Antenna Mount with Pivotable Tray for Co-located Access Point
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for co-locating antennas and access points are bulky, aesthetically unpleasing, and lack articulation, making them inefficient for optimal performance and installation.
Innovation Solution
A mount with a base and pivotable tray design that allows the antenna to be positioned ±25 degrees relative to the access point, hiding cables and presenting a clamshell-like appearance, effectively co-locating the components for improved aesthetics and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external antennas are connected to the access point via coaxial cables and mounted in close proximity, then the antenna and access point can be co-located, but the cables and antenna become bulky and aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is nested within the enclosure structure, with the radiating element positioned inside the housing. This nesting approach conceals the antenna and cables within the same volume as the access point, eliminating the need for external cable runs and reducing overall bulkiness while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna and access point are merged into a single integrated unit where the antenna is co-located with the radio electronics within the same enclosure. This merging eliminates separate mounting structures and cables, reducing bulkiness while achieving the desired co-location for optimal performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is mounted on the door of the enclosure with the access point on the back plate, then co-location is achieved, but the design lacks articulation for the antenna
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be articulated or adjusted to different angles and orientations. This dynamic feature enables optimization of antenna performance for different installation environments while maintaining a relatively simple integrated mounting structure within the enclosure.
3Ease of manufacture
If ceiling tile enclosures are used to mount access points and external antennas, then installation is simplified, but the antennas have no way to be articulated
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna mounting structure incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow articulation after installation. This enables the antenna to be positioned at optimal angles for performance while maintaining the ease of installation provided by the ceiling tile enclosure system.
4Ease of manufacture
If the access point is mounted inside an enclosure replacing a ceiling tile grid, then installation is simplified, but the external antennas mounted outside or inside lack proper integration
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna and access point are merged into a single integrated unit where the antenna is co-located with the radio electronics within the same enclosure. This merging eliminates separate mounting structures and cables, reducing overall complexity while achieving optimal integration for performance and aesthetics.
Data Source
AI summary
A mount for an antenna for an access point includes a base for attachment to a mounting structure; a tray operably attached to the base. The tray is pivotable about an axis of rotation. The tray is for attaching thereto an antenna. The tray is angularly positionable about the axis for positioning the antenna at a desired direction. The base is U-shaped including a base portion and first and second portions extending from the base portion. The tray is U-shaped including a base wall and first and second portions extending from the base wall. The first and second portions of the base are operably attached to said first and second portions of the tray.