Adaptive steerable antenna system

Abstract

The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system relates to the radio technology field, and aims at the problem that the flexible antenna cannot be controllably deformed in real time in the prior art.The controllable deformation of the flexible antenna is realized by changing the area of the flexible antenna.The active control deformation idea is adopted, the area and shape of the antenna are changed according to the strength of a received signal or a target position, and the demand of the environment is adapted.The area and shape of the antenna are changed according to the strength of a received signal or a target position, the demand of the environment is adapted, and the efficiency of transmitting and receiving signals is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radio technology, specifically to an adaptive controllable deformation antenna system. Background Technology

[0002] Antennas, as devices for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, have always been an important research subject in wireless network technology. Traditional rigid antennas, limited by their material and structure, cannot change their area and shape according to the position of the target signal, lacking advantages in modern agile and efficient applications. Therefore, the concept of flexible antennas has emerged. Their principle is to use flexible materials to manufacture antennas to meet the needs of current wearable devices, healthcare products, etc. Flexible antennas not only achieve miniaturization, occupying less space, but also allow for a certain degree of stretching, making them less prone to damage. This ensures both signal transmission and reception while also being easy to carry. For example, CN201910176228 proposes a low-impedance deformable flexible planar helical antenna, comprising: a flexible dielectric substrate and an antenna radiator disposed on the flexible dielectric substrate; characterized in that: the antenna radiator consists of inner and outer parts, the inner part being an equiangular spiral and the outer part being a self-complementary Archimedean spiral; the equiangular spiral and the self-complementary Archimedean spiral are connected and have the same width. The fabrication of flexible antennas involves both the antenna material and finding a suitable antenna structure. Currently, many mature flexible materials are available for antenna fabrication, such as liquid metal, metal wires, carbon nanotubes, PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), and PI (polyimide). Antennas often employ structures like monopole antennas, dipole antennas, and microstrip patch antennas, and numerous studies have addressed how to fabricate flexible antennas. For example, CN202011019895.5 proposes a deformable antenna and its fabrication method, comprising a resistive grounding layer, a thermally deformable polylactic acid composite material layer, and an electromagnetic radiation layer stacked sequentially. The fabrication process involves selecting one of the resistive grounding layer and the electromagnetic radiation layer as the base layer, thermally depositing and 3D printing the thermally deformable polylactic acid composite material on the base layer to form a polylactic acid composite material layer; then, bonding the other of the resistive grounding layer and the electromagnetic radiation layer to the polylactic acid composite material layer. While this patented technology proposes a fabrication technique for flexible sensors, it cannot achieve real-time controllable deformation to meet precise control requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the problem that flexible antennas in the prior art cannot be deformed in real time and to propose an adaptive and controllable deformation antenna system.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0005] An adaptive controllable deformation antenna system, the system including an area stretching control structure, the area stretching control structure including: a flexible helical antenna, multiple edge clamping blocks and a non-metallic disk 14;

[0006] The edge clamping block is set on the outermost spiral of the flexible helical antenna. The edge clamping block is provided with a first key rope 2-1. The non-metallic disk 14 is provided with a base 12. The base 12 is provided with a rotating shaft 10. The non-metallic disk 14 is also provided with a hole corresponding to the edge clamping block. The first key rope 2-1 is wound and installed on the rotating shaft 10 after passing through the hole on the non-metallic disk 14. The rotating shaft 10 is driven by an area control motor 13.

[0007] Furthermore, the system also includes a curvature stretching control structure, which includes: a column 18, a curvature control motor 15, a motor flange 16, and a central clamping block 17.

[0008] The column 18 has a hollow structure and is mounted on the base 12;

[0009] The curvature control motor 15 is mounted on the base 12 via a motor flange 16;

[0010] The center end of the flexible helical antenna is fixedly connected to the second key rope 2-2 through the center clamping block 17. The second key rope 2-2 is wound around the shaft of the curvature control motor 15 after passing through the cavity of the column 18.

[0011] Furthermore, the edge clamping block includes an upper clamping block 8 and a lower clamping block 6, which are connected by a connecting screw 1.

[0012] Furthermore, the edge clamping block has a hollow structure, and a fine-tuning rotating shaft device is provided in the edge clamping block. The fine-tuning rotating shaft device includes a fine-tuning rotating shaft 4, a spring 3, and a fine-tuning handle 5.

