Tilt and direction sensing device and antenna assembly using the same

Abstract

A tilt and orientation sensing device is provided. [Solution] The tilt and orientation sensing device includes a dome structure including a spherical surface, and a ductile circuit board configured to surround at least a portion of the spherical surface, the ductile circuit board including a plurality of optical sensors configured to measure the amount of sunlight, and is characterized in that when the ductile circuit board is positioned on the spherical surface, the plurality of optical sensors face different directions from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inclination and direction sensing device and an antenna assembly using the same.

Background Art

[0002] The content described in this part merely provides background information of the present disclosure and does not constitute the prior art.

[0003] The installation position of an appropriate antenna is determined according to the results of network design. The appropriate tilt angle and directivity angle of the antenna are designed considering the vertical up / down tilt of the antenna beam and the sector directivity angle in the horizontal direction. Tests are conducted to optimize the tilt angle and directivity angle so that the installed antenna conforms to the radio wave environment of the site.

[0004] Since the radio signals in the 5G 3.5 GHz frequency band have strong radio wave straightness, it is possible to obtain the planned service coverage only by installing the antenna with a pre-designed antenna azimuth angle, and it is also possible to design and optimize with consistent indicators even during future expansion. As the frequency band becomes higher, minimizing the azimuth error becomes more important.

[0005] The tilt angle and directivity angle of the antenna need to be readjusted according to changes in the radio environment, etc. The inclination of the mast on which the antenna is installed may change due to the influence of external environments such as strong winds, or the clamp for connecting the antenna and the mast may roll over horizontally.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment uses sunlight to acquire the three-dimensional tilt angle of equipment such as antennas, and by allowing immediate confirmation of whether the current direction of the equipment matches the original design intent, the ease of maintenance of the equipment can be improved.

[0007] In one embodiment, a tilt and direction sensing device can be configured to arrange a ductile circuit board containing multiple optical sensors within a dome structure.

[0008] The problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by an ordinary person from the description below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a tilt and direction sensing device is provided which includes a dome structure including a sphere and a plurality of light sensors configured to measure the amount of sunlight, and a ductile circuit board configured to surround at least a portion of the sphere, wherein, with the ductile circuit board placed on the sphere, the plurality of light sensors face in different directions from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one embodiment, the tilt and direction sensing device utilizes sunlight, providing highly reliable measurement results and offering the advantage of providing a low-cost tilt and direction sensing device.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the tilt and direction sensing device can be improved in productivity by arranging a ductile circuit board containing multiple optical sensors within a dome structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an antenna assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of a tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view of a cover member of a tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a top view of a ductile circuit board of a tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to illustrative drawings. Note that, in assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, efforts have been made to ensure that identical components have the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, if a detailed explanation of a related known configuration or function is deemed to obscure the gist of this disclosure, such detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0014] In describing the components of the embodiments described herein, reference numerals such as 1st, 2nd, i), ii), a), b), etc., may be used. Such reference numerals are used to distinguish a component from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component in question. When a part of this specification says that a component "includes" or "companies" a component, this means that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it may include other components rather than excluding them.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an antenna assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, the antenna assembly 1 of the present disclosure includes all or part of a tilt and direction detecting apparatus 11 and an antenna apparatus 12.

[0017] The tilt and direction detecting apparatus 11 is fixed to the antenna apparatus 12 to measure the three-dimensional spatial direction information of the antenna apparatus 12 in real time. Based on the three-dimensional spatial direction information, the antenna assembly 1 remotely monitors and controls the direction of the antenna apparatus 12.

[0018] The tilt and direction detecting apparatus 11 includes all or part of an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensor, a plurality of optical sensors, a GPS module, and a camera module.

[0019] The IMU sensor measures the tilt and roll of the antenna apparatus 12. The plurality of optical sensors measure the incident angle of sunlight. The GPS module measures the latitude and longitude of the current position where the tilt and direction detecting apparatus 11 is installed. Further, the GPS module provides calendar information regarding the date and time when the output information is received. The tilt and direction detecting apparatus 11 calculates the absolute horizontal azimuth information of the antenna apparatus 12 using one or more of the information measured by the plurality of optical sensors, the IMU sensor, and the GPS module. The camera module captures the foreground toward which the antenna apparatus 12 where the tilt and direction detecting apparatus 11 is installed is directed, or generates image or video data.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tilt and direction detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a tilt and direction detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tilt and direction detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the tilt and direction detection device 11 includes all or part of a dome structure 111, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 112, a cover member 113, and a main board 114.

