Sub-array Synchronous Assembly Mechanism

Abstract

The present invention discloses a sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism, belonging to the technical field of active phased array antenna surfaces. The present invention includes a gear clamping plate, a digital sub-array gear shaft system, an analog sub-array gear shaft system, a mounting plate, a synchronous belt, a stiffness reinforcement plate, a digital sub-array hexagon socket and an analog sub-array hexagon socket; the analog sub-array gear shaft system and the digital sub-array gear shaft system respectively include gear shafts and gears distributed at both ends; the digital sub-array gear shaft is located outside the analog sub-array gear shaft, and the digital sub-array gear meshes with the analog sub-array gear; the digital sub-array gear shaft is driven by a synchronous belt; the stiffness reinforcement plate is fixedly attached to the sub-array to be assembled; the analog sub-array hexagon socket and the digital sub-array hexagon socket are respectively used to sleeve on the mounting screws of the lower sub-array to tighten or loosen them. The structure of the present invention is compact, with reliable precision, sufficient stiffness, and can efficiently disassemble and assemble sub-arrays with different interfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of active phased array antenna arrays, and particularly relates to a sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism. Background Art

[0002] With the application of radar technology, the functional requirements of users for active phased array radars are also continuously deepening and expanding. For example, in shipborne integrated radio frequency systems, in order to improve the radar stealth performance and detection and perception efficiency and reduce the radar cross-section, functions such as electronic reconnaissance radar, jamming radar, detection and guidance radar, and communication radar are often integrated on a super-wideband high-frequency active phased array radar. Such a super-wideband high-frequency active phased array antenna generally exhibits various characteristics such as integrated layout, thin and light appearance, and diversified functions in terms of structural form.

[0003] This type of broadband high-frequency highly integrated radar generally needs to solve the problems of high-low frequency and water-electricity hybrid blind plugging between active sub-arrays and antenna elements, mainly manifested as a large number of blind plugging points, sometimes nearly hundreds of points; the blind plugging structure contains various types such as water connectors, SMP RF connectors, and low-frequency connectors, with high assembly accuracy; the blind plugging force reaches several thousand Newtons, which will cause a large deformation of the sub-array during the disassembly and assembly process, making it difficult to ensure the synchronous insertion of each connector. Special mechanisms are required for the disassembly and assembly of the sub-array; the types of active sub-arrays or modules are not unique, and the installation interfaces are inconsistent, and the special structure interfaces need to have compatibility. Therefore, a synchronous assembly mechanism with compatible sub-array interfaces is invented to solve the following problems faced during the assembly of active sub-arrays / modules:

[0004] The aspect ratio of the analog sub-array module is large (such as >20) and the degree of thinness and lightness is high (for example, using a chip architecture). During disassembly and assembly, its own stiffness is difficult to overcome the insertion force of the connectors during the disassembly and assembly process of the sub-array, which will cause a large deformation of the analog sub-array, affecting the reliability of the sub-array and making it difficult to achieve synchronous insertion of the connectors.

[0005] The element spacing of the super-wideband high-frequency array is small and the array integration degree is high. Therefore, in most cases, it is necessary to meet the high-precision blind plugging requirements of multiple-point RF SMP connectors. When the sub-array is disassembled and assembled, all SMP blind plugging points can move synchronously. Therefore, the fasteners on both sides of the sub-array need to be tightened or loosened synchronously.

[0006] The super-wideband high-frequency array generally integrates multiple functions such as electronic reconnaissance, jamming, detection and guidance, and communication. Therefore, the array generally contains various sub-arrays / modules with different interfaces. If multiple synchronous assembly mechanisms are designed, the cost is high and the on-site operation is inconvenient, affecting the disassembly and assembly efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism, which is structurally compact, has reliable precision, has sufficient stiffness, and can efficiently disassemble and assemble sub-arrays with different interfaces.

[0008] Specifically, the present invention provides a sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism, including a gear clamping plate, a digital sub-array gear shaft system, an analog sub-array gear shaft system, a mounting plate, a synchronous belt, a stiffness reinforcement plate, a digital sub-array hexagon socket and an analog sub-array hexagon socket;

[0009] The analog sub-array gear shaft system includes analog sub-array gear shafts distributed at both ends of the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism, and analog sub-array gears on the analog sub-array gear shafts;

[0010] The digital sub-array gear shaft system includes digital sub-array gear shafts distributed at both ends of the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism, and digital sub-array gears on the digital sub-array gear shafts. The digital sub-array gear shafts are located outside the analog sub-array gear shafts, and the digital sub-array gears mesh with the analog sub-array gears; the digital sub-array gear shafts distributed at both ends of the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism are driven by the synchronous belt;

[0011] The analog sub-array gear shafts and the digital sub-array gear shafts are axially limited by the gear clamping plate and the mounting plate;

[0012] The stiffness reinforcement plate is attached to the sub-array to be assembled and fixed by stiffness reinforcement plate mounting screws;

[0013] The analog sub-array hexagon socket is detachably installed on the analog sub-array gear shaft and is used to sleeve on the mounting screws of the lower analog sub-array to tighten or loosen them. The digital sub-array hexagon socket is detachably installed on the digital sub-array gear shaft and is used to sleeve on the mounting screws of the lower digital sub-array to tighten or loosen them.

