Self-aligning antenna system and method of positioning and aligning an antenna forming part of such an antenna system

The invention relates to a self-aligning antenna system and to a method of positioning and aligning an antenna, more particularly a satellite dish, forming part of such an antenna system in azimuth (horizontally) and elevation (vertically) by means of a motorised drive.

Automated, self-aligning satellite dishes are generally known and are used especially in the leisure market, i.e. on or with caravans, camper vans, tents etc. In accordance with the state of the art, as shown schematically in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, automated self-aligning satellite dishes have an integrated motorised drive which is operated either by integrated (Fig. 1) or by external electronics (Fig. 2). These electronics measure and "recognise" the required signal, in case of a satellite dish usually a satellite signal, and control the motors used for positioning the satellite dish. With these electronics, in combination with a transmission mechanism for the satellite dish it is possible to align the satellite dish fully to the required satellite signal.

Such automated satellite dishes are relatively expensive as they are equipped with a motorised drive which, after the antenna has been optimally positioned, no longer needs to be used, at least not regularly. Furthermore, due to their configuration and high price, automated satellite dishes are often permanently installed on vehicles. An additional drawback is that the vehicle has to stand in the open, i.e. not between trees, for example, in order to optimally receive the satellite signal.

There is therefore a need for a simpler and cheaper antenna system that can be placed in any location, such as at the edge of a forest, is not susceptible to theft and also performs at least as well as the currently existing systems.

German utility model publication DE 20 2007 013 622 U1 discloses a worm- wheel mechanism with a worm and a worm wheel which can be used in a rotating antenna arrangement, whereby axial displacement of the axle of the worm is avoided or at least reduced by this axle which is accommodated in a housing within the antenna arrangement. The axis is connected at one end to an external drive mechanism and at the other end to a bearing block which on the inside is attached to the wall of the housing and is provided with a packing sheet, with which the pressure on the bearing block can be adjusted against the axle of the worm.

U.S. patent application 2008/0136722 discloses a method of semi- automatically positioning a dielectric dome covered satellite dish adapted to be connected

to a satellite receiver, by means of a control console which is adjusted to activate a drive system on the satellite dish in order to receive a satellite signal.

U.S. Patent No. 5,999,139 discloses a two-axis satellite antenna mounting and tracking assembly including a universal joint for mounting the antenna to a support structure dish. A pair of linear actuators offset at 90° to each other about the universal joint are operated in full-on/full-off fashion to control the azimuth and elevation orientations of the antenna. Satellite tracking is effected by maximizing the received signal strength.

U.S. Patent No. 6,914,578 discloses a pedestal support system as well as a method of controlling rotational and bearing stiffness.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and low-priced antenna system as defined above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of positioning an antenna forming part of such an antenna system, whereby after alignment the antenna is not, or at least less susceptible to theft.

It was surprisingly found that these objects can be met by an antenna system with a motorised drive system for aligning the antenna to a required signal, for example a satellite signal, wherein the motorised drive system is not integrated into the antenna, but after positioning of the antenna can be detached therefrom and stored without the antenna losing signal.

The invention is therefore characterised in that the antenna of the self- aiigning antenna system forms a first unit with the transmission mechanism and the motorised drive system forms a second unit, wherein the first unit and the second unit can be connected to and disconnected from each other and wherein the first unit and the second unit are each provided with a detachable interlocking coupling element for the drive in order to operably connect and disconnect the first and second unit, that the first and second unit are interconnected in order to align the antenna and disconnected after alignment of the antenna, such that the antenna remains fixed in the aligned position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the second unit of the antenna system also comprises the control electronics.

In a further embodiment of the invention the first unit of the antenna system also comprises control electronics, wherein the first unit and the second unit are each provided with detachable interlocking terminals for the electronics in order to electrically connect and disconnect the first and second unit.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention the control electronics form a separate third unit of the antenna system which is usually detachably connected with the second unit of the antenna system. The third unit and the second unit in this embodiment are preferably provided with electrical terminals in order to detachably connect these units to each other through a separate supply/control cable in order to align the antenna. After alignment the third unit can be disconnected from the second unit and the second unit from the first unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the antenna of the self-aligning antenna system is a satellite dish that is normally equipped to receive at least one satellite signal.

