Vehicle Antenna Mounting Assembly With Expandable Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern mobile antennas, such as phase array antennas, face issues with mounting due to dynamic, moving parts that can block motion if mounted to or near another object, leading to restricted movement and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical mounting system with a base assembly and a movable mounting assembly that allows the antenna to be mounted to a vehicle exterior, featuring a sliding engagement mechanism and adjustable retainers to accommodate the antenna's movement, enabling both expanded and retracted configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is mounted to a vehicle exterior with a fixed mounting structure, then the antenna is securely attached to the vehicle, but the dynamic moving parts of the antenna are blocked and cannot move freely
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one where the mounting assembly can move between extended and retracted configurations. This allows the antenna to have unrestricted movement when the mounting assembly is extended, while maintaining secure attachment when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a base assembly that provides secure attachment to the vehicle, and a mounting assembly that can independently move between configurations. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
2Ease of operation
If the mounting assembly is in an extended configuration to allow antenna movement, then the antenna components can move unrestricted, but the mounting assembly occupies more space and may contact other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is designed to be dynamically configurable, extending only when needed to provide movement freedom for the antenna, and retracting when not needed to minimize space occupation and avoid contact with other objects.
3Area of stationary object
If the mounting assembly is in a retracted configuration to minimize space, then the mounting assembly occupies less space, but the antenna components cannot move freely
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic configurability, allowing the mounting assembly to switch between retracted and extended states based on operational needs, thus optimizing both space utilization and antenna movement freedom at different times.
4Ease of manufacture
If a fixed mounting structure is used, then the installation is simple, but the antenna's dynamic parts are impeded and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates dynamic movement capability that is relatively simple in structure, allowing the mounting assembly to extend and retract. This simple dynamic mechanism effectively protects the antenna's dynamic parts from damage while maintaining ease of installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical mounting system (100) and method for mounting an object (104) to a vehicle exterior (102E) of a vehicle (102). The mounting system (100) includes a base assembly (106) and a mounting assembly (108). The base assembly (106) is fixedly mountable to the vehicle exterior (102E). The mounting assembly (108) is movably coupled to the base assembly (106). The mounting assembly (108) includes a mounting aperture (108A). The mounting assembly (108) is configured to receive the object (104) so that at least a portion of the object (104) is extendable through the mounting aperture (108A). The mounting assembly (108) is movable relative to the base assembly (106) between an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration. The base assembly (106) can include a base frame (116) that defines a base perimeter (106P) of the base assembly (106). The mounting assembly (108) can include a mounting frame (130) that defines a mounting perimeter (108P) of the mounting assembly (108).