[0014] Further, the digital sub-array gear shaft system includes digital sub-array gear shafts, rolling bearings, digital sub-array gears, socket head cap screws, washers;

[0015] The analog sub-array gear shaft system includes analog sub-array gear shafts, rolling bearings, analog sub-array gears, socket head cap screws, washers.

[0016] Further, the upper side of the rolling bearing contacts the gear clamping plate, and the upward movement of the rolling bearing is restricted by the gear clamping plate; the lower side of the rolling bearing contacts the mounting plate, and the downward movement of the rolling bearing is restricted by the mounting plate.

[0017] Further, the socket head cap screws and the washers are threadedly connected to the lower parts of the analog sub-array gear shafts and the digital sub-array gear shafts to restrict the axial free movement of the digital sub-array hexagon socket and the analog sub-array hexagon socket.

[0018] Further, a plurality of weight reduction holes and / or weight reduction grooves are provided on the stiffness reinforcement plate.

[0019] Further, a plurality of weight reduction grooves are provided on the stiffness reinforcement plate.

[0020] Furthermore, the weight-reducing groove is located below the stiffness reinforcement plate.

[0021] Furthermore, a number of handles are provided on the stiffness reinforcement plate.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention are as follows:

[0023] Compared with common disassembly and assembly tooling, the present invention has the following remarkable advantages:

[0024] When the simulated sub-array adopts a chip architecture and has a large aspect ratio (such as > 20), its own stiffness is insufficient to overcome the insertion force of the connector during the disassembly and assembly of the sub-array, resulting in a large deformation of the simulated sub-array, affecting the reliability of the sub-array and making it difficult to achieve synchronous insertion of the connectors. In the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention, a stiffness reinforcement plate for the sub-array is incorporated, strengthening the stiffness of the sub-array while disassembling and assembling the sub-array, and being able to solve the above problems.

[0025] Regarding the problem of synchronous blind insertion of multiple high-precision SMP connectors, low-frequency connectors, and water joints, the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention realizes the synchronous insertion and separation of all similar connectors on the simulated sub-array, and can overcome the relatively large insertion force (about 4000 N) during the disassembly and assembly of the connectors.

[0026] Regarding the problem that when using multiple synchronous assembly mechanisms to achieve the assembly of multiple sub-arrays / modules in the array surface, the cost is relatively high and the on-site operation is inconvenient, affecting the disassembly and assembly efficiency, the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention can be compatible with the interfaces of two active sub-arrays.

[0027] In the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention, a handle structure conforming to ergonomics is designed at the stiffness reinforcement plate, facilitating better operation of the sub-array and the assembly mechanism when disassembling and assembling the sub-array.

[0028] In the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention, a number of weight-reducing holes are drilled on the side walls, improving the lightweight level of the assembly mechanism and reducing the labor intensity of workers.

[0029] The sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention realizes the function of disassembling and assembling two sub-arrays with different interfaces using one mechanism, with convenient operation, reliable precision, and significantly improving the overall assembly and maintenance efficiency of large phased array high-integration radars; the supporting synchronous gear train and stiffness reinforcement plate enhance the structural stiffness of the large aspect ratio thin and light simulated sub-array module, enabling high reliability, high precision, and high efficiency during the disassembly and assembly of the simulated sub-array. Description of the Drawings

[0030] Figure 1 It is the front view of the overall structure of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2It is a top view of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the cooperation of the digital sub-array gear shaft system and the analog sub-array gear shaft system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 It is a front view after the installation of an embodiment of the present invention and the analog sub-array.

[0034] Figure 5 It is a perspective view after the installation of an embodiment of the present invention and the analog sub-array.

[0035] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the analog sub-array in an embodiment of the present invention (top surface).

[0036] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the analog sub-array in an embodiment of the present invention (side surface).

[0037] Figure 8 It is a front view after the installation of an embodiment of the present invention and the digital sub-array.

