Modular Connector Assembly for Base Station Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for fixing connectors to base station antennas using screws result in increased size, material and processing costs, hinder miniaturization, and cause 'crosstalk' affecting communication quality.
Innovation Solution
A modular connector assembly with a one-piece support and connectors formed of two components that connect via press or thread fit, eliminating the need for screws and using a quick lock nut for assembly, which integrates coaxial connectors and prevents rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If connectors are fixed to the end cover using screws and flanges, then the connectors can be securely mounted, but the size of each connector increases and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flange component from the connector structure, extracting only the essential mounting function. The connector body itself is designed to be directly mounted to the end cover without requiring a separate flange, thereby reducing connector size while maintaining secure mounting through alternative means such as integration with the end cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the connector mounting function with the end cover structure. Instead of using separate flanges and screws, the connector is integrated directly into the end cover, combining multiple functions into a unified structure that reduces overall size while maintaining secure attachment.
2Strength
If connectors are fixed using screws and flanges, then the connectors can be securely mounted, but material cost and processing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the flange component entirely, reducing the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces material costs and processing costs while maintaining secure mounting through the simplified direct-attachment design.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the connector and end cover into a more integrated structure, the patent reduces the total number of components and assembly steps. This consolidation decreases material requirements and simplifies manufacturing processes, thereby reducing both material cost and processing cost.
3Strength
If connectors are fixed using multiple screws, then the connectors can be securely mounted, but assembly time increases and labor cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screw-based fastening system entirely, extracting only the essential mounting function. This eliminates the time-consuming process of drilling, tapping, and screwing multiple fasteners, while maintaining secure mounting through the integrated connector-end cover design that requires no separate fastening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the connector mounting function into the end cover structure itself, the patent creates a unified component that can be assembled in a single operation rather than requiring multiple separate steps for flange attachment and screw fastening, thereby dramatically reducing assembly time.
4Strength
If screws are used to fix connectors, then the connectors can be securely mounted, but crosstalk between connectors occurs affecting communication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the screw fasteners from the connector mounting system. By eliminating these metallic fastening components, the source of electromagnetic crosstalk is removed, while secure mounting is maintained through the integrated connector-end cover design that does not rely on metallic screws.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a modular connector assembly and a base station antenna. The modular connector assembly comprises a support and a plurality of connectors mounted on the support. The support is configured as a one-piece support and provided with a plurality of through holes for mounting of the connectors. Each connector is configured to be formed of a first component and a second component that are connectable to each other. The first component and the second component of each connector are located on opposite sides of the support, respectively, are connected to each other by passing through the through holes in the support, and sandwich the support therebetween, thereby fixedly mounting each connector to the support.