阅读说明：本技术 辐射器支座、辐射器和基站天线 (Radiator support, radiator and base station antenna ) 是由 艾斌 狄科云 唐普亮 于 2019-11-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于基站天线的辐射器支座,所述辐射器支座包括彼此分开的第一支座部件(10)和第二支座部件(20)。所述第一支座部件构造成用于,被安装成反射板(3)向上延伸,在馈电柄(4)的部分高度上延伸,并且径向支撑馈电柄,以防止馈电柄倾翻。所述第二支座部件构造成用于,被安装成与馈电柄的背离反射板的远端相邻,并且接纳辐射元件(5)。本发明还涉及一种具有这样的辐射器支座的辐射器(1)以及一种具有这样的辐射器的基站天线。按本发明的辐射器支座结构简单,占据小的结构空间,具有良好的通用性。(The invention relates to a radiator support for a base station antenna, comprising a first support part (10) and a second support part (20) that are separate from each other. The first support member is configured to be mounted so that the reflection plate (3) extends upward, extends over a part of the height of the feed shank (4), and radially supports the feed shank to prevent the feed shank from tipping. The second mount part is configured for being mounted adjacent to a distal end of the feed stalk facing away from the reflector plate and receiving a radiating element (5). The invention further relates to a radiator (1) having such a radiator support and to a base station antenna having such a radiator. The radiator support according to the invention is simple in construction, occupies little construction space and has good versatility.)

1. A radiator support for a base station antenna, characterized in that the radiator support comprises a first support part (10) and a second support part (20) separate from each other;

the first support part is configured to be mounted to extend upwardly from the reflector plate (3), to extend over a part of the height of the feed stalk (4), and to radially support the feed stalk to prevent the feed stalk from tipping; and is

The second mount part is configured for being mounted adjacent to a distal end of the feed stalk facing away from the reflector plate and receiving a radiating element (5).

2. The radiator support for a base station antenna according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first support member and said second support member is integral; and/or

The feed stalk comprises two printed circuit board components arranged crosswise forming four legs (13) extending radially, the first support component comprising a plurality of support portions (11) configured for supporting the four legs; and/or

The plurality of support portions (11) include four receiving portions respectively configured to grip and radially support the one of the legs from a radially outer portion of the corresponding one of the legs; and/or

Each of the receiving portions has a U-shaped cross section, and the four receiving portions are integrally connected to each other in the circumferential direction.

3. The radiator support for a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first support part (10) has a plurality of fixing locations (12) distributed in the circumferential direction;

preferably, the plurality of fixing locations (12) comprises two flanges (12b) opposite each other for receiving fastening elements and comprises two snap elements (12 a).

4. A radiator support for a base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support part (20) comprises a plurality of clamping portions (27), each configured for clamping a respective one of the legs (13) from a radially outer portion thereof;

preferably, the number of the clamping portions is 4;

preferably, the second seat part (20) comprises a first annular part (21) which connects the plurality of clamps (27) to each other in the circumferential direction;

preferably, at least one of the plurality of clamping portions has a snap-in element for forming a snap-in connection with the feed stalk (4).

5. The radiator support for a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said second support part (20) comprises a second annular part (22) for receiving a radiating element (5); and/or

The second seat part (20) comprises a plurality of projections (29) projecting radially outwards from the second annular part, a first projection of said plurality of projections having a fixing structure for fixing a radiating element;

preferably, the number of the protruding parts is 4, the protruding parts are distributed in the circumferential direction, and each protruding part is provided with the fixing structure;

preferably, said second annular part (22) and said plurality of projections (29) form a plane support surface configured for supporting said radiating element (5) planarly;

preferably, the first projection has two lateral edges (24) and a base edge (26) connecting the two lateral edges, the two lateral edges projecting from the base edge in the direction of the reflector plate (3), and a snap-in element for establishing a snap-in connection with the radiating element (5) is formed on at least one of the two lateral edges.

6. The radiator support for a base station antenna according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second support part (20) comprises a second annular part (22) for receiving a radiating element (5), wherein the outer contour of the first annular part (21) is within the inner contour of the second annular part (22) in a projection along the longitudinal direction, the first annular part (21) being closer to the first support part (10) than the second annular part (22) as seen along the longitudinal direction, the first and second annular parts being connected by a plurality of connections (23) distributed in the circumferential direction;

preferably, the plurality of connecting portions (23) are radial continuations of the respective clamping portions (27).

