Dish antenna rotation apparatus

A rotation apparatus for a dish antenna provides a system for easily adjusting the dish antenna to a precise receiving position. The rotation apparatus includes a dish bracket which is fixed to the back of the dish antenna. The dish bracket includes a plurality of circular grooves and a concentric axle center. An elevation bracket includes a pair of wings and a bottom. The wings are parallel, and the bottom is perpendicular to the wings. Each wing pivots about an axle which passes through a first portion of each wing. A second portion of each wing includes a guide groove to adjust a elevation angle of the dish. The bottom includes a central axle hole and a plurality of holes. The central axle hole is coupled to the concentric axle center. After the dish is rotated to a selected position, the plurality of holes are secured to the circular grooves using a plurality of screws.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Taiwan Patent Application No. 089209347, entitled “Dish Antenna Rotation Apparatus,” filed on May 24, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention provides a dish antenna rotation apparatus. The apparatus comprises a dish bracket and an elevation bracket. The dish bracket can more easily and exactly adjust a rotation angle. The elevation bracket can more easily and exactly adjust an elevation angle.

2. Description of the Related Art

A synchronous direct broadcast satellite (DBS) is a one point to multi-points communication system in which signals from the DBS can be received by a small antenna and a tuner device. Generally speaking, the DBS can receive signals from a specific earth surface transmitter, and then the DBS can send the signals to multiple earth surface receivers. After an earth surface receiver collects the signals of the DBS into a dish reflector, the signals are focused on at least one low noise block with feed convertor (LNBF), which is in the rear of the dish reflector. The LNBF can selectively receive the signal. The LNBF has the same functions as those for a filter and an amplifier, and further comprises a forward waveguide antenna and a backward component. The forward waveguide antenna can receive the signals, and the backward component can transform the radio frequency signals into the intermediate frequency signals to the tuner devices.

For the better communications between a receiver and a DBS, the receiver needs to be positioned based on the difference of longitudes and latitudes of the receiver and the DBS. In other words, the receiving angles of the receiver, such as a rotation angle, an elevation angle and an azimuth angle, have to be adjusted based on the location of the DBS.

According to the foregoing, a multi-beam antenna rotation apparatus can be used for receiving the signals of multiple satellites. The rotation apparatus can be adjusted to a selected rotation angle, to a selected elevation angle and to an azimuth angle of a dish antenna. Taking the U.S. and the PRC, for example, three DBSs are respectively located at 101 degrees west longitude, 110 degrees west longitude, and 119 degrees west longitude. Thus, the rotation angle of the apparatus ranges between +55 degrees and −55 degrees, and the elevation angle ranges between 0 degree and 65 degrees.

In addition, because the receiver is sensitive to the position of the DBSs and has to be able to endure 60 m/s of wind pressure, the receiver is more difficult to manufacture. Therefore, the design of a rotation apparatus of the receiver becomes very important.

FIG. 1illustrates a present rotation apparatus for a dish antenna. The apparatus comprises a dish10, an elevation bracket20, a clamp31, a mast32and a pedestal33. The dish10includes two sides. One side is concave. The other side forms a flange11. The flange11includes a pair of bolts12and a concentric axle13. The elevation bracket20further comprises a pair of fold wings22and a bolt23. The bolt23passes through the fold wings22. Each of the fold wings22further comprises a first wing221and an adjacent second wing222. Each first wing221is perpendicular to the respective adjacent second wing222. Each first wing221further comprises a respective vertical groove24, and each second wing222further comprises a respective horizontal groove21. At least one of the second wings222further comprises an extending arm223. The extending arm223comprises a concentric axle hole25. The concentric axle hole25is coupled to the concentric axle13of the dish10in order to rotate the dish10. After the dish10is rotated, the horizontal grooves21are coupled to the pair of bolts12to securely combine the dish10with the elevation bracket20.

