JP2004080377A - Antenna fixture and running car employing same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an antenna fixture whereby an antenna is rigidly fitted to a pipe without causing a positional deviation and an attitude change. <P>SOLUTION: The antenna fixture 9 fits an antenna 10 to a vertical pipe part 5L to the left side of a pipe handle 5 in an automatic lawn mower 1. The antenna fixture 9 is provided with: first and second tightening pieces 21,22 whose cross section is groove-shaped; a tightening bolt 23; and a nut 24. The first and second tightening pieces 21,22 are tightened and fixed to the vertical pipe part 5L at positions vertically apart to each other from both sides in a face contact state by circular-arc pipe fitting parts 34,35,44,45 formed to side plate parts 32,33,43,44. Further, an antenna root part 16 is tightened between the first and second tightening pieces 21,22 at a position vertically apart from the pieces 21,22 in a face contact state from both sides by circular-arc antenna fitting parts 36,37,46,47 formed to the side plate parts 32,33,43,44. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an antenna fixture used for attaching an antenna for wireless communication to a pipe attached to a vehicle body of a traveling vehicle, and to a traveling vehicle having an antenna attached to a pipe using the antenna fixture. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a traveling vehicle, for example, an automatic lawn mower traveling along a pre-programmed route by wireless operation, a pipe handle is mounted on the upper surface of the vehicle body in an upright U-shape, and the pipe handle is provided with a wireless communication device. Antenna is attached. Fasteners such as U-bolts are used for mounting the antenna.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the antenna is fixed to the circular pipe using the conventional fastener, it is difficult to securely fix the antenna to the pipe. For example, a vertically mounted antenna falls down or is displaced vertically. There was fear.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to propose an antenna fixing device that can securely fix an antenna to a pipe without causing a positional shift or a change in posture.
[0005]
Another object of the present invention is to propose a traveling vehicle to which an antenna is attached by such a new antenna fixture.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is an antenna fixture used to fix a lower end portion of an antenna to a pipe,
First and second fastening pieces having a groove-shaped cross section, and fastening for fastening the first and second fastening pieces to each other with the lower end portion of the pipe and the antenna sandwiched therebetween. And a member,
Each of the first and second fastening pieces is formed on a bottom plate portion defining a bottom of a grooved cross section, left and right side plate portions bent at right angles from both ends of the bottom plate portion, and formed on these side plate portions. A pipe fitting portion and an antenna fitting portion capable of fitting the lower end portion of the pipe and the antenna from the distal end side of these side plate portions, respectively, and at least two for inserting the fastening member formed in the bottom plate portion. And through holes,
In a state where the lower end portions of the pipe and the antenna are fitted in the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion, the first and second fastening pieces are combined from both sides of the pipe and the lower end portion of the antenna. The first and second fastening pieces are fastened and fixed to each other by inserting the fastening member into the through holes of the first and second fastening pieces.
[0007]
In the antenna fixing device of the present invention, the first and second fastening pieces formed with the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion are combined from both sides of the lower end portion of the pipe and the antenna and fastened to each other by a fastening member. Has become. The pipe and the antenna are fastened in a face-to-face state from both sides by the pipe fitting portion of each fastening piece and the inner peripheral surface of the antenna fitting portion. Therefore, the antenna fixture is firmly attached to the pipe and the lower end portion of the antenna, and the antenna is firmly attached to the pipe by the antenna fixture. Further, since the antenna is sandwiched from both sides by the first and second fastening pieces at the upper and lower positions in the axial direction, the antenna is held in a predetermined posture without falling back and forth and right and left.
[0008]
Here, if the inner peripheral surfaces of the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion are formed in shapes corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe and the lower end portion of the antenna, respectively, the first and second fastening pieces can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe. Also, it is preferable because the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the antenna can be reliably brought into surface contact.
[0009]
Generally, a groove extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the antenna. In this case, it is desirable that the inner peripheral edge portion of the antenna fitting portion of the first or second fastening piece can be inserted into the groove. By inserting these inner peripheral portions into the grooves, the antenna can be reliably prevented from coming off.
