Luneberg lens manufacturing device, manufacturing method, and Luneberg lens

Abstract

The present invention provides a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, a manufacturing method, and a Luneburg lens. The above-mentioned Luneburg lens manufacturing device includes: a winding and braiding main body, a winding member, a strip material support member, and a first driving member. The winding and braiding main body is provided with a fixing position for fixing one end of the strip material. The strip support member is provided with a first through hole, and the strip material is threaded through the first through hole. The winding member is connected to the end of the strip support member away from the winding and braiding main body, and the winding member is connected to the first driving member. Driven by the first driving member, the winding member can drive the strip material to wind around the surface of the winding and braiding main body through the strip material support member. When manufacturing a Luneburg lens with the Luneburg lens manufacturing device, a forming mold is not required, the process is simple, effectively avoiding the problems of complex process and low production efficiency in the prior art for manufacturing Luneburg lenses, saving costs and reducing the difficulty of the process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, a manufacturing method, and a Luneburg lens. Background Art

[0002] As a front-end device of a communication system, the main function of an antenna is to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. In order to match the development trend of communication systems, antennas are also constantly evolving and upgrading. The Luneburg lens is designed to be spherical, and the dielectric constant decreases radially in a regular gradient from the center of the sphere to the spherical surface. This design enables electromagnetic waves incident from any direction to always converge to a point on the lens surface after refraction. The radiation units of the Luneburg lens antenna are placed along the surface of the Luneburg sphere, and the spherical waves emitted are refracted by the Luneburg sphere with a gradient distribution of dielectric constant and converted into plane waves. Therefore, even if only a single radiation unit is used, the Luneburg lens antenna can still form a narrow beam and a high gain. At the same time, multiple radiation units can also be placed along the surface of the Luneburg sphere, and each radiation unit can form an independent beam. Except for different pointing directions, the other radiation characteristics of different beams are almost exactly the same. The above characteristics make the Luneburg lens antenna have outstanding advantages such as low power consumption, light weight, small size, high gain, and good beam consistency compared with the mainstream plate antennas in terms of narrow beam and multi-beam antennas. Currently, the dielectric constant of the spherical Luneburg lens decreases in a gradient in the two-dimensional direction of the sphere.

[0003] The existing manufacturing methods of Luneburg lenses mainly include three categories:

[0004] The first category is the lamination manufacturing method, which uses several layers of shells and adjusts the dielectric constant of the material of each layer of shell through a process method, so that different shells have a dielectric constant distributed according to a certain rule. The disadvantages of this method are that there are many layers, which easily causes many process steps, the different dielectric constants of each layer of material result in great difficulty in sorting and debugging, and at the same time, problems such as discontinuous interfaces between shells and the need for multiple molds for forming are likely to occur;

[0005] The second category is the subtractive manufacturing method, which is based on the equivalent medium theory technology. By opening holes in the dielectric material according to a certain rule, different equivalent dielectric constants at different positions are realized by the different relative densities of the material caused by different hole sizes. The disadvantages of this method are that special tools are required for processing, there are problems such as difficult clamping, complex process, low production efficiency, and difficult to ensure dimensional accuracy;

[0006] The third category is the 3D printing manufacturing method, which is formed by printing in layers according to the designed shape. Different equivalent dielectric constants at different positions are realized by the different relative densities of the material caused by different shapes of each layer of material. The disadvantages of this method are that the raw materials are not easily obtained, and the materials need to go through processes such as melting, sintering, and curing, resulting in low production efficiency and long production cycle.

[0007] In summary, the existing technology has problems such as difficult acquisition of raw materials, complex processes and low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention provides a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, a manufacturing method and a Luneburg lens, which are used to solve the problems of complex Luneburg lens manufacturing process and low production efficiency in the prior art.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, comprising: a winding braiding body, a winding member, a strip material support member, and a first driving member;

[0010] The winding braided body is provided with a fixing position, and the fixing position is used to fix one end of the strip material; the strip support is provided with a first through hole, and the strip material is passed through the first through hole;

[0011] The winding member is connected to one end of the strip support member away from the winding and weaving main body, and the winding member is connected to the first driving member. Under the drive of the first driving member, the winding member can drive the strip material to be woven around the surface of the winding and weaving main body through the strip material support member.

