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 first driving member, and a strip material support member. The winding and braiding main body is provided with a fixed position for fixing one end of the strip material. The strip material support member is provided with a first through hole, and the strip material is threaded through the first through hole. One of the winding and braiding main body and the strip material support member is connected to the winding member, and the winding member is connected to the first driving member. Driven by the first driving member, the winding and braiding main body and the strip material support member can move relative to each other. When manufacturing a Luneburg lens through 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 the communication system, the antenna is also facing continuous development and upgrading. The radiation units of a Luneburg lens antenna are placed along the surface of the Luneburg lens, and the emitted radiation waves are refracted by the Luneburg lens 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 lens, and each radiation unit can form an independent beam. Except for different pointing directions, 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 a cylindrical Luneburg lens decreases in a gradient distribution in the radial direction

[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 make the sorting and debugging difficult, and at the same time, problems such as discontinuous interfaces between the 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 specific tools are required for processing, and there are problems such as difficult clamping, complex process, low production efficiency, and difficult to guarantee dimensional accuracy;

[0006] The third category is the 3D printing manufacturing method, which is formed by layer-by-layer printing 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 disadvantage of this method is 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 technologies have problems such as difficult to obtain 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, aiming to solve the problems of complex manufacturing process and low production efficiency of Luneburg lenses in the prior art.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, including: a winding and weaving main body, a winding member, a first driving member, and a strip material supporting member;

[0010] The winding and weaving main body is provided with a fixing position for fixing one end of the strip material; the strip material supporting member is provided with a first through hole, and the strip material is threaded through the first through hole;

[0011] One of the winding and weaving main body and the strip material supporting member is connected to the winding member, and the winding member is connected to the first driving member. Under the drive of the first driving member, the winding and weaving main body and the strip material supporting member can move relatively.

[0012] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a linear motion assembly and a second driving member. The linear motion assembly is connected to the second driving member, and one of the winding and weaving main body and the winding member is connected to the linear motion assembly;

[0013] Under the drive of the second driving member, the winding and weaving main body and the strip material supporting member can move relatively.

[0014] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, when the strip material supporting member is connected to the winding member, the linear motion assembly is detachably connected to one end of the strip material supporting member away from the winding and weaving main body;

[0015] Wherein, under the drive of the second driving member, the winding and weaving main body can move towards or away from the strip material supporting member. At the same time, under the drive of the first driving member, the strip material supporting member can drive the strip material to wind around the surface of the winding and weaving main body.

[0016] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, when the winding and weaving main body is connected to the winding member, the winding member is detachably connected to one end of the winding and weaving main body away from the strip material supporting member;

[0017] The linear motion assembly is connected to one end of the winding member away from the winding and weaving main body. Under the drive of the second driving member, the winding and weaving main body can move towards or away from the strip material supporting member. At the same time, under the drive of the first driving member, the winding and weaving main body can drive the strip material to wind around the surface of the winding and weaving main body.

[0018] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a tensioning member. The tensioning member is disposed on a side of the strip material support member away from the winding and braiding main body. The tensioning member is provided with a second through hole, and the strip material passes through the second through hole. The tensioning member is used to adjust an included angle between the strip material and the strip material support member.

[0019] 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.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a Luneburg lens manufacturing method. The Luneburg lens manufacturing method is used to manufacture a Luneburg lens by using the Luneburg lens manufacturing device according to any one of the first aspect. The Luneburg lens manufacturing method includes:

[0021] Prepare a winding and braiding main body and a strip material;

[0022] Sequentially pass a free end of the strip material through a first through hole and a fixed position;

[0023] Start a first driving member, the winding and braiding main body and the strip material support member rotate relative to each other, and the strip material is wound around the winding and braiding main body to manufacture a Luneburg lens.

[0024] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing method provided by the present invention, the strip material support member can rotate around an axis direction of the winding member, the winding and braiding main body can move toward or away from the strip material support member along its axis direction, and the strip material is wound around the winding and braiding main body to manufacture a cylindrical Luneburg lens.

