Magnetic Antenna Mount Assembly With Anti-Rotation Mast Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connect couplers for off-road vehicle masts fail to prevent rotation of the mast due to vibrations, leading to potential disconnection of electrical components and mast breakage, and require special manufacturing of both the mount and base.
Innovation Solution
A mount and base assembly using a non-magnetic cylindrical design with a magnetic connection and vacuum fit, where the base is secured with a bolt that interlocks with the mount bolt, preventing rotation and ensuring easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a quick connect coupler is used to allow easy attachment and detachment of the mast, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mast is allowed to rotate within the coupler due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a flat surface on the circular base that engages with a corresponding flat surface on the mount, creating an asymmetric interface within an otherwise symmetric circular coupling. This asymmetric feature prevents rotation while maintaining the quick connect functionality of the circular interface.
2Stability of the object's composition
If anti-rotation features are added to prevent mast rotation, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding a simple flat surface feature at a specific location on the base and mount interfaces. This localized asymmetric feature provides the necessary anti-rotation function without complicating the overall simple circular quick-connect design, maintaining ease of manufacture while preventing rotation.
3Reliability
If a ball-lock system is used to secure the base, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of both mount and base increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ball-lock mechanism from the design, replacing it with a simpler magnetic mounting system. The mount contains a magnet that magnetically attaches to the base, providing secure connection without the complexity of ball-lock components. This extraction maintains reliability through magnetic force while significantly simplifying manufacturing of both mount and base.
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
Prevents mast rotation and easy detachment of the mast, maintaining electrical connections and allowing quick replacement without specialized manufacturing of the mount.
Implementation Method 1
Found within the base is a magnet that magnetically attaches to the bolt on the mount
Implementation Method 2
The base is sized to closely fit into the mount so that some degree of vacuum is present to resist the quick removal of the base from the mount
Data Source
AI summary
The assembly disclosed herein is to attach a mast used by an off-road vehicle to the off-road vehicle itself using a mount assembly and a base assembly. The mount assembly is formed for the most part from non-magnetic materials is attached to an off-road vehicle by a ferromagnetic bolt at its proximal end. The base assembly is inserted into the mount assembly's open distal end the base assembly having a magnet attached to its proximal end that attracts the ferromagnetic bolt in the mount assembly and an opening at its distal end to receive an adapter that is connected to a mast. The proximal end of the base assembly having a surface effect that is received by the ferromagnetic bolt to prevent base assembly from rotating within the mount assembly.