[0038] Figure 9 It is a perspective view after the installation of an embodiment of the present invention and the digital sub-array.

[0039] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the digital sub-array in an embodiment of the present invention (top surface).

[0040] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the outer shape of the digital sub-array in an embodiment of the present invention (side surface).

[0041] Identifications in the figure: 1 - Sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism, 101 - Gear splint, 102 - Digital sub-array gear shaft system, 103 - Analog sub-array gear shaft system, 104 - Handle, 105 - Mounting plate, 106 - Synchronous belt, 107 - Stiffness reinforcement plate, 108 - Tension pulley, 109 - Stiffness reinforcement plate mounting screw, 110 - Analog sub-array gear shaft, 111 - Rolling bearing, 112 - Analog sub-array gear, 113 - Sleeve screw, 114 - Washer, 115 - Digital sub-array internal hexagonal sleeve, 116 - Digital sub-array gear shaft, 117 - Analog sub-array internal hexagonal sleeve, 118 - Digital sub-array gear, 119 - Weight reduction hole, 120 - Weight reduction groove, 2 - Analog sub-array, 201 - Analog sub-array mounting screw, 202 - Analog sub-array skeleton, 203 - Upper surface of the analog sub-array skeleton, 3 - Digital sub-array, 301 - Digital sub-array mounting screw, 302 - Loctite screw, 303 - Digital sub-array skeleton, 304 - Upper surface of the digital sub-array skeleton. Specific embodiments

[0042] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] An embodiment of the present invention is a sub - array synchronization assembly mechanism for installing or disassembling the analog sub - array and digital sub - array of a radar.

[0044] The analog sub - array is below the digital sub - array. During assembly, first use the sub - array synchronization assembly mechanism of the present invention to install the analog sub - array, and then use the sub - array synchronization assembly mechanism of the present invention to install the digital sub - array; the disassembly process is the opposite.

[0045] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 shown, the sub - array synchronization assembly mechanism 1 of the present invention includes a gear clamping plate 101, a digital sub - array gear shaft system 102, an analog sub - array gear shaft system 103, a mounting plate 105, a synchronous belt 106, a stiffness reinforcing plate 107, a digital sub - array hexagon socket 115, and an analog sub - array hexagon socket 117. The analog sub - array gear shaft system 103 includes analog sub - array gear shafts 110 distributed at both ends of the sub - array synchronization assembly mechanism and analog sub - array gears 112 on the analog sub - array gear shafts 110. The digital sub - array gear shaft system 102 includes digital sub - array gear shafts 116 distributed at both ends of the sub - array synchronization assembly mechanism and digital sub - array gears 118 on the digital sub - array gear shafts. The digital sub - array gear shafts 116 are located outside the analog sub - array gear shafts 110, and the digital sub - array gears 118 are meshed with the analog sub - array gears 112; the digital sub - array gear shafts 116 at both ends of the digital sub - array are driven by the synchronous belt 106; the analog sub - array gear shafts 110 and the digital sub - array gear shafts 116 are axially limited by the gear clamping plate 101 and the mounting plate 105; the stiffness reinforcing plate is attached to the sub - array to be assembled (analog sub - array 2 or digital sub - array 3) and fixed by stiffness reinforcing plate mounting screws 109; the analog sub - array hexagon socket 117 is detachably installed on the analog sub - array gear shaft 110 and is used to sleeve on the lower analog sub - array mounting screw 201 to tighten or loosen it, and the digital sub - array hexagon socket 115 is detachably installed on the digital sub - array gear shaft 116 and is used to sleeve on the lower digital sub - array mounting screw 301 to tighten or loosen it.

[0046] The two ends of the analog sub-array are far apart and need to be synchronized, and the two ends of the digital sub-array are also far apart and need to be synchronized. If synchronous belt structures are used separately to achieve end synchronization, the space occupied by the two synchronous belts is too large, and interference is likely to occur between the two synchronous belts. In the sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism of the present invention, synchronization is mainly achieved through a synchronous belt 106 to drive between the digital sub-array gear shaft systems 102 on both sides, and through a pair of gears (analog sub-array gear 112, digital sub-array gear 118) between the digital sub-array gear shaft system 102 and the analog sub-array gear shaft system 103 for meshing transmission to achieve transmission between the analog sub-array gear shaft systems on both sides. The synchronous belt for synchronous movement on both sides only cooperates with the digital sub-array gear shaft systems 102 on both sides, and the gear linkage is to transmit the synchronous movement of the digital sub-array shaft system to the analog sub-array shaft system. For example, when installing the analog sub-array, the active-side analog sub-array gear shaft system drives the digital sub-array gear shaft system on the same side through gear meshing (active side), then drives the driven-side digital sub-array gear shaft system through the synchronous belt, and then drives the driven-side analog sub-array gear shaft system to move through gear meshing (driven side). When installing the digital sub-array, the driven-side digital sub-array gear shaft system is directly driven to move synchronously through the synchronous belt. Although the analog sub-array gear shaft system is also driven due to gear meshing, it will not affect the analog sub-array. In this embodiment, the sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism is provided with a plurality of tension wheels 108 for adjusting the tension of the synchronous belt 106.

