Technical Field
DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
MICROWAVE OUTDOOR RADIO DEVICE
The present invention relates to a microwave outdoor radio device, and more particularly to
a microwave outdoor radio communication device configured so that a coaxial cable terminal
10 can face vertically downward.
Background Art
[0002]
The microwave outdoor radio device (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "outdoor
device") is installed at a high location by a support pillar, and connected to an indoor device
15 installed at a low location by a coaxial cable. JP20 11-249988A (hereinafter, referred to as
Patent Literature 1) discloses an antenna device configured in a manner in which an input/output
coaxial cable terminal is positioned to tilt by eo from a vertically downward direction when an
outdoor device is connected to a horizontally polarized wave antenna, and the input/output
coaxial cable terminal is positioned to tilt by (90 - 8)0 from the vertically downward direction
20 when the outdoor device is connected to a vertically polarized wave antenna. For example, in
the case of 8 45°, both when the outdoor device is connected to the horizontally polarized
wave antenna and when the outdoor device is connected to the vertically polarized wave antenna,
the input/output coaxial cable terminal tilts by 45° from the vertically downward direction.
Citation List
25 Patent Literature
[0003]
Patent Literature 1: JP2011-249988A
Summary of Invention
30 Problems to be Solved by Invention
[0004]
It is desired that the input/output coaxial cable terminal of the outdoor device face
vertically downward. This is for the following reasons.
[0005]
3
First, when the input/output coaxial cable terminal faces other than vertically downward,
since the indoor device is installed at the low location, the coaxial cable is directed vertically
downward while an allowable bending radius is maintained. Since the coaxial cable is installed
outdoors, a cable that is inflexible and hard to bend is used so that it can withstand severe outside
5 conditions. Therefore, when the cable is installed vertically downward, the cable may protrude
horizontally over the width of the outdoor device, thus spoiling the beautiful appearance.
[0006]
Second, when the input/output terminal faces other than vertically downward, a force is
applied to the terminal from the cable. Therefore, the terminal needs to have greater strength
10 than when it faces vertically downward.
[0007]
An exemplary object of the invention is to provide a microwave outdoor radio device
configured so that a coaxial cable terminal can face ve1iically downward even if the microwave
outdoor radio device is connected to either a horizontally polarized wave antenna or a vertically
15 polarized wave antenna.
Solution to Problems
[0008]
A microwave outdoor radio device according to the present invention includes a casing, a
coaxial cable terminal coupled to the casing, and coupling means that couples the coaxial cable
20 terminal to the casing. The casing is connectable to either a horizontally polarized wave
antenna or a vertically polarized wave antenna. The coaxial cable terminal includes a
connection end to which a coaxial cable can be connected. The coaxial cable terminal is
connectable to the coaxial cable along the central axis of the connection end. The coupling
means is configured so that the connection end can be selectively positioned at two alternative
25 points set at positions line-symmetric to each other about an axis line rotated by 45° with respect
to the central axis.
[0009]
The present invention can provide the microwave outdoor radio device configured so that
the coaxial cable terminal can face vertically downward even if the microwave outdoor radio
30 device is connected to either a horizontally polarized wave antenna or a vertically polarized
wave antenna.
[00 1 0]
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[00 11]
4
[Fig. 1] A diagram illustrating the installation direction of an outdoor device according to a
5 first embodiment in the case of a horizontally polarized wave.
[Fig. 2] A side view illustrating the coaxial cable terminal of the outdoor device according
to the first embodiment.
[Fig. 3] A rear view illustrating the coaxial cable terminal of the outdoor device according
to the first embodiment.
10 [Fig. 4] A front view illustrating the coaxial cable terminal of the outdoor device according
to the first embodiment.
[Fig. 5] A diagram illustrating the installation direction of a related outdoor device in the
case of the horizontally polarized wave.
[Fig. 6] A diagram illustrating the installation direction of the related outdoor device in the
15 case of a vertically polarized wave.
[Fig. 7] A diagram illustrating the related outdoor device when an L-shaped cable is used.
[Fig. 8] A diagram illustrating the installation direction of the outdoor device according to
the first embodiment in the case ofthe vertically polarized wave.
[Fig. 9] A diagram illustrating the installation direction of the outdoor device according to
20 the first embodiment in the case ofthe vertically polarized wave.
25
[Fig. I 0] A diagram illustrating the installation direction of an outdoor device according to
a second embodiment in the case of the horizontally polarized wave.