Preferably, the transmission mechanism is designed to be self-restraining. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the transmission mechanism comprises two elements, one for rotating the antenna in azimuth and one for rotating it in elevation. Preferably, both elements are adapted to be self-restraining. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the motorised drive of the second unit is electrically powered by means of a coax cable which is used for signal transmission. The motorised drive can also be electrically powered by an accumulator or battery which forms part of the detachable motorised drive of the second unit, or possibly by means of an external accumulator, battery, power unit or via the mains. In a typical embodiment of the invention an antenna system according to the invention comprises a first unit, which comprises an antenna and a transmission mechanism for positioning the antenna correctly with regard to a signal to be received, and a second unit, which comprises a motorised drive for the transmission mechanism. Both units each have connection facilities for connecting and disconnecting the units to and from each other, for example by means of plug, eye and click-type connections, all of which are familiar to a person skilled in the art. The connection facilities also include the functional connection between the motorised drive and the transmission mechanism, for example by means of a sprung axle of the motorised drive, which is introduced in a slowly rotating manner and clicks into a connection of the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism generally comprises two elements, one for rotating the antenna in azimuth (horizontally) and one for rotating it in elevation (vertically), as described in, for example, US 5,999,139. Both mechanisms are preferably self-restraining, for example by means of worm wheel gears, which are familiar to a person skilled in the art, or in an embodiment as described in DE 20 2007013 622 U1, in order to protect them against wind load or other external factors. The antenna can thus

be kept in the desired position after the motorised drive is disconnected. The transmission mechanism or the aforementioned elements thereof can be provided with a receiving element for the mechanical connection of the external motorised drive, which is usually powered by means of a storage battery (accumulator), battery, power unit or via the mains. The power supply, preferably in the form of a storage battery or battery, can, if desired, form part of the detachable motorised drive. In principle the motorised drive is only mechanically connected to the transmission mechanisms for the purpose of automatically aligning the antenna, and can be disconnected after this operation and stored in a safe place. The control electronics for automatically aligning the antenna, which also form part of the antenna system according to the invention, can be located both in the first unit, the antenna section, as well as in the second unit, the detachable motorised drive, and in an external third unit. In the first case the connection facilities between the first and the second unit must also include electrical terminals to electrically connect the two units with each other in order to control the motorised drive. Such terminal contacts are familiar to a person skilled in the art and will therefore not be discussed here in more detail. The second embodiment, in which the control electronics are in the second unit together with the motorised drive, is preferred, as in this way the most valuable parts of the antenna system can be disconnected after aligning the antenna and safely stored. Furthermore, these parts are usually less moisture and weather-resistant and only need to be exposed to the weather conditions for a short time. In the third embodiment, in which the control electronics are located in a separate third unit, additional measures are also necessary, more particularly an additional control cable for controlling the motorised drive, and therefore this embodiment is generally not preferred. Preferably, the functional connections and terminals of the first and the second unit are provided with protective caps in order to protect them against vermin and the effects of moisture etc.

An antenna system in accordance with the invention can be used in various ways and in different variations, depending on the requirements and preferences of the user and/or the manufacturer. In a preferred embodiment the antenna system is used on or near a caravan, camper van, tent etc, wherein the antenna is preferably set up on a suitable, generally open location, while the caravan, camper van or tent is preferably located in a protected, shaded location. The antenna is connected to a receiver system (for example a decoder, TV, radio, PC or satellite telephone) in a conventional manner, normally by means of a cable, such as a coax cable. After setting up and connecting the

antenna and the receiver system, the antenna is aligned by connecting it to the detachable motorised drive system and being adjusted to the maximum signal strength.

Alignment takes place in a conventional manner, which is known to a person skilled in the art, generally and preferably using electronics (tuner) which both "recognise" the required signal and can measure the signal strength. The drive system can then be disconnected and stored and the antenna system is ready for use. The antenna which is thus usually set up at a distance from the receiver, is thus relieved of the automatic alignment system which is costly and therefore susceptible to theft, which is of great advantage as compared to existing integrated antenna systems. The invention also relates in a further aspect to a method of positioning and aligning an antenna, more particularly a satellite dish, in azimuth and elevation, which comprises the following steps: a. installing a self-aligning antenna system at a predetermined location whereby the first and the second unit are operably connected to each other; b. connecting the coax cable for the signal transmission and powering the motorised drive and control electronics, whereby the control electronics are optionally accommodated in a third unit of the self-aligning antenna system; c. if the control electronics are accommodated in a third unit of the self- aligning antenna system, connecting electrically the third unit and the second unit by means of a control cable, which optionally also serves as a power supply cable; d. aligning the antenna to a predetermined signal until a maximum signal is attained; e. optionally fixing the antenna in the resulting position; f. disconnecting the second unit from the first unit and, if applicable, disconnecting the third unit from the second unit and removing the power supply cables and any control cables from these units; g. storing the second unit and possibly the third unit as well as the supply cables and any control cables of these units.