[0047] As Figure 2 shown, the digital sub-array gear shaft system 102 and the analog sub-array gear shaft system 103 cooperate to achieve motion transmission between the digital sub-array gear shaft system and the analog sub-array gear shaft system. The digital sub-array gear shaft system 102 is composed of a digital sub-array gear shaft 116, a rolling bearing 111, a digital sub-array gear 118, a socket screw 113, and a washer 114. The analog sub-array gear shaft system 103 is composed of an analog sub-array gear shaft 110, a rolling bearing 111, an analog sub-array gear 112, a socket screw 113, and a washer 114. The upper side of the rolling bearing 111 contacts the gear clamp 101, and its upward movement is restricted by the gear clamp 101; the lower side of the rolling bearing 111 contacts the mounting plate 105, and its downward movement is restricted by the mounting plate 105. The socket screw 113 and the washer 114 are threadedly connected to the lower parts of the analog sub-array gear shaft 110 and the digital sub-array gear shaft 116 to restrict the axial free movement of the digital sub-array hexagon socket 115 and the analog sub-array hexagon socket 117. The digital sub-array gear shaft system 102 and the analog sub-array gear shaft system 103 are in meshing transmission through the digital sub-array gear 118 and the analog sub-array gear 112, and the gear shaft systems on both sides are driven by the synchronous belt 106.

[0048] Preferably, a number of weight-reducing holes 119 and / or weight-reducing grooves 120 are reasonably provided on the stiffness reinforcement plate 107, which can achieve lightweight and reduce the labor intensity of workers during the installation of the analog sub-array 2 or the digital sub-array 3. Further, the stiffness reinforcement plate 107 is made of non-metallic carbon fiber material to improve the lightweight level of the assembly mechanism.

[0049] Preferably, a handle 104 is provided on the stiffness reinforcement plate 107 to facilitate better operation of the sub-array and the assembly mechanism when disassembling and assembling the sub-array. The weight-reducing groove 120 can be provided below the stiffness reinforcement plate 107, and both hands can be easily applied force through the handle 104 or the weight-reducing groove 120, which is convenient for sub-array installation.

[0050] The process of assembling the analog sub-array 2 through the synchronous assembly mechanism 1 is as Figures 4 - 7 shown. First, attach the lower surface of the stiffness reinforcement plate 107 to the upper surface of the analog sub-array skeleton 203, and fix the stiffness reinforcement plate 107 in the synchronous assembly mechanism to the analog sub-array skeleton 202 through the stiffness reinforcement plate mounting screw 109, and ensure reliable cooperation between the two analog sub-array hexagon sockets 117 in the synchronous assembly mechanism 1 and the mounting screws 201 on both sides of the analog sub-array 2; hold the handle 104 with both hands and push the analog sub-array 2 along the installation guide rail into the corresponding position; then drive the rotation of the active-side analog sub-array gear shaft system 103 through the hexagon wrench 4, and then drive the rotation of the digital sub-array gear shaft system 102, the synchronous belt 106 and the passive-side analog sub-array gear shaft system through the meshing movement between the analog sub-array gear 112 and the digital sub-array gear 118. The mounting screws (201) on both sides of the analog sub-array are synchronously tightened by the analog sub-array hexagon socket 117, so as to realize the synchronous screwing-in of the mounting screws 201 on both sides of the analog sub-array 2, and further realize the synchronous insertion of the high-frequency and low-frequency connectors on the analog sub-array 2; the disassembly process of the analog sub-array 2 is opposite to this.

