A super-large planar antenna two-dimensional unfolding mechanism

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of aerospace antenna technology, and more particularly to a two-dimensional deployment mechanism for an ultra-large planar antenna. The mechanism includes an antenna rotation mechanism, comprising a base with a hollow rectangular frame structure. A cross-shaped rotation motor base is fixedly connected to the inner center of the hollow rectangular frame structure. Several antenna assembly units are included, each comprising a steering base, a steering drive motor, and an antenna unit. A drive mechanism is located at the bottom of each antenna unit and is used to drive the movement of the antenna unit. This invention enables independent compression and release deployment, suitable for both square and long-directional antennas. It offers advantages such as strong expandability and reliable compression and release. It also allows for folding, reducing the antenna's envelope size. The multiple rotation mechanisms drive the rotation of the antenna units, resulting in good deployment coordination, simple control, and stable deployment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace antenna technology, and in particular to a two-dimensional unfolding mechanism for an ultra-large planar antenna. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, there is a demand for large spaceborne antennas to increase the transmit power of antennas. In existing technologies, large-area planar antennas, which are convenient for improving the coverage ratio, are mostly elongated strips, meaning that the length-to-width ratio of these antennas is large, which is not suitable for the requirements of suppression missions; while suppression missions require antennas with an aspect ratio close to 1 and a large area, meaning that the antennas are rectangular or square.

[0003] Therefore, in the aerospace field, there is an urgent need to design new large antenna configurations. Based on the requirements for large antennas of thousands of square meters, an antenna structure that meets the requirements and is suitable for suppression missions should be provided. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a modular large antenna deployment structure that meets the requirements of suppression missions.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an ultra-large planar two-dimensional unfolding mechanism, including an antenna transposition mechanism, wherein the antenna transposition mechanism includes: The adapter base is a hollow rectangular frame structure. A cross-shaped indexing motor base plate is fixedly connected to the inner center of the hollow rectangular frame structure. A drive spindle is located in the center of the indexing motor base plate. The bottom of the drive spindle is connected to a drive worm gear, which is connected to the back of the indexing motor base plate. A motor mount is also located on the back of the indexing motor base plate, and an indexing motor is fixedly mounted on the motor mount. The indexing motor is connected to the indexing drive worm gear via a coupling. A main bevel gear is sleeved on the top of the drive spindle. The adapter base has an obliquely oriented... The system is equipped with four sets of indexing linkage mechanisms. Each indexing linkage mechanism includes two indexing linkage seats, which are fixedly mounted on the indexing motor base plate. An indexing linkage is passed through the top of each of the two indexing linkage seats. One end of the indexing linkage is connected to an auxiliary bevel gear, which meshes with the main bevel gear. The other end of the indexing linkage is connected to a universal joint, which is fixedly mounted on the side wall of the adapter base. The adapter base has through slots at both ends of the middle of its four side plates, which are connected to the slots of the adjacent side plates. Several sets of antenna assembly units, wherein the antenna assembly units are connected to the outside of the adapter base via a limiting connection structure, and the antenna assembly units include: A steering base plate is provided, which is connected to the adapter base. A first steering link is provided on the steering base plate. One end of the first steering link is connected to the steering base plate, and the other end of the first steering link is connected to one end of a second steering link. The other end of the second steering link is connected to a first steering support plate. A steering drive motor is fixedly mounted on the steering base plate and connected to one of the first steering linkages for driving. The antenna unit includes a first steering support plate, one side of which is hinged to a first antenna module, the other side of which is hinged to a second antenna module, and the outer side of the second antenna module is hinged to a second steering support plate. A steering spring connects the first antenna module and the second antenna module. A second locking block and a first locking block are respectively provided on the top of the first antenna module and the second antenna module. The first locking block and the second locking block can cooperate to lock. The first antenna module and the second antenna module include the same number of single-module antenna units. The single-module antenna unit includes a first antenna support plate, one side of which is hinged to the first antenna unit, the other side of which is hinged to the second antenna unit, and the other side of the second antenna unit is hinged to the second antenna support plate. A driving mechanism is provided at the bottom of the antenna unit and is used to drive the antenna unit to move.