[0012] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device also includes a tensioning member, which is arranged on the side of the strip material support member away from the winding and woven main body. The tensioning member is provided with a second through hole, and the strip material is passed through the second through hole. The tensioning member is used to adjust the angle between the strip material and the strip material support member.

[0013] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes an adhesive coating assembly, the adhesive coating assembly includes two rotating wheels, the strip material is clamped between the two rotating wheels, and the two rotating wheels rotate in opposite directions.

[0014] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a first control motion component, which is detachably connected to a side of the winding and braiding body away from the winding member;

[0015] The first control motion component includes: an arc track, a motion component and a second driving member; the motion component is adapted to the arc track, and the winding and weaving body is arranged on the arc track through the motion component. Under the drive of the second driving member, the winding and weaving body can move along the extension direction of the arc track.

[0016] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, the first motion control component further includes a limiter;

[0017] The limiting member is arranged on a side of the arc track away from the winding and braiding main body, and the limiting member is arranged corresponding to the motion component.

[0018] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a second control motion component, wherein the second control motion component is connected to one end of the first control motion component;

[0019] The second control motion component includes: a rotating motion shaft and a third driving member; the rotating motion shaft is connected to one end of the arc track, and under the drive of the third driving member, the rotating motion shaft can drive the winding and braiding body to rotate around the fixed position.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens, wherein the method is used to manufacture a Luneburg lens using the Luneburg lens manufacturing device according to any one of the first aspects, and the method comprises:

[0021] preparing a winding braided body and strip materials;

[0022] Passing the free end of the strip material through the first through hole and the fixed position in sequence;

[0023] The first driving member is started, and the winding member drives the strip material support member to rotate around its axis direction. The strip material is wound on the winding and weaving body to produce a Luneburg lens.

[0024] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing method provided by the present invention, the winding part rotates around its axis, the winding and weaving body moves along the extension direction of the arc track and rotates around the fixed position, and the strip material is wound on the winding and weaving body to produce a spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens.

[0025] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a Luneburg lens, which is manufactured according to the Luneburg lens manufacturing method described in any one of the second aspects, and comprises: a wound braided core and a strip material;

[0026] The winding braided core includes a winding portion and a supporting portion, the winding portion is provided with a fixing position, one end of the strip material is connected to the fixing position, and the supporting portion is connected to the winding portion;

[0027] The strip material is arranged on the surface of the woven portion in a woven manner, and adhesive is arranged between the woven layers composed of the strip material.

[0028] According to the Luneburg lens provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens is spherical or ellipsoidal.

[0029] According to the Luneburg lens provided by the present invention, the dielectric constant of the strip material is not less than 2.

[0030] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device, manufacturing method and Luneburg lens provided by the present invention, by sequentially passing the free end of the strip material through the first through hole of the strip material support member and the fixed position on the winding and braiding body, at the same time, using the strip material support member to abut against the strip material to make the strip material in a tensioned state, the winding member moves under the drive of the first driving member, and the strip material is driven by the strip material support member to wind around the surface of the winding and braiding body, and the strip material is wound layer by layer to manufacture the Luneburg lens. By using this device to prepare the Luneburg lens, a forming mold is not required, the process is simple, and the problems of complex process and low production efficiency in the prior art for manufacturing the Luneburg lens are effectively avoided. The Luneburg lens manufacturing device, Luneburg lens manufacturing method and Luneburg lens provided by the present invention save the cost of manufacturing the Luneburg lens and reduce the process difficulty. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the first control movement component provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the spherical Luneburg lens provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Reference numerals:

[0036] 1: winding and braiding body; 11: fixed position; 12: winding part; 13: support part; 2: winding member; 3: strip material support member; 31: first through hole; 4: strip material; 5: tensioning member; 51: second through hole; 6: adhesive coating component; 61: runner; 7: first control movement component; 71: arc track; 72: movement component; 73: second driving member; 74: limiting member; 8: second control movement component; 81: rotation movement shaft; 82: third driving member; 9: adhesive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "top", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "provided with" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0040] The embodiments of the present invention provide a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, a Luneburg lens manufacturing method and a Luneburg lens, so as to solve the problems of complex Luneburg lens manufacturing process and low production efficiency in the prior art.

[0041] The following combination Figures 1 to 3 The present invention describes a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, a manufacturing method and a Luneburg lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] First, as Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, comprising: a winding and weaving body 1, a winding member 2, a strip material support member 3 and a first driving member.

