Antenna mounting device, assembly and associated public transport vehicle

Abstract

Antenna mounting device, assembly, and associated public transport vehicle. 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. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Antenna mounting device, assembly and associated public transport vehicle

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

[0002] Antennas are frequently used to enable 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 chassis, specifically under the chassis.

[0003] To ensure optimal communication between the antenna and the corresponding ground device, the antenna must be attached to the vehicle in a very controlled manner to ensure optimal positioning, since the transmitted information is often crucial for the safe operation of the transmission network. Consequently, the antenna's positioning is optimized through a testing and adjustment phase, which can last several hours, to verify that the communication is sufficient for reliable information transfer.

[0004] 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 work on 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 located behind it. Furthermore, it is then necessary to repeat the testing phase to precisely reposition the antenna.

[0005] 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 vehicles of the prior art.

[0006] This goal is achieved using a fixing device for an antenna, intended to be fixed to an underside of a public transport vehicle, the fixing device comprising a base and a support, the base being configured to be fixed to the underside, the support being configured to support the antenna and to be fixed jointly to the antenna and the base, the support being movable in rotation relative to the base between a first position and a second position.

[0007] 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.

[0008] According to advantageous but not mandatory embodiments, the fastening device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0009] - the support comprises a first support element fixed to the base and movable in rotation relative to it and a second support element configured to support the antenna and attached to the first support element;

[0010] - the first and second support elements are configured to allow the fixing the second support element to the first support element in a plurality of fixing positions, a distance between the lower face and the second support element being defined for each fixing position when the support is in the first position, the distance of at least one fixing position being different from the distance of at least one other fixing position;

[0011] - a support element from among the first and second support elements includes at least one first hole, the other support element among the first and the second support element having a plurality of second holes, at least two second holes being arranged at different distances from the underside when the support is in the first position, the first and second support elements being fixed to each other by at least one fixing element received jointly in the first hole and in one of the second holes;

[0012] - the base comprises at least one arm extending substantially horizontally when the base is fixed to the lower face, the arm having a top face when the base is fixed to the lower face, each top face having a depression extending along an axis of rotation of the support, the support having at least one pivoting element extending along the axis of rotation and accommodated in the depression, the pivoting element being configured to guide the support in rotation relative to the base;

[0013] - the fastening device further comprises at least one locking element configured to keep the support in the first position;

[0014] - an angular displacement between the first position and the second position is between 45 degrees and 90 degrees, in particular equal to 60 degrees;

[0015] Also proposed is an assembly comprising a fixing device as previously described and an antenna configured to be fixed to the support.

[0016] According to an advantageous but not mandatory embodiment, the assembly comprises the following feature:

[0017] - when the support is in the first position, the antenna extends perpendicularly slightly in a vertical direction of the vehicle

[0018] A public transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, equipped with a fastening device as previously described, or with an assembly as previously described, is also proposed.

[0019] Some 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:

[0020] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a view of an assembly comprising an antenna and a device of fixation according to the invention, comprising a base and a support movable relative to the base, the support being in a first position, and

[0021] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an overall view of [Fig.1], the support being in a second position.

[0022] An example of assembly 10 is shown in [Fig.1].

[0023] The assembly 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Three directions X, Y, and Z, perpendicular to each other, are defined for the vehicle. The Z direction is a vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal surface. The X and Y directions are then horizontal directions. In particular, the Y direction is an extension direction of the vehicle, along 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 variation.

[0026] The assembly 10 is fixed under the vehicle, in particular under the chassis or under the bodywork. In particular, the assembly 10 is fixed to an underside of the vehicle, in particular of the chassis or the bodywork, that is to say to a side of the vehicle, chassis or bodywork that faces the ground when the vehicle is moving.

[0027] The assembly 10 includes a fastening device 15 and an antenna 20.

[0028] The fastening device 15 is configured to be fixed under the vehicle, in particular to the aforementioned lower face of the vehicle to fix the antenna 20 to the vehicle.

[0029] The fastening device 15 comprises a base 25 and a support 30.

[0030] The 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 a plastic material.

