WO2009066828A1

WO2009066828A1 - Cover of an antenna

Info

Publication number: WO2009066828A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/006629
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung-Il Oh
Original assignee: Ace Antenna Corp.
Priority date: 2007-11-19
Filing date: 2007-12-18
Publication date: 2009-05-28
Also published as: KR20090051350A; CN101715613A

Abstract

A cover having multiple layer structure in a directional antenna is disclosed. The cover includes an internal layer, and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer disposed on the internal layer, and configured to block an ultraviolet ray.

Description

COVER OF AN ANTENNA Technical Field

[I] Example embodiment of the present invention relates to a cover having multiple layer structure in a directional antenna.

Background Art [2] An antenna transmits/receives an electromagnetic wave. Specially, a directional antenna built in a base station is directly exposed at an outside surrounding, and thus the antenna must have a cover for preventing elements in the antenna from the outside surrounding such as a rain, etc.

[3] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a common antenna built in a base station.

[4] As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 102 is connected to an antenna supporting member

100 through connection members 104 and 106. [5] This antenna 102 has a cover for protecting its elements from an outside surrounding such as a rain, etc and blocking ultraviolet ray. Here, the cover is made up of single material. [6] First, an ABS resin is used as the single material of the cover. Here, the ABS resin has excellent strength characteristic. However, a problem exists in that the cover made up of the ABS resin may be discolored and broken down in case that the cover is exposed to ultraviolet ray for long. Accordingly, the cover made up of the ABS resin is not adequate to the antenna. [7] Next, a cover made up of an ASA resin is developed so as to prevent the discoloring and the breaking due to the ultraviolet ray. However, the ASA resin is excellent in view of the ultraviolet ray, but is not good in view of strength. Accordingly, the cover made up of the ASA resin is not adequate to the antenna 102 having great volume. [8] To prevent these problems, a cover made up of fiber reinforced plastics resin

(hereinafter, referred to as "FRP resin") is developed, wherein the FRP resin is excellent in view of strength and the ultraviolet ray. [9] However, since the FRP resin includes glass fiber, the cover made up of the FRP may affect noxious influence to a human body.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, the present invention is provided to substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[I I] Example embodiment of the present invention provides a cover of an antenna for protecting elements in the antenna from an outside surrounding and impact. Here, the cover does not affect noxious influence to a human body. Specially, the present invention provides the cover having excellent strength characteristic and excellent ultraviolet ray characteristic. Technical Solution

[12] A cover of an antenna according to one example embodiment of the present invention includes an internal layer; and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer disposed on the internal layer, and configured to block an ultraviolet ray.

[13] The internal layer is made up of a PC, a PC/SBS, an ABS resin, a Noryl or a PVC.

[14] The ultraviolet ray blocking layer is made up of an ASA resin, a PC/ASA or a weatherproof PC.

[15] The internal layer is thicker than the ultraviolet ray blocking layer.

[16] The cover is manufactured by a double extrusion method.

[17] The antenna is a directional antenna.

[18] A cover of an antenna according to another example embodiment of the present invention includes a single layer section corresponding to a part of the cover, and made up of single layer; and a multiple layer section corresponding to other part of the cover, and made up of multiple layers. Here, wherein the multiple layer section includes an internal layer; and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer disposed on the internal layer, and configured to block an ultraviolet ray.

[19] The single layer section is made up of the same material as the internal layer.

[20] The internal layer is made up of a PC, a PC/SBS, an ABS resin, a Noryl or a PVC, and the ultraviolet ray blocking layer is made up of an ASA resin, a PC/ASA or a weatherproof PC.

[21] The internal layer is thicker than the ultraviolet ray blocking layer.

[22] The single layer section and the multiple layer section are manufactured at one time by the same process.

[23] The cover is manufactured by inserting the multiple layer section into the single layer section after forming the single layer section.

Advantageous Effects

[24] A cover of an antenna according to one example embodiment of the present invention is made up of an internal layer having excellent strength characteristic and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer, i.e. multiple layers. Hence, the cover may be not broken down by an outside surrounding, and be not discolored and not cracked though the cover is exposed to ultraviolet ray for long. For example, the internal layer is made up of polycarbonate PC, and the ultraviolet ray blocking layer is made up of an ASA resin. Here, since the PC and the ASA resin are not noxious material, the cover made up of the PC and the ASA resin do not affect noxious influence to a human body. Brief Description of the Drawings

[25] Example embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail example embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[26] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a common antenna built in a base station;

[27] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an antenna according to one example embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating internal structure of an antenna according to one example embodiment of the present invention; and

[29] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a cover of an antenna according to a first example embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a cover of an antenna according to a second example embodiment of the present invention; and

[31] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a method of manufacturing the cover by using a double extrusion process according to one example embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[32] Example embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present invention, however, example embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to example embodiments of the present invention set forth herein.