[0043] The winding and braiding main body 1 is provided with a fixing position 11 , which is used to fix one end of the strip material 4 ; the strip material support 3 is provided with a first through hole 31 , and the strip material 4 is passed through the first through hole 31 .

[0044] The winding member 2 is connected to the end of the strip material support member 3 away from the winding and weaving main body 1. The winding member 2 is connected to the first driving member. Under the drive of the first driving member, the winding member 2 can drive the strip material 4 to be wound around the surface of the winding and weaving main body 1 through the strip material support member 3.

[0045] Specifically, the dimensions of the strip material 4 and the winding and braiding body 1 need to be designed using electromagnetic simulation software. A Luneburg lens is fabricated using the strip material 4 and the winding and braiding body 1 obtained from the design calculations. The design prerequisite is that the relative permittivity of the fabricated Luneburg lens satisfies the variation law ε(r) = 2 - (r / R) 2 (0 ≤ r ≤ R), where r is the distance from the current position to the center of the sphere, and R is the radius of the Luneburg lens antenna.

[0046] The external shape of the winding and braiding body 1 is in a proportional relationship with the overall Luneburg lens and serves as the basis for winding and braiding. The winding and braiding body 1 is a columnar structure, which can be a solid structure or a hollow structure, as long as its structure has a certain hardness. The winding and braiding body 1 is made of, but not limited to, homogeneous materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyurethane, and polycarbonate.

[0047] The winding and braiding body 1 is provided with a fixing position 11, which is set at the end of the winding and braiding body 1. For example, when fabricating a spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens, as Figure 1 shown, its fixing position 11 is set at the top of the winding and braiding body 1. By designing a hole structure at the top of the winding and braiding body 1, the strip material 4 passes through the hole and is fixed to the top of the winding and braiding body 1.

[0048] The material of the winding member 2 can be any one of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyurethane, and polycarbonate, not limited to the above materials. The winding member 2 is a columnar structure, which can be a solid structure or a hollow structure, and its structure has a certain hardness to drive the strip material support 3 to pull the strip material 4 to rotate. As Figure 1 shown, the winding member 2 is connected to one end of the strip material support 3 away from the winding and braiding body 1. Its function is to drive the strip material 4 to rotate and braid on the surface of the winding and braiding body 1 under the action of the first driving member.

[0049] As Figure 1 shown, the strip material support 3 has a right-angled rod-like structure. One end of it is connected to the winding member 2, and the other end is provided with a first through hole 31. The strip material 4 passes through the first through hole 31 and is fixed to the fixing position 11 of the winding and braiding body 1. The function of setting the strip material support 3 is not only to support the strip material 4 and drive the strip material 4 to move, but also to use the strip material support 3 to abut against the strip material 4 to keep the strip material 4 in a tensioned state. Under the drive of the first driving member, the strip material support 3 and the winding and braiding body 1 maintain a rotational motion state, realizing the layer-by-layer winding of the strip material 4 on the winding and braiding body 1, so that the ratio of air / strip material 4 in each layer gradually increases from the inside to the outside according to the pre-calculated value, thereby realizing the change of the air-strip material mixed equivalent permittivity according to the pre-calculated law.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first driving member is preferably a CNC motor, which realizes the control of the rotation speed and direction of the wound member 2. By controlling the CNC motor, the winding weaving spacing and the winding weaving method of the strip material 4 can be controlled. The winding weaving directions between each layer of strip material 4 are staggered, and the winding weaving spacing is set according to needs, which can further improve the strength of the Luneburg lens, thereby improving the radiation performance of the Luneburg lens.

[0051] It should be noted that the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be arranged vertically or horizontally. The specific arrangement depends on the actual situation and does not affect its function.

[0052] The Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the embodiment of the present invention sequentially passes the free end of the strip material 4 through the first through hole 31 of the strip material support 3 and the fixed position 11 on the winding and weaving main body 1. At the same time, the strip material support 3 is used to abut the strip material 4, so that the strip material 4 is in a tensioned state. The winding member 2 moves under the drive of the first driving member, and the strip material 4 is driven by the strip material support 3 to be wound around the surface of the winding and weaving main body 1. The strip material is wound layer by layer to manufacture a Luneburg lens. The Luneburg lens is prepared by this device without the need for a molding mold, and the process is simple, effectively avoiding the problems of complex Luneburg lens manufacturing process and low production efficiency in the prior art. The Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the embodiment of the present invention saves the cost of manufacturing Luneburg lenses and reduces the difficulty of the process.