[0013] The edge clamping block has a rotating block 22 inside, and the rotating block 22 has a cylindrical hole.

[0014] One end of the fine-tuning shaft 4 is fitted into a cylindrical hole on the rotating block 22, and the other end of the fine-tuning shaft 4 extends to the outside of the edge clamping block. A fine-tuning handle 5 is provided on the end that extends to the outside of the edge clamping block.

[0015] The fine-tuning shaft 4 is provided with a sleeve, and the spring 3 is disposed inside the sleeve. The spring 3 is used to generate a thrust on the fine-tuning shaft 4 towards the rotating block 22.

[0016] The first key rope 2-1 is wound around the fine-tuning shaft 4.

[0017] Furthermore, the rotating shaft 10 is provided with a common shoulder 11, which is used to isolate the first key rope 2-1.

[0018] Furthermore, the system also includes a bevel gear differential mechanism, on which a planetary bevel gear drives the flexible helical antenna to move in two degrees of freedom.

[0019] Furthermore, the conductive filler of the flexible helical antenna is made of carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon powder, liquid metal, or a mixture of materials.

[0020] The mixed material is a mixture of carbon nanotubes and polydimethylsiloxane or silicone material, and the mass mixing ratio of the mixed material is between 1:8 and 1:12.

[0021] The substrate material of the flexible helical antenna is polydimethylsiloxane or silicone.

[0022] Furthermore, the flexible helical antenna is planar, three-dimensional spiral, circular, or square, and the thickness of the conductive filler is between 0.5-5 mm.

[0023] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the non-metallic disk 14 is 1.5-2 times the outer diameter of the edge of the flexible helical antenna.

[0024] Furthermore, the non-metallic disk 14 is provided with a PLA sleeve, and silicone is provided between the non-metallic disk 14 and the PLA sleeve, with the first key rope 2-1 placed in the PLA sleeve.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0026] This application achieves controllable deformation of the flexible antenna by changing its area. It employs the concept of active deformation control, altering the antenna's area and shape based on the strength of the received signal or the target location to adapt to environmental requirements. This improves the efficiency of both transmitting and receiving signals by changing the antenna's area and shape according to the received signal strength or target location. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a planar flexible antenna.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a three-dimensional flexible antenna;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the edge clamping and stretching mechanism for a flexible, stretchable antenna.

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the stretch control structure for a flexible stretchable antenna;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the edge clamping and stretching mechanism for a flexible, stretchable antenna.

[0032] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the azimuth swing structure of a flexible, stretchable antenna.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the flexible and stretchable antenna system;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the control principle of a flexible and stretchable antenna system. Detailed Implementation

[0035] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the various embodiments disclosed in this application can be combined with each other.

[0036] Specific implementation method one: Refer to Figure 1 This embodiment is described in detail. The adaptive controllable deformable antenna system described in this embodiment is characterized in that the system includes an area stretching control structure, which includes: a flexible helical antenna, multiple edge clamping blocks and a non-metallic disk 14.

[0037] The edge clamping block is set on the outermost spiral of the flexible helical antenna. The edge clamping block is provided with a first key rope 2-1. The non-metallic disk 14 is provided with a base 12. The base 12 is provided with a rotating shaft 10. The non-metallic disk 14 is also provided with a hole corresponding to the edge clamping block. The first key rope 2-1 is wound and installed on the rotating shaft 10 after passing through the hole on the non-metallic disk 14. The rotating shaft 10 is driven by an area control motor 13.

[0038] Specific Implementation Method Two: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method One. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method One is that the system further includes a curvature stretching control structure, which includes: a column 18, a curvature control motor 15, a motor flange 16, and a central clamping block 17.

[0039] The column 18 has a hollow structure and is mounted on the base 12;

[0040] The curvature control motor 15 is mounted on the base 12 via a motor flange 16;

[0041] The center end of the flexible helical antenna is fixedly connected to the second key rope 2-2 through the center clamping block 17. The second key rope 2-2 is wound around the shaft of the curvature control motor 15 after passing through the cavity of the column 18.

[0042] Specific Implementation Method 3: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method 2. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method 2 is that the edge clamping block includes an upper clamping block 8 and a lower clamping block 6, which are connected by a connecting screw 1.