7. A radiator for a base station antenna, the radiator comprising a feed stalk (4) and a radiating element (5), the feed stalk being configured to be mounted to extend upwardly from a reflector plate (3) and to feed the radiating element, characterized in that the radiator comprises a radiator support (6) for a base station antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first support part (10) of the radiator support extends over part of the height of the feed stalk and radially supports the feed stalk to prevent the feed stalk from tipping; and a second mount part (20) of the radiator mount is mounted adjacent a distal end of the feed stalk facing away from the reflector plate and receives the radiating element (5).

8. Radiator for a base station antenna according to claim 7, characterised in that the feed stalk (4) comprises two printed circuit board parts arranged crosswise, forming four legs (13) extending radially, each leg having a step (15) on the end facing away from the reflector plate, on which step the integral radiating element (5) is axially supported; and/or

At least one of the four legs (13) has a hole (14) for establishing a snap connection with the second seat part (20).

9. A radiator for a base station antenna according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the radiating element (5) comprises a cross arrangement of dipoles, each dipole having a pair of dipole arms.

10. A multiband base station antenna comprising an array of high-band radiators (2) and an array of low-band radiators (1) mounted on a reflector plate (3), characterized in that the low-band radiators are radiators for base station antennas according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a plurality of the high-band radiators are arranged adjacent to the feed stalk (4) of one of the low-band radiators around the radiator of one of the low-band.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a radiator support for a base station antenna, a radiator having such a radiator support, and a base station antenna having such a radiator.

Background

A mobile communications network comprises a large number of base stations, each of which may comprise one or more base station antennas for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals. A single base station antenna may comprise a number of radiators, which may also be referred to as antenna elements. Today, mobile phone operators often require base station antennas to operate in two, three or more frequency bands and often severely limit the size of the base station antennas. Therefore, meeting both the functional and dimensional requirements of mobile phone operators is an increasing challenge in base station antenna design.

Particularly in the 5G era, the number of antenna elements provided per unit area on a reflector plate has been increasing in order to provide services in new frequency bands and/or to increase capacity. In some known multiband base station antennas, the radiator of each low-band has a corresponding one-piece radiator support which occupies a considerable structural space on the reflector plate, the known radiator support having a plurality of support arms which are distributed over the circumference and each of which extends from a central region of the support in the height direction at an angle such that the distance between each support arm and the reflector plate increases with increasing distance from the central region.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a radiator support for a base station antenna, which has improved versatility and is improved in terms of installation space. It is also an object of the invention to provide a radiator with such a radiator support and a base station antenna with such a radiator.

A first aspect of the invention proposes a radiator support for a base station antenna, wherein the radiator support comprises a first support part and a second support part, which are separate from each other; the first support member is configured to be installed to extend upward from the reflection plate, extend over a partial height of the feed stalk, and radially support the feed stalk to prevent the feed stalk from tipping; and the second mount part is configured for being mounted adjacent a distal end of the feed stalk facing away from the reflector plate and receiving the radiating element.

The radiator support according to the invention has a simple construction, compact dimensions, wide versatility and is cost-effective.

In some embodiments, the first mount component may be unitary or may be made up of multiple components.

In some embodiments, the second seat member may be unitary or may be formed from multiple parts.

In some embodiments, the first mounting member is configured to support the feed stalk in a circumferential direction. The feed stalk can thus be prevented from twisting.

In some embodiments, the feed stalk may include two printed circuit board components arranged in a cross, the two printed circuit board components forming four legs extending radially.

In some embodiments, the feed rod may be formed as a one-piece component, for example by injection molding, wherein the conductor may be embedded in the injection molded body or a conductor track may be applied to the surface of the injection molded body.

In some embodiments, the first seat member may include a plurality of supports configured to support the four legs.

In some embodiments, the first seat member may include four supports, each support configured to support one of the four legs.

In some embodiments, the plurality of supports may include four receiving portions respectively configured to grip and radially support the one of the legs from a radially outer portion of the corresponding one of the legs.

In some embodiments, each of the receiving portions may have a U-shaped cross section, and the four receiving portions are integrally connected to each other in a circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, the first support part may have a plurality of fixing locations distributed in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, the plurality of fixing locations comprises two flanges opposite each other for receiving a fastening element and comprises two snap elements.

In some embodiments, the second seat member may include a plurality of gripping portions, each gripping portion being configured to grip a respective one of the legs from a radially outer portion thereof.

