Abstract:
A locking apparatus is provided that relates to a fastener and is used to solve a problem that time and labor are consumed and installation efficiency is low in a locking process of an existing locking apparatus. The locking apparatus is configured to lock a first module and a second module, and includes a locking body that is installed on the first module and a locking piece that is installed on the second module. The locking body includes a housing and a rotating block disposed inside the housing, where the rotating block is connected to a handle that drives the rotating block to rotate out of or into the housing, and the locking piece has a notch that accommodates the rotating block. The present invention is used to implement locking between modules.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2013/073716, filed on Apr. 3, 2013, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201210436189.X, filed on Nov. 5, 2012, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a fastener, and in particular, to a locking apparatus used between modules. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    A conventional wireless site includes units such as an antenna, a radio frequency unit, a baseband unit, and a power supply, and an integration level of each unit module is not high and a volume of each unit module is relatively large. When a site is designed and deployed, each unit module needs to be separately installed. Therefore, more space resources may be occupied and an installation process needs to consume more labor and time. 
         [0006]    At present, an adaptive antenna system (AAS) platform product developed by an operator integrates each unit module of the conventional wireless site, so that the wireless site becomes miniaturized, integrated, and intelligent. A typical installation mode of an integrated antenna system is that: a radio frequency module is connected, in a blind-mate manner, to an antenna body by using a connector, and fastened to the antenna body by using a sheet metal mounting kit at the top of the radio frequency module. A fastening manner is to screw screws at four corners of the sheet metal mounting kit into the antenna body. An installation process of the integrated antenna system is that: installation personnel inserts, on the ground, the radio frequency module downward in a vertical direction into the antenna body, then fastens the four corners of the sheet metal mounting kit onto the antenna body by using the screws, and finally lifts an assembled antenna as a whole onto an installation interface for installation. 
         [0007]    When the foregoing integrated antenna system is installed, because the radio frequency module and the antenna body are fastened by using screws, operation space of the screws is compact due to a module layout limitation, and an operation must be performed by using a tool. As a result, time and labor are consumed and installation efficiency is low. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a locking apparatus, so as to solve a technical problem that time and labor are consumed and installation efficiency is low in a locking process of an existing locking apparatus. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect, a locking apparatus is provided, which is configured to lock a first module and a second module and includes a locking body that is installed on the first module and a locking piece that is installed on the second module, where the locking body includes a housing and a rotating block disposed inside the housing, the rotating block is connected to a handle that drives the rotating block to rotate out of or into the housing, and the locking piece has a notch that accommodates the rotating block. 
         [0010]    In a first possible implementation manner, a rotating shaft is further disposed in the locking body, the rotating block is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft, and the handle is connected to the other end of the rotating shaft. 
         [0011]    In a second possible implementation manner, the handle is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft. 
         [0012]    In a third possible implementation manner, the handle is connected to the rotating shaft by using a spline. 
         [0013]    In a fourth possible implementation manner, the handle is connected to the rotating shaft by means of gear engagement. 
         [0014]    With reference to the second possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the rotating block has a first surface and a second surface along an axial direction of the rotating shaft, the second surface is farther away from the handle than the first surface, the first surface is an inclined plane, and the notch has a sidewall that leans against the inclined plane. 
         [0015]    With reference to the fifth possible implementation manner, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the rotating block is of a ratchet structure, the locking piece includes a body and a pawl, the pawl is hinged to the body, and the body and the pawl form the notch. 
         [0016]    In a seventh possible implementation manner, a reset spring is further disposed between the body and the pawl, one end of the reset spring is connected to the body, and the other end of the reset spring is connected to the pawl. 
         [0017]    In an eighth possible implementation manner, an unlocking button is further disposed on the pawl, and the unlocking button is located on a side that deviates from an inverted tooth on the pawl. 
         [0018]    With reference to the third possible implementation manner, in a ninth possible implementation manner, the locking apparatus further includes a fastening block installed on the first module, where a pin hole is disposed on the fastening block, and a pin body that cooperates with the pin hole is disposed on the handle. 
         [0019]    In a tenth possible implementation manner, a control button is further disposed on the handle, and the control button is connected to the pin body by using a spring. 
         [0020]    In an eleventh possible implementation manner, a distance between a free end of the handle and the rotating shaft is greater than a distance between an outer edge of the rotating block and the rotating shaft. 
         [0021]    In a twelfth possible implementation manner, there are four such locking apparatuses that are symmetrically installed in positions close to four corners of the first module and the second module. 
         [0022]    In a thirteenth possible implementation manner, the housing is an open-ended cavity disposed on a sidewall of the first module. 
