Description:AN ANTENNA ORIENTATION AUTO CORRECTION ASSEMBLY IN A VEHICLE
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to an antenna assembly in a vehicle, in particular, the present subject matter relates to an antenna orientation auto correction assembly in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND

[0002] In the current scenario, the Directional (GPS/GNSS) antenna position is fixed in the vehicle, or it can be changed using an electric motor mechanism in the antenna. There is no mechanical concept for Directional antenna auto-alignment as per the change in the vehicle’s position with respect to the water line (WL direction). If the Directional antenna’s top surface is not towards or parallel to the sky due to a change in vehicle orientation due to road conditions/slop, it can result in misorientation of the GNSS signal visibility cone.
[0003] If the vehicle orientation changes in any direction (other than horizontally facing the sky) due to changes in the road conditions or slope, then the distance between the Directional antenna and the satellites visible will change, which may lead to degradation in the Directional signal received. Additionally, reflection waves may impact the antenna performance.
[0004] In case of a vehicle collision, the Directional antenna orientation can be changed, which can lead to an invalid GNSS location, creating issues in arranging help for the vehicle user.
[0005] Without a valid GNSS Location, the overall functionality of the Telematics service will be hampered via:
a. The Telematics Application will not display the correct/accurate location of the vehicle, leading to customer dissatisfaction.
b. In the event of Safety Hazards like Vehicle Intrusion and Emergency Calls, the current actual location of the vehicle will not be shared with emergency services like Ambulance creating delays/problems in recovering the vehicle/and arranging help for the end user.

[0006] Also, if the mis-orientation happens due to deformation in the mounting mechanism then there is no way to correct the orientation without a vehicle-level inspection by a trained service professional which is time-consuming, cost extensive process.
[0007] Further, GNSS antennas are directional antennas and have stringent requirements in terms of orientation while mounting devices containing GNSS antenna. The best reception is observed when the antenna perfectly faces the sky. Reception quality degrades if the orientation is not facing the sky. Also, in case of vehicle collision antenna orientation can be changed and sky view degrades the GNSS signal quality.
[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram 100 depicting an antenna 102 attached to a fixed mounting of a vehicle, in accordance with an existing prior art. The antenna 102 may not be able to be corrected when the vehicle is tilting in one direction or moving uphill/downhill.
[0009] Fig. 2 illustrates a line diagram 200 depicting a signal reception cone in a sky facing orientation and in an orientation where signal reception cone may not be in an ideal orientation facing sky, in accordance with an existing prior art. That may cause interference and a reduction in signal being received.
[0010] Thus, there is a need for a solution to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0011] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed below.
[0012] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide an antenna orientation auto correction assembly that automatically corrects an orientation of an antenna.
[0013] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the antenna orientation auto correction assembly that keeps the antenna in the vehicle in a sky facing orientation.
[0014] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the antenna orientation auto correction assembly that provides a best signal reception to the antenna.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0016] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an antenna orientation auto correction assembly in a vehicle. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly includes a main body mounted on a dashboard mounting of the vehicle. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly includes a base plate with a top surface and a bottom surface, having an antenna mounted on the top surface of the base plate in a sky facing orientation. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly includes a counterweight attached to the bottom surface of the base plate, configured to provide a balance to the antenna when the vehicle is moving and draw the antenna in a first direction opposite to a second direction in which the antenna is rotating due to a moment of the vehicle in one or more of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly further includes a plurality of bearings configured to allow a rotation of the antenna when the counterweight draws the antenna, for the auto correction of the antenna orientation. The plurality of bearings rotates to allow the antenna to rotate in the first direction opposite to the second direction and stay in an ideal orientation to receive signals.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the plurality of bearings includes a first pair of bearings attached to the main body and a circular ring, configured to allow the rotation of the antenna in the horizontal direction. The the first pair of bearings rotate due to the moment of the base plate and the antenna in the horizontal direction. The plurality of bearings includes a second pair of bearings attached to the circular ring, configured to allow the rotation of the antenna in the vertical direction. The second pair of bearings rotate due to the moment of the base plate and the antenna in the vertical direction.
[0018] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the antenna rotates in the horizontal direction when the vehicle is tilted in one of a left direction and a right direction and the antenna moves in the vertical direction when the vehicle is moving in one of an uphill direction and a downhill direction.
[0019] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the antenna orientation auto correction assembly includes a circular shaft in each bearing amongst the second pair of bearings fixed with the base plate, configured to rotate to allow the rotation of the antenna in one of the uphill direction, and the downhill direction, and a guide passage through at least one bearing amongst the first pair of bearings, configured to allow a passage to an antenna harness.