[0053] In an optional embodiment, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device also includes a tensioning member 5, which is arranged on the side of the strip material support 3 away from the winding woven body 1, and the tensioning member 5 is provided with a second through hole 51, and the strip material 4 is passed through the second through hole 51. The tensioning member 5 is used to adjust the angle between the strip material 4 and the strip material support 3.

[0054] Specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, a tensioning member 5 is provided on the side of the strip material support member 3 away from the winding braiding body 1. The purpose of the tensioning member 5 is to tighten the strip material 4 passing through the second through hole 51 provided on the tensioning member 5, thereby maintaining appropriate tension on the strip material 4 during the braiding process, preventing the strip material 4 from being too loose and dragging out, but also preventing the strip material 4 from being too tight and breaking. The tensioning member 5 can be a spring structure or a rubber component, and its specific structure is not limited. Any structure that can achieve the tensioning function is suitable for this purpose.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes an adhesive coating assembly 6 , which includes two rotating wheels 61 . The strip material 4 is clamped between the two rotating wheels 61 , and the two rotating wheels 61 rotate in opposite directions.

[0056] Specifically, if Figure 1As shown, the adhesive coating assembly 6 is disposed above the tensioning member 5. The adhesive coating assembly 6 includes two rotating wheels 61. When the strip material 4 is wound and braided, it is pre-coated with adhesive through the adhesive coating assembly 6. The two rotating wheels 61 rotate in opposite directions to drive the adhesive to be coated on the strip material 4 passing between the two rotating wheels 61. This design can ensure that every part of the strip material 4 is coated with adhesive, thereby strengthening the firmness of the Luneburg lens structure obtained by braiding.

[0057] It should be noted that after the Luneburg lens is braided, the entire braided Luneburg lens can be immersed and coated with adhesive, which also has the effect of strengthening the structural stability of the Luneburg lens.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, the Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus further includes a first control motion assembly 7, which is detachably connected to the side of the winding and braiding main body 1 away from the winding member 2.

[0059] The first control motion assembly 7 includes: an arc track 71, a motion assembly 72 and a second driving member 73; the motion assembly 72 is adapted to the arc track 71, and the winding and braiding main body 1 is disposed on the arc track 71 through the motion assembly 72. Driven by the second driving member 73, the winding and braiding main body 1 can move along the extending direction of the arc track 71.

[0060] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, when braiding a spherical structure, the Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus further includes a first control motion assembly 7. The winding and braiding main body 1 and the first control motion assembly 7 are detachably connected. After the winding is completed, the strip material 4 and the winding and braiding main body 1 can be removed from the first control motion assembly 7 together to obtain the desired Luneburg lens.

[0061] As Figure 2 shown, the first control motion assembly 7 includes: an arc track 71, a motion assembly 72 and a second driving member 73. One end of the winding and braiding main body 1 is connected to the strip material 4, and the other end is disposed on the arc track 71. The second driving member 73 drives the motion assembly 72 to move on the arc track 71, thereby driving the winding and braiding main body 1 to move along the extending direction of the arc track 71. Among them, the motion angle of the motion assembly 72 on the arc track 71 is greater than or equal to 180°.

[0062] The specific motion trajectory of braiding a spherical Luneburg lens is as follows: The first driving member drives the winding member 2 to rotate around its axis direction, drives the strip material 4 to rotate and wind around the fixed position 11 at the top of the winding and braiding main body 1 through the strip material support member 3. Under the action of the first control motion assembly 7, the winding and braiding main body 1 moves left and right reciprocally along the extending direction of the arc track 71, and the strip material 4 is wound layer by layer. After the winding is completed, the winding and braiding main body 1 is removed to obtain the Luneburg lens with the corresponding structure.

[0063] It should be noted that if Figure 1 As shown, the motion component 72 is a gear structure, and the arc-shaped track 71 is a gear ring structure. The meshing transmission of the two drives the winding and braiding body 1 to move along the arc-shaped track 71. Of course, the motion component 72 can also be a worm structure, and the arc-shaped track 71 can be a turbine structure. The two form a transmission structure to drive the winding and braiding body 1 to move. The motion component 72 can also be other combinations such as a thread-screw. Therefore, any component that can achieve a transmission function can be used as the motion component 72 and the arc-shaped track 71, that is, any transmission component that can drive the winding and braiding body 1 to move along the arc-shaped track 71 falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0064] In an optional embodiment, the first control movement assembly 7 further includes a limiting member 74 .