[0006] Preferably, the driving mechanism is a scissor drive mechanism, which includes: Several scissor-type support bases are installed at one end of the first antenna support plate and the second antenna support plate of the second antenna unit. Each scissor-type support base is equipped with a scissor-type motor mount, on which a motor reducer and a scissor-type drive motor are mounted. The scissor-type drive motor drives the motor reducer, and a drive gear is connected to the motor reducer. A plurality of scissor links are mounted on scissor support bases. Each scissor link consists of a first scissor link and a second scissor link. The first scissor link is provided with a driven gear, which meshes with the driving gear.

[0007] Preferably, the limiting connection structure includes an arc-shaped limiting plate, which is fixedly disposed on the outer surface of the adapter base and mates with the slot. A limiting groove is formed in the middle of the arc-shaped limiting plate, which is used to limit the rotation angle of the steering base plate. The limiting connection structure also includes a connecting shaft, which is mates with the steering base plate.

[0008] Preferably, the antenna combination units consist of two antenna combination units, which are respectively disposed on two opposite side plates of the adapter base. The antenna combination units are pressed together and connected to the adapter base through a limiting connection structure.

[0009] Preferably, the plurality of antenna combination units are four antenna combination units, which are respectively disposed in a compressed state on the four side plates of the adapter base, and the antenna combination units in the relative positions are of the same size.

[0010] Preferably, if the two sets of antenna combination units arranged opposite each other are of the same size, then the unfolded antenna will have a square shape.

[0011] Preferably, if the two sets of antenna combination units arranged opposite each other have different sizes, the antenna will be rectangular after unfolding.

[0012] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention divides the entire large antenna into modular antennas, and then the modular antennas are combined into antenna assembly units. The entire antenna structure is equipped with a certain number of assembly units according to actual needs, realizing independent compression, release and deployment. It is suitable not only for square antennas but also for long-directional antennas. It has the advantages of strong expandability and reliable compression and release. At the same time, it can be folded to reduce its envelope size. Several rotation mechanisms realize the rotation drive of antenna units, with good deployment coordination, simple control and stable deployment. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the large antenna deployment mechanism of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the antenna rotation mechanism components of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the antenna assembly unit components of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the components of the scissor drive mechanism of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the retracted and compressed state of the large antenna deployment mechanism of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the unfolded docking of the antenna assembly unit after the first unlocking of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the antenna assembly unit deployed and locked in place after the first unlocking of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the direction of the locked antenna assembly unit module after the second unlocking in this invention; Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the locking of the antenna assembly unit module after the second unlocking in this invention; Figure 10This is a diagram showing the rotation of the locked antenna assembly unit module after the second unlocking in this invention. Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the locking of the antenna assembly unit module after the second unlocking in this invention; Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating the unfolding process of the locked antenna assembly unit module after the third unlocking in this invention. Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the unfolded state of the antenna assembly unit module after the third unlocking in this invention. Figure 14 This is a rear view of the locked antenna assembly unit module after the third unlocking of the present invention, which has been fully deployed. Figure 15 This is a front view of the antenna assembly unit module after the third unlocking of the present invention, which has been fully deployed.

[0014] Explanation of the labels in the diagram: 1-Antenna rotation mechanism, 2-Antenna assembly unit, 3-Drive mechanism; 1-1-Adapter base; 1-2-Index motor base plate; 1-3-Index drive spindle; 1-4-Index drive worm gear; 1-5-Index motor seat; 1-6-Index motor; 1-7-Index coupling; 1-8-Index drive worm; 1-9-Index main bevel gear; 1-10-Index connecting rod seat; 1-11-Index connecting rod; 1-12-Universal hinge; 1-13-Index auxiliary bevel gear; 1-14-Limiting connection structure; 2-1-Steering base plate; 2-2-First steering link; 2-3-Second steering link; 2-4-Steering drive motor; 2-5-First steering support plate; 2-6-First antenna support plate; 2-7-First antenna unit; 2-8-Second antenna unit; 2-9-Second antenna support plate; 2-10-Dual-module antenna unit; 2-11-Triple-module antenna unit; 2-12-Second steering support plate; 2-13-First locking block; 2-14-Steering spring; 2-15-Second locking block; 3-1-Scissor support base; 3-2-Scissor motor base; 3-3-Motor reducer; 3-4-Scissor drive motor; 3-5-Drive gear; 3-6-Driven gear; 3-7-First scissor link; 3-8-Second scissor link. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described and discussed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, what is described here is only a part of the examples of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0016] It should be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or may have a component in between. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may have a component in between. When a component is described as "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or may have a component in between. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the specification of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0018] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 A two-dimensional unfolding mechanism for an ultra-large planar antenna comprises three parts: an antenna rotation mechanism 1, an antenna assembly unit 2, and a driving mechanism 3.