[0010]
Further, in a state where the lower end portions of the pipe and the antenna are sandwiched and the first and second fastening pieces are combined, the tip surfaces of the left and right side plate portions of the second fastening piece and the first fastening piece If a clearance for the interference by the fastening member is formed between the bottom plate and the bottom plate, the first and second fastening pieces can be firmly fastened and fixed to the pipe and the lower end of the antenna.
[0011]
Further, the through-holes formed in the first and second fastening pieces are inserted into the bottom plate portion between the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion, and the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion. If it is formed at a total of three positions on the outside, the first and second fastening pieces can be securely fastened and fixed to the pipe and the lower end portion of the antenna using three fastening members.
[0012]
Next, the present invention is characterized in that, in a traveling vehicle having a pipe and an antenna attached to the pipe, a lower end portion of the antenna is attached to the pipe by the antenna fixing tool having the above configuration. . Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent adverse effects such as the antenna being shifted or its posture being changed due to vibration or impact during traveling.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a traveling vehicle to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an automatic lawn mower to which the present invention is applied. The automatic lawn mower of this example performs a lawn mowing operation while automatically traveling along a traveling path programmed in advance by wireless remote control. The automatic lawn mower 1 includes a vehicle body 2, front wheels 3L and 3R, and rear wheels 4L and 4R that are driving wheels.
[0015]
A pipe handle 5 is attached to a rear portion of the upper surface of the vehicle body 2 in a state of standing in an inverted U-shape. A table 6 is horizontally arranged in front of the pipe handle 5. Table attachments 7L and 7R are attached to both sides of the rear end portion of the table 6, respectively. The table attachments 7L and 7R are connected by pipe fixing tools 8L and 8R, respectively. The handle 5 is fixed at an intermediate position between the left and right vertical pipe portions 5L, 5R. Further, an antenna 10 is vertically fixed by an antenna fixture 9 at an upper position of the pipe fixture 8L in the left vertical pipe portion 5L of the pipe handle 5.
[0016]
(Antenna and antenna fixture)
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a portion to which the antenna fixture 9 is attached. FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view showing the antenna fixture in an exploded state.
[0017]
First, the antenna 10 of this embodiment is a ready-made product, and includes an elongated rod-shaped antenna main body 11 and an antenna lower end portion 12 attached to a lower end of the antenna main body 11. The upper half portion 13 of the antenna lower end portion 12 has a diameter slightly larger than that of the antenna main body 11, and the lower half portion 14 has a tapered portion 15 extending downward from the lower end of the upper half portion 13. And a large-diameter root portion 16 continuous with the lower end of the tapered portion 15. At the lower end portion of the root portion 16, three large-diameter flanges 17 having a constant width are formed, and two circular grooves 18 are formed between them.
[0018]
Next, the antenna fixing device 9 of this example includes a metal first fastening piece 21 having a groove-shaped cross section, a metal second fastening piece 22 also having a groove-shaped cross section, There are provided three sets of bolts 23, nuts 24 and washers 25 for fastening and fixing the antenna 22 to the vertical pipe portion 5L and fastening and fixing the antenna lower end portion 12 therebetween. The first fastening piece 21 includes a bottom plate portion 31 having a constant width that defines a bottom of a channel-shaped cross section, and a side plate portion having the same width bent at a right angle from left and right (up and down in the figure) ends of the bottom plate portion 31. 32 and 33 are provided. Pipe fitting portions 34, 35 (only the pipe fitting portion 34 is shown in the figure) and antenna fitting portions 36, 37 are formed on the respective side plate portions 32, 33 along the length direction thereof. These fitting portions 34, 35, 36, and 37 have shapes that are cut out from the distal end surfaces 32 a, 33 a of the side plate portions 32, 33 into a substantially semicircular shape. The inner peripheral surfaces 34a, 35a of the pipe fitting portions 34, 35 have an arc shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the vertical pipe portion 5L. The inner peripheral surface 36a of the antenna fitting portion 36 has an arc shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the antenna root portion 16, and the inner peripheral surface 37a of the other antenna fitting groove 37 is formed in the antenna root portion 16. It is a thickness that can be fitted into the circular groove 18 and has an arc shape corresponding to the circular groove 18. Bolt holes (through holes) 38 are formed in the bottom plate portion 31 at positions on both ends thereof and between the pipe fitting portion 34 and the antenna fitting portion 35.