[Fig. II] A side view illustrating the coaxial cable terminal of the outdoor device according
to the second embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[OOI2]
Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail
referring to the drawings.
30 [OOI3]
Fig. I illustrates the installation direction of a microwave outdoor radio device (hereinafter,
referred to as "outdoor device"), when the outdoor device according to the first embodiment of
the present invention is installed in an antenna for transmitting/receiving a horizontally polarized
wave signal. The outdoor device includes casing II for housing an electric circuit unit,
5
rectangular waveguide terminal 12 for connecting the outdoor device to the antenna, and coaxial
cable terminal 13 for connecting the outdoor device and an indoor device to each other via
coaxial cable 19. As illustrated in Fig. 1, casing 11 seen from the front is roughly square.
[0014]
5 Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating coaxial cable terminal 13. Coaxial cable terminal 13
includes inner conductor 51, outer conductor 53, and insulator 52 sandwiched between inner
conductor 51 and outer conductor 53. Outer conductor 53 includes screw through-holes 54 into
which screws 14 for connecting coaxial cable terminal 13 to casing 11 are inserted, and outer
screw part 55 for fitting to coaxial cable 19. The threads of screws 14 inserted into screw
10 through-holes 54 are fitted into threaded holes 32 provided in casing 11, thereby screwing
coaxial cable terminal 13 to casing 11. As illustrated in Fig. 2, coaxial cable terminal 13 is
formed into a bent structure so that an angle of 45° can be formed between central axis 16 of tail
end 31 of the side connected to casing 11 by screws 14 and central axis 15 of connection end 17
of the side connected to coaxial cable 19.
15 [0015]
Fig. 3 is a rear view illustrating coaxial cable terminal 13 seen from the A- A direction
illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view illustrating coaxial cable terminal 13 seen from the B
- B direction illustrated in Fig. 2. Four screw through-holes 54 are arranged near the respective
vertexes of the roughly square section of coaxial cable terminal 13. Coaxial cable terminal 13
20 is coupled to casing 11 by screws 14.
[00 16]
When an antenna which is configured to selectively transmit/receive either a horizontal or
ve1iicallinearly-polarized wave by directing the polarization plane of the rectangular waveguide
of the input/output terminal horizontally or vertically is connected to the outdoor device, a
25 method for selectively dealing with a horizontally polarized wave or a vertically polarized wave
by rotating the outdoor device by 90° around predetermined shaft 30 is adopted.
[0017]
Fig. 5 illustrates the installation direction of a related outdoor device when the outdoor
device is installed in an antenna for transmitting/receiving a horizontally polarized wave signal.
30 The electric circuit unit of the outdoor device is housed in casing 21. Parts connected to the
electric circuit unit are rectangular waveguide terminal 22 and coaxial cable terminal 23.
Rectangular waveguide terminal 22 is connected to the antenna. Coaxial cable terminal 23 is
connected to an indoor device via coaxial cable 29. In this case, rectangular waveguide
terminal 22 is set in a direction such that a polarized wave is a horizontally polarized wave. In
6
addition, coaxial cable terminal 23 is connected to casing 21 by screws 24. Fig. 6 illustrates the
installation direction of the related outdoor device when the outdoor device is installed in an
antenna for transmitting/receiving a vertically polarized wave signal. In this case, the outdoor
device is installed in the antenna in a direction rotated by 90° clockwise from that when the
5 outdoor device is installed in the antenna of the horizontally polarized wave. Accordingly,
rectangular waveguide terminal 62 is set in a direction such that a polarized wave is a vertically
polarized wave.
[0018]
Thus, the related outdoor device is installed by rotating casing 21 by 90° when the outdoor
10 device is connected to the antennas of polarized waves that are different from each other.
Therefore, ifthe direction of input/output coaxial cable terminal23 is vertical when the outdoor
device is connected to the antenna of the horizontally polarized wave, the direction of
input/output coaxial cable terminal 23 will be horizontal when the outdoor device is connected to
the antenna of the vertically polarized wave. Conversely, if the direction of input/output
15 coaxial cable terminal 23 is vertical when the outdoor device is connected to the antenna of the
vertically polarized wave, the direction of input/output coaxial cable terminal 23 will be
horizontal when the outdoor device is connected to the antenna of the horizontally polarized
wave. As a result, in neither the horizontally polarized wave nor the vertically polarized wave
can coaxial cable terminal 23 be directed vertically downward.
