A folding and unfolding mechanism of a four-square antenna

Abstract

The application discloses a folding and unfolding mechanism of a four-surface array antenna, which comprises a mounting platform, a lifting mechanism arranged on the mounting platform, the lifting mechanism comprising a lifting upper frame, a lifting driving element, a swing rod I and a swing rod II, the lifting driving element being arranged between the lifting upper frame and the mounting platform, a front array surface and a rear array surface being hingedly connected to the front and rear ends of the lifting upper frame, the front array surface and the rear array surface being hingedly connected to the swing rod I between the mounting platform, left and right unfolding mechanisms being arranged on the lifting upper frame, a left array surface and a right array surface being hingedly connected to the left and right ends of the left and right unfolding mechanisms, the left array surface and the right array surface being hingedly connected to the swing rod II between the mounting platform. The application has the advantages that a folding and unfolding mode of a vehicle-mounted large-caliber four-surface array antenna from a transportation state to a working state is provided, single-vehicle transportation of the large-caliber four-surface array antenna can be realized and the transportation limit requirements of roads and railways can be met, the four-surface array antenna can be automatically and quickly unfolded, precious battlefield time is saved, and the battlefield survival capability is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of vehicle-mounted antenna structure, and particularly relates to a folding and unfolding mechanism of a four-panel antenna. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to realize the function of full-space scanning coverage, a certain four-panel antenna arranges one single-panel antenna array in each of the four directions, and the four single-panel antenna arrays must maintain a certain relative position relationship in the working state.

[0003] In the application No. 20201067070778.9, a Ku-band four-panel two-dimensional digital array low-altitude early warning radar is introduced, which is a kind of existing four-panel antenna structure. The method is to set four antenna arrays on the outer side of the four-panel radar shell, and the antenna arrays are installed at an inclination angle of 15°.

[0004] The existing four-panel antenna structure has the following problems:

[0005] 1) The size of the radar shell limits the size of the antenna array, and the antenna array cannot be folded, so it cannot fully utilize the space of the vehicle-mounted transportation platform to realize the installation of the vehicle-mounted large-diameter antenna array.

[0006] 2) The installation position of the antenna array is fixed relative to the radar shell, and the array cannot be lifted in the height direction, so it cannot avoid the obstruction of obstacles to the antenna. SUMMARY

[0007] The purpose of the present application is to provide a folding and unfolding mechanism of a four-panel antenna, which solves the problem that the existing structure cannot meet the installation requirements of the vehicle-mounted large-diameter antenna array.

[0008] The purpose of the present application is achieved by the following technical scheme:

[0009] A folding and unfolding mechanism of a four-panel antenna, comprising a mounting platform, a lifting mechanism provided on the mounting platform, the lifting mechanism comprising a lifting upper frame, a lifting drive, a swing rod I and a swing rod II, the lifting drive being provided between the lifting upper frame and the mounting platform, a front array and a rear array being hingedly connected to the front and rear ends of the lifting upper frame, the front array and the rear array being hingedly connected to the swing rod I between the mounting platform, a left and right unfolding mechanism being provided on the lifting upper frame, a left array and a right array being hingedly connected to the left and right ends of the left and right unfolding mechanism, the left array and the right array being hingedly connected to the swing rod II between the mounting platform.

[0010] Further, the left array and the right array on the lifting mechanism are arranged in left-right symmetry, and the front array and the rear array on the lifting mechanism are arranged in front-rear symmetry.

[0011] Further, the left array surface comprises a left array surface upper part and a left array surface lower part, the lower end of the left array surface upper part is hinged to the upper end of the left array surface lower part, a swing driving element is arranged between the left array surface upper part and the left array surface lower part, the upper part of the left array surface lower part is hinged to the left-right unfolding mechanism, and the lower part of the left array surface lower part is hinged to the swing rod II.

[0012] Further, the right array surface comprises a right array surface upper part and a right array surface lower part, the lower end of the right array surface upper part is hinged to the upper end of the right array surface lower part, a swing driving element is arranged between the right array surface upper part and the right array surface lower part, the upper part of the right array surface lower part is hinged to the left-right unfolding mechanism, and the lower part of the right array surface lower part is hinged to the swing rod II.