[0020] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the main body includes a plurality of legs mounted around the dashboard mounting of the vehicle, and a U-shaped structure fixed on the plurality of legs, having a flat surface supported by the plurality of legs, and a vertical surface extending upwards from each edge of the flat surface, attached to a first pair of bearings amongst the plurality of bearings.
[0021] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the antenna orientation auto correction assembly includes a circular base plate attached to the main body including a plurality of shock absorbers extending in a vertical orientation configured to dampen one or more short vibrations in the antenna when the vehicle is moving on an uneven surface. The plurality of shock absorbers comprise a spring wound around each shock absorber to absorb the one or more short vibrations. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly further includes a circular ring attached to a lower point of each bearing amongst the plurality of bearings for providing a support to each bearing, and a pair of stoppers fixed to the circular ring near the second pair of bearings, configured to limit a rotation of the antenna in the vertical direction between a first point and a second point.
[0022] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the pair of stoppers includes a stopper guide cuboidal structure with a first surface having a first through hole, a second surface having a vertical opening, and a third surface having an opening, a screw configured to be inserted in the stopper guide cuboidal structure via the first through hole, a nut with a second through hole and a receiving hole, configured to be inserted in the stopper guide cuboidal structure via the opening and the nut encloses the screw inside the stopper guide cuboidal structure through the second through hole, and a stopper pin configured to be received by the receiving hole of the nut to move the stopper pin between the vertical opening to move the nut around the screw manually.
[0023] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the stopper pin is set a predetermined position in the vertical opening manually to avoid an interference between the antenna and a metallic structure of the vehicle and the second pair of bearings stops rotating upon coming in contact with the stopper pin.
[0024] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the counterweight is fixed to a centre of the base plate via a rod.
[0025] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0027] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram depicting an antenna attached to a fixed mounting of a vehicle, in accordance with an existing prior art;
[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates a line diagram depicting a signal reception cone in a sky facing orientation and in an orientation where signal reception cone may not be in an ideal orientation facing sky, in accordance with an existing prior art;
[0029] Fig. 3 illustrates a line diagram depicting an antenna orientation auto correction assembly in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates a line diagram depicting the base plate attached to the antenna and the counterweight, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0031] Fig. 5a illustrates a line diagram depicting an explored view of a stopper from the pair of stoppers, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0032] Fig. 5b illustrates a line diagram depicting the stopper from the pair of the stoppers in an assembled state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0033] Fig. 6a illustrates a line diagram depicting the main body with the number of bearings, the circular base plate, the circular ring, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0034] Fig. 6b illustrates a line diagram depicting a top view of the main body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0035] Fig. 6c illustrates a line diagram depicting a side view of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0036] Fig. 6d illustrates a line diagram depicting a rear view of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0037] Fig. 6e illustrates a line diagram depicting a top view of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0038] Fig. 7a illustrates a line diagram depicting an orientation of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly when a vehicle is moving in an uphill direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0039] Fig. 7b illustrates a line diagram depicting an orientation of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly when the vehicle is tilting towards a right direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0040] Fig. 8 illustrates a line diagram depicting the antenna orientation auto correction assembly mounted on a dashboard mounting of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0042] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0043] Fig. 3 illustrates a line diagram 300 depicting an antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302 in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly may be configured to automatically correct an orientation of an antenna 304 when the vehicle moves in any direction. The antenna 304 may be one of a direction Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna, and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The antenna 304 may interchangeably be referred as one of the GPS antenna and the GNSS antenna. The antenna 304 may be configured to receive signals the provide a path for the vehicle to travel towards a desired location of a driver. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302 may be configured to provide a mechanism for a directional antenna 304 auto-alignment in the vehicle in 2 dimensional space using mechanical components and a gravitational force associated with the mechanical components. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302 may be configured to ensure that the antenna 304 always faces sky for a best signal reception. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302 may be configured to employ a number of dampening mechanisms for dampening minor vibrations and major movements of the antenna 304. The number of dampening mechanisms may be based on gravity and shock absorption. The minor vibrations and major movements may be caused due to small and big potholes through which the vehicle moves.