[33] Accordingly, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

[34] 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. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. [35] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or

"coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (i.e., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.).

[36] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. 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 further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising,", "includes" and/or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[37] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[38] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an antenna according to one example embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating internal structure of an antenna according to one example embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a cover of an antenna according to a first example embodiment of the present invention.

[39] The antenna 200 of the present embodiment has internal structure as shown in for example FIG. 3, and has external structure as shown in FIG. 2.

[40] Hereinafter, the external structure of the antenna 200 will be described after the internal structure of the antenna 200 is described.

[41] The antenna 200 is for example a directional antenna built in a base station, and includes a reflection plate 300, at least one radiation device 302 and a phase shifter (not shown) as shown in FIG. 3.

[42] The reflection plate 300 is a conductor, and functions as a reflector and a ground. In addition, the reflection plate 300 has for example shape bent in a specific direction as shown in FIG. 3. However, the reflection plate 300 is not bent, and may have plane shape. [43] The radiation devices 302 radiate a given radiation pattern, and are disposed in sequence on a first side of the reflection plate 300 as shown in FIG. 3.

[44] The phase shifter is not shown, and is formed on a side opposed to the first side of the reflection plate 300, adjusts phase of a signal inputted from an outside device (divides a power inputted from the outside device), and provides the adjusted signal to a corresponding radiation device 302.

[45] Generally, the antenna 200 outputs a beam in a special direction using the radiation devices 302 so as to transmit/receive an electromagnetic wave. Here, direction of the beam should be adjusted in order to transmit/receive the electromagnetic in a desired direction. This direction adjustment of the beam is performed by the phase shifter. Particularly, the phase shifter changes a phase of the inputted signal, and then provides the changed signal to the radiation devices 302. As a result, the direction of the beam is adjusted in response to the provided signal.

[46] Hereinafter, the external structure of the antenna 200 will be described in detail.

[47] The antenna 200 includes a cover 202, a feeding connection member 204 and an inclination angle adjusting apparatus connection member 206 as shown in FIG. 2.

[48] The cover 202 protects the elements in the antenna 200, i.e. the reflection plate 300, the radiation device 302 and the phase shifter from an outside surrounding such as a rain, etc. Additionally, the cover 202 blocks ultraviolet ray so that the ultraviolet ray are not directly radiated to the elements.

[49] The cover 202 has an internal layer 400 and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402.

[50] The internal layer 400 is made up of a material of which dielectric constant is not high considering the electromagnetic wave transmitted(received) from(to) the antenna 200. This internal layer 400 determines strength of the cover 202, i.e. controls physical property of the cover 202.

[51] In one example embodiment of the present invention, the internal layer 400 may be made up of material having excellent strength characteristic, e.g. a polycarbonate PC, a PC/styrene butadiene styrene PC/SBS, an ABS resin, a noryl or a PVC.

[52] The ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402 blocks the ultraviolet ray, is made up of material having excellent ultraviolet ray characteristic, and is formed on the internal layer 400.

[53] In one example embodiment of the present invention, the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402 may be made up of an ASA resin, a PC/ASA or a weatherproof PC, etc. It is desirable that the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402 is made up of the ASA resin. In this case, the cover 202 is not discolored and cracked due to characteristic of the ASA resin though the cover 202 is exposed to the ultraviolet ray for long. Whereas, the ASA resin is not good in view of strength.

[54] However, since the internal layer 400 strengthens strength of the cover 202 by com- plementing the above ASA resin, the cover 202 may maintain excellent strength characteristic with having excellent ultraviolet ray characteristic.

[55] In one example embodiment of the present invention, the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402 has thickness smaller than the internal layer 400 considering strength characteristic.

[56] Since the internal layer 400 and the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402 do not have a noxious material, the cover 202 does not affect noxious influence to a human body.

[57] The feeding connection member 204 is a kind of connector, and connects a feeding line (not shown) as an internal element of the antenna 200 to an outside member (not shown).

[58] The inclination angle adjusting apparatus connection member 206 is a connection path, wherein an inclination angle adjusting apparatus is inserted into the internal of the antenna 200 through the inclination angle adjusting apparatus connection member 206. Here, the inclination angle adjusting apparatus adjusts direction of the beam by controlling the phase shifter, i.e. an inclination angle of the antenna 200.

[59] The external structure of the antenna 200 may be various modified in accordance with objection of a user as long as the cover 202 has two layers 400 and 402 as mentioned above.

[60] In brief, in the antenna 200 of the present embodiment, the cover 202 includes two layers 400 and 402, specially the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402, and so the cover 202 has excellent strength characteristic and excellent ultraviolet ray characteristic. In one example embodiment of the present invention, the cover 202 is manufactured by for example a double extrusion process as described below.