[0065] The limiting member 74 is provided on a side of the arc-shaped track 71 away from the winding and braiding main body 1 , and the limiting member 74 is provided corresponding to the motion component 72 .

[0066] Specifically, if Figure 2 As shown, a limiter 74 is provided below the arc track 71 in the first control motion assembly 7 . The limiter 74 is used to limit the motion assembly 72 to move on the arc track 71 to prevent the motion assembly 72 from falling off the arc track 71 .

[0067] In an optional embodiment, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a second control motion component 8 , which is connected to one end of the first control motion component 7 .

[0068] The second control motion component 8 includes: a rotating motion shaft 81 and a third driving member 82; the rotating motion shaft 81 is connected to one end of the arc track 71, and under the drive of the third driving member 82, the rotating motion shaft 81 can drive the winding braiding body 1 to rotate around the fixed position 11.

[0069] Specifically, a second control motion component 8 is further provided at one end of the first control motion component 7. Figure 1 As shown, the second control motion component 8 includes a rotating motion shaft 81 and a third driving member 82. The rotating motion shaft 81 is connected to the left end of the arc track 71. Of course, in other embodiments, it can also be set at the right end of the arc track 71. The third driving member 82 drives the rotating motion shaft 81 to perform a set circular motion, driving the first control motion component 7 as a whole to perform a set circular motion, thereby driving the winding braiding body 1 to rotate around the fixed position 11.

[0070] It should be noted that the geometric rotation center axis where the winding member 2 drives the strip material support member 3 to perform a set rotational motion, the geometric rotation center axis where the first control motion assembly 7 performs an arc motion, and the geometric rotation center axis where the circumferential motion of the rotation motion axis 81 are perpendicular to each other in geometric space and have a common geometric intersection point, and the common geometric intersection point is exactly at the center of the fixed position 11 of the winding and braiding main body 1.

[0071] Based on the above embodiments, the specific motion trajectory of braiding the spherical Luneburg lens is as follows: The first driving member drives the winding member 2 to rotate around its axis direction, drives the strip material 4 to rotate and wind onto the fixed position 11 at the top of the winding and braiding main body 1 through the strip material support member 3. Under the action of the first control motion assembly 7, the winding and braiding main body 1 reciprocates left and right along the extending direction of the arc track 71. At the same time, under the action of the second control motion assembly 8, the winding and braiding main body 1 rotates around the fixed position 11, layer by layer winds the strip material 4, and at the same time realizes the staggered braiding of the strip material 4. After the winding and braiding are completed, the winding and braiding main body 1 is taken off to obtain an interlaced braided spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens.

[0072] In a second aspect, based on the above Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus, an embodiment of the present invention provides a Luneburg lens manufacturing method, which is used to manufacture a Luneburg lens using the Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the embodiments in the first aspect. The Luneburg lens manufacturing method includes the following steps:

[0073] Step 1: Prepare the winding and braiding main body 1 and the strip material 4;

[0074] Step 2: Sequentially pass the free end of the strip material 4 through the first through hole 31 and the fixed position 11;

[0075] Step 3: Start the first driving member, the winding member 2 drives the strip material support member 3 to rotate around its axis direction, and the strip material 4 winds on the winding and braiding main body 1 to manufacture a Luneburg lens.

[0076] Specifically, first, before braiding, based on the premise that the relative dielectric constant of the Luneburg lens needs to satisfy the change law of ε(r) = 2 - (r / R) 2 (0 ≤ r ≤ R), where r is the distance from the current position to the center of the sphere, and R is the radius of the Luneburg lens antenna. Through electromagnetic simulation software, the winding and braiding main body 1 and the strip material 4 are designed, and the corresponding winding and braiding main body 1 and strip material 4 are prepared for standby.

[0077] Secondly, using the above Luneburg lens manufacturing device, after the produced strip material 4 passes through the adhesive coating assembly 6, its free end sequentially passes through the second through-hole 51 on the tensioning member 5, the first through-hole 31 on the strip material support member 3, and the fixing position 11 around which the winding and braiding body 1 is wound, and is fixedly connected to the fixing position 11. The strip material 4 is supported by the winding member 2 and the strip material support member 3. At the same time, the strip material 4 is tensioned by the tensioning member 5, and the whole is in a state to be braided.