[0024] The dome structure 111 includes a spherical surface 1111 and a through hole 1112. The spherical surface 1111 includes a plurality of support surfaces 1111a, and the base portion 1121 of the flexible printed circuit board 112 is disposed on each support surface 1111a.

[0025] The spherical surface 1111 of the dome structure 111 is composed of a number of polyhedrons, such as circular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or combinations thereof. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the spherical surface 1111 of the dome structure 111 may have a curved surface shape as a whole.

[0026] The flexible printed circuit board 112 surrounds at least a part of the spherical surface 1111 of the dome structure 111. The flexible printed circuit board 112 includes a base portion 1121, and a light sensor 1121a for receiving sunlight is disposed on the base portion 1121. The structure of the flexible printed circuit board 112 will be described in detail below.

[0027] The tilt and direction sensing device 11 of the present disclosure uses the flexible printed circuit board 112 and arranges a plurality of light sensors 1121a on the dome structure 111, which has the technical feature of improving the productivity of the tilt and direction sensing device 11. By arranging the flexible printed circuit board 112 to surround the dome structure 111, a plurality of light sensors 1121a can be easily installed on the plurality of support surfaces 1111a.

[0028] Compared with the conventional case of providing a unit substrate having a light sensor module on each support surface, the assembly of the tilt and direction sensing device 11 is facilitated, and as a result, the productivity of the tilt and direction sensing device 11 is improved.

[0029] With the ductile circuit board 112 positioned on the spherical surface 1111, the multiple light sensors 1121a are arranged so that they face different directions from each other. Each light sensor 1121a receives sunlight from the direction it points to. For example, each light sensor 1121a receives sunlight from the direction normal to each support surface 1111a.

[0030] The cover member 113 is positioned on the base portion 1121 which is placed on the support surface 1111a. The cover member 113 includes a light-receiving hole 1131 which corresponds to the light sensor 1121a. The light-receiving hole 1131 supports the light sensor 1121a in receiving only sunlight incident from a specific direction. For example, the light-receiving hole 1131 supports the light sensor 1121a in receiving only sunlight incident from the normal direction of the support surface 1111a and adjacent directions. The light-receiving hole 1131 also blocks sunlight from directions other than the normal direction of the support surface 1111a and adjacent directions.

[0031] The range of sunlight received by the light-receiving hole 1131 is set to differ depending on the number of light sensors 1121a provided in the tilt and direction sensing device 11. For example, if the number of light sensors 1121a is relatively large, the light-receiving hole 1131 is designed to receive sunlight from a relatively narrow range, or from a specific direction, such as the direction normal to the support surface 1111a, in order to improve the sensing accuracy of each light sensor 1121a. On the other hand, if the number of light sensors 1121a is relatively small, the light-receiving hole 1131 is designed to receive sunlight from a relatively wide range, in order to widen the sensing range of each light sensor 1121a. The range of sunlight received by the light-receiving hole 1131 is adjusted by changing the diameter or shape of the light-receiving hole 1131.

[0032] The main board 114 calculates the angle of incidence of sunlight from the output information of multiple light sensors 1121a. The main board 114 includes a first surface 1141 adjacent to the dome structure 111, a second surface 1142 opposite to the first surface 1141, and a through groove 1143.

[0033] At least a portion of the second connecting portion 1124 of the ductile circuit board 112 can pass through the through groove 1143, and one end of the second connecting portion 1124 is connected to the second surface 1142 of the main board 114.

[0034] In conventional tilt and direction sensing devices, unit boards containing optical sensor modules are installed on each support surface, and wires extending from each unit board are electrically connected to the first surface of the main board. In this case, since wires are scattered between the inner surface of the dome structure and the main board, the ease of assembly of the tilt and direction sensing device is worsened.

[0035] In contrast, the tilt and direction sensing device 11 of this disclosure is configured such that the second connecting portion 1124 of the ductile circuit board 112 is connected to the second surface 1142 of the main board 114, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the tilt and direction sensing device 11.

[0036] The tilt and direction sensing device 11 of this disclosure further includes a housing 115, a protective cap 116, a surge board 117, and a control cable 118.

