Hinged Access Point Housing for Cooling and Antenna Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Access points often face overheating issues due to limited air cooling when mounted flat against a wall, and there is a need for flexible antenna positioning to optimize radio transmission coverage.
Innovation Solution
An access point design featuring a waterproof main housing with cooling fins and a moveable front housing that can be oriented vertically or horizontally, allowing for secure mounting to walls or poles, with integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas and LED status indicators, and using sensors to detect the antenna position for improved coverage predictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the access point is mounted flat against a wall, then it can be securely installed, but air cooling is limited causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The access point housing is divided into a main body portion and a separate antenna array portion connected by a hinge. This segmentation allows the antenna portion to be positioned independently (vertically or horizontally) to optimize both cooling airflow and radio transmission coverage, resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and effective air cooling
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna array is positioned vertically, then the access point can be wall mounted, but radio transmission coverage to devices below is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection between the main body and antenna array enables dynamic repositioning of the antenna portion. The antenna array can be adjusted from a vertical position (suitable for wall mounting) to a horizontal position (optimizing coverage to devices below), providing adaptability for different installation scenarios and usage requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the access point is designed for vertical wall mounting, then it can be securely installed, but the antenna array cannot be in horizontal position for optimal coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into two independently positionable portions: a main body for secure mounting and an antenna array portion that can be positioned vertically or horizontally via a hinge. This segmentation allows the mounting structure to remain simple while providing antenna positioning flexibility, resolving the contradiction between mounting simplicity and antenna orientation versatility
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
The design enhances air cooling and antenna positioning flexibility, addressing overheating and coverage issues while maintaining reliable communication protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi, allowing for effective radio transmission and location determination.
Implementation Method 1
cooling fins and a front housing which includes one or more antennas
Implementation Method 2
cooling fins
Implementation Method 3
A hinge allows movement of the front housing so that it can be positioned in a vertical position against the main housing in a horizontal position
Implementation Method 4
The position is detected by a sensor or sensor array located in the front housing. The sensors may and sometimes do include one or more accelerometers
Implementation Method 5
one or more LED status indicators being mounted in the front housing and visible from the outside of the front housing
Data Source
AI summary
Access points can be mounted in a variety of locations or orientations and can support multiple communications protocols. In some embodiments, an access point includes a main housing and a front housing. The main and front housing are connected by a hinge. A Wi-Fi antenna is included in the front housing in some embodiments. The access point is configured for use in either an open or closed position. When mounted in a vertical position, the front housing can be lowered into a horizontal position, which facilitates a preferred orientation of an antenna with respect to the ground. A first set of cooling fins serves to maintain components of the access point offset from a wall to which the access point is mounted. This facilitates airflow. Additional fins act as a spacer between the main housing and the front housing when the access point is used in a closed position. This facilitates air flow around both sides of the main housing.