[0013] Further, the front array surface comprises a front array surface upper part and a front array surface lower part, the lower end of the front array surface upper part is hinged to the upper end of the front array surface lower part, a swing driving element is arranged between the front array surface upper part and the front array surface lower part, the upper part of the front array surface upper part is hinged to the lifting upper frame, and the lower part of the front array surface lower part is hinged to the swing rod I.

[0014] Further, the rear array surface comprises a rear array surface upper part and a rear array surface lower part, the lower end of the rear array surface upper part is hinged to the upper end of the rear array surface lower part, a swing driving element is arranged between the rear array surface upper part and the rear array surface lower part, the upper part of the rear array surface upper part is hinged to the lifting upper frame, and the lower part of the rear array surface lower part is hinged to the swing rod I.

[0015] Further, the swing driving element is a swing oil cylinder.

[0016] Further, the left array surface comprises a left array surface upper part and a left array surface lower part, the right array surface comprises a right array surface upper part and a right array surface lower part, the left array surface upper part is hinged to the left array surface lower part, the right array surface upper part is hinged to the right array surface lower part, the left array surface upper part moves inward relative to the left array surface lower part, and the right array surface upper part moves inward relative to the right array surface lower part.

[0017] Further, the front array surface comprises a front array surface upper part and a front array surface lower part, the rear array surface comprises a rear array surface upper part and a rear array surface lower part, the front array surface upper part is hinged to the front array surface lower part, the rear array surface upper part is hinged to the rear array surface lower part, the front array surface upper part moves outward relative to the front array surface lower part, and the rear array surface upper part moves inward relative to the rear array surface lower part.

[0018] Further, the left-right unfolding mechanism is a telescopic driving element.

[0019] Further, the lifting driving element is a lifting hydraulic oil cylinder.

[0020] The present application aims at:

[0021] 1) providing a folding mode of a four-surface array antenna, solving the folding and unfolding problems of a large-aperture antenna array surface, meeting the working requirements of the four-surface array antenna after unfolding, and meeting the highway and railway transportation limit requirements after folding.

[0022] 2) the antenna array surface can realize lifting function while being unfolded, avoiding the influence of obstacles on the antenna.

[0023] 3) They share a single drive mechanism to achieve synchronous folding and unfolding of the four arrays. The mechanism is simple and the cost is low.

[0024] 4) After deployment, the antenna array aperture width and height can reach more than 2.4 meters, which meets the loading requirements of automobile chassis.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0026] 1) A method for deploying a vehicle-mounted quad array antenna with a large aperture (width and height of 2.4 meters or more) from its transport state to its working state is provided. This method enables the single-vehicle transport of the large-aperture quad array antenna while meeting the clearance requirements for road and rail transport. At the same time, it can automatically and quickly deploy, saving valuable battlefield time and improving battlefield survivability.

[0027] 2) It can realize the deployment and lifting of the four array faces, and has a good solution to the problem of the four array faces being blocked by themselves and obstacles.

[0028] 3) The use of a single actuator to achieve the relevant functions results in a novel and ingenious structure with advantages such as low cost and high reliability. It is suitable for mass production and has significant economic benefits.

[0029] The aforementioned main solution of the present invention and its various further alternative solutions can be freely combined to form multiple solutions, all of which are solutions that can be adopted and are claimed by the present invention; furthermore, the (non-conflicting alternatives) can also be freely combined with each other and with other alternatives. Those skilled in the art, after understanding the solution of the present invention, will realize from the prior art and common general knowledge that there are many combinations, all of which are technical solutions to be protected by the present invention, and will not be exhaustively listed here. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a top view of the structural components of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a front view of the structural components of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the deployment process of the left and right arrays of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the front and rear array deployment process of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a front view of the unfolded outline of an example array antenna of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a top view of the unfolded outline of the array antenna of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7is an example array antenna receiving and transporting profile of the present application.