         [0023]    According to the embodiments of the present invention, when a locking apparatus is used, a locking body is installed on a radio frequency module, a locking piece is installed on an antenna body, and then the radio frequency module is interconnected to the antenna body. After interconnection, a handle is rotated forwards to enable a rotating block to rotate out of a housing of the locking body and enter a notch of the locking piece. By using the notch to accommodate the rotating block, it is implemented that the radio frequency module is locked and fastened to the antenna body. When the radio frequency module needs to be separated from the antenna body, the handle is reversely rotated to enable the rotating block to rotate out of the notch and rotate into the housing of the locking body, thereby implementing unlocking between the radio frequency module and the antenna body. In locking and unlocking processes of the locking apparatus, time and labor are saved, and installation efficiency is improved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings that need to be used in embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a schematic structural diagram of a locking piece shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is another schematic structural diagram of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a handle shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is another side view of a handle shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a distribution diagram of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is another schematic structural diagram of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an open state of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is another schematic diagram of an open state of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is another schematic diagram of an open state of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of a locking state of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is another schematic diagram of a locking state of a locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0039]    In specific embodiments described below, a first module is a radio frequency module, and a second module is an antenna body. When the radio frequency module needs to be mounted on the antenna body, a locking apparatus in the present invention is used to lock and fasten the radio frequency module and the antenna body together. Definitely, the locking apparatus provided by the present invention is not only limited to lock the radio frequency module and the antenna body, but can be used to lock any two modules that have a consistent width and flush sides, thereby implementing installation of modules. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  shows a specific embodiment of a locking apparatus provided by the present invention. The locking apparatus includes a locking body  10   a  installed on a radio frequency module  10  and a locking piece  20   a  installed on an antenna body  20 . The locking body  10   a  includes a housing  101  and a rotating block  11   a  disposed inside the housing  101 , the rotating block is connected to a handle  10   c  that drives the rotating block to rotate out of or into the housing  101 , and the locking piece  20   a  has a notch  22   a  that accommodates the rotating block  11   a.    
         [0041]    When the locking apparatus provided by this embodiment of the present invention is used, the locking body  10   a  is installed on the radio frequency module  10 , the locking piece  20   a  is installed on the antenna body  20 , and then the radio frequency module  10  is interconnected to the antenna body  20 . After interconnection, the handle  10   c  is rotated forwards to enable the rotating block  11   a  to rotate out of the housing  101  of the locking body  10   a  and enter into the notch  22   a  of the locking piece  20   a.  By using the notch  22   a  to accommodate the rotating block  11   a,  it is implemented that the radio frequency module  10  is locked and fastened to the antenna body  20 . When the radio frequency module  10  needs to be separated from the antenna body  20 , the handle  10   c  is reversely rotated to enable the rotating block  11   a  to rotate out of the notch  22   a  and rotate into the housing  101  of the locking body  10   a,  thereby implementing unlocking between the radio frequency module  10  and the antenna body  20 . In locking and unlocking processes of the locking apparatus, time and labor are saved, and installation efficiency is improved. 
         [0042]    It can further be seen from  FIG. 1  that, in the foregoing embodiment, the housing  101  is an open-ended cavity  101  disposed on a sidewall of the radio frequency module  10 , the rotating block  11   a  is disposed inside the open-ended cavity  101 , and the rotating block  11   a  is rotated out of an opening when being rotated forwards. In this way, the locking body  10   a  is always installed on the radio frequency module  10 , and the radio frequency module  10  and the locking body  10   a  may be molded into one when the radio frequency module  10  is made. Therefore, product consistency is relatively high and an operation of additionally installing the locking body  10   a  is also eliminated. Most importantly, the locking body  10   a  is embedded in the radio frequency module  10 . Therefore, there is no exposed protrusion relative to the radio frequency module  10 , so that appearance of the radio frequency module  10  is more concise. 
         [0043]    It can further be seen from  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  that, the locking body further includes a rotating shaft  10   b.  The rotating shaft  10   b  is supported on two opposite sidewalls of the open-ended cavity  101  by using a bearing, the rotating block  11   a  is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft  10   b,  and the handle  10   c  is connected to the other end of the rotating shaft  10   b.  In this way, the handle  10   c,  the rotating shaft  10   b  and the rotating block  11   a  form a force-saving lever structure. Rotation of the handle  10   c  drives rotation of the rotating shaft  10   b , and the rotating shaft  10   b  drives rotation of the rotating block  11   a.  Meanwhile, the handle  10   c  may be used as a holding place of a hand. Therefore, installation personnel may lift the radio frequency module  10  by holding the handle  10   c  with hands, to enable the radio frequency module  10  to be interconnected to the antenna body  20 , thereby reducing operation difficulty for the installation personnel. The handle  10   c  and the rotating shaft  10   b  may be fixedly connected or connected by using a spline or connected by an engaged gear, as long as the rotation of the handle  10   c  can drive the rotation of the rotating shaft  10   b.    
