Unfolding support structure and inflatable spherical array antenna system using the same

Abstract

The application discloses a deployment support structure and an inflatable spherical array antenna system using the same. The deployment support structure comprises a plurality of deployment and retraction modules arranged in a central symmetry. The deployment and retraction modules are used for supporting a spherical body and providing structural rigidity for the spherical body after being deployed. The inflatable spherical array antenna system comprises a base, a deployment support structure and an inflatable spherical body arranged above the base. The deployment support structure is used for supporting the inflated inflatable spherical body. The inflated inflatable spherical body is in a spherical structure. A waistband and an array antenna are arranged at the equator of the spherical body of the inflatable spherical body. The array antenna is arranged inside the inflatable spherical body. The waistband and the array antenna are coaxially arranged and fixed. A buoy is arranged at the bottom of the base. The array antenna is in the form of an array antenna, and automatic deployment is realized. The application has the characteristics of low cost, light weight, large storage ratio and easy deployment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of deployable antenna, and particularly relates to a deployment support structure and an inflatable spherical array antenna system using the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Array antennas are widely used in communication, detection and other fields. Considering the existing carrying mode, the array antenna is often required to be designed to be deployable. The structural form of the array antenna mainly includes rigid array, flexible film array and curved surface conformal array. Considering the requirement of deployable design, thick plate folding, inflation and other deployment methods are often used. Compared with the rigid folding deployment method, the inflatable deployable antenna has the advantages of light weight, portability, rapid inflation and deployment, good folding storage performance and the like.

[0003] CN102110867A discloses a spherical ground surface inflatable antenna, and a feed source part is placed outside the antenna; CN102842768A discloses a ground antenna reflector based on an inflatable ring and application thereof, and an inflatable ring structure is used; and the American GATR company discloses a ground inflatable antenna, and a parabolic reflector and an external feed source structure are used.

[0004] The prior art represented by the above scheme cannot realize automatic deployment and needs artificial assistance for deployment. Moreover, the reflector is used as the internal functional surface of the inflatable ball, and the functions of beam scanning and tracking cannot be realized, so it is difficult to be applied to the field of detection. SUMMARY

[0005] In order to overcome the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present application is to provide a deployment support structure and an inflatable spherical array antenna system using the same, which realizes automatic deployment in the form of an array antenna. The present application has the characteristics of low cost, light weight, large storage ratio and easy deployment.

[0006] In order to realize the above purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0007] The deployment support structure comprises a plurality of center-symmetrically distributed deployment and storage modules, which are used to support the ball and provide structural rigidity for the ball after being deployed. Each of the deployment and storage modules comprises a root rod 21, an intermediate rod 22, an end rod 23, an assembly disc 24, a hinge 25 and a spherical hinge 26.

[0008] The root rod 21, the middle rod 22 and the end rod 23 are cylindrical straight rods and are arranged symmetrically left and right, one end of the root rod 21 arranged symmetrically left and right is hinged to a pair of grooves on the circumference of the mounting disc of the base 1 through a hinge 25, the other end of the root rod 21 is connected to one end of the end rod 23 through the middle rod 22, the root rod 21, the middle rod 22 and the end rod 23 are hinged through the hinge 25, the assembly disc 24 and the other end of the end rod 23 are hinged through the ball hinge 26, the root rod 21 rotates around the hinge 25, the middle rod 22 rotates around the hinge 25, the end rod 23 rotates around the hinge 25, the assembly disc 24 rotates around the ball hinge 26, and the unfolding of the unfolding support mechanism 2 is completed; the unfolding and folding module corresponds to the grooves of the mounting disc.

[0009] The base 1 is a fixed component, the unfolding support mechanism 2 is connected to the mounting disc of the base 1 through a hinge; a receiving box 6 is arranged on the circumference of the mounting disc.

[0010] The receiving box 6 comprises a bottom plate 61, side plates 62 and a top plate 63, wherein the bottom plate 61 is fixedly installed on the circumference of the lower mounting disc of the base 1; the bottom plate 61 is a square structure, the side plates 62 are hinged to the four sides of the bottom plate 61 through hinges, and the top plates 63 are hinged to the top parts of the side plates 62 arranged oppositely through hinges; the side plates 62 and the top plates 63 rotate around the hinges therein to unfold and fold; the receiving box 6 is used for folding the unfolded unfolding support mechanism 2 and the inflatable ball 3.

[0011] The side plates 62 are solar panels.