[0037] The housing 115 forms the outer shape of the tilt and direction sensing device 11, and various components are installed inside. The protective cap 116 is positioned to surround the entire spherical surface 1111 of the dome structure 111. The protective cap 116 protects the internal components from external forces and prevents foreign objects from entering the tilt and direction sensing device 11. The surge board 117 is located below the main board 114. The surge board 117 supplies power to the components of the tilt and direction sensing device 11. The tilt and direction sensing device 11 transmits and receives measurement data and control data using the control cable 118.

[0038] Figure 5 is a bottom view of a cover member of a tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Referring to Figure 5, the cover member 113 includes the light-receiving hole 1131, a plurality of support parts 1132, a projection 1133, and all or part of the cover body 1135.

[0040] The light-receiving hole 1131 supports the light sensor 1121a so that it receives only sunlight incident from the normal direction to the support surface 1111a and adjacent directions. In addition, the light-receiving hole 1131 blocks sunlight from directions other than the normal direction to the support surface 1111a and adjacent directions. In this case, the sensing range of the light sensor 1121a is expanded.

[0041] However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in order to improve the sensing accuracy of the light sensor 1121a, the sunlight receiving range of the light receiving hole 1131 may be limited to a specific direction. For example, the light receiving range of the light receiving hole 1131 may be limited to the direction normal to the support surface 1111a, or to a very narrow range adjacent thereto.

[0042] Multiple support portions 1132 extend from one surface of the cover member 113 facing the base portion 1121 and are configured to support the cover body 1135 on the support surface 1111a of the dome structure 111. The support portions 1132 are laser-fused onto the support surface 1111a, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the support portions 1132 may be fixed onto the support surface 1111a using an adhesive or the like.

[0043] Each of the multiple support portions 1132 is spaced apart from the others around the light-receiving hole 1131. A space is formed between two adjacent support portions 1132, and the first connecting portion 1123 of the ductile circuit board 112 is configured to pass through this space.

[0044] The support portion 1132 includes a first support portion 1132a, a second support portion 1132b adjacent to the first support portion 1132a, and a third support portion 1132c adjacent to the second support portion 1132b. The cover member 113 is supported at three points using the three support portions 1132, and is therefore firmly fixed on the support surface 1111a.

[0045] The first space 1134a, which is the space between the first support portion 1132a and the second support portion 1132b, is larger than the second space 1134b, which is the space between the second support portion 1132b and the third support portion 1132c. The tilt and direction sensing device 11 of this disclosure uses the first space 1134a to increase the degree of freedom of the first connecting portion 1123 in the extending direction.

[0046] The third support portion 1132c is positioned symmetrically with respect to the first support portion 1132a and the second support portion 1132b. The size of the third space 1134c, which is the space between the first support portion 1132a and the third support portion 1132c, is the same as the size of the second space 1134b. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the third support portion 1132c does not have to be positioned symmetrically with respect to the first support portion 1132a and the second support portion 1132b.

[0047] Referring to Figure 5, the number of support parts 1132 is shown as three, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the cover member 113 may include two or four or more support parts 1132.

[0048] The projection 1133 is configured to fit into the through-hole 1112 of the dome structure 111. By fitting the projection 1133 into the through-hole 1112, the cover member 113 is fixed onto the dome structure 111.

[0049] The through-hole 1112 includes a first through-hole 1112a and a second through-hole 1112b, and the projection 1133 includes a first projection 1133a having a shape corresponding to the first through-hole 1112a and a second projection 1133b having a shape corresponding to the second through-hole 1112b.

[0050] The first through-hole 1112a has a different size or shape from the second through-hole 1112b, and therefore the first projection 1133a has a different size or shape from the second projection 1133b. For example, the first through-hole 1112a and the first projection 1133a are each larger in size than the second through-hole 1112b and the second projection 1133b.

[0051] The first through-hole 1112a and the first projection 1133a have different sizes or shapes from the second through-hole 1112b and the second projection 1133b, respectively, thereby fixing the installation direction of the cover member 113 on each support surface 1111a to a specific direction.

[0052] When the installation direction of the cover member 113 on each support surface 1111a is fixed in a specific direction, the direction in which the space between each support portion 1132 is formed is also fixed in a specific direction.