[0044] Continuing with the above embodiment, the antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302 may include a main body 306, a base plate 308, a counterweight 310, a number of bearings 312, a circular base plate 314, a circular ring 316, a pair of stoppers 318a, 318b, and a guide passage 320. To that understanding, the main body 306 may be mounted on a dashboard mounting of the vehicle. The main body 306 may include a number of legs 306a mounted around the dashboard mounting of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the main body 306 may include two legs providing support while standing in a vertical orientation around the dashboard mounting. The main body 306 may further include a U-shaped structure 306b permanently fixed on the number of legs 306a. The U-shaped structure 306b may include a flat surface 306c, and a vertical surface 306d extending in an upwards direction from each edge of the flat surface 306c. The number of legs 306a may be extending in a downwards direction from the flat surface 306c at each edge.
[0045] Moving forward, the base plate 308 may include a top surface 308a, and a bottom surface 308b. The antenna 304 may be mounted on the top surface 308a of the base plate 308 in a sky facing orientation.
[0046] Furthermore, the counterweight 310 may be attached to the bottom surface 308b of the base plate 308. The counterweight 310 may be attached to the base plate 308 via a rod such that the counterweight 310 always stays in one position. The counterweight 310 may be configured to provide a balance to the antenna 304 when the vehicle is moving. The counterweight 310 may be configured to draw the antenna 304 in a first direction opposite to a second direction. The second direction may be a direction in which the antenna 304 may be rotating due to a moment of the vehicle in one or more of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
[0047] Continuing with the above embodiment, the number of bearings 312 may be configured to allow a rotation of the antenna 304 when the counterweight 310 draws the antenna 304. The rotation of the antenna 304 may be needed for the auto correction of the antenna orientation. The number of bearings 312 may rotate in a clockwise direction and an anti-clockwise direction to allow the antenna 304 to rotate in the first direction opposite to the second direction and stay in an ideal orientation to receive signals. The ideal orientation may be sky facing orientation for the antenna 304. In a preferred embodiment, the number of bearings 312 may be four and each bearing may be placed in an equidistant manner with respect to one another. The number of bearings 312 may include a first pair of bearings 312a and a second pair of bearings 312b. The first pair of bearings 312a may be attached to the main body 306 and the circular ring 316. The second pair of bearings 312b may be attached to the circular ring 316. The first pair of bearings 312a may be configured to allow the rotation of the antenna 304 in the horizontal direction. Each bearing from the first pair of bearings 312a may be placed opposite to one another and each bearing from the second pair of bearings 312b may be placed opposite to one another. The number of bearings 312 may be placed in an equidistant manner with respect to one another.
[0048] Subsequently, the first pair of bearings 312a may rotate in the clockwise direction and the anti-clock wise direction due to the moment of the base plate 308 and the antenna 304 in the horizontal direction. Specifically, one bearing from the first pair of bearings 312a may rotate in the clockwise direction and another bearing may rotate in the anti-clockwise direction due to the moment of the base plate 308 and the antenna 304 in the horizontal direction. Further, at least one bearing from the first pair of bearings 312a may include the guide passage 320, configured to allow a passage to an antenna harness through the at least bearing to support and hold a wire harness and to provide easy movement of this cable with antenna 304 i.e. to support a stability process through the first pair of bearings 312a when the antenna 304 rotates. This hole may be fitted with an additional bearing. To that understanding, the second pair of bearings 312b may be configured to allow the rotation of the antenna 304 in the vertical direction. The second pair of bearings 312b may rotate in the clockwise direction and the anti-clockwise direction due to the moment of the base plate 308 and the antenna 304 in the vertical direction. Specifically, one bearing from the second pair of bearings 312b may rotate in the clockwise direction and another bearing may rotate in the anti-clockwise direction due to the moment of the base plate 308 and the antenna 304 in the vertical direction. The second pair of bearings 312b may include a circular shaft in each bearing. The circular shift in each of the second pair of bearings 312b may be fixed with the base plate 308. Each circular shaft may be configured to rotate to allow the rotation of the antenna 304 in one of the uphill direction, and the downhill direction.
[0049] Moving forward, the antenna 304 may rotate in the horizontal direction when the vehicle is tilted in one of a left direction and a right direction. Similarly, the antenna 304 may move in the vertical direction when the vehicle is moving in one of an uphill direction and a downhill direction. Subsequently, the antenna 304 may rotate in the left direction when the vehicle tilts towards the right direction. The antenna 304 may rotate in the right direction when the vehicle is tilting towards the left direction. Furthermore, the antenna 304 may move in the downhill direction when the vehicle is moving in the upwards direction, and the antenna 304 may move in the uphill direction when the vehicle is moving in the downhill direction.