[0025] According to the Luneburg lens manufacturing method provided by the present invention, the winding and braiding main body can move toward or away from the strip material support member along its axis direction, and can also rotate around its axis direction. The strip material is wound around the winding and braiding main body to manufacture a cylindrical Luneburg lens.

[0026] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a Luneburg lens. The Luneburg lens is manufactured according to the Luneburg lens manufacturing method according to any one of the second aspect. The Luneburg lens includes: a winding and braiding core and a strip material;

[0027] The winding and braiding core 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;

[0028] The strip material is disposed on a surface of the winding part in a winding manner, and an adhesive is provided between winding layers formed by the strip material.

[0029] According to the Luneburg lens provided by the present invention, the Luneburg lens is cylindrical.

[0030] According to the Luneburg lens provided by the present invention, the dielectric constant of the strip material is not less than 2.

[0031] 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 main body, and 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 by the relative rotation of the strip material support member and the winding and braiding main body, the strip material is wound layer by layer to manufacture the Luneburg lens. By preparing the Luneburg lens with this device, 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 difficulty of the process. Description of the Drawings

[0032] 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 drawings in the following description 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.

[0033] Figure 1 It is one of the schematic structural diagrams of the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 It is the second schematic structural diagram of the Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 It is the schematic diagram of the cylindrical Luneburg lens provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Reference Signs:

[0037] 1: Winding and braiding main body; 11: Fixed position; 12: Winding and weaving part; 13: Support part; 2: Winding member; 3: Strip material support member; 31: First through hole; 4: Strip material; 5: Linear motion assembly; 6: Tensioning member; 61: Second through hole; 7: Adhesive coating assembly; 71: Rotating wheel; 8: Adhesive. Detailed Embodiments

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present invention without making creative efforts fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "provided with" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can also be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention provide a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, a Luneburg lens manufacturing method, and a Luneburg lens, which are used to solve the problems of complex manufacturing process and low production efficiency of Luneburg lenses in the prior art.

[0042] The following will describe the Luneburg lens manufacturing device, manufacturing method, and Luneburg lens of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with Figures 1 to 3 the description.

[0043] In the first aspect, as Figure 1 shown, the embodiments of the present invention provide a Luneburg lens manufacturing device, including: a winding and braiding main body 1, a winding member 2, a first driving member, and a strip material support member 3.

[0044] The winding and braiding main body 1 is provided with a fixing position 11, and the fixing position 11 is used to fix one end of the strip material 4; the strip material support member 3 is provided with a first through hole 31, and the strip material 4 is passed through the first through hole 31.

[0045] One of the winding and braiding main body 1 and the strip material support member 3 is connected to the winding member 2, the winding member 2 is connected to the first driving member, and under the drive of the first driving member, the winding and braiding main body 1 and the strip material support member 3 can move relative to each other.

[0046] 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 cylinder axis, and R is the radius of the Luneburg lens antenna.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 cylindrical Luneburg lens, as Figure 3 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.

[0049] 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, which can provide support for the strip material 4 and can also 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, as Figure 2 shown, the winding member 2 is connected to the winding and braiding body 1. Its function is to drive the winding and braiding body 1 itself to rotate under the action of the first driving member, so that the strip material 4 is wound around the surface of the winding and braiding body 1.

[0050] Under the drive of the first driving member, the strip material support 3 and the winding and braiding body 1 maintain a relative 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. There are various ways to realize the relative rotational motion between the two. For example, it can be as Figure 1As shown, the strip material support 3 has a right-angled rod-like structure. One end thereof is connected to the winding member 2, and the other end is provided with a first through hole 31. The strip material 4 is passed through the first through hole 31 and fixed to the fixing position 11 of the winding and braiding main body 1. The strip material support 3 can not only support the strip material 4 and drive the strip material 4 to move, but also use the strip material support 3 to abut against the strip material 4 to make the strip material 4 in a tensioned state. It can also be as Figure 2 As shown, the strip material support 3 has a right-angled rod-like structure and is provided with a first through hole 31. The strip material 4 is passed through the first through hole 31 and fixed to the fixing position 11 of the winding and braiding main body 1. The winding member 2 is connected to the lower end of the winding and braiding main body 1 and drives the winding member 2 to rotate itself, so that the strip material 4 is fixed to the winding and braiding main body 1. In this process, the strip material support 3 is used to abut against the strip material 4 to make the strip material 4 in a tensioned state, which is convenient for winding.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first driving member is preferably a numerical control motor. The numerical control motor realizes the control of the rotation speed and direction of the winding member 2. By controlling the numerical control motor, the winding and braiding pitch and the winding and braiding method of the strip material 4 can be controlled. The winding and braiding directions between each layer of the strip material 4 are staggered, and the winding and braiding pitch is set according to needs, which can further improve the strength of the Luneburg lens, thereby improving the radiation performance of the Luneburg lens.

