Universal Connecting Element for Base Station Antenna Radome Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base station antennas require specially designed radome supporting members for different sizes and shapes of reflecting plates, leading to higher costs and complexity in installation.
Innovation Solution
A connecting element with a body and plug-in component, featuring a stalk portion and head portion, allowing for easy assembly and versatile use, particularly in base station antennas, where matching pairs can be connected by inserting one into the other's cavity with the head portion and stalk portion aligning, and optional spacers for spacing and positioning components for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specially designed radome supporting members are used for different sizes and shapes of reflecting plates, then the supporting members can be customized to fit specific requirements, but the cost increases and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radome supporting member is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate different sizes and shapes of reflecting plates through adjustable connecting elements. The connecting elements include connection portions that can be positioned at different locations and orientations, allowing the same supporting member to adapt to various reflecting plate configurations without requiring custom-designed components for each case.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specially designed radome supporting members are used for different sizes and shapes of reflecting plates, then the supporting members can be customized to fit specific requirements, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radome supporting member employs a standardized universal structure with adjustable connecting elements that can serve multiple reflecting plate configurations. This eliminates the need to manufacture different custom supporting members for each reflecting plate size and shape, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements are segmented into multiple connection portions that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows a single supporting member to be configured for different reflecting plate sizes and shapes by selecting and positioning appropriate connection portions, reducing the need for custom manufacturing.
3Reliability
If a secure connection structure is used for radome supporting members, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are pre-configured with multiple connection portions and positioning features during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows installers to quickly select and attach the appropriate connection portions to the reflecting plates without complex assembly procedures, achieving both secure connections and easy installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting element has a body and a plug-in component. The body has a base surface, an end side extending laterally relative to the base surface, and a cavity open toward the end side, and a slot opening toward the end side is provided in a wall of the cavity facing the base surface. The plug-in component protrudes from the base surface, is spaced apart from the end side, and has a stalk portion and a head portion. A matching pair of connecting elements can be connected to each other so that one connecting element is inserted into the cavity of the other connecting element with its. head portion inserted from the end side of the other connecting element; during insertion, the one connecting element is guided with its stalk portion in the slot of the other connecting element, and the base surfaces of the pair of connecting elements oppose and are spaced apart from each other in a connected state.