[0050] Continuing with the above embodiment, the circular base plate 314 may be attached to the main body 306 and may be in one center line with the counterweight 310 while being parallel to the counterweight 310. The circular base plate 314 may include a number of shock absorbers 322. Each of the number of shock absorbers 322 may be extending in a vertical orientation and may be configured to dampen the one or more short vibrations in the antenna 304 when the vehicle is moving on an uneven surface. The number of shock absorbers 322 may include a spring 322a wound around each shock absorber to absorb the one or more short vibrations. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the number of shock absorbers 322 may include oil to absorb shock instead of the spring 322a.
[0051] Subsequently, the circular ring 316 may be attached to a lower point of each bearing amongst the number of bearings 312. The circular ring 316 may be configured to provide a support to each bearing while the number of bearings 312 allow the antenna 304 to rotate. The pair of stoppers 318a, 318b may be fixed to the circular ring 316 near the second pair of bearings 312b and may be placed opposite to one another for weight balancing. The pair of stoppers 318a, 318b may be configured to limit a rotation of the antenna 304 in the vertical direction between a first point and a second point. The pair of stoppers 318a, 318b may be employed so that the antenna 304 does not rotate beyond a point in the vertical direction that cause at least one metallic component of the vehicle to create interference when the antenna 304 is receiving signal. A movement of the antenna 304 may be limited to a pre-defined angle towards a roof and/or an engine chamber (that may attenuate signal) by adjusting a configuration of the stopper. The configuration may be adjusted manually. Each stopper amongst the pair of stoppers 318a, 318b may include a stopper guide cuboidal structure, a screw, a nut, and a stopper pin.
[0052] Fig. 4 illustrates a line diagram 400 depicting the base plate 308 attached to the antenna 304 and the counterweight 310, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The base plate 308 may include the top surface 308a, and the bottom surface 308b. The antenna 304 may be mounted on the top surface 308a of the base plate 308 in a sky facing orientation. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the antenna 304 may be placed in a telematics control unit and the telematics control unit may be mounted on the top surface 308a of the base plate 308.
[0053] Furthermore, the counterweight 310 may be attached to the bottom surface 308b of the base plate 308. The counterweight 310 may be attached to the base plate 308 via a rod 402 such that the counterweight 310 always stays in one position. The counterweight 310 may be hanging off the bottom surface 308b via the rod 402 in a centre of the base plate 308. The rod 402 may be permanently attached to the base plate 308. The counterweight 310 may be made up of a non-metallic structure such that there is no interference caused by the counterweight 310 when the antenna 304 is receiving signals while the antenna 304 is located in a sky facing orientation. The counterweight 310 may be of one of a number of shapes. Examples of the number of shapes may include, but are not limited to, a conical shape, and a spherical shape. The counterweight 310 may be configured to provide a balance to the antenna 304 when the vehicle is moving. The counterweight 310 may be configured to draw the antenna 304 in a first direction opposite to a second direction in which the antenna 304 may be rotating.
[0054] The first pair of bearings may be attached to the circular ring and the vertical surface of a main body. The second pair of bearings may be attached to a circular ring. The circular ring may be having the pair of stoppers near the second pair of bearings to control and limit a rotation of the antenna 304 rotation around a Y Axis, that is a vertical direction with respect to the antenna 304. Each bearing from the first pair of bearings may be placed opposite to one another and each bearing from the second pair of bearings may be placed opposite to one another. The number of bearings may be placed in an equidistant manner with respect to one another.
[0055] Fig. 5a illustrates a line diagram 500a depicting an explored view of a stopper from the pair of stoppers 318a, 318b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The stopper may be fixed to a circular ring near a second pair of bearings amongst a number of bearings. The pair of stoppers 318a, 318b may be configured to limit a rotation of an antenna in the vertical direction between a first point and a second point. The stopper may be employed so that an antenna does not rotate beyond a point in the vertical direction that causes at least one metallic component of the vehicle to create interference when the antenna is receiving signal. The stopper may include a stopper guide cuboidal structure 502, a screw 504, a nut 506, and a stopper pin 508 enclosing a rubber bush 509.