[0052] 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 method depends on the actual situation, and its arrangement method does not affect its function.

[0053] The Luneburg lens manufacturing device provided in the embodiment of the present invention passes the free end of the strip material 4 through the first through hole 31 of the strip material support 3 and the fixing position 11 on the winding and braiding main body 1 in sequence. At the same time, the strip material support 3 is used to abut against the strip material 4 to make the strip material 4 in a tensioned state. The winding member 2 moves under the drive of the first driving member, driving the winding and braiding main body 1 or the strip material support 3 to move, realizing the relative movement between the two, so as to wind the strip material 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 provided in the embodiment of the present invention saves the cost of manufacturing the Luneburg lens and reduces the process difficulty.

[0054] In an optional embodiment, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a linear motion assembly 5 and a second driving member. The linear motion assembly 5 is connected to the second driving member, and one of the winding and braiding main body 1 and the winding member 2 is connected to the linear motion assembly 5.

[0055] Under the drive of the second driving member, the winding and braiding main body 1 and the strip material support 3 can move relatively.

[0056] Specifically, when weaving a cylindrical structure, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a linear motion assembly 5 and a second driving member. One of the winding and weaving main body 1 and the winding member 2 is connected to the linear motion assembly 5. Driven by the linear motion assembly 5, the winding and weaving main body 1 and the strip material support member 3 can move relative to each other in the axial direction of the winding and weaving main body 1. Thereby, the reciprocating motion of the strip material 4 in the axial direction of the winding and weaving main body 1 is realized to form a cylindrical Luneburg lens with the required specifications, and the winding speed of the strip material 4 can be adjusted by the winding member 2.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, when the strip material support member 3 is connected to the winding member 2, the linear motion assembly 5 is detachably connected to one end of the strip material support member 3 away from the winding and weaving main body 1.

[0058] Wherein, driven by the second driving member, the winding and weaving main body 1 can move towards or away from the strip material support member 3. At the same time, driven by the first driving member, the strip material support member 3 can drive the strip material 4 to wind around the surface of the winding and weaving main body 1.

[0059] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the strip material support member 3 is connected to the winding member 2, that is, the winding member 2 is connected to one end of the strip material support member 3 away from the winding and weaving main body 1. Driven by the first driving member, the winding member 2 drives the strip material support member 3 to rotate, and then drives the strip material 4 to be woven on the surface of the winding and weaving main body 1. At the same time, the linear motion assembly 5 is connected to one end of the strip material support member 3 away from the winding and weaving main body 1. Driven by the second driving member, it drives the winding and weaving main body 1 to move towards or away from the winding member 2, and then drives the formation of the Luneburg lens.

[0060] Wherein, the linear motion assembly 5 and the winding and weaving main body 1 are detachably connected. After the winding is completed, the strip material 4 and the winding and weaving main body 1 can be taken off the linear motion assembly 5 together to obtain the required Luneburg lens.

[0061] In an alternative embodiment, when the winding and weaving main body 1 is connected to the winding member 2, the winding member 2 is detachably connected to one end of the winding and weaving main body 1 away from the strip material support member 3.

[0062] The linear motion assembly 5 is connected to one end of the winding member 2 away from the winding and weaving main body 1. Driven by the second driving member, the winding and weaving main body 1 can move towards or away from the strip material support member 3. At the same time, driven by the first driving member, the winding and weaving main body 1 can drive the strip material 4 to wind around the surface of the winding and weaving main body 1.