[0012] The ball body of the inflatable ball 3 is surrounded by a plurality of ball petals 31, the ball petals 31 are cut and spliced from the outer cover material of the inflatable ball 3, can be inflated and expanded when unfolded, and can be folded when folded; the waistband 4 is fixedly installed at the connection between the antenna array surface of the array antenna 5 and the ball body of the inflatable ball 3, the connection is located at the equator of the ball body, the waistband 4 has small deformation during inflation, and can effectively prevent the deformation of the increase of the aperture of the antenna array surface.

[0013] The antenna array surface of the array antenna 5 is a flexible planar shape, which is formed under the action of the pressure difference and gravity of the inflatable ball 3.

[0014] The float 7 comprises a boss 71 and an anchor 72, the boss 71 is composed of two layers, the upper layer of the boss 71 is large, the lower layer is small, a flange hole is formed on the surface of the upper layer, and the lower layer is tightly connected with the lower layer of the base 1; the anchor 72 is fixedly installed at the center of the lower layer of the boss 71, and is used for fixing the float at sea.

[0015] An inflatable spherical array antenna system comprises a base 1, an unfolding support mechanism 2 and an inflatable ball 3 installed above the base 1;

[0016] The unfolding support mechanism 2 is used to support the inflated balloon 3;

[0017] The inflated balloon 3 is a spherical structure, a waistband 4 and an array antenna 5 are installed at the equator of the spherical balloon 3, the array antenna 5 is located inside the inflated balloon 3, and the waistband 4 and the array antenna 5 are coaxially fixedly installed; the bottom of the base 1 is provided with a float 7.

[0018] The base 1 is a boss shape, divided into upper and lower two layers, the upper layer is used to place objects, and the lower layer is a mounting disc, three pairs of six grooves are opened on the outer side of the upper layer, the center part of the base 1 is hollowed out, the center hollow part is provided with the inflated balloon 3, and the mounting disc is fixedly connected with the float 7. Three pairs of unfolding and folding modules correspond to three pairs of grooves of the mounting disc.

[0019] The inflated balloon array antenna system and the unfolding support mechanism thereof are used for marine communication and detection.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present application are:

[0021] The unfolding support mechanism of the present application is a three-fold design, the folding rod is divided into a root rod, an intermediate rod and an end rod, the mechanism is used to support the inflated balloon, and the array antenna is located inside the inflated balloon to realize the antenna function.

[0022] When the unfolding support mechanism is unfolded, the inflated balloon is gradually inflated and unfolded, and the unfolding support mechanism gradually moves to an unfolded state to provide structural rigidity for the inflated balloon;

[0023] The side plate of the storage box of the present application is a solar panel, which can not only wrap the antenna system when folded, but also absorb solar energy when unfolded to provide energy for the antenna system. The present application has the characteristics of low cost, light weight, large storage ratio and easy to deploy, and can be applied to marine communication, detection and other application scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a whole structure unfolded state schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a whole structure folded state schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a single unfolding and folding module mechanism schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the inflated balloon structure of the embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a storage box unfolding intermediate state schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 6 Base structure diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 7 Buoy structure diagram of the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 8 Unfolding support mechanism in the folded state of the embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 9 Unfolding support mechanism in the intermediate state of unfolding of the present application.

[0033] Figure 10 Unfolding support mechanism in the unfolded state of the embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Legend of reference signs:

[0035] Base; 2-Unfolding support mechanism; 3-Inflatable balloon; 4-Belt; 5-Array antenna; 6-Storage box; 7-Buoy; 21-Root rod; 22-Middle rod; 23-End rod; 24-Assembly disc; 25-Hinge; 26-Spherical hinge; 31-Spherical petal; 61-Bottom plate; 62-Side plate; 63-Top plate; 71-Turret; 72-Anchors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments.

[0037] Embodiment one

[0038] As Figures 1-10 The present embodiment provides an inflatable balloon array antenna system with an unfolding support mechanism for marine applications, which comprises a base 1, an unfolding support mechanism 2, an inflatable balloon 3, a belt 4, an array antenna 5, a storage box 6, and a buoy 7.

[0039] Specifically, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the present embodiment, the base 1 is a fixed component, which is in the shape of a turret and is divided into two layers, the upper layer for placing objects such as the inflatable balloon 3, and the lower layer for mounting a disc with three pairs of six grooves for mounting hinges, and the center part is hollowed out. The unfolding support mechanism 2 is connected to the mounting disc of the base 1 through hinges, the inflatable balloon 3 is placed in the hollowed-out center of the base 1, the belt 4 and the array antenna 5 are coaxially fixedly installed at the equator of the spherical body of the inflatable balloon 3, the storage box 6 is fixedly installed on the circumference of the mounting disc of the lower layer of the base 1, and the buoy 7 is fixedly connected below the base 1 and tightly connected with the mounting disc to form the unfolding support mechanism in the inflatable balloon array antenna system and its unfolding support mechanism.