[0043] Specific Implementation Method Four: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method Three. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method Three is that the edge clamping block has a hollow structure and a fine-tuning rotating shaft device is provided in the edge clamping block. The fine-tuning rotating shaft device includes a fine-tuning rotating shaft 4, a spring 3, and a fine-tuning handle 5.

[0044] The edge clamping block has a rotating block 22 inside, and the rotating block 22 has a cylindrical hole.

[0045] One end of the fine-tuning shaft 4 is fitted into a cylindrical hole on the rotating block 22, and the other end of the fine-tuning shaft 4 extends to the outside of the edge clamping block. A fine-tuning handle 5 is provided on the end that extends to the outside of the edge clamping block.

[0046] The fine-tuning shaft 4 is provided with a sleeve, and the spring 3 is disposed inside the sleeve. The spring 3 is used to generate a thrust on the fine-tuning shaft 4 towards the rotating block 22.

[0047] The first key rope 2-1 is wound around the fine-tuning shaft 4.

[0048] Specific Implementation Method 5: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method 4. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method 4 is that the rotating shaft 10 is provided with a common shoulder 11, which is used to isolate the first key rope 2-1.

[0049] Specific Implementation Method Six: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method Five. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method Five is that the system also includes a bevel gear differential mechanism, on which the planetary bevel gear drives the flexible helical antenna to move in two degrees of freedom.

[0050] Specific Implementation Method Seven: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method Six. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method Six is ​​that the conductive filler of the flexible helical antenna is made of carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon powder, liquid metal, or a mixture of materials.

[0051] The mixed material is a mixture of carbon nanotubes and polydimethylsiloxane or silicone material, and the mass mixing ratio of the mixed material is between 1:8 and 1:12.

[0052] The substrate material of the flexible helical antenna is polydimethylsiloxane or silicone.

[0053] Specific Implementation Method Eight: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method Seven. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method Seven is that the flexible helical antenna is planar, three-dimensional helical, circular, or square, and the thickness of the conductive filler is between 0.5-5mm.

[0054] Specific Implementation Method Nine: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method Eight. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method Eight is that the outer diameter of the non-metallic disk 14 is 1.5-2 times the outer diameter of the edge of the flexible helical antenna.

[0055] Specific Implementation Method 10: This implementation method is a further explanation of Specific Implementation Method 9. The difference between this implementation method and Specific Implementation Method 9 is that the non-metallic disk 14 is provided with a PLA sleeve, and silicone is provided between the non-metallic disk 14 and the PLA sleeve. The first key rope 2-1 is placed in the PLA sleeve.

[0056] Example 1:

[0057] An adaptive controllable deformable antenna system includes a flexible stretchable antenna, a stretching mechanical structure that can expand the area and surface curvature of the flexible stretchable antenna, a two-degree-of-freedom mechanical structure that can change the azimuth of the antenna, and a control system that detects signal strength and controls antenna deformation and angle.

[0058] The conductive filler of the flexible stretchable antenna described in this application is made of carbon-based nanomaterial carbon powder (CB) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) mixed with PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) or silicone material EcoFlex, with a mass mixing ratio between 1:8 and 1:12. The substrate material of the flexible stretchable antenna is PDMS or silicone material EcoFlex. The antenna shape can be planar or three-dimensional. Furthermore, the conductive filler can also be liquid metal. The conductive filler is formed into a planar or three-dimensional spiral, circular, or square shape with a thickness between 0.5-5 mm, but not limited to this thickness. The substrate material covers the conductive filler in a planar or three-dimensional shape, such as... Figure 1 The diagram shows a planar type and Figure 2 The image shown is a three-dimensional representation.

[0059] The stretching mechanical structure for achieving controllable changes in the area and surface curvature of a flexible antenna includes an edge clamping and stretching mechanism for the flexible stretchable antenna, as well as a center point clamping and stretching mechanism. The edge clamping mechanism uses two pieces of non-metallic material, which can be manufactured using 3D printing and fastened with screws. Then, a keyed rope is used to pull the clamping block towards the outer edge of the antenna, stretching the antenna area. Figure 3 As shown;

[0060] Multiple clamping blocks are evenly placed along the edge of the flexible stretchable antenna; a non-metallic ring, 0.5-1 times larger than the outer diameter of the flexible antenna edge (not limited to this multiple), is used as the tension support for the key rope; when all the clamping blocks are simultaneously tightened to the same length, the area of ​​the flexible antenna increases; when all the clamping blocks are simultaneously loosened to the same length, the area of ​​the flexible antenna decreases.