[0037] In the figure: 1-left array surface, 101-upper left array surface, 102-lower left array surface, 103-hinge point A, 104-hinge point B, 2-right array surface, 201-upper right array surface, 202-lower right array surface, 3-front array surface, 301-upper front array surface, 302-lower front array surface, 303-hinge point C, 304-hinge point D, 4-back array surface, 401-upper back array surface, 402-lower back array surface, 5-left-right unfolding mechanism, 501-telescopic driving part, 502-hinge point E, 6-lifting mechanism, 601-lifting upper frame, 602-lifting driving part, 603-pendulum rod I, 604-pendulum rod II, 605-hinge point F, 7-mounting platform, 701-hinge point G, 702-hinge point H. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following non-limiting examples are intended to illustrate the present application.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] Reference Figures 1-4 As shown in the figure, a folding and unfolding mechanism of a four-surface array antenna includes a left array surface 1, a right array surface 2, a front array surface 3, a back array surface 4, a left-right unfolding mechanism 5, a lifting mechanism 6, and a mounting platform 7.

[0041] The mounting platform 7 is a fixed part, providing a mounting base for other parts and supporting the overall mechanism. The mounting platform 7 is provided with the lifting mechanism 6, and the lifting mechanism 6 is provided with the left array surface 1 and the right array surface 2 which are symmetrical to each other, and the front array surface 3 and the back array surface 4 which are symmetrical to each other. The folding and unfolding of the left, right, front, and back array surfaces are realized through the action of the lifting mechanism 6. Meanwhile, the lifting mechanism 6 is provided with the left-right unfolding mechanism 5, and the left and right array surfaces are moved in and out through the action of the left-right unfolding mechanism 5.

[0042] The left-right unfolding mechanism 5 is a telescopic driving part 501, which is preferably a telescopic hydraulic cylinder. The lifting mechanism 6 includes a lifting upper frame 601, a lifting driving part 602, a pendulum rod I 603, and a pendulum rod II 604. The lifting driving part 602 is arranged between the lifting upper frame 601 and the mounting platform 7, and is preferably a lifting hydraulic cylinder. The lifting hydraulic cylinder drives the lifting upper frame 601 to move up and down. The telescopic hydraulic cylinder is horizontally installed on the lifting upper frame 601.

[0043] The left array 1 includes a left array upper 101 and a left array lower 102. The lower end of the left array upper 101 and the upper end of the left array lower 102 are hinged at hinge point A103. A swing drive is provided between the left array upper 101 and the left array lower 102. The upper part of the left array lower 102 is hinged to the left end of the telescopic drive 501 at hinge point E502. The lower part of the left array lower 102 is hinged to the swing rod II 604 at hinge point B104. The swing rod II 604 is hinged to the mounting platform 7 at hinge point H702.

[0044] The preferred oscillating drive is a oscillating hydraulic cylinder, which causes the left array face 101 to retract inward relative to the lower left array face 102. When the left array face 1 unfolds, the lifting hydraulic cylinder moves the upper lifting frame 601 upward. Due to the hinged support of the swing arm II 604, the lower left array face 102 gradually changes from a vertical state to an inclined state. Furthermore, the telescopic hydraulic cylinder pushes the lower left array face 102 outward, moving it away from the upper lifting frame 601 and creating space for the unfolding of the front and rear array faces. Simultaneously, the oscillating hydraulic cylinder causes the left array face 101 to rotate outward, gradually changing from a horizontal state to an inclined state until it is parallel to the lower left array face 102.

[0045] The right array 2 includes a right array upper 201 and a right array lower 202. The lower end of the right array upper 201 and the upper end of the right array lower 202 are hinged at hinge point A103. A swing drive is provided between the right array upper 201 and the right array lower 202. The upper part of the right array lower 202 is hinged to the right end of the telescopic drive 501 at hinge point E502. The lower part of the right array lower 202 is hinged to the swing rod II 604 at hinge point B104. The swing rod II 604 is hinged to the mounting platform 7 at hinge point H702. The right array upper 201 moves inward relative to the right array lower 202. The left array 1 and the right array 2 are symmetrically arranged. Therefore, the structure and operating principle of the right array 2 are the same as those of the left array 1, and will not be described again here.