In some embodiments, the number of the clamping portions may be 2, 3 or 4.

In some embodiments, the second seat member may include a first annular member that connects the plurality of clamping portions to each other in a circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of clips may have a snap element for forming a snap connection with the feed stalk.

In some embodiments, the second mount member may include a second annular member for receiving the radiating element.

In some embodiments, the second mount member may include a plurality of projections projecting radially outward from the second annular member, a first projection of the plurality of projections having a securing structure for securing the radiating element.

In some embodiments, the number of the protruding portions may be 4, the protruding portions are distributed in a circumferential direction, and each protruding portion has the fixing structure.

In some embodiments, the second annular component and the plurality of extensions may form a planar support surface.

In some embodiments, the support surface may be configured to support the radiating element in a planar manner.

In some embodiments, the first extension may have two side edges and a base edge connecting the two side edges.

In some embodiments, the two side edges may extend from the bottom edge in a direction toward the reflective plate.

In some embodiments, a snap element for establishing a snap connection with the radiating element can be formed on at least one of the two side edges.

In some embodiments, the outer contour of the first annular part may be within the inner contour of the second annular part in a projection along the longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the first annular member may be closer to the first seat member than the second annular member when viewed along the longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the first and second annular parts may be connected by a plurality of connections distributed circumferentially.

In some embodiments, the plurality of connecting portions may be radial continuations of the respective clamping portions.

In some embodiments, the first seat member may be configured to be substantially cylindrical.

In some embodiments, the second support part can be flat.

In some embodiments, the second seat member has a height dimension less than or equal to 1/3 of the maximum radial dimension, such as less than or equal to 1/4 or 1/5 of the maximum radial dimension.

In some embodiments, the second annular part together with the projection may be configured substantially planar.

A second aspect of the present invention proposes a radiator for a base station antenna, the radiator comprising a feed stalk configured to be mounted to extend upwardly from a reflection plate and to feed a radiating element, wherein the radiator comprises a radiator support for a base station antenna according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a first support part of the radiator support extends over a partial height of the feed stalk and radially supports the feed stalk to prevent the feed stalk from tipping; and a second mount part of the radiator mount is mounted adjacent a distal end of the feed stalk facing away from the reflector plate and receives the radiating element.

In some embodiments, the feed stalk may comprise two printed circuit board parts arranged crosswise, the two printed circuit board parts forming four legs extending radially, each leg may have a step on an end facing away from the reflector plate, on which step the integral radiating element is axially supported.

In some embodiments, at least one of the four legs may have an aperture for establishing a snap-fit connection with the second seat part.

In some embodiments, the radiating element may include a cross-wise arrangement of dipoles, each dipole having a pair of dipole arms.

A third aspect of the present invention proposes a multiband base station antenna comprising an array of high-band radiators and an array of low-band radiators mounted on a reflection plate, wherein the low-band radiators are the radiators for the base station antenna according to the second aspect of the present invention, and wherein a plurality of the high-band radiators are disposed adjacent to a feed stalk of one of the low-band radiators, around the radiator of one of the low-band radiators.

It should be noted here that the individual features mentioned in the present application can be combined with one another as desired, provided they are not mutually contradictory. All technically feasible combinations of features are the technical content stated in the present application. In addition, the orientations mentioned in the present application, such as the longitudinal, radial and circumferential directions, are defined with reference to the longitudinal central axis of the radiator in the mounted state on the reflection plate, unless otherwise specified.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of specific embodiments with reference to the drawing. Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a multi-band base station antenna;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a radiator according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 3 is a side view of the radiator of fig. 2;

fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a radiator support of the radiator of fig. 3;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first mounting part and the feed stalk of the radiator of fig. 3;

fig. 6 and 7 are respective top and side views of a second mount part of the radiator mount of fig. 4; and is

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the second mount part and feed stalk of the radiator of fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a multi-band base station antenna. A partially depicted reflector plate 3, which may be made of aluminum, for example, is visible in fig. 1. One or more feed plates, for example feed plates which may comprise printed circuit boards (see fig. 2), may be arranged on the reflector plate 3. On the reflector plate 3 radiators of the high frequency band of the array and radiators of the low frequency band of the array may be mounted, which radiators may be fed by said one or more feed plates. These radiators, together with the reflector plate 3 and the feeder plate etc. antenna elements, can be accommodated inside the radome.