[0078] Finally, start the first driving member to drive the winding and braiding body 1 to move, so that the strip material 4 is wound around the winding and braiding body 1 to manufacture a Luneburg lens.

[0079] The Luneburg lens manufacturing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention uses the strip material 4 made of a homogeneous material as the raw material, and manufactures the Luneburg lens by means of winding and braiding. It does not require a forming mold, has a simple process, is formed at one time, and improves production efficiency. This manufacturing method solves the problems of low production efficiency, complex process, and high cost in the current manufacture of Luneburg lenses. The interface between each layer of the Luneburg lens manufactured by this manufacturing method fits tightly, and the material is continuous, which is beneficial to maintaining the stability of its electrical performance.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment, the winding member 2 rotates around its axis, the winding and braiding body 1 moves along the extending direction of the arc track 71, and rotates around the fixing position 11, and the strip material 4 is wound around the winding and braiding body 1 to manufacture a spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens.

[0081] Specifically, when manufacturing a spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens, the specific manufacturing method can be: after the Luneburg lens manufacturing device and the strip material 4 are in a state to be braided as a whole, start the first driving member. The first driving member drives the winding member 2 to rotate around its axis, drives the strip material support member 3 to rotate, and further drives the strip material 4 to rotate and wind to the fixing position 11 of the winding and braiding body 1. The winding and braiding body 1 moves left and right reciprocally along the extending direction of the arc track 71. At the same time, the winding and braiding body 1 rotates around the fixing position 11 to realize the staggered layer-by-layer braiding of the strip material 4, so as to obtain a spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens with staggered braiding. In addition, by controlling the second driving member 73 and the third driving member 82, the winding and braiding pitch of the strip material 4 is adjusted to obtain a spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens with the required size. The size of the manufactured Luneburg lens is not specifically limited, and it can be wound according to the requirements in actual operation.

[0082] In a third aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a Luneburg lens, which is manufactured by using the Luneburg lens manufacturing method provided in any embodiment of the second aspect. The Luneburg lens includes: a winding and braiding body 1 and a strip material 4.

[0083] The winding and braiding body 1 includes a winding portion 12 and a supporting portion 13 . The winding portion 12 is provided with a fixing position 11 . One end of the strip material 4 is connected to the fixing position 11 . The supporting portion 13 is connected to the winding portion 12 .

[0084] The strip material 4 is arranged on the surface of the woven portion 12 in a woven manner, and adhesive 9 is provided between the woven layers composed of the strip material 4 .

[0085] Specifically, the material of the strip material 4 can be any one of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyurethane, and polycarbonate, but is not limited to the above materials. It can be made of a uniform base material, or it can be made of a base material with metal wire or high dielectric constant ceramic particles sandwiched therein and foamed. The cross-section of the strip material 4 can be any of a variety of shapes, such as circular or rectangular, and the specific shape of the cross-section is not limited. The strip material 4 can be a single strand or a plurality of strands twisted together.

[0086] like Figure 3 As shown, adhesive 9 is coated between the woven layers formed by the strip material 4. The purpose of adding the adhesive 9 is to make the woven Luneburg lens structure more solid.

[0087] The Luneburg lens provided in an embodiment of the present invention uses a strip material 4 of homogeneous material as raw material, and is manufactured by winding and weaving. No molding mold is required, the process is simple, one-time molding is achieved, and production efficiency is improved. This solves the current problems of the Luneburg lens in that raw materials are difficult to obtain, the production cost is high, and the production efficiency is low. In the Luneburg lens provided in an embodiment of the present invention, the strip material 4 is arranged on the surface of the weaving portion 12 in a weaving manner, and the dielectric constant is distributed in a gradient decrease in the two-dimensional direction. It has a simple structure, low production cost, and high radiation efficiency.

[0088] In an optional embodiment, the Luneburg lens is spherical or ellipsoidal.

[0089] Specifically, the Luneburg lens manufactured by the Luneburg lens manufacturing device described in the above embodiment can be spherical or ellipsoidal. Figure 3 The spherical Luneburg lens is composed of a wound and woven main body 1 and a strip material 4. This is just an example. By adjusting the rotation speed and direction of the driving member and adjusting the winding and weaving spacing of the strip material 4, spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lenses of various required sizes can be obtained.