         [0044]    It can further be seen from  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  that, the rotating block  11   a  has a first surface  13   a  and a second surface  14   a  along an axial direction of the rotating shaft  10   b.  The second surface  14   a  is farther away from the handle  10   c  than the first surface  13   a,  the first surface  13   a  is an inclined plane, and the notch  22   a  has a sidewall  23   a  that leans against the inclined plane  13   a.  That is, the rotating block  11   a  in this embodiment is a wedge-shaped rotating block. When the wedge-shaped rotating block  11   a  is rotated forwards and enters the notch  22   a,  a small end of the rotating block  11   a  enters first and then a large end of the rotating block  11   a  enters gradually. Because the inclined plane  13   a  always leans against the sidewall  23   a,  when the rotating block  11   a  is rotated, its second surface  14   a  is closer to another sidewall that is opposite to the sidewall  23   a  in the notch  22   a.  In this way, the rotating shaft  10   b  is inevitably driven to move close to the antenna body  20  along the axial direction, that is, the radio frequency module  10  moves closer to the antenna body  20  with the rotation of the rotating block  11   a,  and both of them are pressed tightly and gradually in the axial direction, which avoids an operation of forcibly pressing the radio frequency module  10  towards the antenna body  20  by the installation personnel. In addition, a gradually increased pressing force can better achieve a purpose of good electrical connection and waterproofing of both of them. 
         [0045]    It can be seen from  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  again that, as a further improvement of the foregoing embodiment, a distance between a free end of the handle  10   c  and the rotating shaft  10   b  is greater than a distance between an outer edge of the rotating block  11   a  and the rotating shaft  10   b.  Therefore, in a lever structure that is formed by the handle  10   c,  the rotating shaft  10   b  and the rotating block  11   a,  an arm of force of the handle  10   c  is greater than an arm of force of the rotating block  11   a.  Therefore, a larger pressing force is acquired by applying a smaller force on the handle  10   c,  thereby ensuring reliable pressing and further achieving a purpose of labor saving. 
         [0046]    In the foregoing embodiment, when the locking apparatus is locked, to avoid a problem that reverse rotation of the rotating block causes the radio frequency module to be loosened from the antenna body and causes a locking failure, the locking apparatus in the foregoing embodiment is further improved in the present invention. 
         [0047]    First type of improvement: reverse rotation of the rotating block in a locking state is directly limited, which is specifically: 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the rotating block  11   a  is of a ratchet structure, the locking piece  20   a  includes a body  21   a  and a pawl  20   b,  the pawl  20   b  is hinged to the body  21   a  by using a hinging shaft  100 , and the body  21   a  and the pawl  20   b  form the notch  22   a.  In this way, an inverted tooth  21   b  of the pawl  20   b  may cooperate with a ratchet  12   a  of the ratchet structure  11   a  to prevent reverse rotation of the rotating block  11   a.  In this embodiment, by adjusting density of the ratchet  12   a  and the inverted tooth  21   b  that cooperates with the ratchet  12 , it is implemented that the radio frequency module  10  and the antenna body  20  are continuously locked. The body  21   a  may be fastened onto a side of the second module  20  by using a screw. The body  21   a  may also be fastened onto a side of the second module  20  by using a bolt or in another connection manner in which the body  21   a  may be fastened to the second module  20 . 
         [0049]    To further fasten the rotating block  11   a  of a ratchet structure, a reset spring that is not shown in the figures is further disposed between the body  21   a  and the pawl  20   b.  One end of the reset spring is connected to the body  21   a,  and the other end of the reset spring is connected to the pawl  20   b.  In this way, tension of the reset spring on the pawl  20   b  increases pressure of the pawl  20   b  on the rotating block  11   a  of the ratchet structure, thereby further preventing reverse rotation of the rotating block  11   a.    
