Antenna Clamp with Worm-Gear Locking for Precise Direction Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop a clamping apparatus for antennas that enhances installation freedom and workability in spatially restricted environments while maintaining the antenna's direction, preventing arbitrary tilting and rotation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a rotation unit for horizontal adjustment, a tilting unit for vertical adjustment, and a rotation/vibration prevention unit with a motor, worm gear, and damping idle gears to securely fix the antenna's direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the antenna is installed on a support pole with spatial restrictions, then the installation space is limited, but the operator workability and installation freedom are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus employs a nested structure where the rotation unit and tilting unit are integrated within a compact clamping mechanism that attaches to the support pole. The rotation unit rotates about a vertical axis while the tilting unit tilts about a horizontal axis, with both units nested within the same clamping structure, maximizing space utilization while maintaining full adjustment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping apparatus incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the rotation unit and tilting unit, allowing the antenna to be positioned in multiple directions (azimuth and elevation angles) while mounted on a single support pole. This dynamic positioning capability compensates for the limited installation space by providing operational flexibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna direction is made adjustable, then the installation freedom is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a clamping unit for securing to the support pole, a rotation unit for azimuth adjustment, and a tilting unit for elevation adjustment. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently adjusted, making the overall system manageable despite its multiple degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping apparatus serves multiple functions: it secures the antenna to the support pole, enables azimuth rotation, provides elevation tilting, and maintains positional stability. The rotation unit and tilting unit share common structural elements and mounting mechanisms, reducing overall complexity while achieving multi-functionality
3Reliability
If the antenna is securely fixed to prevent arbitrary tilting and rotation, then the signal reliability is improved, but the ease of adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism operates in distinct phases: an adjustment phase where the antenna can be freely positioned by rotating and tilting, and a locking phase where the position is secured. The worm gear mechanism enables this periodic action, allowing easy adjustment during the adjustment phase and reliable fixation during the locking phase
Solution Approach 2:
The worm gear mechanism replaces more complex locking systems with a simple friction-based self-locking mechanism. The worm gear's inherent friction characteristics provide automatic locking when adjustment force is removed, ensuring reliable fixation without requiring additional complex mechanical locks or actuators
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves operator workability and maintains signal reliability by allowing precise antenna direction adjustment and preventing unwanted movement.
Implementation Method 1
a worm gear configured to be rotated by the rotation motor; a shaft configured to define at least one rotation center; and a worm wheel gear installed on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft and configured to rotate at least one of the rotation unit and the tilting unit while being rotated by the worm gear
Implementation Method 2
a rotation/vibration prevention unit configured to adjust a direction of the antenna by rotating at least one of the rotation unit and the tilting unit and prevent the antenna from arbitrarily rotating after the direction of the antenna is adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a clamping apparatus for an antenna, the clamping apparatus including a rotation unit configured to rotate an antenna in a horizontal direction, a tilting unit configured to rotate the antenna in a vertical direction, and a rotation/vibration prevention unit configured to adjust a direction of the antenna by rotating at least one of the rotation unit and the tilting unit and prevent the antenna from arbitrarily rotating after the direction of the antenna is adjusted, in which the rotation/vibration prevention unit includes a rotation motor, a worm gear configured to be rotated by the rotation motor, a shaft configured to define at least one rotation center, and a worm wheel gear installed on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft and configured to rotate at least one of the rotation unit and the tilting unit while being rotated by the worm gear, thereby easily adjusting the direction of the antenna by controlling the rotation motor and preventing the antenna with the adjusted direction from arbitrarily rotating.