As shown inFIG. 1, a clamp31is attached to one of the fold wings22. The bolt23passes through holes36in the fold wings22and through holes37in the clamp31. The bolt23operates as a pivot to permit the clamp31to move with respect to the fold wings22. The clamp31can rotate about the pivot23to a specific elevation angle. Then the clamp31is fixed in the vertical grooves24of the fold wings22. The clamp31is further attached to the mast32. The mast32further couples to the pedestal33. The pedestal33supports the dish10.

As shown inFIG. 1, the elevation bracket20comprises the two separating fold wings22. The fold wings22are fixed to the pair of bolts12of the flange11of the dish10by only two screws. For the rotation apparatus ofFIG. 1, the receivers have to be adjusted in accordance with the position of a selected one of the DBSs, and the receivers have to be able to endure 60 m/s of wind pressure. Also, because the fold wings22of the elevation bracket20include both the vertical grooves24and the horizontal grooves21, the vertical grooves24and horizontal grooves21cannot be independently adjusted. In other words, once the position of one of the grooves is changed, the positions of the other grooves also have to be readjusted.

Furthermore, the fold wings22are coupled to each other by only the bolt23. This causes the symmetry of the fold wings to be weak. Thus, the fold wings cannot be symmetrically rotated with the dish10, which results in a poor receiving precision. Furthermore, once the fold wings22are respectively readjusted, the fold wings22may change shape due to forced pulling and forced dragging. The changed shapes of the fold wings may further result in rough rotating when the next adjustment is made, which makes it more difficult to adjust the position of the clamp31for an accurate elevation angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to strengthen a rotation apparatus of a dish antenna as mentioned above, the present invention is directed to a dish bracket that provides a support for strengthening a rotation apparatus and a dish. Further, the invention uses three screws in triangular form to strongly secure an elevation bracket and the dish bracket.

In order to avoid readjusting a rotation angle that results in an elevation angle readjustment, the invention separates the relationship between a rotation angle and an elevation angle so that the two angles can be adjusted independently. Only the horizontal grooves are included as part of the elevation bracket. The vertical grooves are included as part of the dish bracket. Therefore, there is no need to readjust the elevation angle when the rotation angle is readjusted.

In addition, because the fold wings have a design that differs from the prior art, the fold wings are symmetrically rotated. The shapes of the fold wings do not change, and thus the clamp does not encounter rough movement when it is re-rotated.

In order to solve the foregoing problems of the prior art, the invention provides two fold wings that are coupled by a bottom portion. The fold wings and the bottom portion comprise an organic whole that operates as an elevation bracket. Because the bottom portion of the elevation bracket is close to the dish bracket, the bottom portion of the elevation bracket and the dish bracket can be rotated smoothly. In other words, the present invention solves the problem of unsymmetrical rotating so that exact adjustment of a rotation angle and an elevation angle can be accomplished. Furthermore, the fold wings also may advantageously include a trimmer device for providing better precision adjustment of the elevation angle.

In preferred embodiments, the dish bracket further includes a related peripheral device for installation as required by a multi-beam reflection antenna such as installing a multi-switch bracket for a multi-switch device and installing an arm for LNBFs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of the invention for the rotation apparatus of a dish antenna. The apparatus comprises a dish40, a dish bracket50, an elevation bracket60, a multi-switch bracket70, an arm80and a clamp31. The clamp31further comprises a mast32, which has one end coupled to a pedestal33. The multi-switch bracket70is used for holding a multi-switch device71. The arm80is used for connecting a Y-adapter81to support at least one LNBF82.