20 [0019]
Further, as illustrated in Fig. 7, when the direction of the coaxial cable terminal is
horizontal, a method using an L-shaped connector or L-shaped cable 41 may be adopted. Fig. 7
illustrates an example using L-shaped cable 41. However, the direction of the polarized wave
may change during installation of the outdoor device. Therefore, it is not efficient to prepare
25 L-shaped cable 41 or the like in advance only for a case where the direction of the coaxial cable
terminal is horizontal. In addition, since L-shaped cable 41 is located in a region exceeding the
casing width W of the outdoor device as illustrated in Fig. 7, a problem may arise it is easy for a
bird to remain on the cable or the cable may spoil the beautiful appearance.
[0020]
30 In the embodiment, as described above, Fig. 1 illustrates, when the outdoor device is
installed in the antenna for transmitting/receiving the horizontally polarized wave signal, the
installation direction of the outdoor device. In this case, rectangular waveguide terminal 12 is
set in a direction such that a polarized wave is a horizontally polarized wave. On the other hand,
Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrate the installation directions of the outdoor device when the outdoor
7
device is installed in the antenna for transmitting/receiving the vertically polarized wave signal.
States illustrated in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are states where the installation directions are rotated by 90°
clockwise around shaft 30 from a state illustrated in Fig. 1. By the rotation of90°, rectangular
waveguide terminal 12 is set in a direction such that the polarized wave is a vertically polarized
5 wave.
[0021]
When the outdoor device is installed in the direction for the horizontally polarized wave
(illustrated in Fig. 1 ), tail end 31 of coaxial cable terminal 13 is set in a direction tilted by 45°
anticlockwise within a plane vertical to shaft 30 from a vertically downward direction. Since
10 coaxial cable terminal 13 has a bent structure of 45°, connection end 17 of coaxial cable terminal
13 faces vertically downward.
[0022]
On the other hand, as described above, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrate the outdoor device
installed in the direction for the vertically polarized wave. The states illustrated in Fig. 8 and
15 Fig. 9 are states where the installation directions are rotated by 90° clockwise around shaft 30
from the state illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 illustrates the outdoor device rotated by 90° clockwise
directly from the state illustrated in Fig. 1. In this state, tail end 31 of coaxial cable terminal 13
is set in a direction tilted by 45° clockwise within the plane vertical to shaft 30 from the
vertically downward direction. Since coaxial cable terminal 13 has a bent structure of 45°,
20 connection end 17 of coaxial cable terminal 13 is set in a horizontal direction. Accordingly,
coaxial cable terminal 13 is rotated by 180° around the central axis of tail end 31 thereof to be
connected to casing 11 all over again (illustrated in Fig. 9).
[0023]
In other words, in the outdoor device that includes casing 11, coaxial cable terminal 13
25 coupled to casing 11 and including connection end 17 connectable to coaxial cable 19, and
coupling means 18 for coupling coaxial cable terminal 13 to casing 11, coaxial cable terminal 13
is connectable to coaxial cable 19 along central axis 15 of connection end 17, and coupling
means 18 is configured so that connection end 17 can be selectively positioned at two alternative
points set at positions line-symmetric to each other about axis line 16 rotated by 45° with respect
30 to central axis 15.
[0024]
Coupling means 18 includes a plurality of screw through-holes 54 provided in coaxial cable
terminal 13, a plurality of threaded holes 32 provided in casing 11, and a plurality of screws 14.
The plurality of screw through-holes 54 will fit into any of threaded holes 32 so that screws 14
8
can penetrate screw through-holes 54 to fit into threaded holes 32 at whatever position at which
the above-mentioned two points connection end 17 is set. Accordingly, coaxial cable terminal
13 can be connected to casing 11 by rotation of 180°. The number of threaded holes 32 may be
larger than that of screw through-holes 54.
5 [0025)
By rotating coaxial cable terminal 13 by 180° to connect the terminal, the direction of
connection end 17 of coaxial cable terminal I3, which is horizontal, is changed to a vertically
downward direction. Thus, even when the outdoor device is connected to the antenna of the
horizontally polarized wave (when outdoor device is connected to antenna of vertically polarized
10 wave in case illustrated in Fig. I (in case illustrated in Fig. 9)), connection end 17 of coaxial
cable terminal 13 can be directed vertically downward without adding any components such as
an L-shaped connector.