[0090] In an optional embodiment, the dielectric constant of the strip material 4 is not less than 2.

[0091] Specifically, the strip material 4 has a uniform dielectric constant along the length direction, and its dielectric constant is greater than or equal to 2. The strip material 4 of such material is selected, and the spherical Luneburg lens manufactured by the Luneburg lens manufacturing device as described above has a dielectric constant with a regular gradient decrease in the two-dimensional direction of the sphere, so that the equivalent dielectric constant of the air-strip material mixture decreases in an orderly manner from the inside to the outside according to the pre-designed method. When the radiation unit is placed along the surface of the Luneburg lens, the emitted spherical wave is refracted by the Luneburg lens with a gradient dielectric constant distribution and converted into a plane wave, so that the Luneburg lens antenna can form a narrow beam and high gain, thereby having an excellent radiation effect.

[0092] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A Luneburg lens manufacturing device, characterized in that Comprising: A winding and braiding body, a winding member, a strip support member, and a first driving member; The winding and braiding body is provided with a fixing position for fixing one end of the strip; the strip support member is provided with a first through hole through which the strip is threaded; The winding member is connected to one end of the strip support member away from the winding and braiding body, and the winding member is connected to the first driving member. Driven by the first driving member, the winding member can drive the strip to wind around the surface of the winding and braiding body through the strip support member; Driven by the first driving member, the strip support member and the winding and braiding body maintain a rotational motion state, realizing the layer-by-layer winding of the strip on the winding and braiding body, so that the ratio of air / strip in each layer gradually increases from the inside to the outside according to a pre-calculated value, thereby realizing the change of the air-strip mixed equivalent dielectric constant according to a pre-calculated law; By controlling the first driving member, the winding and braiding pitch and the winding and braiding method of the strip can be controlled. The winding and braiding directions between each layer of strips are staggered, and the winding and braiding pitch is set as required.

2. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a tensioning member provided on a side of the strip support member away from the winding and braiding body. The tensioning member is provided with a second through hole through which the strip is threaded, and the tensioning member is used to adjust the angle between the strip and the strip support member.

3. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes an adhesive coating assembly including two rotating wheels, with the strip clamped between the two rotating wheels, and the two rotating wheels rotate in opposite directions.

4. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a first control motion assembly detachably connected to a side of the winding and braiding body away from the winding member; The first control motion assembly includes: an arc track, a motion assembly, and a second driving member; the motion assembly is adapted to the arc track, and the winding and braiding body is disposed on the arc track through the motion assembly. Driven by the second driving member, the winding and braiding body can move along the extending direction of the arc track.

5. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first control motion assembly further includes a limiting member; The limiting member is disposed on a side of the arc track facing away from the winding and braiding body, and the limiting member is correspondingly arranged with the motion assembly.

6. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a second control motion assembly disposed at one end of the first control motion assembly; The second control motion assembly includes: a rotating motion shaft and a third driving member; the rotating motion shaft is connected to one end of the arc track. Driven by the third driving member, the rotating motion shaft can drive the winding and braiding body to rotate around the fixing position.

7. A Luneburg lens manufacturing method for the Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Comprising: Preparing a winding and braiding body and a strip; Sequentially threading the free end of the strip through the first through hole and the fixing position; Starting the first driving member, the winding member drives the strip support member to rotate around its axis, and the strip winds on the winding and braiding body to manufacture a Luneburg lens.

8. The method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens according to claim 7, characterized in that, The winding member rotates about its axis direction, the winding and braiding body moves along the extending direction of the arc-shaped track, and rotates about the fixed position, and the strip material is wound on the winding and braiding body to manufacture a spherical or ellipsoidal Luneburg lens.

9. A Luneburg lens, characterized in that, Manufactured by the Luneburg lens manufacturing method according to claim 7 or 8, the Luneburg lens includes: a winding and braiding body and a strip material; The winding and braiding body includes a winding part and a support part, the winding part is provided with a fixed position, one end of the strip material is connected to the fixed position, and the support part is connected to the winding part; The strip material is arranged on the surface of the winding part in a winding manner, and an adhesive is provided between the winding layers composed of the strip material.

10. The Luneburg lens according to claim 9, characterized in that, The Luneburg lens is spherical or ellipsoidal.

11. The Luneburg lens according to claim 9, wherein, The dielectric constant of the strip material is not less than 2.

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