FIG.3andFIG. 4illustrate a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of the embodiment ofFIG. 2for an elevation bracket60and a dish bracket50. As shown inFIG. 3, the dish bracket50includes two circular grooves51and, which form concentric circular grooves arounda circular axle center52. The elevation bracket60further comprises a pair of wings601and a bottom portion602, which are formed as an organic whole. The two wings601are substantially parallel to each other and are connected to each other by the bottom portion602. Each wing601has a groove61in order to adjust an elevation angle of the dish40. The bottom portion602includes a hole62to engage with the circular axle52of the dish bracket50. The bottom portion602of theFIG. 4can be positioned close to the dish bracket50in order to smoothly rotate the elevation bracket60to a selected rotation angle for the dish40. After rotating the dish40, three screws631,632,633are passed through three screws hole63of the bottom portion602to engage the dish bracket50. The three screws631-633are positioned in a triangular pattern to align with the circular grooves51of the dish bracket50to thereby securely combine the elevation bracket60with the dish bracket50.

FIG. 5further illustrates a perspective view of the combination of the elevation bracket60and the dish bracket50according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 5, the grooves51and61of the dish bracket50and the elevation bracket60include visible indicia to mark a scale that indicates the respective angles of rotation.

For use with DBSs, the circular grooves51of the dish bracket50allow the elevation bracket60to be rotated through a rotation angle of at least110angular degrees. The wings of the elevation bracket60allow the clamp31to be rotated through an elevation angle of at least 65 angular degrees.

FIG. 6illustrates a perspective view for the combination of the elevation bracket60and the clamp31. The clamp31is positioned between the two wings601of the elevation bracket60. A bolt72passes through a pair of holes64locatedin the wings601of the elevation bracket60and through the holes37(FIG. 1) of the clamp31. The bolt72operates as a pivot. The clamp31rotates about the pivot72to a specific elevation angle. The clamp31also includes a pair of holes34through which the clamp31is secured to the mast32by a screw (not shown) to thereby fix an azimuth angle of the dish40.

FIG. 7illustrates a perspective view of the elevation bracket60, the dish bracket50and the clamp31combined. As shown inFIG. 7, the dish bracket50, the elevation bracket60, and the clamp31are closely coupled to each other. As discussed above, the bottom portion602is an organic portion of the elevation bracket60. The bottom portion602provides increased contact area between the elevation bracket60and the dish bracket50, which permits rotation in a smoother fashion to a more precise rotation angle.

In addition, because the elevation bracket60is an organic (i.e., integral) whole, the symmetry of the wings601is maintained, and the clamp31can be smoothly and exactly rotated to a selected elevation angle.

As discussed above, in order to more strongly combine the elevation bracket60with the dish bracket50, the elevation bracket60of the invention uses the three screws631-633(FIG. 4) in a triangular pattern to secure the elevation bracket60to the dish bracket50.

FIG. 8illustrates an side elevational view of an embodiment of the rotation apparatus of a dish antenna, which comprises the dish40, the dish bracket50, the elevation bracket60, the clamp31and the mast32, and further comprises a trimming apparatus66and an arm80. The trimming apparatus66is installed on a hole65of the embodiment of FIG.6and is used to refine the elevation angle of the dish40. As shown inFIG. 2, the arm80is secured to the dish bracket50to support the Y-adaptor81. The Y-adaptor can support multiple LNBFs82.

FIG. 9further illustrates a perspective view of the trimming apparatus66, which comprises a screw bolt67and two brackets68and69. A screw (not shown) passes through the bracket69of the trimming apparatus66inFIG. 9 and ahole35(FIG. 1) of the clamp31to engage one of the grooves61. The screw bolt67is rotated to change the distance between the two brackets68and69to refine the elevation angle of the clamp31, and then the screw is tightened to maintain the selected elevation angle. Thus, the elevation angle of the dish40is refined.

FIG. 10illustrates a perspective view of the rotation apparatus of a dish antenna with a multi-switch71. As shown inFIG. 10, the multi-switch bracket70is secured to the dish bracket50. The multi-switch71is installed on the multi-switch bracket70to advantageously allow switching of the signals of the DBSs.

The pedestal33is connected to the mast32. The pedestal33can be settled in the ground, secured to a wall or positioned in other locations to secure the dish40in a position to receive signals.

While the invention has been described with reference to various illustrative embodiments, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to those people skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as may fall within the scope of the invention defined by the following claims and their equivalents.