[0061] A fine-tuning shaft is added to the clamping block to adjust the length of the key rope, ensuring that the shape of the flexible antenna is regular in the initial state; and a spring is designed on the fine-tuning shaft to prevent it from loosening when the fine-tuning shaft is not manually rotated.

[0062] To ensure that all clamping blocks change the same length when simultaneously loosening or tightening, a flexible, stretchable antenna tensioning control structure is installed under the non-metallic ring. This structure uses a stepper motor to drive a rotating shaft, on which multiple key ropes connected to the clamping blocks are wound. To prevent interference between the key ropes during winding, a shoulder is designed on the rotating shaft to isolate different key ropes. Figure 4 ;

[0063] To prevent the key wires from interfering with each other in the non-metallic rings, the key wires are placed in different PLA sleeves. In addition, to prevent the PLA sleeves from moving and wrinkling in the non-metallic rings, silicone is poured into the non-metallic rings.

[0064] To achieve variations in the surface curvature of the flexible, stretchable antenna, a clamping block is installed at the center of the antenna, and a keyed rope is used to stretch it along the direction of the antenna's central normal. Figure 5 .

[0065] Furthermore, to control the orientation of the entire flexible antenna, a bevel gear differential mechanism is installed below the aforementioned mechanism, enabling the flexible antenna to swing in two orthogonal directions within a plane parallel to the antenna surface, such as... Figure 6 .

[0066] If the conductive filler is liquid metal, select a material with a melting point of 45-60 degrees Celsius. When it is necessary to change the shape or curvature of the antenna, use the heating blower mechanism on the base to heat the antenna. When the conductive filler becomes a liquid phase, control the antenna deformation, then stop the heating blower and wait for the conductive filler to solidify.

[0067] Example 2:

[0068] Select carbon powder CB and EcoFlex and mix them in a mass ratio of 1:9 to form a conductive filler; print a 1mm thick spiral line on a 1mm thick EcoFlex disk substrate using the conductive filler; then cover the conductive filler with a 2mm thick EcoFlex substrate and wait for curing to prepare a flexible antenna.

[0069] according to Figure 7As shown, the lower clamping block 6 and the upper clamping block 8, composed of eight clamping blocks, are used to press the edge of the flexible antenna 9. Then, the connecting screw 1 is tightened to ensure that the lower clamping block 6 and the upper clamping block 8 press the edge of the flexible antenna 9 tightly. The fine adjustment handle 5 is pressed and rotated along the axis of the fine adjustment shaft 4 to overcome the pressure of the spring 3. The fine adjustment handle 5 is rotated to drive the fine adjustment shaft 4 to rotate, and the length of the key rope 2-1 is adjusted so that the distance from the edge of the flexible antenna 9 to the non-metallic disk 14 is similar, and the flexible antenna 9, the center, and the center of the non-metallic disk 14 are approximately coaxial.

[0070] The eight key ropes 2-1 on the edge of the flexible antenna 9 pass through their respective PLA sleeves 7 inside the non-metallic disk 14, and then emerge from the lower part of the non-metallic disk 14. They are wound and mounted on the rotating shaft 10 of the base 12, and are separated from each other by the seven shoulders 11 on the rotating shaft 10. The area control motor 13 drives the rotating shaft 10 to rotate and change the area of ​​the flexible antenna 9.

[0071] A central clamping block 17 is installed at the center of the flexible antenna 9. A key rope 2-2 is fixed to the central clamping block 17, and the other end passes through the inner hole of the column 18 on the base 12 and is wound around the shaft of the curvature control motor 15. The curvature control motor 15 is fixed to the base 12 by the motor flange 16. The angle of the curvature control motor 15 is controlled to move the position of the end of the central clamping block 17 along the normal of the flexible antenna 9, thereby changing the curvature of the flexible antenna 9.

[0072] The base 12 or non-metallic disk 14 is fixed on the bevel gear differential mechanism 21. The left drive motor 19 and the right drive motor 20 of the differential mechanism work together to rotate and control the flexible antenna 9 to swing in two orthogonal directions in a plane parallel to the antenna surface.

