Waveguide Coupling Assembly With Bayonet Lock for Quick Field Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional coupling assemblies for connecting devices like radios and antennas require custom fabrication due to varying dimensions and shapes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and difficulty in field installations, especially when specific tools are needed for waveguide interfaces with different dimensions and shapes.

Innovation Solution

A quick coupling assembly with a fixed size that accommodates various waveguide dimensions and shapes using a bayonet locking mechanism, allowing for easy connection and disconnection by hand without specialized tools, suitable for a wide range of devices and frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional coupling assemblies are custom fabricated to match varying waveguide dimensions and shapes, then connection precision and compatibility are improved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling assembly employs a universal interface design with a standardized coupling body that can accommodate multiple waveguide sizes and shapes through interchangeable coupling members. This allows a single base structure to serve multiple functions across different frequency bands and device types, eliminating the need for custom fabrication for each application while maintaining precise connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling assembly is divided into modular components: a standardized coupling body and interchangeable coupling members specific to each waveguide type. This segmentation allows the universal body to remain simple while the specialized members handle the variability, reducing overall device complexity compared to fully custom assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional coupling assemblies are custom fabricated for specific waveguide interfaces, then connection reliability is improved, but installation time and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling members are pre-configured with specific geometries for different waveguide types during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation ensures that during field installation, the correct coupling member can be quickly selected and installed without requiring complex measurement or customization, maintaining connection reliability while significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The universal coupling body design allows the same base structure to work with multiple waveguide types through interchangeable members, enabling reliable connections across different applications without requiring multiple specialized tools or procedures, thus reducing installation complexity and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional coupling assemblies use fixed sizes for specific frequency bands, then electromagnetic performance is improved, but adaptability to different devices decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic performanceVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling assembly transitions from a static, fixed-size design to a dynamic, interchangeable system. The coupling members can be changed based on the specific frequency band and waveguide dimensions required, allowing the system to adapt its electromagnetic characteristics to match the optimal performance requirements for each application while maintaining a universal interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changes in physical parameters (size, shape) of the coupling members while maintaining the same coupling body interface. This enables optimization of electromagnetic performance for different frequency bands by selecting appropriate coupling members with dimensions tailored to specific waveguide types, while the universal interface maintains adaptability across devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11862833B2Coupling assembly including a first waveguide with a first end and second waveguide with a second end, where a locking mechanism connects the first end to the second end

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 NETQUI J S A

AI summary

A coupling assembly is provided. More specifically, the coupling assembly is configured to form a quick, preferably mechanical and electromagnetic, connection between two devices such as a radio and antenna. The coupling assembly has interchangeable portions can be easily adjusted or adapted to swap parts such as waveguides having different sizes and dimensions while maintaining a standard connection portion that can be used with the different sized and shaped parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and increasing the efficiency of field installations.