[0063] Specifically, as Figure 2As shown, the winding and braiding body 1 is connected to the winding member 2, that is, the winding member 2 is connected to one end of the winding and braiding body 1 away from the strip material support member 3. Driven by the first driving member, the winding member 2 drives the winding and braiding body 1 to rotate, so that the strip material 4 is braided on the surface of the winding and braiding body 1. At the same time, the linear motion assembly 5 is connected to one end of the winding member 2 away from the winding and braiding body 1. Driven by the second driving member, it drives the winding member 2 and the winding and braiding body 1 to move towards or away from the winding member 2, thereby driving the formation of a Luneburg lens.

[0064] Wherein, the winding member 2 and the winding and braiding body 1 are detachably connected. After the winding is completed, the strip material 4 and the winding and braiding body 1 can be removed from the winding member 2 together to obtain the required Luneburg lens.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes a tensioning member 6. The tensioning member 6 is arranged on the side of the strip material support member 3 away from the winding and braiding body 1. The tensioning member 6 is provided with a second through hole 61, and the strip material 4 passes through the second through hole 61. The tensioning member 6 is used to adjust the angle between the strip material 4 and the strip material support member 3.

[0066] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, a tensioning member 6 is arranged on the side of the strip material support member 3 away from the winding and braiding body 1. The purpose of setting the tensioning member 6 is to tighten the strip material 4 passing through the second through hole 61 on the tensioning member 6, so as to keep the strip material 4 having an appropriate tension during the braiding process, avoiding the strip material 4 being too loose and dragging out, but it should be avoided that the strip material 4 is too tight and breaks. The tensioning member 6 can adopt a spring structure or a rubber component, and its specific structure is not limited. Any structure that can achieve the tensioning function is applicable here.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment, the Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes an adhesive coating assembly 7. The adhesive coating assembly 7 includes two rotating wheels 71. The strip material 4 is clamped between the two rotating wheels 71, and the two rotating wheels 71 rotate in opposite directions.

[0068] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the adhesive coating assembly 7 is arranged above the tensioning member 6. The adhesive coating assembly 7 includes two rotating wheels 71. When the strip material 4 is wound and braided, it is pre-coated with adhesive through the adhesive coating assembly 7. The two rotating wheels 71 rotate in opposite directions to drive the adhesive to be coated on the strip material 4 passing between the two rotating wheels 71. This design can ensure that every part of the strip material 4 is coated with adhesive, thereby strengthening the firmness of the structure of the braided Luneburg lens.

[0069] It should be noted that after the Luneburg lens is braided, the whole braided Luneburg lens can also be soaked and coated with adhesive, which also has the effect of strengthening the structural stability of the Luneburg lens.

[0070] In a second aspect, based on the above Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens. The method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens is used to manufacture a Luneburg lens using the Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to any embodiment of the first aspect. The method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens includes the following steps:

[0071] Step 1: Prepare the winding and braiding body 1 and the strip material 4;

[0072] Step 2: Pass the free end of the strip material 4 through the first through hole 31 and the fixing position 11 in sequence;

[0073] Step 3: Start the first driving member, and the winding and braiding body 1 rotates relative to the strip material support member 3, so that the strip material 4 is wound around the winding and braiding body 1 to manufacture a Luneburg lens.

[0074] Specifically, first, before braiding, based on the premise that the relative permittivity of the Luneburg lens needs to satisfy the variation 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 cylinder axis, and R is the cylinder radius of the Luneburg lens antenna. Through electromagnetic simulation software, the winding and braiding body 1 and the strip material 4 are designed, and the corresponding winding and braiding body 1 and strip material 4 are prepared for standby.

[0075] Secondly, using the above Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus, after the manufactured strip material 4 passes through the adhesive coating assembly 7, its free end passes through the second through hole 61 on the tensioning member 6, the first through hole 31 on the strip material support member 3, and the fixing position 11 of the winding and braiding body 1 in sequence, and is fixedly connected to the fixing position 11. The strip material 4 is supported by the strip material support member 3, and at the same time, the strip material 4 is tensioned by the tensioning member 6, and the whole is in a state to be braided.

