when the base (25) is fastened to the lower face, each upper face comprising a depression (43) extending along an axis (A) of rotation of the support (30), the support (30) comprising at least one pivot element (65) extending along the axis of rotation (A) and accommodated in the depression (43), the pivot element (65) being configured to rotatably guide the support (30) relative to the base (25).

6. The vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an angular travel between the first position and the second position is between 45 degrees and 90 degrees, in particular equal to 60 degrees.

7. The vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the support (30) is in the first position, the antenna (20) extends perpendicularly to a vertical direction (Z) of the vehicle.

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