[0053] The installation direction of each cover member 113 is set to differ according to the shape of the ductile circuit board 112. More specifically, it is set to differ according to the extension direction of the first connecting portion 1123 of the ductile circuit board 112. This increases the design freedom of the ductile circuit board 112 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 6 is a top view of a ductile circuit board of a tilt and direction sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Referring to Figure 6, the ductile circuit board 112 of the tilt and direction sensing device 11 of this disclosure includes a plurality of base units 1121, a plurality of first connecting units 1123, and a plurality of second connecting units 1124.

[0056] The base portion 1121 includes an optical sensor 1121a, a circuit portion 1121b on which the optical sensor 1121a is arranged, and a reinforcing plate 1122 positioned below the circuit portion 1121b. The reinforcing plate 1122 reinforces the rigidity of the circuit portion 1121b by increasing the thickness of the area of ​​the ductile circuit board 112 on which the circuit portion 1121b is formed. The reinforcing plate 1122 minimizes the problem of the circuit portion 1121b being deformed or damaged by external forces, and also minimizes the problem of the optical sensor 1121a and other components arranged on the circuit portion being damaged.

[0057] Each of the multiple base portions 1121 is positioned on each of the multiple support surfaces 1111a. Each of the multiple optical sensors 1121a is positioned on each of the multiple base portions 1121. For example, the multiple optical sensors 1121a are positioned on the circuit portion 1121b of the base portion 1121.

[0058] The base portion 1121 has a relatively thicker thickness compared to the first connecting portion 1123 because it reinforces the rigidity of the circuit portion 1121b using the reinforcing plate 1122. Therefore, the problem of damage to the optical sensor 1121a and other components placed on the base portion 1121 due to unintentional bending of the base portion 1121 by external forces is minimized.

[0059] A reinforcing plate 1122 is not required to be placed in the first connecting portion 1123. Therefore, the first connecting portion 1123 has a second thickness W2 that is smaller than the base portion 1121 which has a first thickness W1. Because the first connecting portion 1123 has a relatively thin thickness, it is flexibly deformable, so the ductile circuit board 112 can be more easily placed on the dome structure 111.

[0060] The circuit portion 1121b includes polyimide, which is a common material for ductile circuit boards 112. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the circuit portion 1121b may include other materials.

[0061] The reinforcing plate 1122 comprises at least one of PET, glass epoxy, and polyimide. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the reinforcing plate 1122 may also comprise other materials.

[0062] On the other hand, although Figure 6 shows 16 base portions 1121, this is merely illustrative for the sake of explanation, and the number of base portions 1121 in this disclosure is not limited to 16. Therefore, the ductile circuit board 112 according to this disclosure may include fewer or more than 16 base portions 1121. In this case, the number of optical sensors 1121a arranged on the base portions 1121 or the number of support surfaces 1111a of the dome structure 111 will also be set to differ depending on the number of base portions 1121.

[0063] The first connecting portion 1123 connects two adjacent base portions 1121 from among the multiple base portions 1121. Unlike the base portions 1121, the first connecting portion 1123 does not have a reinforcing plate 1122, and therefore has a relatively thinner thickness compared to the base portions 1121. Consequently, the first connecting portion 1123 is flexibly deformable, and as a result, the ductile circuit board 112 can more easily surround the spherical surface of the dome structure 111.

[0064] The second connecting section 1124 electrically connects the multiple optical sensors 1121a to the main board 114. The second connecting section 1124 includes signal lines, power supply lines, etc. In addition, one end of the second connecting section 1124 is provided with a terminal or connector for electrical connection to the main board 114.

[0065] The ductile circuit board 112, including the base portion 1121, the reinforcing plate 1122, the first connecting portion 1123, and the second connecting portion 1124, is formed as a single unit. Therefore, the arrangement of the wire lines for supplying power to the multiple optical sensors 1121a is simplified.

[0066] The base portion 1121 includes a mounting hole. The mounting hole is through which a projection 1133 formed on the cover member 113 passes. If the projection 1133 includes a first projection 1133a and a second projection 1133b having different sizes or shapes, the mounting hole includes a first mounting hole 1121c corresponding to the first projection 1133a and a second mounting hole 1121d corresponding to the second projection 1133b. When the cover member 113 is coupled to the support surface 1111a, the first projection 1133a passes through the first mounting hole 1121c, and the second projection 1133b passes through the second mounting hole 1121d.

