Rotating Antenna Assembly with Rotation Stop for Wireless Field Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless field devices in industrial settings face challenges with antenna fragility, cabling damage due to unfettered rotation, and inadequate protection of internal cabling, which compromises communication and environmental sealing.
Innovation Solution
A field device with a housing featuring a rotatable antenna assembly that is limited in rotation by a stop, ensuring the antenna can achieve vertical polarity in all orientations while preventing excessive twisting of internal cabling, and utilizing O-rings for sealing and mechanical fasteners for secure orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is allowed to rotate freely to achieve vertical polarity in all orientations, then the adaptability of the antenna is improved, but the internal cabling may twist and become damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is designed to be rotatable relative to the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment of antenna orientation to achieve vertical polarity in different mounting positions while maintaining connection through a rotation stop mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
A rotation stop is provided that limits the rotation of the antenna assembly to less than one full rotation, preventing excessive twisting of internal cabling before it can become damaged
2Productivity
If the antenna extends above the metal housing for wireless communication, then the communication functionality is improved, but the antenna becomes vulnerable to vibration, impact, and environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
A radome (transparent housing) made of flexible or resilient material is provided to enclose and protect the antenna, allowing it to extend above the main housing while being protected from vibration, impact, and environmental factors
Solution Approach 2:
The radome acts as a protective barrier that cushions the antenna against vibration and impact before these forces can damage the antenna or compromise the environmental seal
3Reliability
If the antenna seal to the housing is made robust to prevent environmental damage, then the environmental sealing is improved, but the antenna adjustability and rotation capability may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is segmented into a rotatable portion and a fixed housing portion, with the seal located at the interface. This allows the antenna to rotate for orientation adjustment while the seal remains intact at the stationary interface
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assembly can rotate dynamically within the sealed housing bore to achieve different orientations, while the seal maintains environmental protection throughout the rotation range
Data Source
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AI summary
A field device (100, 250) includes a housing (102, 252) having at least an antenna receiving bore (204). Field device electronics (104, 110, 112, 114) are disposed within the housing and include wireless communication circuitry (104) configured to communicate wireless process information. An antenna assembly (200) includes an antenna base (202) engaged within the antenna receiving bore (204) of the housing (102, 252). The antenna assembly (200) includes an antenna (106) operably coupled to the wireless communication circuitry (104). The antenna assembly (200) is rotatable within the bore (204) by an amount less than one full rotation, and rotation of the antenna assembly (200) varies orientation of the antenna (106).