Preferably, the coax cable is also used for powering the motorised drive and also for powering the control electronics. If a third unit with control electronics is present, this unit is connected to the second unit via a control cable. This control cable can also be used to power the control electronics of the second unit. In another embodiment of the invention the third unit can be powered via a separate power supply. In this case the second unit can also be powered from the third unit via the control cable. It will be clear to

a person skilled in the art that after alignment the coax cable remains connected to the first unit for supplying the signal from the antenna.

An antenna adapted for automated alignment to a desired signal will be referred to hereinafter as a "self-aligning antenna". The invention will now be described in some more detail below in view of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a self-aligning satellite dish which forms part of the state of the art;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a self-aligning satellite dish which forms part of the state of the art; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a self-aligning satellite dish according to the present invention;

In the various Figures the same or similar components are indicated with the same references numbers. In Fig. 1 a commercially available satellite dish (1) is shown which is provided with an integrated motorised drive (2) with a corresponding transmission mechanism (3) and corresponding control electronics (4). A coax cable (5) can be used both for transmission of the signal to the decoder (6) and as a power supply cable for the drive and the control electronics. A decoder (6) provides a media apparatus (7), such as, for example, a TV, with signals. The supply of the various devices is always indicated with reference number (9).

Fig. 2 shows a another commercially available satellite dish (1) with an integrated motorised drive (2) and a corresponding transmission mechanism (3), wherein the accompanying control electronics (4) are located externally. The decoder (6) is supplied with signals via a coax cable (5). The motorised drive is powered and supplied with control signals via a supply/control cable (8). The decoder (6) supplies a media apparatus (7), such as, for example, a TV, with signals.

Fig. 3 shows a satellite dish (1 ) in accordance with the invention which does not have an integrated motorised drive with corresponding control electronics. A motorised drive (2) with control electronics (4) is mechanically and electrically connected to the transmission mechanism (3) of the satellite dish (1) in a temporary manner in order to automatically align the satellite dish. The coax cable (5) can be used both for transferring signals to the decoder {6) and for the power supply for the drive (2) and the control electronics (4). Through the temporary connection of the motorised drive (2) to the

satellite dish (1) the power supply is also temporarily connected to the control electronics (4) and the motorised drive {2).

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), an additional supply cable (8) is required for the supply (9) to the motorised drive (2) with corresponding control electronics (4), or it is replaced by an integrated storage battery. The decoder (6) supplies a media apparatus (7) such as, for example, a TV, with signals.

The antenna system according to this invention, wherein an external drive is used for automatically aligning an antenna, more particularly a satellite dish, inter afia provides the following advantages as compared to the existing self-aligning antennas according to the state of the art:

- The commercial value and know-how of a self-aligning (satellite dish) antenna lies in the drive with the corresponding control electronics. With this invention the valuable drive, along with any integrated control electronics can be safely stored after having automatically aligned the antenna. - With this invention it is possible to use a single coax cable both for transmitting signals from the antenna as well as for the power supply for the motorised drive, without the motorised drive with corresponding control electronics being integrated into the antenna.

- This invention enables to automatically align several (satellite dish) antennas equipped with suitable mechanisms for azimuth (horizontal) and elevation (vertical) rotation using only one motorised drive with corresponding electronics, irrespective of their mounting form. The form in which the antenna is mounted may vary from roof or wall attachment to a stand on the ground.

- A manually aligned (satellite dish) antenna can be upgraded to a fully automatic system, by providing a motorised drive with corresponding control electronics according to the invention.

- As the motorised drive with corresponding control electronics is not integrated into the self-aligning antenna and can be safely stored after automatically alignment of the antenna, it does not have to be protected against the influences of weather etc. - As the self-aligning (satellite dish) antenna comprises various components that are temporarily interconnected, the entire system can be easily stored as a set for example in a case.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that modifications and adaptations can be made to the antenna system described herein without deviating from the spirit of

the invention. These modifications and adaptations therefore all come within the scope of this invention which is determined by the following claims.