[61] In the above description, the cover 202 has two layers 400 and 402. However, the cover 202 may include three layers or more, i.e. multiple layers. In this case, an outmost layer of the layers is made up of a material having excellent ultraviolet ray characteristic so as to protect the cover 202 from the ultraviolet ray.

[62] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a cover of an antenna according to a second example embodiment of the present invention.

[63] As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the cover 202, i.e. single layer section 500 is made up of a single material, and the other part, i.e. multiple layer section 502 has multiple layers, i.e. a multiple layer structure.

[64] The multiple layer section 502 includes an internal layer 504 and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer 506 formed on the internal layer 504. Here, since the internal layer 504 and the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 506 are similar to those in the first embodiment, any further description concerning the internal layer 504 and the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 506 will be omitted.

[65] The single layer section 500 has a single layer structure which is made up of single material. In one example embodiment of the present invention, the single layer section 500 is made up of the same material as the internal layer 504, e.g. polycarbonate PC. However, the single layer section 500 may be made up of material different from material of the internal layer 504, e.g. an ABS resin, a FRP or a PVC, etc.

[66] In case of manufacturing the cover 202, the layer sections 500 and 502 may be manufactured at one time through the same process.

[67] In another example embodiment of the present invention, the cover 202 may be manufactured by inserting the multiple layer section 502 into the single layer section 500 after forming the single layer section 500. In other words, the single layer section 500 and the multiple layer section 502 are manufactured through different processes, and then are combined so that the above cover 202 is formed.

[68] In short, some or whole of the cover 202 has a multiple layer structure as shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[69] Hereinafter, the process of manufacturing the cover 202 will be described in detail.

[70] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a method of manufacturing the cover by using a double extrusion process according to one example embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the internal layer 400 and the ultraviolet ray blocking layer 402 of the cover 202 are made up of the PC and the ASA resin for convenience of description, respectively.

[71] In FIG. 6, a system for the double extrusion process includes fetching sections 600 and 606, hoppers 602 and 608, molding sections 604, a forming section 610, a transferring section 612 and a cutting section 614.

[72] The fetching sections 600 and 606 transfer resins inputted through the hoppers 602 and 608 into the molding sections 604. Particularly, the first fetching section 600 transfers the PC inputted through the first hopper 602 into the first molding section 604A. In addition, the second fetching section 602 transfers the ASA resin inputted through the second hopper 608 into the second molding section 604B.

[73] The molding sections 604 make the transferred PC and ASA resin into desired shape, e.g. a cover structure having a shape shown in FIG. 2 using specific molds. Here, the cover structure has imperfect state, e.g. imperfect shape and size.

[74] The forming section 610 makes the cover structure having imperfect state into a desired state, e.g. desired shape and size. Then, the forming section 610 transfers the cover structure formed thereby into the cutting section 614 through the transferring section 612.

[75] The transferring section 612 includes a transfer means for transferring the formed cover structure, e.g. a roller. In another example embodiment of the present invention, the transferring section 612 may transfer the formed cover structure using a robot.

[76] The cutting section 614 cuts the cover structure transferred through the transferring section 612 with desired size and shape, thereby forming the cover 202 shown in FIG. 2.

[77] In the above description, the cover 202 is manufactured by the double extrusion process. However, a method of manufacturing the cover 202 is not limited as the double extrusion process.

[78] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment,"

"example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

[79] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

[I] A cover of an antenna comprising: an internal layer; and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer disposed on the internal layer, and configured to block an ultraviolet ray. [2] The cover of claim 1, wherein the internal layer is made up of a PC, a PC/SB S, an ABS resin, a Noryl or a PVC. [3] The cover of claim 2, wherein the ultraviolet ray blocking layer is made up of an

ASA resin, a PC/ASA or a weatherproof PC. [4] The cover of claim 1, wherein the internal layer is thicker than the ultraviolet ray blocking layer. [5] The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is manufactured by a double extrusion process.

[6] The cover of claim 1, wherein the antenna is a directional antenna.

[7] A cover of an antenna comprising: a single layer section corresponding to a part of the cover, and made up of single layer; and a multiple layer section corresponding to other part of the cover, and made up of multiple layers, wherein the multiple layer section includes: an internal layer; and an ultraviolet ray blocking layer disposed on the internal layer, and configured to block an ultraviolet ray. [8] The cover of claim 7, wherein the single layer section is made up of the same material as the internal layer. [9] The cover of claim 7, wherein the internal layer is made up of a PC, a PC/SB S, an ABS resin, a Noryl or a PVC, and the ultraviolet ray blocking layer is made up of an ASA resin, a PC/ASA or a weatherproof PC. [10] The cover of claim 7, wherein the internal layer is thicker than the ultraviolet ray blocking layer.

[I I] The cover of claim 7, wherein the single layer section and the multiple layer section are manufactured at one time by the same process.

[12] The cover of claim 7, wherein the cover is manufactured by inserting the multiple layer section into the single layer section after forming the single layer section.