[0019]
The second fastening piece 22 also has a shape similar to that of the first fastening piece 21, and has a bottom plate portion 41 having a constant width defining the bottom of the groove-shaped cross section, and left and right sides of the bottom plate portion 41 (up and down in the figure). ) Are provided with side plate portions 42 and 43 of the same width bent at right angles from the ends of the side plates. Pipe fitting portions 44 and 45 and antenna fitting portions 46 and 47 are formed on the respective side plate portions 42 and 43 along the length direction thereof. These fitting portions 44, 45, 46, 47 have a shape cut out from the tip surfaces 42 a, 43 a of the respective side plate portions 42, 43 in a substantially semicircular shape. The inner peripheral surfaces 44a, 45a of the pipe fitting portions 44, 45 have an arc shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the vertical pipe portion 5L. The inner peripheral surfaces 46a and 47a of the antenna fitting portions 46 and 47 have an arc shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 16 of the antenna. Further, bolt holes (through holes) 48 are formed in the bottom plate portion 41 at positions on both ends thereof and between the pipe fitting portion 44 and the antenna fitting portion 45.
[0020]
The width of the bottom plate portion 41 of the second fastening piece 22 of this example is slightly smaller than that of the first fastening piece 21, and as shown in FIG. The side plate portions 42 and 43 of the fastening piece 22 can be fitted inside the side plate portions 32 and 33 of the first fastening piece 21.
[0021]
Further, in a state where the second fastening piece 22 is combined with the first fastening piece 21 with the vertical pipe portion 5L and the antenna root portion 16 interposed therebetween, the tip surfaces 42a and 43a of the side plate portions of the second fastening piece 22 A gap 50 for interference is formed between the first fastening piece 21 and the bottom plate portion 31.
[0022]
(Antenna mounting procedure)
An example of an operation procedure for attaching the antenna 10 to the vertical pipe portion 5L of the pipe handle 5 using the antenna fixture 9 of this example will be described.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 10 is vertically held at a predetermined interval in the vertical pipe portion 5L, and the first and second fastening pieces 21 and 22 are combined from both sides to form a gap between these pipe fitting portions 34 and 44. , And 35, 45 sandwich the vertical pipe section 5L. At the same time, the antenna root portion 16 is sandwiched between the antenna fitting portions 36 and 46 and between the antenna fitting portions 37 and 47.
[0024]
Here, the inner peripheral surface 37 a of the antenna fitting portion 37 formed on the lower side plate portion 33 of the first fastening piece 21 is attached so as to fit into the upper circular groove 18 of the antenna root portion 16. . The inner peripheral surface 47 a of the antenna fitting portion 47 formed on the lower side plate portion 43 of the second fastening piece 22 is positioned above the uppermost circular flange 17 of the antenna root portion 16. Attach to
[0025]
Next, a bolt 23 is inserted from each bolt 48 from the back side of the bottom plate portion 41 of the second fastening piece 22, and its tip is projected from the bolt hole 38 of the other first fastening piece 21, and a washer is provided on the projected portion. The nut 25 and the nut 24 are mounted in this order, and the nut 24 is screwed. Thereafter, each bolt 23 is tightened.
[0026]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the vertical pipe portion 5L and the antenna base portion 16 are fastened and fixed between the fastening pieces 21 and 22, and a state where the antenna 10 is attached to the vertical pipe portion 5L is formed. In this state, since the first and second fastening pieces 21 and 22 are fastened from both sides in a surface contact state at positions vertically separated from the vertical pipe portion 5L, the antenna fixture 9 is fixed to the vertical pipe portion 5L. Is firmly fixed.
[0027]
Also, since the first and second fastening pieces 21 and 22 are also fastened to the antenna base 16 from both sides at positions vertically separated from each other, the antenna base 16 is fixed to the antenna fixture 9. It is firmly fixed and does not fall back and forth and left and right. Further, a portion of the inner peripheral surface 37a of the antenna fitting portion 37 formed on the lower side plate portion 31 of the first fastening piece 21 is fitted in the circular groove 18 of the antenna root portion 16, and this portion and the other The circular flange 17 is sandwiched from above and below between the inner peripheral surface 47a of the antenna fitting portion 47 formed on the lower side plate portion 41 of the second fastening piece 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the antenna 10 from coming off and the vertical position thereof from being displaced.