[0051] The process of assembling the digital sub-array 3 through the synchronous assembly mechanism 1 is as Figures 8 - 11As shown. First, loosen the socket screw 113 on the analog sub-array gear shafting 103, and remove the socket screw 113, washer 114, and analog sub-array hexagon socket 117 to avoid interference with the digital sub-array 3. Then, first, fit the digital sub-array hexagon socket 115 on the digital sub-array gear shafting 102 on both sides of the synchronous assembly mechanism 1 with the mounting screw 301 on the digital sub-array 3, make the lower surface of the stiffness reinforcement plate 107 fit with the upper surface of the digital sub-array skeleton 304, and fixedly connect the stiffness reinforcement plate 107 and the digital sub-array skeleton 303 with the stiffness reinforcement plate mounting screw 109; then drive the digital sub-array gear shafting 102 on the active side to rotate through the hexagon wrench 4, and then the movement is transmitted to the digital sub-array gear shafting 102 on the driven side to rotate through the digital sub-array gear 118 and synchronous belt 106. The digital sub-array hexagon socket 115 drives the synchronous screwing-in of the mounting screws 301 arranged diagonally on both sides of the digital sub-array 3, and then tighten the non-loosening screws 302 arranged diagonally on the other side of the digital sub-array 3 through the hexagon wrench 4, and finally realize the synchronous insertion of the high-frequency and low-frequency connectors on the digital sub-array 3; the disassembly process of the digital sub-array 3 is the opposite of this.

[0052] The sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention includes two groups of interfaces, namely the digital sub-array gear shafting and the analog sub-array gear shafting, which can disassemble and assemble the digital sub-array and the analog sub-array without replacing the assembly mechanism. The synchronous belt ensures the synchronous movement of the digital sub-array gear shafting and the analog sub-array gear shafting on both the left and right sides, realizes the synchronous assembly of hundreds of high-frequency connectors, low-frequency connectors, and water joints between the analog sub-array and the antenna unit, so that all connectors can be assembled in the same posture; in addition, it also ensures the synchronous blind plug interconnection of nearly a hundred pairs of high-frequency and low-frequency connectors between the digital sub-array and the analog sub-array. Through gear linkage, the synchronous movement of the digital sub-array shafting is transmitted to the analog sub-array shafting.

[0053] The synchronous assembly mechanism of the present invention is convenient to operate and reliable in precision, significantly improving the general assembly and maintenance efficiency of large phased array high-integration radars; the supporting stiffness reinforcement plate enhances the structural stiffness of the large aspect ratio thin and light analog sub-array 2, making the disassembly and assembly of the analog sub-array 2 have good safety, high precision, and reliability.

[0054] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, the embodiments are not used to limit the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention also belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the content defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism, characterized in that It includes a gear clamping plate, a digital sub-array gear shaft system, an analog sub-array gear shaft system, a mounting plate, a synchronous belt, a stiffness reinforcement plate, a digital sub-array hex socket and an analog sub-array hex socket; The analog sub-array gear shaft system includes analog sub-array gear shafts distributed at both ends of the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism and analog sub-array gears on the analog sub-array gear shafts; The digital sub-array gear shaft system includes digital sub-array gear shafts distributed at both ends of the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism and digital sub-array gears on the digital sub-array gear shafts. The digital sub-array gear shafts are located outside the analog sub-array gear shafts, and the digital sub-array gears mesh with the analog sub-array gears; the digital sub-array gear shafts distributed at both ends of the sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism are driven by the synchronous belt; The analog sub-array gear shafts and the digital sub-array gear shafts are axially limited by the gear clamping plate and the mounting plate; The stiffness reinforcement plate is attached to the sub-array to be assembled and fixed by stiffness reinforcement plate mounting screws; The analog sub-array hex socket is detachably mounted on the analog sub-array gear shaft and is used to sleeve on the mounting screws of the lower analog sub-array to tighten or loosen them. The digital sub-array hex socket is detachably mounted on the digital sub-array gear shaft and is used to sleeve on the mounting screws of the lower digital sub-array to tighten or loosen them.

2. The sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The digital sub-array gear shaft system includes digital sub-array gear shafts, rolling bearings, digital sub-array gears, socket head cap screws, washers; The analog sub-array gear shaft system includes analog sub-array gear shafts, rolling bearings, analog sub-array gears, socket head cap screws, washers.

3. The sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper side of the rolling bearing contacts the gear clamping plate, and the upward movement of the rolling bearing is restricted by the gear clamping plate; the lower side of the rolling bearing contacts the mounting plate, and the downward movement of the rolling bearing is restricted by the mounting plate.

4. The sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The socket head cap screws and washers are threadedly connected to the lower parts of the analog sub-array gear shafts and the digital sub-array gear shafts to restrict the axial free movement of the digital sub-array hex socket and the analog sub-array hex socket.

5. The sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that The stiffness reinforcement plate is provided with a number of weight reduction holes and / or weight reduction grooves.

6. The sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that The stiffness reinforcement plate is provided with a number of weight reduction grooves.

7. The sub-array synchronization assembly mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The weight reduction grooves are below the stiffness reinforcement plate.

8. The sub-array synchronous assembly mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The stiffness reinforcement plate is provided with a number of handles.

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