Suspension Arm Housing for Jam-Resistant Antenna Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna mounting devices on raised platforms face issues with mechanical blocking due to complex mechanisms exposed to bad weather, weight distribution, and space constraints, leading to difficulties in transitioning between service and maintenance positions.
Innovation Solution
A versatile device with a suspension arm comprising two coaxial parts connected by flanges, where the internal part supports the arm on a base and the external part pivots around a horizontal axis, with mechanisms enclosed in a cylindrical housing to reduce blocking risks and allow compact assembly on crowded platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex mechanisms are used to control antenna movement and positioning, then the antenna can be moved between service and maintenance positions, but the mechanisms are exposed to bad weather which increases the risk of mechanical blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the control mechanisms inside the cylindrical housing, which is itself mounted within the suspension arm structure. The mechanisms are nested within the housing rather than being externally exposed, protecting them from weather while maintaining functionality for positioning the antenna between service and maintenance positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical housing acts as a protective shell enclosing the control mechanisms. This shell structure protects the internal mechanisms from direct exposure to bad weather conditions, reducing the risk of mechanical blocking while still allowing the mechanisms to function for antenna positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the suspension arm is made elongated to allow antenna folding and maintenance operations, then the antenna can be positioned for maintenance, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to install on crowded platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension arm is divided into two coaxial parts that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the arm to be compact when retracted and extended when needed for maintenance operations, reducing the footprint on crowded platforms while maintaining maintenance access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension arm incorporates rotational joints that allow it to dynamically change its configuration. The arm can be extended and positioned for maintenance operations, then retracted to a compact state when not in use, adapting its volume to the operational requirements while minimizing footprint on crowded platforms.
3Reliability
If the antenna is installed vertically above the terrace to ensure good wave transmission, then signal quality is improved, but the antenna becomes very visible and subject to violent winds
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables dynamic repositioning of the antenna between a vertical service position for optimal wave transmission and a horizontal maintenance position that reduces visibility and wind exposure. The suspension arm mechanism allows the antenna to be moved to different orientations based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna orientation parameter can be changed from vertical to horizontal position. This parameter change allows the antenna to operate in a vertical configuration for good wave transmission while being able to transition to a horizontal configuration to reduce visibility and wind exposure when needed.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the antenna is lowered vertically along the facade below terrace level to reduce visibility and wind exposure, then harmful factors are reduced, but the antenna must be brought back above the platform for maintenance which requires complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanisms are nested within the cylindrical housing that is integrated into the suspension arm structure. This nested arrangement simplifies the overall device by combining the positioning mechanisms within the existing structural elements, reducing the complexity of mechanisms required to move the antenna between lowered and raised positions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a versatile device for mounting equipment from a platform, comprising a suspension arm (1) consisting of two parts, respectively a support part (11) and a pivoting part (12) arranged in line with each other and connected by two joining flanges (51, 52) applied to each other by removable clamping means.According to the invention, the support part (11) of the arm forms a rigid housing (4) limited by an external cylindrical wall (40) centered on the horizontal axis (10) and extending on either side of a central part (43) bearing on the fixed base (2) by means of a centering bearing (3) on the vertical axis (20) of rotation of the arm and the pivoting part (12) of the arm is carried by a centering shaft (6) fixed on the rotating flange (52) and bearing on the housing (4) by two widely spaced bearings (63, 64), on which is applied a control torque for the pivoting of the part (12) of the arm, around its horizontal axis.Such an arrangement ensures a distribution of the applied loads which makes it possible to avoid the risks of blocking the rotation and pivoting of the arm placed downwards for the passage of the equipment into the maintenance position above the platform, or when it is placed vertically upwards, its folding horizontally onto the platform.