In fig. 1, a low-band radiator 1 and two high-band radiators 2 are visible, the low-band radiator 1 comprising a feed shaft 4, a radiating element 5 and a radiator support 6. The feed stalk 4 is electrically connected to a feed board (see fig. 2) provided on the reflection board 3, and serves to pass radio frequency signals between the radiation element 5 and other antenna components. The radiating element 5 is formed in one piece from a printed circuit board, wherein the radiating element comprises two dipoles arranged crosswise, each dipole comprising a pair of dipole arms lying opposite one another. In other embodiments, which are not shown, the dipole arms can also be designed as separate parts (e.g. separate dipole arms made of sheet metal). Two radiators 2 of the high frequency band are mounted on the reflector plate 3 adjacent to the feed stalk 4 of the radiator 1 of the low frequency band. The radiator 2 of the high frequency band is situated below the radiating element 5, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the radiator 1 of the low frequency band.

It is to be noted that the radiators 1, 2 are depicted in the drawings and are illustrated here as extending in the height direction upwards from the reflector plate 3, however in normal operation the base station antenna may be oriented such that the reflector plate 3 extends vertically and the radiators 1, 2 extend forwards from the reflector plate 3.

One or more high-band radiators 2, for example three or four high-band radiators 2, may be arranged around the feed stalk 4 in the circumferential direction of the low-band radiator 1. In the present application, "high band" and "low band" are concepts opposite to each other. In some embodiments, the "high band" may be a frequency range of 1695 to 2690MHz or a portion thereof, and the "low band" may be a frequency range of 617 to 960MHz or a portion thereof.

The radiator 1 of the low frequency band of fig. 1 is described in more detail in fig. 2 and 3, while the radiators 2 of the two high frequency bands are hidden. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the radiator support 6 of the radiator 1 of fig. 3, fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first support part 10 and the feed stalk 4 of the radiator 1 of fig. 3, fig. 6 and 7 are respective top and side views of the second support part 20 of the radiator support 6 of fig. 4, and fig. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the second support part 20 and the feed stalk 4 of the radiator 1 of fig. 3.

The radiator support 6 comprises a (lower) first support part 10 and a (upper) second support part 20, which are separate from each other. The first support part 10 is configured for being mounted on the reflector plate 3, extending over part of the height of the feed stalk 4, and radially supported thereon to prevent the feed stalk from tipping over. The second mount part 20 is configured for being mounted adjacent to a distal end of the feed stalk 4 facing away from the reflector plate 3 and receiving the radiating element 5. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first 10 and second 20 seat parts are each an integral part. However, it is also contemplated that in some other embodiments, one or both of the first and second mount components 10, 20 may each include separate components that may or may not be connected to each other.

In the embodiment shown, the feed stalk 4 comprises two printed circuit board parts arranged crosswise, which form four radially extending legs 13, each of which may have a step 15 at the end facing away from the reflector plate 3, on which step 15 the integrated radiating element 5 formed by the printed circuit board may be mounted. Two of the four legs 13, which may be on the same printed circuit board part of the feed stalk 4 or on different printed circuit board parts, have holes 14 for establishing a snap connection with the second carrier part 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first support part 10 comprises four supports 11, each configured for receiving a respective one of the legs 13 of the feed stalk 4 and for clamping and/or supporting the respective leg 13 from a radially outer portion of the respective leg 13. The four support portions 11 may have a U-shaped cross section, respectively, and may be integrally connected to each other in a circumferential direction of the radiator 1. The two printed circuit board components of the feed stalk 4 can be brought into a stable relative position by clamping the respective leg 13 by the respective U-shaped support. In other embodiments, not shown, three supports 11 may be provided for three of the four legs 13; alternatively, four support portions 11 are provided, three of which 11 are configured as shown in fig. 4, and one fourth support portion 11 has only a radial support function without clamping the corresponding leg 13.

The first carrier part 10 can have a plurality of fastening points 12 distributed in the circumferential direction of the radiator 1. The fixing portion 12 may be used to mount the first mounting member 10 on the reflection plate 3 (for example, either directly or by mounting the first mounting member 10 to a feeder plate and the feeder plate to the reflection plate 3). The fastening points 12 can be, for example, two opposing flanges 12b for receiving fastening elements and two opposing snap elements 12a, which flanges 12b and snap elements 12a are distributed over the circumference of the radiator 1. The snap elements 12a can for example establish a snap connection with the reflector plate 3. The flange 12b may, for example, have a hole for receiving a push rivet.