[0031] The base 25 is configured to be fixed under the vehicle, in particular on the aforementioned lower face.

[0032] 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 maintain the support 30 and the antenna 20 in position relative to the rest of the vehicle.

[0033] The base 25 comprises, for example, an attachment portion 35 and at least one arm 40A, 40B, for example two arms 40A, 40B, in particular four arms 40A, 40B, two of which are visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0034] 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 direction Z. The attachment portion 35 is, for example, fixed to this underside by one or more screws.

[0035] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base 25 consists of three parts 45, 50 and 55, however the number of parts constituting the base 25 may vary, for example if the base 25 is a single piece.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the parts 45, 50 and 55 are each obtained by cutting and / or bending a sheet of metal and assembled together so as to form a rigid base 25.

[0037] Parts 45 and 55 are offset from each other along the direction X, and part 50 is interposed between these parts 45 and 55 along the direction X and fixed jointly to these two parts 45, 55 to secure them.

[0038] Parts 45 and 55 are, for example, mirror images of each other with respect to a plane parallel to the Z and Y directions.

[0039] 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.

[0040] In the example shown, each arm 40A, 40B is formed from the material 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.

[0041] Each arm 40A, 40B extends along the Y direction from one end of the attachment portion 35.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, each part 45 or 55 comprises an arm 40A and an arm 40B.

[0043] 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.

[0044] Each arm 40A, 40B is, for example, formed by a vertical portion extending along the Y direction of the corresponding part 45, 55.

[0045] Each arm 40A has an upper face delimiting the arm 40A along the vertical direction Z and directed towards the lower face of the vehicle.

[0046] Each arm 40A has a cavity or depression 43 extending along the X direction.

[0047] For example, each arm 40A has, on its upper face, a depression 43 extending along the direction X, in particular opening onto each of the faces of the arm 40A delimiting the arm 40A along the direction X.

[0048] 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.

[0049] The support 30 has, in particular, a fixing face to which the antenna 20 is fixed, for example screwed, and which extends perpendicularly to the direction Z when the support 30 is in the first position, as seen in [Fig.1].

[0050] 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 direction X.

[0051] The support 30 is in the first position on [Fig.1], and in the second position on [Fig.2].

[0052] An angular displacement between the first position and the second position is between 45 degrees (°) and 90°, in particular equal to 60°.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] Each first support element 60 is configured to be fixed to the base 25 and to be movable in rotation relative to the base 25 around the axis A.

[0056] Each first support element 60 is, for example, formed by a cut and bent sheet metal.

[0057] Each first support element 60 has, for example, a vertical portion 80 and a fixing portion 85.

[0058] Each vertical portion 80 extends in a plane perpendicular to the direction X.

[0059] In particular, the two vertical portions 60 are each supported against a part 45, 55, the two vertical portions 80 being for example interposed between the two pieces 45 and 55 along the X direction.

[0060] Each fastening portion 85 is configured to be fixed to the lower face or to another element attached thereto when the support 30 is in the first position, for example by one or more screws 90, so as to maintain the support 30 in the first position.

[0061] 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.

[0062] Each pivoting element 65 extends along the axis A.

[0063] Each pivoting element 65 is integral with, for example welded to, one of the first support elements 60.

[0064] Each pivoting element 65 is, for example, a pawl.

[0065] Each pivoting element 65 is accommodated in the cavity or depression 43 of a corresponding 40A arm.

[0066] In particular, each pivoting element 65 is supported by the corresponding arm 40A, in particular 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 support 30 and the antenna 20.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] Each second support element 70 is jointly fixed 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 about the axis A.

[0070] The antenna 20 is, for example, screwed, bolted or glued to every second support element 70.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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 complementary 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 complementary 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.

[0073] 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 direction Y, 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.

[0074] The through holes 95 are, for example, arranged in a staggered pattern in a plane perpendicular to the direction X, for example forming a two-dimensional network with a triangular or hexagonal mesh, as shown in the figures.

[0075] A vertical offset between two neighboring through holes 95 is, for example, between 2 millimeters (mm) and 10 mm, in particular equal to 5 mm.

[0076] For the second support element 70, a distance is defined, along the direction Z, 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.