[0046] The front array 3 includes a front array upper surface 301 and a front array lower surface 302. The lower end of the front array upper surface 301 and the upper end of the front array lower surface 302 are hinged at hinge point C303. A swing drive is provided between the front array upper surface 301 and the front array lower surface 302. The upper part of the front array upper surface 301 is hinged to the front end of the lifting upper frame 601 at hinge point F605. The lower part of the front array lower surface 302 is hinged to the swing rod I 603 at hinge point D304. The swing rod I 603 is hinged to the mounting platform at hinge point G701.

[0047] The preferred oscillating drive is a oscillating cylinder, which causes the front face 301 to retract outward relative to the lower front face 302. When the front face 3 unfolds, the lifting hydraulic cylinder drives the upper lifting frame 601 to move upward. Due to the hinged support of the swing rod I 603, the lower front face 302 gradually changes from a vertical state to an inclined state. At the same time, the oscillating cylinder drives the front face 301 to rotate inward, gradually changing from a vertical state to an inclined state until it is parallel to the lower front face 302.

[0048] The rear array 4 includes a rear array upper surface 401 and a rear array lower surface 402. The lower end of the rear array upper surface 401 and the upper end of the rear array lower surface 402 are hinged at hinge point C303. A swing drive is provided between the rear array upper surface 401 and the rear array lower surface 402. The upper part of the rear array upper surface 401 is hinged to the rear end of the lifting upper frame 601 at hinge point F605. The lower part of the rear array lower surface 402 is hinged to the swing rod I 603 at hinge point D304. The swing rod I 603 is hinged to the mounting platform at hinge point G701. The rear array upper surface 401 moves inward relative to the rear array lower surface 402. Since the front array 3 and the rear array 4 are symmetrically arranged, the structure and operating principle of the rear array 4 are the same as those of the front array 3, and will not be described again here.

[0049] This folding and unfolding mechanism is a combination of components, including a linear motion device (hydraulic cylinder), a series of rods connected by hinge points at specific positions, and optional accessories such as a swing cylinder. Its principle is that, driven by the hydraulic cylinder and the swing cylinder, each component completes rotation and translation at different angles to form a specific posture, thereby driving the array antenna on each component to achieve a specific posture. Its specific structural composition and unfolding steps are as follows.

[0050] To better illustrate the working principle of this invention, the unfolding process of the left and right arrays and the front and rear arrays are described separately using... Figure 3 , Figure 4 Specifically, during the actual deployment process, the four array faces fold and unfold synchronously under the drive of the same mechanism. Furthermore, the left and right array faces, and the front and rear array faces are symmetrical about the left and right sides and front and rear sides, respectively. Only the left and front array faces are used as illustrations to explain the specific steps of the deployment principle of this invention:

[0051] 1) First step: With the antenna array in the retracted state, release the locking of the hydraulic pin.

[0052] 2) In the second step, the lifting hydraulic cylinder extends, causing the upper lifting frame 601 to rise. The lower left face 102 is fixed to the telescopic hydraulic cylinder via hinge point E, and the telescopic hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the upper lifting frame 601, rising synchronously. The lower front face 302 is fixed to the upper lifting frame 601 via hinge point F and rises upward. The lower left face 102 and the lower front face 302 rotate around hinge points B and D via swing rods I and II.

[0053] On the left array face 101 and on the front array face 301, they are fixed to the lower left array face 102 and the lower front array face 302 respectively via hinge points A and C. Swinging cylinders mounted at hinge points A and C drive the left array face 101 and the front array face 301 to rotate outward by 90° and inward by 180° respectively around hinge points A and C. The telescopic hydraulic cylinder extends to the left, pushing the left array face 1 outward. The lifting hydraulic cylinder, telescopic hydraulic cylinder, and swinging cylinder work simultaneously and arrive at their positions synchronously.

[0054] 3) The hydraulic pins lock each component, at which point the four-sided array antenna is deployed.

[0055] The collection and packaging process is the reverse of the above process, and will not be described in detail here.

[0056] Example 2:

[0057] refer to Figures 5-7 As shown, a folding and unfolding mechanism for a four-sided array antenna has the same structure as in Embodiment 1. The aperture width of a single array is 2.4 meters, and the height is 2.4 meters. Its unfolded geometric profile is as follows. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown. The array antenna's folding and unfolding motion is achieved through the extension and retraction of a hydraulic cylinder and the rotation of a swing cylinder. Its outline after folding and unfolding is as follows. Figure 6 As shown.

