DIN Connector End Cap With Molded Retaining Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variability in antenna types, shapes, and sizes necessitates customization of brackets and hardware for securing DIN connectors to end caps, leading to burdensome and costly design and implementation processes.
Innovation Solution
An end cap with molded retaining assemblies, including anti-rotation flanges, retention tabs, and alignment posts, allows DIN connectors to be snapped into place without additional hardware, supporting multiple antenna configurations and reducing assembly time and passive intermodulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom brackets and hardware are used for each antenna configuration, then DIN connectors can be securely attached to end caps, but design and implementation becomes burdensome and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap is designed with multiple retaining assemblies that can accommodate different antenna configurations using a standardized approach. The retaining assemblies include features like anti-rotation flanges, retention tabs, and alignment posts that work across various antenna types, eliminating the need for custom hardware design for each configuration while maintaining secure DIN connector attachment.
2Reliability
If custom hardware is designed for each antenna configuration, then proper securing of DIN connectors is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining assemblies are pre-formed as integrated features of the end cap during manufacturing. Components like retention tabs, alignment posts, and anti-rotation flanges are already in place before the antenna is assembled, allowing DIN connectors to be quickly secured without requiring time-consuming custom hardware installation or adjustment during assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional hardware is used to secure DIN connectors, then connection stability is improved, but passive intermodulation issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining assemblies are merged directly into the end cap structure as integrated features rather than separate additional hardware components. This integration eliminates the interfaces and connections between separate parts that could generate passive intermodulation, while the retention tabs and anti-rotation flanges maintain stable DIN connector attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to an end cap of a base station antenna for securing cable connectors to the end cap. The end cap may include a plurality of retaining assemblies formed integrally with the cap, and are dimensioned to retain a respective plurality of cable connectors to the end cap. The end cap may be capable of supporting numerous antenna models and configurations. The end cap may include molded features allowing for DIN connectors for various antenna models to be snapped into the end cap, without the use of other hardware and formed end bracket assemblies.