[0077] The distance varies from one fixing position to at least one other. For example, two or more of the holes 95 are located at different distances from the underside when the bracket 30 is in the first position.

[0078] Alternatively, each screw 100 can be replaced by another type of fastener for connecting elements 60 and 70 to each other. Furthermore, other methods for varying the respective positions of these elements 60 and 70 while still allowing them to be joined together can be considered, for example, a slide combined with clamping means.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] The antenna 20 is configured to communicate with a device external to the vehicle, in particular while the vehicle is moving. The external device is, for example, located between the rails of a railway track.

[0083] The antenna 20 is configured to transmit and / or receive information via a set of electromagnetic waves.

[0084] The antenna 20 extends, when the support 30 is in the first position, substantially perpendicular to the direction Z, for example to within 10° or less.

[0085] For example, the antenna 20 is substantially parallelepiped-shaped. The antenna 20 is, in particular, fixed at each of its corners to the support 30, so as to limit potential interference between the support 30 and the emitted or received waves.

[0086] 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.

[0087] The rotating support, relative to the base, allows access to the space behind the antenna by rotating the antenna on its support without dismantling it. This rotation ensures that the antenna is returned to its initial position, thus eliminating the need to repeat a tedious and lengthy testing and adjustment phase to achieve the same degree of accuracy in antenna positioning as before the rotation. Consequently, vehicle maintenance time is reduced when work is required on a device located behind the antenna 20.

[0088] The two elements 60 and 70 allow for optimizing the positioning of the antenna 20 relative to the rest of the vehicle and the device with which the antenna 20 communicates. The ability to modify the distance between the elements 70 and the underside of the vehicle makes it possible, in particular, to modify the distance between the antenna 20 and this device when it is positioned under the vehicle during its movement, and thus ensure good communication.

[0089] A plurality of holes 95 arranged at different distances from the lower face allows in particular the element 70 to be fixed at various heights easily and permanently by means of one or more fixing elements.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The locking element(s) 75 allow the support to be held in position 30 compared to the base 25 and thus ensure the reliability of the communication.

Claims

Claims

1. A rail transit vehicle equipped with a fixing device (15) for an antenna (20), fixed to an underside of a rail transit vehicle, the underside facing the ground when the vehicle is traveling, the fixing device (15) comprising a base (25) and a support (30), the base (25) being configured to be fixed to the underside, the support (30) being configured to support the antenna (20) and to be fixed jointly to the antenna (20) and to the base (25), the support (30) being rotatable 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 one other of which allows rotation of the support (30) relative to the base (25).,

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support (30) comprises a first support element (60) fixed to the base (25) and rotatable relative thereto and a second support element (70) configured to support the antenna (20) and fixed to the first support element (60).

3. A vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the first and second support members (60, 70) are configured to allow attachment of the second support member (70) to the first support member (60) in a plurality of attachment positions, a distance between the underside and the second support member (70) being defined for each attachment position when the support (30) is in the first position, the distance of at least one attachment position being different from the distance of at least one other attachment position.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein one of the first and second support members (60, 70) has at least one first hole, the other of the first and second support members (60, 70) having a plurality of second holes (95), at least two second holes (95) being arranged at different distances from the underside when the support (30) is in the first position, the first and second support members (60, 70) being fixed to each other by at least one second hole (95). at least one fixing element (100) jointly received in the first hole and in one of the second holes (95).

5. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (25) comprises at least one arm (40A) extending substantially horizontally when the base (25) is fixed to the lower face, the arm (45) having an upper face when the base (25) is fixed 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 pivoting element (65) extending along the axis of rotation (A) and received in the depression (43), the pivoting element (65) being configured to guide the support (30) in rotation relative to the base (25).

6. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an angular movement between the first position and the second position is between 45 degrees and 90 degrees, in particular equal to 60 degrees.

7. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle is equipped with an assembly (10) comprising the attachment device (15) and an antenna (20) configured to be attached to the support (30).

8. A vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, when the support (30) is in the first position, the antenna (20) extends perpendicular to a vertical direction (Z) of the vehicle.

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