[0019] The antenna rotation mechanism 1 mainly consists of a transfer base 1-1, a rotation motor base plate 1-2, a rotation drive spindle 1-3, a rotation drive worm gear 1-4, a rotation motor seat 1-5, a rotation motor 1-6, a rotation coupling 1-7, a rotation drive worm 1-8, a rotation main bevel gear 1-9, a rotation connecting rod seat 1-10, a rotation connecting rod 1-11, a universal joint 1-12, a rotation auxiliary bevel gear 1-13, and a limiting connection structure 1-14.

[0020] The adapter base (1-1) is the base of the antenna and also the adapter for connecting to the satellite; the indexing motor base plate (1-2) is mounted on the adapter base (1-1), the indexing drive spindle (1-3) is mounted on the adapter base (1-1), the indexing drive worm gear (1-4) is mounted on the indexing drive spindle (1-3), the indexing motor seat (1-5) is mounted on the indexing motor base plate (1-2), and the indexing motor (1-6) is mounted on the indexing motor seat (1-5); the indexing coupling (1-7) is mounted on the indexing motor (1-6), the indexing drive worm gear (1-8) is mounted on the indexing coupling (1-7), the indexing main bevel gear (1-9) is mounted on the indexing drive spindle (1-3), the indexing connecting rod seat (1-10) is mounted on the indexing motor base plate (1-2), and the indexing connecting rod (1-11)... The universal joint (1-12) is installed on one end of the indexing link (1-11) and the indexing auxiliary bevel gear (1-13) is installed on the other end of the indexing link (1-11) and meshes with the indexing main bevel gear (1-9). The limiting connection structure 1-14 includes an arc-shaped limiting plate, which is fixedly set on the outer surface of the adapter base and cooperates with the slot. A limiting groove is opened in the middle of the arc-shaped limiting plate. The limiting groove is used to limit the rotation angle of the steering base plate 2-1. The limiting connection structure 1-14 also includes a connecting shaft, which is connected to the steering base plate 2-1.

[0021] Antenna assembly unit 2, steering base plate 2-1 is mounted on adapter base 1-1, one end of first steering link 2-2 is mounted on steering base plate 2-1, the other end is connected to second steering link 2-3, and the other end of second steering link 2-3 is mounted on first steering support plate 2-5. Steering drive motor 2-4 is mounted on steering base plate 2-1 and connected to one of the first steering links 2-2 for driving. First antenna module and second antenna module are hinged between first steering support plate 2-5 and second steering support plate 2-12. First antenna module and second antenna module include an equal number of single-module antenna units. Single-module antenna unit includes first antenna support plate 2-6. One side of first antenna support plate 2-6 is hinged to first antenna unit 2-7. The other side of first antenna unit 2-7 is hinged to second antenna unit 2-8. The other side of second antenna unit 2-8 is hinged to second antenna support plate 2-9. First antenna support plate 2-6 and second antenna support plate 2-9 are hinged to form a support back frame.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first antenna module consists of a single-module antenna unit and a dual-module antenna unit 2-10. The dual-module antenna unit 2-10 is composed of two single-module antenna units hinged together. The second antenna module consists of a three-module antenna unit 2-11, which is composed of three single-module antenna units hinged together in sequence.