[0076] Finally, start the first driving member to realize the relative rotation of the winding and braiding body 1 and the strip material support member 3, so that the strip material 4 is wound around the winding and braiding body 1 to manufacture a Luneburg lens.

[0077] The method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens provided by the embodiment of the present invention uses the strip material 4 of homogeneous material as the raw material, and manufactures the Luneburg lens by winding and braiding. It does not require a forming mold, the process is simple, one-time forming, and the production efficiency is improved. 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.

[0078] In an alternative embodiment, the strip material support 3 can rotate around the axis direction of the winding member 2, the winding and braiding body 1 can move along its axis direction towards or away from the strip material support 3, and the strip material 4 is wound around the winding and braiding body 1 to fabricate a cylindrical Luneburg lens.

[0079] Specifically, when fabricating a cylindrical Luneburg lens, the specific fabrication method can be as follows: after the Luneburg lens fabrication 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 direction, and drives the strip material 4 to rotate and wind onto the fixed position 11 at the top of the winding and braiding body 1 through the strip material support 3. At the same time, start the second driving member. Under the action of the linear motion assembly 5, the winding and braiding body 1 reciprocates up and down along the axial direction of the winding and braiding body 1, layer by layer winding the strip material 4. After the winding and braiding is completed, remove the winding and braiding body 1 to obtain a cylindrical Luneburg lens. There is no specific limitation on the size of the fabricated Luneburg lens, and in actual operation, it can be wound according to requirements.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment, the winding and braiding body 1 can move along its axis direction towards or away from the strip material support 3, and can also rotate around its axis direction. The strip material 4 is wound around the winding and braiding body 1 to fabricate a cylindrical Luneburg lens.

[0081] Specifically, when fabricating a cylindrical Luneburg lens, the specific fabrication method can be as follows: after the Luneburg lens fabrication 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 direction, drives the winding and braiding body 1 to rotate around its own axis, thereby driving the strip material 4 to wind onto the winding and braiding body 1. At the same time, start the second driving member. Under the action of the linear motion assembly 5, the winding and braiding body 1 reciprocates up and down along the axial direction of the winding and braiding body 1, layer by layer winding the strip material 4. After the winding and braiding is completed, remove the winding and braiding body 1 to obtain a cylindrical Luneburg lens.

[0082] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a Luneburg lens, which is fabricated by using the Luneburg lens fabrication 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 part 12 and a support part 13. The winding part 12 is provided with a fixed position 11. One end of the strip material 4 is connected to the fixed position 11, and the support part 13 is connected to the winding part 12.

[0084] The strip material 4 is arranged on the surface of the winding part 12 in a winding manner, and an adhesive 8 is provided between the winding layers composed of the strip material 4.

[0085] Specifically, the material of the strip 4 can be any one of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyurethane, and polycarbonate. It is not limited to the above materials and can be prepared from a uniform base material or a base material with metal wires or ceramic particles with a high dielectric constant sandwiched in the middle and subjected to foaming treatment. The cross-section of the strip 4 can be one of various shapes such as circular and rectangular, and the specific shape of its cross-section is not limited. The strip 4 can be single-stranded or made of multiple strands twisted together.

[0086] As Figure 3 shown, an adhesive 8 is coated between the winding layers formed by the strip 4. The function of adding the adhesive 8 is to make the Luneburg lens structure obtained by weaving more firm.

[0087] The Luneburg lens provided by the embodiment of the present invention uses the strip 4 of homogeneous material as the raw material and manufactures the Luneburg lens by winding and weaving. It does not require a forming mold, has a simple process, is formed at one time, and improves production efficiency. It solves the problems of difficult availability of raw materials, high manufacturing cost, and low production efficiency of current Luneburg lenses. For the Luneburg lens provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the strip 4 is arranged on the surface of the winding part 12 in a winding manner, and the dielectric constant decreases in a gradient distribution in the cylindrical radial direction. Its structure is simple, the manufacturing cost is low, and the radiation efficiency is high.

[0088] In an alternative embodiment, the Luneburg lens is cylindrical.