[0026]
As described above, according to the embodiment, coaxial cable terminal 13 formed into
15 the bent structure of 45° and fittable to casing 11 by the rotation of 180° is applied to the outdoor
device located so that central axis 16 of tail end 31 of coaxial cable terminal 13 can be 45° from
the vertically downward direction in both the case of the horizontally polarized wave and the
case of the vertically polarized wave. As a result, both when the outdoor device is connected to
the antenna of the horizontally polarized wave and when the outdoor device is connected to the
20 antenna of the vertically polarized wave, connection end 17 of coaxial cable terminal 13 can be
directed vertically downward.
[0027]
Fig. 10 illustrates the installation direction of an outdoor device, when the outdoor device
according to the second embodiment of the present invention is installed in an antenna for
25 transmitting/receiving a horizontally polarized wave signal. The outdoor device includes
casing 101 for housing an electric circuit unit, and rectangular waveguide terminal 102 for
connecting the outdoor device to the antenna. As illustrated in Fig. 10, casing I 01 includes a
body part provided with a roughly square surface, and projection 103. Projection 103 of casing
101 is fixed to the surface of the body part. Coaxial cable terminal I 04 is an adaptor attachable
30 to/detachable from projection 103, and configured to connect the outdoor device and an indoor
device to each other via coaxial cable 109.
[0028)
Fig. 1I is a side view illustrating coaxial cable terminal I 04. Coaxial cable terminal I 04
includes inner conductor 1II, outer conductor II3, and insulator 112 sandwiched between inner
9
conductor Ill and outer conductor 113. Outer conductor 113 includes inner screw part 114 for
connecting to projection I 03 of casing I 0 I, and outer screw part 115 for fitting to coaxial cable
I 09. As illustrated in Fig. I 0, coaxial cable terminal I 04 is formed into a bent structure so that
an angle of 45° can be fanned between the central axis of tail end 41 of a side engaged with
5 projection I 03 of casing I 0 I and central axis I 05 of connection end I 07 of a side fitted to
coaxial cable I 09.
[0029]
The outdoor device can be installed either the direction for the horizontally polarized wave
in which the outdoor device is connected to the antenna for transmitting/receiving the
10 horizontally polarized wave signal or the direction for the vertically polarized wave in which the
outdoor device is connected to the antenna for transmitting/receiving the vertically polarized
wave signal. As described above, Fig. I 0 illustrates the outdoor device installed in the direction
for the horizontally polarized wave. The rectangular waveguide terminal is set in a direction
such that a polarized wave is a horizontally polarized wave. On the other hand, the outdoor
15 device installed in the direction for the vertically polarized wave is in a state where the
installation direction is rotated by 90° clockwise around shaft 30 from a state illustrated in Fig.
I 0. By the rotation of 90°, rectangular waveguide terminal I 02 is set in a direction such that
the polarized wave is a vertically polarized wave.
[0030]
20 When the outdoor device is installed in the direction for the horizontally polarized wave
(illustrated in Fig. I 0), projection I 03 of casing I 0 I is set in a direction tilted by 45°
anticlockwise within a plane vertical to shaft 30 from a vertically downward direction. In this
state, coaxial cable terminal I 04 can be engaged with projection I 03 of casing I 0 I so that
connection end I 07 of coaxial cable terminal I 04 can face vertically downward.
25 [003I]
On the other hand, as described above, the outdoor device installed in the direction for the
vertically polarized wave is in a state where the installation direction is rotated by 90° clockwise
around shaft 30 from the state illustrated in Fig. I 0. In the state where the installation direction
of the outdoor device is rotated by 90° clockwise directly from the state illustrated in Fig. I 0,
30 connection end I 07 of coaxial cable terminal I 04 is set in a horizontal direction. Accordingly,
coaxial cable terminal I 04 is rotated by I80° around the central axis of tail end 4I thereof to be
engaged with projection 103 of the casing once more.
[0032]
In other words, in the outdoor device that includes casing I 0 I, coaxial cable terminal 104
10
coupled to projection 103 of casing 101 and including connection end 107 connectable to coaxial
cable 109, and coupling means 108 for coupling coaxial cable terminal 104 to projection 103 of
casing 101, coaxial cable terminal 104 is connectable to coaxial cable 109 along central axis 105
of connection end 107, and coupling means 108 is configured so that connection end 107 can be
5 selectively positioned at two alternative points set at positions line-symmetric to each other about
axis line 106 rotated by 45° with respect to central axis 105.