[0023] The first locking block (2-13) has multiple parts, which are respectively installed on the first antenna support plate (2-6) and the second antenna support plate (2-9) on the three-module antenna unit (2-11) and on the second steering support plate (2-12); the corresponding second locking block (2-15) also consists of multiple parts, which are respectively installed on the first antenna support plate (2-6) and the second antenna support plate (2-9) on the dual-module antenna unit (2-10). At the same time, the first antenna support plate (2-6), the second antenna support plate (2-9) and the first steering support plate (2-5) are also equipped with the second locking block (2-15); the second antenna support plate (2-9) on the outside of the dual-module antenna unit (2-10) is hinged to the first antenna support plate (2-6) on the inside of the three-module antenna unit (2-11); the steering spring (2-14) is installed on the hinge connecting the dual-module antenna unit (2-10) and the three-module antenna unit (2-11).

[0024] In this embodiment, the driving mechanism is a scissor drive mechanism, which includes multiple scissor support seats (3-1). The scissor motor seat (3-2) of the first antenna support plate (2-6) and the second antenna support plate (2-9) which are respectively installed on the three-module antenna unit (2-11) is mounted on the scissor support seat (3-1). The motor reducer (3-3) and the scissor drive motor (3-4) are mounted together on the scissor motor seat (3-2). The driving gear (3-5) is mounted on the shaft of the motor reducer (3-3). The driven gear (3-6) is mounted on one of the first scissor connecting rods 3-7, and the two are mounted together on the scissor support seat (3-1). At the same time, the driven gear (3-6) meshes with the driving gear (3-5). Multiple first scissor connecting rods (3-7) and multiple second scissor connecting rods 3-8 form three sets of scissor mechanisms, which are mounted together on the scissor support seat 3-1.

[0025] In this embodiment, the entire antenna structure employs four antenna combination units. Because the two sets of antenna combination units 2 arranged opposite each other have different sizes, the unfolded antenna has a rectangular configuration. If the two sets of antenna combination units 2 have the same size, the unfolded antenna has a square configuration. Both rectangular and square antenna structures can function normally.

[0026] See Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is the first unlocking of the antenna structure in this embodiment. After unlocking, the three-module antenna units (2-11) of the four antenna combination units rotate 180° under the action of the steering spring (2-14) to achieve rotation. After rotation, the corresponding first locking block 2-13 and second locking block 2-15 on the three-module antenna units are docked and locked.

[0027] See Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 In this embodiment, the antenna structure is unlocked for the second time. The four antenna assembly units start the steering drive motors 2-4 respectively, which simultaneously drive the steering of each assembly module. Each assembly module rotates 90° under the drive of the steering drive motor (2-4) and locks the first steering linkage (2-2) and the second steering linkage (2-3). Specifically, the indexing motor (1-6) is started. The indexing motor (1-6) drives the indexing drive worm gear (1-8). The indexing drive worm gear (1-8) drives the indexing drive worm wheel (1-4), which in turn drives the indexing main bevel gear (1-9). The indexing main bevel gear (1-9) drives the indexing auxiliary bevel gear (1-13), which drives the first steering support plate (2-5) through the indexing linkage (1-11) and the universal joint (1-12) to realize the indexing of the four antenna assembly units. The four antenna assembly units are indexed 90° and locked in place.

[0028] See Figure 12 and Figure 13 This is the third unlocking of the antenna structure in this embodiment. The scissor drive motor (3-4) is started to drive the active gear (3-5) and then drive the driven gear (3-6). The driven gear (3-6) drives the first scissor link (3-7) and then drives the scissor drive mechanism. The large antenna unfolding mechanism unfolds into place. After unfolding into place, the two adjacent antenna combination units can be locked together, so that the entire antenna becomes a whole.

[0029] Figure 14 The image shows the rear configuration of the large antenna deployment mechanism after it has been fully deployed in this embodiment. Figure 15 The image shows the frontal configuration of the large antenna deployment mechanism after it has been deployed in this embodiment.