[0056] In continuation with the above embodiment, the stopper guide cuboidal structure 502 may include a first surface 510 having a first through hole 512, a second surface 514 having a vertical opening 516, and a third surface 518 having an opening 520. The third surface 518 may be opposite to the first surface 510. The screw 504 may be configured to be inserted in the stopper guide cuboidal structure 502 via the first through hole 512. The nut 506 may include a second through hole 506a and a receiving hole 506b. The nut 506 may be configured to be inserted in the stopper guide cuboidal structure 502 via the opening 520. The nut 506 may enclose the screw 504 inside the stopper guide cuboidal structure 502 through the second through hole 506a. The stopper pin 508 may be configured to be received by the receiving hole 506b of the nut 506 to move the stopper pin 508 between the vertical opening 516 to move the nut 506 around the screw 504 manually. The stopper pin 508 may be set at a predetermined position in the vertical opening 516 manually, to avoid an interference between the antenna and the at least one metallic component of the vehicle and a second pair of bearings stops rotating upon coming in contact with the stopper pin 508. Further, the rubber bush 509 may be configured to avoid one or more of a noise generation and a wear/tear while limiting to a movement of a base plate.
[0057] Fig. 5b illustrates a line diagram 500b depicting the stopper from the pair of the stoppers 318a, 318b in an assembled state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0058] Fig. 6a illustrates a line diagram 600a depicting the main body 306 with the number of bearings 312, the circular base plate 314, the circular ring 316, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The circular base plate 314 may include the number of shock absorbers 322 extending in a vertical orientation. The number of shock absorbers 322 may be configured to dampen one or more short vibrations in the antenna when the vehicle is moving on an uneven surface. The number of shock absorbers 322 may include a spring 322a wound around each shock absorber to absorb the one or more short vibrations. The pair of stoppers 318a, 318b may be fixed to the circular ring 316 for limiting a rotation of an antenna in a vertical direction.
[0059] Furthermore, the first pair of bearings may be attached to the circular ring 316 and the vertical surface of the main body 306. The second pair of bearings may be attached to the circular ring 316. The circular ring 316 may be having the pair of stoppers 318a, 318b near the second pair of bearings to control and limit a rotation of the antenna rotation around a Y Axis, that is a vertical direction with respect to the antenna. Each bearing from the first pair of bearings may be placed opposite to one another and each bearing from the second pair of bearings may be placed opposite to one another. The number of bearings 312 may be placed in an equidistant manner with respect to one another.
[0060] Fig. 6b illustrates a line diagram 600b depicting a top view of the main body 306, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The main body 306 may be attached to a dashboard mounting of a vehicle.
[0061] Fig. 6c illustrates a line diagram 600c depicting a side view of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The pair of stoppers 318a, 318b may be attached near the second pair of bearings on the circular ring 316 to limit a rotation of the antenna along a vertical direction. The circular ring 316 may be fixed above the circular base plate 314 to provide a support to the number of bearings 312.
[0062] Fig. 6d illustrates a line diagram 600d depicting a rear view of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0063] Fig. 6e illustrates a line diagram 600e depicting a top view of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0064] Fig. 7a illustrates a line diagram 700a depicting an orientation of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302 when a vehicle is moving in an uphill direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The antenna 304 may be fixed at a circular shaft 702 of the second pair of bearings 312b and the second pair of bearings 312b may be configured to allow the antenna 304 to rotate in a vertical direction. When the vehicle is moving in the uphill direction, the antenna 304 may get aligned with ground due to a gravitational draw associated with the counterweight 310 and may receive a best signal reception through a vehicle windshield. The base plate 308 and the antenna 304 may move in the uphill direction and counterweight 310 may draw the antenna 304 in an opposite direction, that is, the counterweight 310 may draw the antenna 304 in a downhill direction while vehicle is moving in the uphill direction to keep the antenna 304 in an ideal sky facing orientation.
[0065] In an embodiment of the present subject matter where it may be determined that the vehicle is moving towards the downhill direction, the antenna 304 may automatically move towards the downhill direction and the counterweight 310 may draw the antenna 304 in the opposite direction to keep the antenna 304 in an ideal sky facing orientation.
[0066] Fig. 7b illustrates a line diagram 700b depicting an orientation of the antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302when the vehicle is tilting towards a right direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The antenna 304 may align in a horizontal direction based on the first pair of bearings placed on an X-axis with respect to the antenna 304. The antenna 304 may get aligned with the ground due to the gravitational draw and may get the best reception through the vehicle windshield.
[0067] The base plate 308 and the antenna 304 may move in the left direction and the counterweight 310 may draw the antenna 304 in an opposite direction, that is, the counterweight 310 may draw the antenna 304 in a right direction while vehicle is tilting in the left direction to keep the antenna 304 in an ideal sky facing orientation.