In the embodiment shown, the second support member 20 comprises four clamping portions 27, each configured for clamping an upper portion of a respective one of the legs 13 from a radially outer portion of said one of the legs 13. The second carrier part 20 comprises a first ring-shaped part 21 which connects the four clamping portions 27 to each other in the circumferential direction of the radiator 1. Each clip 27 has a snap-in element 28 for forming a snap-in connection with the feed stalk 4, wherein the snap-in elements 28 can snap into the corresponding holes 14 in the feed stalk 4. The snap-fit connection may act unidirectionally, i.e. to be able to prevent the second mount part 20 from being pulled out of the feed stalk 4. Alternatively, the snap-fit connection may function bidirectionally, i.e. not only to prevent the second mount part 20 from being pulled off the feed stalk 4, but also to prevent the second mount part 20 from being pushed further on the feed stalk 4 in the direction of the first mount part 10.

In the embodiment shown, the second carrier part 20 comprises a second annular part 22 for receiving the radiating element 5, the second annular part 22 being connected to the first annular part 21 by four connections 23 distributed in the circumferential direction of the radiator 1. In a projection along the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the radiator 1, the outer contour of the first annular part 21 lies within the inner contour of the second annular part 22, the connection 23 being a radial continuation of the respective clamping portion 27. The first annular part 21 is closer to the first mounting part 10 than the second annular part 22, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the radiator 1. The second mount part 20 comprises four projections 29 projecting radially outwards from the second annular part 22, each for axially supporting one of the dipole arms of the radiating element 5 and having a fixing structure for fixing this one dipole arm. The second annular part 22 and the four extensions 29 can form a common planar support surface on which the integrated radiating element 5, which can comprise a printed circuit board, can rest in a planar manner. As shown in fig. 4, 6 and 7, each extension 29 has two side edges 24 and a base edge 26 connecting the two side edges 24, the two side edges 24 extending from the base edge 26 in the direction of the reflector plate 3, and a snap element 25 for establishing a snap connection with the radiant element 5 being formed on each of the two side edges 24, by means of which snap elements 25 the radiant element 5 can be held on the support surface. In some embodiments, not shown, the fixing structure can be realized by screws and screw holes, or by a cover for holding the radiant element 5 on the second seat part 20, wherein the radiant element 5 is between the second seat part 20 and the cover, which is snap-connected with the second seat part 20 or connected by fastening elements. Here, the numbers of the connecting portions 23, the clamping portions 27, and the protruding portions 29 are respectively exemplified. Their number may also be, for example, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, etc.

A radiator according to an embodiment of the invention can be assembled as follows:

mounting the first support member 10 on the reflection plate 3;

inserting the feed stalk 4 into the first mounting part 10;

the feed handle 4 is electrically connected with the feed board;

mounting the radiating element 5 on the second support part 20; and

the second carrier part 20 is mounted together with the radiating element 5 on the end region of the feed stalk 4 facing away from the reflector plate 3.

The various steps mentioned above may be performed in a logically sound order and not necessarily in sequential order. Some steps may be performed in parallel, or the order of each other may be interchanged.

In the radiator support 6 according to the invention, the first support part 10 can be of substantially cylindrical design and the second support part 20 can be of flat design. Compared to the one-piece radiator supports of the prior art, the radiator support according to the invention takes up less installation space, more space can be provided between the radiator support and the reflector plate for mounting high-band radiators, which can be mounted closer in the radial direction to the feed shaft of the low-band radiators without interfering with the radiator support for the low-band radiators, so that a higher density of radiators on the reflector plate 3 can be achieved. Furthermore, the two-part radiator support can be well adapted to radiators of different heights, with improved versatility.

It is noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms "comprises" and "comprising," and other similar terms, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term "and/or" as used herein includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The thickness of elements in the figures may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be further understood that if an element is referred to as being "on," "coupled to" or "connected to" another element, it can be directly on, coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Conversely, if the expressions "directly on … …", "directly coupled with … …", and "directly connected with … …" are used herein, then there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements, such as "between … …" and "directly between … …", "attached" and "directly attached", "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", etc., should be similarly interpreted.

Terms such as "top," "bottom," "above," "below," "over," "under," and the like, may be used herein to describe one element, layer or region's relationship to another element, layer or region as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms are intended to encompass other orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept.

It is also contemplated that all of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with each other as desired.

Finally, it is pointed out that the above-described embodiments are only intended to be understood as an example of the invention and do not limit the scope of protection of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the foregoing embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.