[0028]
(Other embodiments)
Although an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic lawn mower has been described, it is a matter of course that the present invention can be similarly applied to other traveling vehicles.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the antenna fixing device of the present invention, the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion are formed on the first and second fastening pieces having the groove-shaped cross sections, and the pipe and the antenna are provided between these fastening pieces. The fastening pieces are fastened to each other by using fastening members such as bolts and nuts with the antenna sandwiched therebetween.
[0030]
Therefore, when the antenna fixing device of the present invention is used, the antenna can be attached to the pipe more firmly and without causing a displacement or a change in posture, as compared with the case of using a U-bolt or the like.
[0031]
Further, in a traveling vehicle in which the antenna is attached to a pipe by the antenna fixing device of the present invention, the antenna does not shift or change its posture due to vibration or impact generated during traveling or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an automatic lawn mower to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a part of an antenna fixture in the automatic lawn mower of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view showing an exploded state of the antenna fixture of FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic lawn mower 2 Body 5 Pipe handle 5L, 5R Vertical pipe part of pipe handle 9 Antenna fixture 10 Antenna 11 Antenna body 12 Antenna lower end part 16 Antenna root part 17 Circular flange 18 Circular groove 21 First fastening piece 22 First 2 fastening pieces 23 bolts 24 nuts 25 washers 31, 41 bottom plate portions 32, 33, 42, 43 side plate portions 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a tip end surfaces 34, 35, 44, 45 of side plates pipe fitting portions 34a, 35a, 44a , 45a Inner peripheral surfaces 36, 37, 46, 47 Antenna fitting portions 36a, 37a, 46a, 47a Inner peripheral surfaces 38, 48 Bolt holes 50 Tightening clearance

Claims (6)

An antenna fixture used to fix a lower end portion of the antenna to a pipe,
First and second fastening pieces having a groove-shaped cross section, and fastening for fastening the first and second fastening pieces to each other with the lower end portion of the pipe and the antenna sandwiched therebetween. And a member,
Each of the first and second fastening pieces is formed on a bottom plate portion defining a bottom of a grooved cross section, left and right side plate portions bent at right angles from both ends of the bottom plate portion, and formed on these side plate portions. A pipe fitting portion and an antenna fitting portion capable of fitting the lower end portion of the pipe and the antenna from the distal end side of these side plate portions, respectively, and at least two for inserting the fastening member formed in the bottom plate portion. And through holes,
In a state where the lower end portions of the pipe and the antenna are fitted in the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion, the first and second fastening pieces are combined from both sides of the pipe and the lower end portion of the antenna. An antenna fixture, wherein the first and second fastening pieces are fastened and fixed to each other by inserting the fastening member into the through holes of the first and second fastening pieces. In claim 1,
The antenna fixture according to claim 1, wherein inner peripheral surfaces of the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion have shapes corresponding to an outer peripheral surface of the pipe and a lower end portion of the antenna, respectively. In claim 1 or 2,
A groove extending in a circumferential direction is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a lower end portion of the antenna,
An antenna fixing device, wherein an inner peripheral edge portion of the antenna fitting portion of the first or second fastening piece is insertable into the groove. In claim 1, 2 or 3,
In a state where the lower end portions of the pipe and the antenna are sandwiched and the first and second fastening pieces are combined, tip end surfaces of left and right side plate portions of the second fastening piece and a bottom plate portion of the first fastening piece. Wherein a gap for interference by the fastening member is formed between the antenna fixing tool and the fixing member. In any one of claims 1 to 4,
The through holes formed in the first and second fastening pieces are provided at positions between the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion in the bottom plate portion, and at positions outside the pipe fitting portion and the antenna fitting portion. An antenna fixture formed at three positions. In a traveling vehicle having a pipe and an antenna attached to the pipe,
A traveling vehicle, wherein a lower end portion of the antenna is attached to the pipe by an antenna fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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