[0058] The four-sided array antenna can be deployed and lifted simultaneously, with deployment / retraction time not exceeding 2 minutes each. After folding, it can be transported on a vehicle platform with a height not exceeding 1450mm, fully meeting the clearance requirements for road and rail transport.

[0059] The foregoing basic examples and their further alternative examples of the present invention can be freely combined to form multiple embodiments, all of which are embodiments that can be adopted and claimed by the present invention. In the present invention, each alternative example can be arbitrarily combined with any other basic example and alternative example.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A folding and unfolding mechanism for a four-sided array antenna, comprising a mounting platform (7), characterized in that: The installation platform (7) is provided with a lifting mechanism (6). The lifting mechanism (6) includes a lifting upper frame (601), a lifting drive component (602), a swing rod I (603) and a swing rod II (604). The lifting upper frame (601) is provided with a lifting drive component (602) between it and the installation platform (7). The upper parts of the front array (3) and the rear array (4) are respectively hinged to the front and rear ends of the lifting upper frame (601). The lower parts of the front array (3) and the rear array (4) are both hinged to the installation platform (7) with the swing rod I (603). The lifting upper frame (601) is provided with a left and right unfolding mechanism (5). The upper parts of the left array (1) and the right array (2) are respectively hinged to the left and right ends of the left and right unfolding mechanism (5). The lower parts of the left array (1) and the right array (2) are both hinged to the installation platform (7) with the swing rod II (604).

2. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left and right face (1) and the right face (2) on the lifting mechanism (6) are arranged symmetrically from left to right, and the front face (3) and the rear face (4) on the lifting mechanism (6) are arranged symmetrically from front to back.

3. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left array (1) includes a left array upper (101) and a left array lower (102). The lower end of the left array upper (101) is hinged to the upper end of the left array lower (102). A swing drive is provided between the left array upper (101) and the left array lower (102). The upper part of the left array lower (102) is hinged to the left and right unfolding mechanism (5), and the lower part of the left array lower (102) is hinged to the swing rod II (604).

4. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: The right array (2) includes a right array upper (201) and a right array lower (202). The lower end of the right array upper (201) is hinged to the upper end of the right array lower (202). A swing drive is provided between the right array upper (201) and the right array lower (202). The upper part of the right array lower (202) is hinged to the left and right unfolding mechanism (5), and the lower part of the right array lower (202) is hinged to the swing rod II (604).

5. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that: The front surface (3) includes a front surface (301) and a front surface lower (302). The lower end of the front surface (301) is hinged to the upper end of the front surface lower (302). A swing drive is provided between the front surface (301) and the front surface lower (302). The upper part of the front surface (301) is hinged to the lifting upper frame (601), and the lower part of the front surface lower (302) is hinged to the swing rod I (603).

6. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rear array (4) includes a rear array upper surface (401) and a rear array lower surface (402). The lower end of the rear array upper surface (401) is hinged to the upper end of the rear array lower surface (402). A swing drive is provided between the rear array upper surface (401) and the rear array lower surface (402). The upper part of the rear array upper surface (401) is hinged to the lifting upper frame (601), and the lower part of the rear array lower surface (402) is hinged to the swing rod I (603).

7. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that: The aforementioned swing drive component is a swing cylinder.

8. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left array (1) includes a left array surface (101) and a left array bottom (102) that are hinged to each other. The right array (2) includes a right array surface (201) and a right array bottom (202) that are hinged to each other. The left array surface (101) moves inward relative to the left array bottom (102), and the right array surface (201) moves inward relative to the right array bottom (202).

9. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that: The front array (3) includes a front array surface (301) and a front array surface (302) that are hinged to each other. The rear array (4) includes a rear array surface (401) and a rear array surface (402) that are hinged to each other. The front array surface (301) moves outward relative to the front array surface (302), and the rear array surface (401) moves inward relative to the rear array surface (402).

10. The unfolding mechanism of the four-sided array antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left and right unfolding mechanism (5) is a telescopic drive component (501).

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