[0040] Please see again Figure 1 、 Figure 2 When the antenna is unfolded, the four sides and the top of the storage box 6 are unfolded first, the three pairs of unfolding and folding modules of the unfolding support mechanism 2 are unfolded in turn after the storage box 6 is unfolded, the inflatable ball 3, the waist belt 4 and the array antenna 5 start to inflate and unfold after the unfolding support mechanism 2 is unfolded to the right position, and the inflatable ball 3, the waist belt 4 and the array antenna 5 are fully unfolded.

[0041] Further, the unfolding support mechanism 2 of the embodiment includes a root rod 21, an intermediate rod 22, an end rod 23, an assembly disc 24, a hinge 25 and a ball hinge 26.

[0042] Specifically, please see Figure 3 The root rod 21, the intermediate rod 22 and the end rod 23 in the unfolding support mechanism 2 of the embodiment are all cylindrical straight rods, the root rod 21 is hinged to the groove on the circumference of the mounting disc of the base 1 through the hinge 25, the root rod 21, the intermediate rod 22 and the end rod 23 are hinged through the hinge 25, the assembly disc 24 and the end rod 23 are hinged through the ball hinge 26, the root rod 21 rotates around the hinge 25, the intermediate rod 22 rotates around the hinge 25, the end rod 23 rotates around the hinge 25, and the assembly disc 24 rotates around the ball hinge 26, thereby completing the unfolding of the unfolding support mechanism 2.

[0043] Further, the inflatable ball 3 of the embodiment includes a ball petal 31, a waist belt 4 and an array antenna 5.

[0044] Specifically, please see Figure 4 The ball petal 31 in the inflatable ball 3 of the embodiment is cut and spliced from the outer cover material of the inflatable ball 3, can inflate and expand when unfolded, and can be folded when folded, the waist belt 4 is fixedly installed at the connection between the antenna array surface of the array antenna 5 and the ball body of the inflatable ball 3, the connection is located at the equator of the ball body, the waist belt 4 has small deformation during inflation, can effectively prevent the deformation of the increase of the aperture of the antenna array surface, and the antenna array surface of the array antenna 5 is in a flexible planar shape and is shaped under the action of the pressure difference between the upper and lower inflatable ball 3 and gravity.

[0045] Further, the storage box 6 of the embodiment includes a bottom plate 61, a side plate 62 and a top plate 63.

[0046] Specifically, please see Figure 5 The bottom plate 61 in the storage box 6 of the embodiment is fixedly installed on the circumference of the lower mounting disc of the base 1, the side plate 62 is hinged to the bottom plate 61 through a hinge, the top plate 63 is hinged to the side plate 62 through a hinge, and the side plate 62 and the top plate 63 rotate around the hinges therein to be unfolded and folded.

[0047] Further, the buoy 7 of the embodiment comprises a boss 71 and an anchor 72.

[0048] Specifically, referring to Figure 7 The boss 71 in the buoy 7 of the embodiment is composed of two layers, the upper layer has a flange hole, and is tightly connected with the lower layer of the base 1, the anchor 72 is fixedly installed at the center of the lower layer of the boss 71, and is used for fixing the buoy at sea.

[0049] The working process of the inflatable spherical array antenna system and the unfolding support mechanism thereof provided by the embodiment is described as follows:

[0050] The inflatable spherical array antenna system and the unfolding support mechanism thereof of the embodiment comprise a base 1, an unfolding support mechanism 2, an inflatable balloon 3, a waistband 4, an array antenna 5, a storage box 6, and a buoy 7. Initially, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 The overall structure of the inflatable spherical array antenna system with the unfolding support mechanism for sea application provided by the embodiment is shown in the folded state. When the antenna is unfolded, the four sides and the top of the storage box 6 are unfolded first, then the three pairs of unfolding modules of the unfolding support mechanism 2 are unfolded, and then the inflatable balloon 3, the waistband 4, and the array antenna 5 are inflated and unfolded, until the inflatable balloon 3, the waistband 4, and the array antenna 5 are completely unfolded, and then the assembly disc 24 of the unfolding support mechanism 2 is assembled with the inflatable balloon 3.