[0068] In an embodiment of the present subject matter where it may be determined that the vehicle is tilting towards the right direction, the antenna 304 may automatically move towards the right direction and the counterweight 310 may draw the antenna 304 in the opposite direction to keep the antenna 304 in an ideal sky facing orientation.
[0069] Fig. 8 illustrates a line diagram 800 depicting the antenna orientation auto correction assembly 302 mounted on a dashboard mounting of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0070] While the detailed description describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) in a vehicle comprising:
a main body (306) mounted on a dashboard mounting of the vehicle;
a base plate (308) with a top surface (308a) and a bottom surface (308b), having an antenna (304) mounted on the top surface (308a) of the base plate (308) in a sky facing orientation;
a counterweight (310) attached to the bottom surface (308b) of the base plate (308), configured to provide a balance to the antenna (304) when the vehicle is moving and draw the antenna in a first direction opposite to a second direction in which the antenna is rotating due to a moment of the vehicle in one or more of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction; and
a plurality of bearings (312) configured to allow a rotation of the antenna (304) when the counterweight (310) draws the antenna (304), for the auto correction of the antenna orientation, wherein the plurality of bearings (312) rotate to allow the antenna (304) to rotate in the first direction opposite to the second direction and stay in an ideal orientation to receive signals.

2. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bearings (312) comprises:
a first pair of bearings (312a) attached to the main body (306) and a circular ring (316), configured to allow the rotation of the antenna (304) in the horizontal direction, wherein the first pair of bearings (312a) rotate due to the moment of the base plate (308) and the antenna (304) in the horizontal direction; and
a second pair of bearings (312b) attached to the circular ring (316), configured to allow the rotation of the antenna (304) in the vertical direction, wherein the second pair of bearings (312b) rotate due to the moment of the base plate (308) and the antenna (304) in the vertical direction.

3. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the antenna (304) rotates in the horizontal direction when the vehicle is tilted in one of a left direction and a right direction and the antenna (304) moves in the vertical direction when the vehicle is moving in one of an uphill direction and a downhill direction.

4. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a circular shaft (702) in each bearing amongst the second pair of bearings (312b) fixed with the base plate (308), configured to rotate to allow the rotation of the antenna (304) in one of the uphill direction, and the downhill direction; and
a guide passage (320) through at least one bearing amongst the first pair of bearings (312a), configured to allow a passage to an antenna (304) harness.
5. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body (306) comprises:
a plurality of legs (306a) mounted around the dashboard mounting of the vehicle;
a U-shaped structure (306b) fixed on the plurality of legs (306a), having a flat surface (306c) supported by the plurality of legs (306a), and a vertical surface (306d) extending upwards from each edge of the flat surface (306c), attached to a first pair of bearings (312a) amongst the plurality of bearings (312).

6. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a circular base plate (308) attached to the main body (306) comprising:
a plurality of shock absorbers (322) extending in a vertical orientation configured to dampen one or more short vibrations in the antenna (304) when the vehicle is moving on an uneven surface, wherein the plurality of shock absorbers (322) comprise a spring (322a) wound around each shock absorber to absorb the one or more short vibrations;
a circular ring (316) attached to a lower point of each bearing amongst the plurality of bearings (312) for providing a support to each bearing; and
a pair of stoppers (318a, 318b) fixed to the circular ring (316) near the second pair of bearings, configured to limit a rotation of the antenna (304) in the vertical direction between a first point and a second point.
7. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pair of stoppers (318a, 318b) comprises:
a stopper guide cuboidal structure (502) with a first surface (510) having a first through hole (512), a second surface (514) having a vertical opening (516), and a third surface (518) having an opening (520);
a screw (504) configured to be inserted in the stopper guide cuboidal structure (502) via the first through hole (512);
a nut (506) with a second through hole (506a) and a receiving hole (506b), configured to be inserted in the stopper guide cuboidal structure (502) via the opening (520), wherein the nut (506) encloses the screw (504) inside the stopper guide cuboidal structure (502) through the second through hole (506a); and
a stopper pin (508) configured to be received by the receiving hole (506b) of the nut (506) to move the stopper pin (508) between the vertical opening (516) to move the nut (506) around the screw (504) manually.
8. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed claim 7, wherein the stopper pin (508) is set a predetermined position in the vertical opening (516) manually to avoid an interference between the antenna (304) and a metallic structure of the vehicle and the second pair of bearings stops rotating upon coming in contact with the stopper pin (508).
9. The antenna orientation auto correction assembly (302) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counterweight (310) is fixed to a centre of the base plate (308) via a rod (402) fixed to the base plate.