[0089] Specifically, the Luneburg lens manufactured by using the Luneburg lens manufacturing device described in the above embodiment is cylindrical. Figure 3 It is a cylindrical Luneburg lens composed of a winding and weaving main body 1 and a strip 4. By adjusting and controlling the rotation speed of the driving part, the winding and weaving pitch of the strip 4 can be adjusted to obtain cylindrical Luneburg lenses of various required sizes.

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

[0091] Specifically, the strip 4 has a uniform dielectric constant along the length direction, and its dielectric constant is greater than or equal to 2. By selecting the strip 4 of such a material, the cylindrical Luneburg lens manufactured by the Luneburg lens manufacturing device described above has a regular gradient decrease in the dielectric constant in the radial direction of the cylinder, realizing that the equivalent dielectric constant of the air-strip mixture decreases orderly from the inside to the outside according to the pre-design. When the radiation unit is placed along the surface of the Luneburg lens, the emitted radiation wave is refracted by the Luneburg lens with a gradient distribution of the dielectric constant and converted into a plane wave, enabling the Luneburg lens antenna to form a narrow beam and high gain, thus 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 and are not intended to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the 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 first driving member, a strip material support member, a linear motion assembly, and a second driving member; The winding and braiding body is provided with a fixing position for fixing one end of the strip material; the strip material support member is provided with a first through hole, and the strip material is threaded through the first through hole; One of the winding and braiding body and the strip material support member is connected to the winding member, the winding member is connected to the first driving member, and the first driving member is used to drive the winding member to rotate so that the winding and braiding body and the strip material support member rotate relative to each other; The linear motion assembly is connected to the second driving member, and one of the winding and braiding body and the winding member is connected to the linear motion assembly; Driven by the second driving member, the winding and braiding body and the strip material support member approach or move away from each other.

2. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein When the strip material support member is connected to the winding member, the linear motion assembly is detachably connected to one end of the strip material support member away from the winding and braiding body; Wherein, driven by the second driving member, the winding and braiding body can move towards or away from the strip material support member. At the same time, driven by the first driving member, the strip material support member can drive the strip material to wind around the surface of the winding and braiding body.

3. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein When the winding and braiding body is connected to the winding member, the winding member is detachably connected to one end of the winding and braiding body away from the strip material support member; The linear motion assembly is connected to one end of the winding member away from the winding and braiding body. Driven by the second driving member, the winding and braiding body can move towards or away from the strip material support member. At the same time, driven by the first driving member, the winding and braiding body can drive the strip material to wind around the surface of the winding and braiding body.

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

5. The Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The Luneburg lens manufacturing device further includes an adhesive coating assembly. The adhesive coating assembly includes two rotating wheels, and the strip material is clamped between the two rotating wheels, and the rotating directions of the two rotating wheels are opposite.

6. A Luneburg lens manufacturing method for a Luneburg lens manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Comprising: Preparing a winding and braiding body and a strip material; Sequentially threading the free end of the strip material through the first through hole and the fixing position; Starting the first driving member, the winding and braiding body and the strip material support member rotate relative to each other, and the strip material winds around the winding and braiding body to manufacture a Luneburg lens.

7. The method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens according to claim 6, characterized in that, The strip material support member can rotate around the axis direction of the winding member, the winding and braiding body can move towards or away from the strip material support member along its axis direction, and the strip material winds around the winding and braiding body to manufacture a cylindrical Luneburg lens.

8. The method for manufacturing a Luneburg lens according to claim 6, wherein, The winding and braiding body can move towards or away from the strip material support along its axial direction, and can also rotate around its axial direction. The strip material is wound around the winding and braiding body to fabricate a cylindrical Luneburg lens.

9. A Luneburg lens, characterized in that, Prepared by the method for fabricating a Luneburg lens according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the Luneburg lens comprising: a winding and braiding body and a strip material; The winding and braiding body includes a weaving part and a support part. The weaving part is provided with a fixing position. One end of the strip material is connected to the fixing position, and the support part is connected to the weaving part; The strip material is arranged on the surface of the weaving part in a weaving manner, and an adhesive is provided between the weaving layers formed by the strip material.

10. The Luneburg lens according to claim 9, wherein, The Luneburg lens is cylindrical.

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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