[0051] In summary, the unfolding support mechanism of the embodiment adopts a three-fold design, which is used to support the inflatable balloon, and the array antenna is located inside the inflatable balloon to realize the antenna function. When unfolded, the inflatable balloon is gradually inflated and unfolded, and the unfolding support mechanism is gradually moved to the unfolded state to provide structural stiffness for the inflatable balloon. In addition, the inner side plate of the storage box of the embodiment is a solar panel, which can not only wrap the antenna system for transportation when folded, but also absorb solar energy to provide energy for the antenna system when unfolded. Therefore, the embodiment has the characteristics of low cost, light weight, large storage ratio, and easy to deploy, and can be applied to sea communication, detection, and other application scenarios.

Claims

1. An unfolded support structure, characterized in that, It includes several centrally symmetrically distributed retractable modules. After being unfolded, the retractable modules are used to support the sphere and provide it with structural rigidity. Each retractable module includes a root rod (21), a middle rod (22), an end rod (23), an assembly plate (24), a hinge (25), and a ball hinge (26). The root rod (21), intermediate rod (22), and end rod (23) are all cylindrical straight rods and are arranged symmetrically on the left and right. One end of the symmetrically arranged root rod (21) is hinged to a pair of grooves on the circumference of the mounting plate of the base (1) through a hinge (25). The other end of the root rod (21) is connected to one end of the end rod (23) through the intermediate rod (22). The root rod (21), intermediate rod (22), and end rod (23) are hinged together by a hinge (25). The assembly plate (24) is hinged to the other end of the end rod (23) via the ball joint (26). The root rod (21) rotates around the hinge (25), the middle rod (22) rotates around the hinge (25), the end rod (23) rotates around the hinge (25), and the assembly plate (24) rotates around the ball joint (26), thus completing the unfolding of the unfolding support structure (2). The unfolding and retracting module corresponds to the groove of the mounting plate. The unfolding support structure (2) is connected to the mounting plate of the base (1) by a hinge; a storage box (6) is provided on the circumference of the mounting plate. The storage box (6) includes a base plate (61), side plates (62) and a top plate (63). The base plate (61) is fixedly installed on the circumference of the lower mounting plate of the base (1). The base plate (61) is a square structure. The side plates (62) are hinged around the base plate (61) and the top plate (63) is hinged to the top of the pair of opposite side plates (62). The side plates (62) and the top plate (63) rotate around the hinge to unfold and retract. The storage box (6) is used to support the unfolded structure (2) and the inflatable ball (3) after the box is retracted.

2. The unfolding support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side panel (62) is a solar panel.

3. The unfolding support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sphere of the inflatable ball (3) is formed by several spherical petals (31) surrounding it. The spherical petals (31) are cut and spliced ​​from the outer cover material of the inflatable ball (3). When unfolded, it can be inflated and expanded, and when folded, it can be folded. The waist belt (4) is fixedly installed at the connection between the antenna array surface of the array antenna (5) and the sphere of the inflatable ball (3). The connection is located at the equator of the sphere. The waist belt (4) has little deformation during inflation and can effectively prevent the antenna array surface from deforming due to increased aperture.

4. The unfolding support structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The antenna array (5) has a flexible planar shape and is formed under the action of the pressure difference and gravity of the inflatable balloon (3).

5. The unfolding support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with a buoy (7) at its bottom; the buoy (7) includes a boss (71) and an anchor (72). The boss (71) is composed of two layers, with the upper layer being larger and the lower layer being smaller. The upper layer has a flange hole and is tightly connected to the lower layer of the base (1). The anchor (72) is fixedly installed at the center of the lower layer of the boss (71) for fixing the buoy at sea.

6. An inflatable ball-shaped array antenna system, comprising a base (1) and an inflatable ball (3), wherein the inflatable ball (3) houses an array antenna (5), characterized in that, The base (1) is equipped with the unfolding support structure (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, the inflatable ball (3) is disposed on the unfolding support structure (2), and the unfolding support structure (2) supports the inflated ball (3).

7. The inflatable ball-shaped array antenna system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inflatable ball (3) is a spherical structure after being inflated. A belt (4) and an array antenna (5) are installed at the equator of the sphere. The array antenna (5) is located inside the inflatable ball (3). The belt (4) and the array antenna (5) are fixedly installed coaxially.

8. The inflatable ball-shaped array antenna system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base (1) is in the shape of a boss and is divided into two layers. The upper layer is used to place objects and the lower layer is a mounting plate. There are three pairs of grooves with a total of six grooves on the outer side of the upper layer. The center of the base (1) is hollowed out and an inflatable ball (3) is set in the hollowed-out center. A buoy (7) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting plate. The three pairs of extension and retraction modules correspond to the three pairs of grooves of the mounting plate.

Images