[0033]
Coupling means 108 includes a first screw formed along axis line 106 in casing 101, and a
second screw formed in coaxial cable terminal 104 and configured to be engaged with the first
10 screw along axis line 106. The first screw may be a male screw while the second screw may be
a female screw, or vice versa. In the embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 11, coaxial cable
terminal 104 includes a case provided with female screws 114. In the embodiment, casing 101
includes projection 103. The formation of the first screw on projection 103 along axis line 106
provides effects similar to those when there is no projection 103 (first embodiment).
15 [0034]
Specifically, by rotating coaxial cable terminal 104 by 180° to be engaged, the direction of
connection end 107 of coaxial cable terminal 104, which is horizontal, can be changed to a
vertically downward direction. Thus, both when the outdoor device is connected to the antenna
of the horizontally polarized wave (illustrated in Fig. 1 0) and when the outdoor device is
20 connected to the antenna of the vertically polarized wave, connection end 107 of coaxial cable
terminal 104 can be directed vertically downward.
[0035]
As described above, according to the embodiment, coaxial cable terminal 1 04 formed into
the bent structure of 45° and fittable to projection 103 of the casing by the rotation of 180° is
25 applied to the outdoor device located so that projection 103 can be at an angle of 45° from the
vertically downward direction in both the case of the horizontally polarized wave and the case of
the vertically polarized wave. As a result, both when the outdoor device is connected to the
antenna of the horizontally polarized wave and when the outdoor device is connected to the
antenna of the vertically polarized wave, connection end 1 07 of coaxial cable terminal 1 04 can
~30 be directed vertically downward.
[0036]
The present invention has been described in detail by way of preferred embodiments.
However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and the scope of the appended claims.
11
[0037]
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2013-57844 filed on March 21,2013, the content ofwhich is incorporated by
reference.
5 Reference Signs
[0038]
10
15
20
25.
11, 21, 61, 101
12,22,62,102
13, 23, 104
14,24
15, 105
16, 106
17, 107
18, 108
19,29,109
30
31, 41
32
51, 111
52, 112
53, 113
54
55, 115
103
114
Casing
Rectangular waveguide terminal
Coaxial cable terminal
Screw
Central axis
Axis line
Connection end
Coupling means
Coaxial cable
Shaft
Tail end
Threaded hole
Inner conductor
Insulator
Outer conductor
Screw through-hole
Outer screw part
Projection
Inner screw part

CLAIM:-
[Claim 1]
A microwave outdoor radio device comprising:
a casing connectable to either a horizontally polarized wave antenna or a vertically
5 polarized wave antenna;
a coaxial cable terminal that is coupled to the casing and that includes a connection end to
which a coaxial cable can be connected; and
coupling means that couples the coaxial cable terminal to the casing, wherein:
the coaxial cable terminal is connectable to the coaxial cable along a central axis of the
10 connection end; and
the coupling means is configured so that the connection end can be selectively positioned at
two points set at positions line-symmetric to each other about an axis line rotated by 45° with
respect to the central axis.
15 [Claim 2]
The microwave outdoor radio device according to claim 1, wherein:
the coupling means includes a plurality of screw through-holes provided in the coaxial
cable terminal, a plurality of threaded holes provided in the casing, and a plurality of screws; and
the screw through-holes fit into any of the threaded holes so that the screws can penetrate
20 the screw through-holes to fit into the threaded holes at whatever position at which the two
points the connection end is set.
[Claim 3]
The microwave outdoor radio device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means
25 includes a first screw which is formed along the axis line in the casing, and a second screw that
is formed in the coaxial cable terminal and that is configured to be engaged with the first screw
along the axis line.
[Claim 4]
30 The microwave outdoor radio device according to claim 3, wherein the casing includes a
projection fixed to a surface of a body of the casing, and the first screw is provided in the
projection.
[Claim 5]
I3
The microwave outdoor radio device according to any one of claims I to 4, wherein:
the coaxial cable terminal is bent so as to form an angle of 45° between a central axis of a
tail end ofthe casing side and the central axis ofthe connection end; and
the coaxial cable terminal is connectable to the casing in two states rotated by I80° to each
5 other around the central axis of the tail end.
[Claim 6]
The microwave outdoor radio device according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein:
the coaxial cable terminal includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor arranged to
10 be coaxial to each other and extending from the tail end of the casing side to the connection end;
and
the coaxial cable terminal is connectable to the casing in two states rotated by 180° to each
other around extending directions of the inner conductor and the outer conductor at the tail end.