[0067] For example, when the cover member 113 is joined to the support surface 1111a, the first projection 1133a penetrates the first mounting hole 1121c of the base portion 1121 and the first through hole 1112a of the support surface 1111a, and the second projection 1133b penetrates the second mounting hole 1121d of the base portion 1121 and the second through hole 1112b of the support surface 1111a.

[0068] On the other hand, Figure 6 shows that there is one ductile circuit board 112 arranged on the spherical surface 1111 of the dome structure 111, but the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, multiple ductile circuit boards 112 may be arranged on the spherical surface 1111 of the dome structure 111. In this case, multiple optical sensors 1121a are distributed and arranged on multiple ductile circuit boards 112.

[0069] Note that the shape of the ductile circuit board 112 shown in Figure 6 is illustrative for the sake of explanation, and the ductile circuit board 112 of this disclosure may have a shape other than that of the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

[0070] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of this embodiment, and any person with ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs will be able to make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of this embodiment. Therefore, this embodiment is for illustrative purposes only and not to limit the technical concept of this embodiment, and the scope of the technical concept of this embodiment is not limited by such embodiment. The scope of protection of this embodiment should be interpreted by the claims, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of this embodiment.

[0071] [Cross-references to related applications] This patent application claims priority to patent application no. 10-2021-0032222 filed in Korea on March 11, 2021, and patent application no. 10-2022-0027531 filed in Korea on March 03, 2022, both of which are included herein by reference in their entirety. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1. Antenna Assembly 11. Tilt and direction detection device 12 Antenna equipment 111 Dome Structure 112 Ductile circuit board 113 Cover component 114 Mainboard 115 Housing 116 Protective cap 117 Surge Board 118 Control Cable

Claims

1. A dome structure including multiple support surfaces that constitute a dome-shaped sphere, A ductile circuit board comprising a plurality of base portions, a plurality of first connecting portions connecting two adjacent base portions among the plurality of base portions, and a plurality of optical sensors arranged on each of the plurality of base portions, The aforementioned light sensor is configured to measure the amount of sunlight, The first connecting portion is formed with a thickness smaller than the base portion and is flexibly deformable. In the state in which the ductile circuit board is placed on the dome structure, Each of the multiple base portions is positioned on each of the multiple support surfaces, and the multiple first connecting portions are flexibly deformed so that the ductile circuit board is positioned to surround the spherical surface of the dome structure. A tilt and direction sensing device in which the multiple optical sensors arranged on the multiple base portions face in different directions from each other.

2. The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ductile circuit board, including the plurality of base portions and the plurality of first connecting portions, is formed as a single unit.

3. Furthermore, it includes a plurality of cover members arranged on each of the plurality of base portions, The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover member includes a light-receiving hole corresponding to the light sensor.

4. One of the dome structure and the cover member includes a through hole. The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the other of the dome structure and the cover member includes a projection that can be fitted into the through hole.

5. The aforementioned through-hole includes a first hole and a second hole, The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the projection includes a first projection having a shape corresponding to the first hole and a second projection having a shape corresponding to the second hole.

6. The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first hole differs from the second hole in one or more of the following ways: size and shape.

7. The cover member is Cover body, and, It is configured to support the cover body and includes a plurality of support portions extending from one surface of the cover member facing the base portion, The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the plurality of support parts is spaced apart from one another around the light-receiving hole.

8. The aforementioned plurality of support parts are Including a first support portion, a second support portion adjacent to the first support portion, and a third support portion adjacent to the second support portion, The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first space, which is the space between the first support portion and the second support portion, is larger than the second space, which is the space between the second support portion and the third support portion.

9. The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the support portion is laser-fused onto the support surface.

10. Furthermore, it includes a main board configured to calculate the angle of incidence of sunlight from the output information of the plurality of light sensors, and which includes a first surface adjacent to the dome structure and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Furthermore, the ductile circuit board includes a second connecting portion for electrically connecting the plurality of optical sensors and the main board. The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that one end of the second connecting portion is connected to the second surface.

11. The main board includes a through groove, The tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 10, characterized in that at least a portion of the second connecting portion is configured to pass through the through groove.

12. Furthermore, the tilt and direction sensing device according to claim 1 is characterized by including at least one of a GPS module and a camera module.

13. An antenna assembly comprising a tilt and direction sensing device and an antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The antenna assembly is characterized in that the tilt and direction sensing device is installed in the antenna device.

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