[0030] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions made to the present invention by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed herein should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An ultra-large planar two-dimensional deployment mechanism, characterized by, include: An antenna rotation mechanism includes an adapter base, which is a hollow rectangular frame structure. A cross-shaped rotation motor base plate is fixedly connected to the inner center of the hollow rectangular frame structure. A drive spindle is located in the center of the rotation motor base plate. The bottom of the drive spindle is connected to a drive worm gear, which is connected to the back of the rotation motor base plate. A motor mount is also located on the back of the rotation motor base plate, and a rotation motor is fixedly mounted on the motor mount. The rotation motor is connected to a rotation drive worm gear via a coupling. A rotation main bevel gear is sleeved on the top of the drive spindle. The adapter base is obliquely provided with four sets of indexing linkage mechanisms. Each indexing linkage mechanism includes two indexing linkage seats, which are fixedly mounted on the indexing motor base plate. An indexing linkage rod passes through the top of each of the two indexing linkage seats. One end of the indexing linkage rod is connected to an auxiliary bevel gear, which meshes with the main bevel gear. The other end of the indexing linkage rod is connected to a universal joint, which is fixedly mounted on the side wall of the adapter base. The middle two ends of the four side plates of the adapter base are provided with through slots, which are connected to the slots of the adjacent side plates. Several sets of antenna assembly units, wherein the antenna assembly units are connected to the outside of the adapter base via a limiting connection structure, and the antenna assembly units include: A steering base plate is provided, which is connected to the adapter base. A first steering link is provided on the steering base plate. One end of the first steering link is connected to the steering base plate, and the other end of the first steering link is connected to one end of a second steering link. The other end of the second steering link is connected to a first steering support plate. A steering drive motor is fixedly mounted on the steering base plate and connected to one of the first steering linkages for driving. The antenna unit includes a first steering support plate, one side of which is hinged to a first antenna module, the other side of which is hinged to a second antenna module, and the outer side of the second antenna module is hinged to a second steering support plate. A steering spring connects the first antenna module and the second antenna module. A second locking block and a first locking block are respectively provided on the top of the first antenna module and the second antenna module. The first locking block and the second locking block can cooperate to lock. The first antenna module and the second antenna module include the same number of single-module antenna units. The single-module antenna unit includes a first antenna support plate, one side of which is hinged to a first antenna unit, the other side of which is hinged to a second antenna unit, and the other side of the second antenna unit is hinged to the second antenna support plate. A driving mechanism is provided at the bottom of the antenna unit and is used to drive the antenna unit to move. The indexing motor is started, which drives the indexing drive worm gear, which drives the indexing drive worm wheel, and then drives the indexing main bevel gear. The indexing main bevel gear drives the indexing auxiliary bevel gear through the indexing connecting rod and the universal joint, and then drives the first steering support plate to realize the indexing of the four antenna combination units of the antenna. The four antenna combination units are indexed 90° and locked in place.

2. An ultra-large planar two-dimensional unfolding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that The driving mechanism is a scissor drive mechanism, which includes: Several scissor-type support bases are installed at one end of the first antenna support plate and the second antenna support plate of the second antenna unit. Each scissor-type support base is equipped with a scissor-type motor mount, on which a motor reducer and a scissor-type drive motor are mounted. The scissor-type drive motor drives the motor reducer, and a drive gear is connected to the motor reducer. A plurality of scissor links are mounted on scissor support bases. Each scissor link consists of a first scissor link and a second scissor link. The first scissor link is provided with a driven gear, which meshes with the driving gear.

3. The ultra-large planar two-dimensional unfolding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein The limiting connection structure includes an arc-shaped limiting plate, which is fixedly disposed on the outer surface of the adapter base and mates with the slot. A limiting groove is formed in the middle of the arc-shaped limiting plate, which is used to limit the rotation angle of the steering base plate. The limiting connection structure also includes a connecting shaft, which is mates with the steering base plate.

4. The ultra-large planar two-dimensional unfolding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of antenna combination units are two antenna combination units, which are respectively disposed on two opposite side plates of the adapter base. The antenna combination units are pressed together and connected to the adapter base through a limiting connection structure.

5. The ultra-large planar two-dimensional unfolding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of antenna combination units consist of four antenna combination units, which are respectively disposed in a compressed state on the four side plates of the adapter base. The antenna combination units in the relative positions are of the same size.

6. An ultra-large planar two-dimensional unfolding mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that If the two sets of antenna combination units arranged opposite each other are the same size, then the antenna will be square in shape after being unfolded.

7. An ultra-large planar two-dimensional unfolding mechanism according to claim 5, wherein If the two sets of antenna combination units arranged opposite each other are of different sizes, the antenna will be rectangular in shape after being unfolded.

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