         [0050]    For convenient unlocking of the locking apparatus, the foregoing embodiment is further improved in the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , an unlocking button  20   c  is disposed on the pawl, and the unlocking button  20   c  is located on a side that deviates from the inverted tooth  21   b  on the pawl  20   b.  In this way, the pawl  20   b  and the unlocking button  20   c  disposed on the pawl  20   b  form an “L” shape shown in  FIG. 3 . When the radio frequency module  10  and/or the antenna body  20  needs to be disassembled for maintenance, the unlocking button  20   c  may be pressed downwards to enable the pawl  20   b  to rotate clockwise. In this way, the inverted tooth  21   b  on the pawl  20   b  is separated from the ratchet  12   a  on the ratchet structure  11   a , so that the handle  10   c  may be rotated anticlockwise to enable the rotating block  11   a  of the ratchet structure to rotate reversely and enter a cavity  101  again, thereby implementing unlocking between the radio frequency module  10  and the antenna body  20 . The unlocking button  20   c  is preferably disposed in a position close to the hinging shaft  100 . In this way, during unlocking, an index finger of one hand presses the unlocking button  20   c  and a ring finger digs out the handle  10   c  at the same time, thereby implementing installation and maintenance of an antenna by a single person. 
         [0051]    Second type of improvement: reverse rotation of the rotating block is indirectly limited by limiting reverse rotation of the handle, which is specifically: 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the handle  10   c  is connected to the rotating shaft  10   b  by using a spline (that is, they are connected in a manner of relative moving along an axial direction), a fastening block  10   e  is disposed on the antenna body  20 , a pin hole  11   e  is disposed on the fastening block  10   e,  and a pin body  101   c  that cooperates with the pin hole  11   e  is disposed on the handle  10   c.  When the locking apparatus is in a locking state, the handle  10   c  is moved close to the fastening block  10   e  by moving the handle  10   c  along the axial direction of the rotating shaft  10   b,  so that the pin body  101   c  is inserted into the pin hole  11   e,  thereby implementing fastening of the handle  10   c.    
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , as a further improvement of the foregoing embodiment, a control button  102   c  is further disposed on the handle  10   c,  and the control button  102   c  is connected to the pin body  101   c  by using a spring that is not shown in the figures. In this way, the pin body  101   c  can implement a stretch function by using the spring. During unlocking, the installation personnel holds the handle  10   c  with one hand and at the same time presses the control button  102   c  to enable the pin body  101   c  to be retracted and separated from the pin hole  11   e,  thereby implementing the operation by a single person. 
         [0054]    Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 7 , there are four such locking apparatuses that are symmetrically installed in positions close to four corners of the radio frequency module  10  and the antenna body  20 . Specifically, the locking body  10   a  is symmetrically disposed in positions close to four corners of the radio frequency module  10 , and the locking piece  20   a  is disposed in a position that is of the antenna body  20  and corresponding to the locking body  10   a.  In this way, the radio frequency module  10  and the antenna body  20  are symmetrically locked in a four-point manner. Locking force is symmetrical and a locking effect is reliable. 
         [0055]    It can further be seen from  FIG. 1  that, in a locking state, the entire handle  10   c  is inside the cavity  101 , thereby saving space and making an appearance and a shape of the radio frequency module  10  concise without a protrusion, which needs to be implemented by properly designing a size of the rotating block  11   a  and a locking degree required by the radio frequency module  10  and the antenna body  20 . Details are not described in the present invention. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , in an embodiment of the present invention, a buckle  10   f  may be also separately disposed in positions that are close to four corners of the radio frequency module  10  and located on a surface of the radio frequency module  10 . In this way, the installation personnel may lift the radio frequency module  10  by holding the buckle  10   f.  In addition, the buckle  10   f  may be further used as a housing of the locking body  10   a.    
         [0057]    The following specifically describes locking and unlocking processes of a locking apparatus with reference to  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 13  and by using the radio frequency module and the antenna body as an example. 
         [0058]    1. Carrying: A handle  10   c  in  FIG. 9 , in an open state, may be used as a holding place for carrying the radio frequency module  10 , which facilitates short-distance carrying during on-site installation and position alignment during mounting. 
         [0059]    2. Mounting: In a direction shown in  FIG. 10 , pins on the radio frequency module  10  are aligned to a slot on the antenna body  20  to implement interconnection between the radio frequency module  10  and antenna body  20 , to enable that the rotating block  11   a  aligns with the notch  22   a  in the locking piece  20   a,  that is, in a state shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0060]    3. Locking: As shown in  FIG. 11 , after the radio frequency module  10  is interconnected to the antenna body  20 , the handle  10   c  in the locking apparatus in a diagonal direction of the radio frequency module  10  is rotated clockwise until the radio frequency module  10  and the antenna body  20  are locked.  FIG. 12  shows an appearance of the locking state. 
         [0061]    4. Unlocking: When the radio frequency module and/or the antenna body needs to be disassembled for maintenance, as shown in  FIG. 13 , an operator only needs to press the unlocking button  20   c  on the locking piece  20   a  by using an index finger of a hand and dig out the handle  10   c  by using a ring finger to implement unlocking. After unlocking, the radio frequency module  10  may be removed from the antenna body  20 . 
         [0062]    The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementation manners of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.