[0073] When the system operates as a transmitting coil, it inputs the position of the receiving target to the controller, controlling the left drive motor 19 and the right drive motor 20 of the differential mechanism to adjust the orientation of the flexible antenna 9. It also controls the area control motor 13 and the curvature control motor 15 to adjust the area and curvature of the flexible antenna 9 according to the distance to the receiving target. When the system operates as a receiving coil, it controls the left drive motor 19 and the right drive motor 20 of the differential mechanism to swing according to a set motion pattern, stopping when the received signal is strongest. Then, it controls the area control motor 13 and the curvature control motor 15 to move, adjusting the area and curvature of the flexible antenna 9; stopping again when the received signal is strongest. Figure 8 As shown.

[0074] It should be noted that the specific embodiments are merely explanations and illustrations of the technical solution of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of protection. Any modifications made in accordance with the claims and specification of the present invention that are only partial should still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive controllable deformation antenna system, characterized in that... The system includes an area stretching control structure, which includes: a flexible helical antenna, multiple edge clamping blocks, and a non-metallic disk (14). The edge clamping block is set on the outermost spiral of the flexible helical antenna. The edge clamping block is provided with a first key rope (2-1). The non-metallic disk (14) is provided with a base (12). The base (12) is provided with a rotating shaft (10). The non-metallic disk (14) is also provided with a hole corresponding to the edge clamping block. The first key rope (2-1) is wound and installed on the rotating shaft (10) after passing through the hole on the non-metallic disk (14). The rotating shaft (10) is driven by an area control motor (13). The system also includes a curvature stretching control structure, which includes: a column (18), a curvature control motor (15), a motor flange (16), and a central clamping block (17). The column (18) has a hollow structure and is mounted on the base (12); The curvature control motor (15) is mounted on the base (12) via a motor flange (16); The center end of the flexible spiral antenna is fixedly connected to the second key rope (2-2) through the center clamping block (17). The second key rope (2-2) is wound around the shaft of the curvature control motor (15) after passing through the cavity of the column (18).

2. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 1, characterized in that... The edge clamping block includes an upper clamping block (8) and a lower clamping block (6), which are connected by a connecting screw (1).

3. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 2, characterized in that... The edge clamping block has a hollow structure and is equipped with a fine-tuning rotating shaft device, which includes a fine-tuning rotating shaft (4), a spring (3), and a fine-tuning handle (5). The edge clamping block has a rotating block (22) inside, and the rotating block (22) has a cylindrical hole; One end of the fine-tuning shaft (4) is fitted into a cylindrical hole on the rotating block (22), and the other end of the fine-tuning shaft (4) extends to the outside of the edge clamping block. A fine-tuning handle (5) is provided on the end that extends to the outside of the edge clamping block. The fine-tuning shaft (4) is provided with a sleeve, and the spring (3) is provided inside the sleeve. The spring (3) is used to generate a thrust on the fine-tuning shaft (4) facing the rotating block (22). The first key rope (2-1) is wound around the fine-tuning shaft (4).

4. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 3, characterized in that... The rotating shaft (10) is provided with a common shoulder (11), which is used to isolate the first key rope (2-1).

5. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 4, characterized in that... The system also includes a bevel gear differential mechanism, on which a planetary bevel gear drives the flexible helical antenna to move in two degrees of freedom.

6. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 5, characterized in that... The conductive filler of the flexible helical antenna is made of carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon powder, liquid metal, or a mixture of materials. The mixed material is a mixture of carbon nanotubes and polydimethylsiloxane or silicone material, and the mass mixing ratio of the mixed material is between 1:8 and 1:

12. The substrate material of the flexible helical antenna is polydimethylsiloxane or silicone.

7. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 6, characterized in that... The flexible helical antenna is planar, three-dimensional spiral, circular, or square, and the thickness of the conductive filler is between 0.5-5 mm.

8. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 1, characterized in that... The outer diameter of the non-metallic disk (14) is 1.5-2 times the outer diameter of the edge of the flexible helical antenna.

9. The adaptive controllable deformation antenna system according to claim 1, characterized in that... The non-metallic disk (14) is provided with a PLA sleeve, and silicone is provided between the non-metallic disk (14) and the PLA sleeve. The first key rope (2-1) is placed in the PLA sleeve.

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