A side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism

Abstract

The application discloses a side edge folding type planar array antenna unfolding mechanism, which comprises an unfolding mechanism connected to one side of the bottom of a star body 1, is used for supporting an antenna panel and providing structural rigidity for the antenna panel after unfolding, is symmetrically arranged by two equal triangular prism mechanisms, connects two antenna panels to form an unfolding module, a plurality of the unfolding modules are arranged, and the unfolding mechanism is located outside the antenna panel. Since the unfolding mechanism is symmetrically and parallelly arranged as a whole with respect to the unfolding direction, each rod is folded on both sides of the antenna panel in a folding state, the transverse folding width of the rod after folding is equal to the thickness of the panel, and the thickness space of the side edge antenna panel is reasonably utilized. When the antenna is folded, there is no rod between the antenna panels, so that the gap between the antenna panels can be appropriately reduced, and the folding volume can be further reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of planar array antenna technology, and specifically relates to a side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the development of space-based Earth observation technology, planar antennas, as an important branch of large spaceborne radar antennas, have become increasingly larger and more precise. To ensure their high rigidity and high precision, most planar antennas utilize deployable space-based mechanisms as support structures.

[0003] The United States launched the LLSBR large-size deployable planar array antenna, whose entire deployable element is quadrilateral; CN112736408A disclosed by Harbin Institute of Technology is a modular triangular truss deployable planar antenna mechanism.

[0004] The existing planar array antennas represented by the above scheme have a deployment mechanism in which most of the rods are folded to the back of the antenna panel when the antenna is folded up. This requires that there be a certain large gap between the panels when the antenna is folded up, which results in a large folded volume. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention aims to provide a side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism. Because the deployment mechanism is symmetrically and parallelly arranged about the deployment direction, in the folded state, each member folds to both sides of the antenna panel. After folding, the lateral folding width of the member is equal to the panel thickness, thus making efficient use of the space within the side antenna panel thickness. When the antenna is folded, there are no members between the antenna panels, allowing the gap between them to be appropriately reduced, further minimizing the folded volume.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism includes several deployment mechanisms connected to one side of the bottom of a satellite. Each deployment mechanism, after deployment, supports the antenna panels and provides them with structural rigidity. Each deployment mechanism is composed of two equal and axially parallel triangular prism mechanisms symmetrically arranged. One deployment mechanism connects two antenna panels to form a deployment module. Multiple deployment modules are provided, and the deployment mechanisms are located outside the antenna panels. All antenna panels are arranged on the same plane.

[0008] Each of the triangular prism mechanisms includes two diagonal support rods, two central support rods, and a transverse connecting rod;

[0009] The two central support rods are connected at one end to the connection point of the two antenna panels, and at the other end to both ends of the transverse connecting rod.

[0010] In the deployment module connecting the satellite, one end of each of the two inclined support rods is connected to the connection between the satellite and the antenna panel, and the other end is connected to both ends of the horizontal connecting rod.

[0011] In the deployment module that is not directly connected to the star, the two antenna panels are connected by a hinge, and one end of the slanted folding rod is connected to the hinge connection of two adjacent antenna panels in the two deployment modules.

[0012] The diagonal support rod is connected to the end where the star and the antenna panel meet, and to the end where the middle support rod and the transverse connecting rod meet, respectively, through hinges to achieve rotation and folding.

[0013] In the module connecting the satellite, one end of the diagonal support rod is connected to the connection between the satellite and the antenna panel, and the other end is connected to the connection between the middle support rod and the transverse connecting rod. In the other modules, unlike the former, one end of the diagonal folding rod on the left side of the same module is changed to be connected to the connection between two adjacent antenna panels in the two modules. The end of the diagonal support rod connected to the connection between the satellite and the antenna panel and the end connected to the middle support rod and the transverse connecting rod are respectively connected by hinges to achieve rotational folding. The two diagonal support rods, one transverse connecting rod and two antenna panels are equivalent to two rods connected laterally along the unfolding direction. They are connected by hinges to form a five-bar mechanism on one side, which is symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and the planes on both sides are parallel to each other. The five-bar mechanisms on both sides are connected together by the longitudinal connecting rod connected in the middle of the transverse connecting rod. After folding, they are placed on the outside of the antenna panel.

[0014] The central support rod consists of a pair of folding rods, one long and one short. The two central support rods are connected at the joint by folding hinges, allowing the longer central support rod to fold clockwise and the shorter central support rod to fold counterclockwise by 180° along the left side of the unfolding direction. The folding direction of the two rods on the right side is opposite. One end of the longer central support rod is connected to the connection between the diagonal support rod and the transverse connecting rod by a hinge, and the other end is connected to one end of the shorter central support rod by a folding hinge. In addition to being connected to the longer central support rod, one end of the shorter central support rod is connected to the connection between the two antenna panels in the same module by a hinge, together with one end of another shorter central support rod in the same module. The five-bar mechanism formed by the central support rod and the transverse connecting rod is symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction, and the planes of the two symmetrical five-bar mechanisms are parallel to each other. Finally, when the central support rod is folded, it is located outside the antenna panel.

[0015] A connecting rod is provided between the tops of the two unfolding modules. The connecting rods are connected at the joint by folding hinges to form a pair of linkage mechanisms that enable the left connecting rod to fold clockwise and the right connecting rod to fold counterclockwise by 180°. The two pairs of linkage mechanisms are symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and are parallel to each other. When the unfolding modules are folded, the connecting rod is located outside the antenna panel.

[0016] The multi-bar mechanism, consisting of several links of the deployment mechanism, is located on the outside of the antenna panel when in the retracted state.

[0017] The adjacent unfolding modules are connected by hinges to the corresponding bottom inclined support rods.

[0018] The deployment mechanism is used to support the antenna panel of the planar array antenna.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0020] The deployable mechanism of the present invention is configured with a symmetrical and parallel multi-bar mechanism on both sides and connected by a longitudinal connecting rod to ensure overall rigidity. In addition, when the antenna is in the retracted state, the entire deployable mechanism is located outside the antenna panel, which reduces the gap between the antenna panels and further reduces the retracted volume of the entire antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall unfolding mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall unfolding mechanism in the retracted state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1-Star; 2-Deployment mechanism; 3-Antenna panel; 21-Angled support rod; 22-Middle support rod; 23-Horizontal connecting rod; 24-Inter-module connecting rod; 25-Folding hinge; 26-Longitudinal connecting rod; 27-Hinge. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Example

[0028] like Figures 1-3 This embodiment provides a deployable mechanism for planar antenna applications. The overall structure includes: a star 1, a deployable mechanism 2, and an antenna panel 3.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the antenna panels 3 are folded together by inter-panel hinges.

[0030] Furthermore, the unfolding mechanism 2 in this embodiment includes an inclined support rod 21; a middle support rod 22; a transverse connecting rod 23; an inter-module connecting rod 24; a folding hinge 25; and a longitudinal connecting rod 26.

[0031] Specifically, please see Figure 2 In this embodiment, the unfolding mechanism 2 has an inclined support rod 21 connected to one end of the antenna panel 3 in the same module, and the other end is connected by a transverse connecting rod 23. The five-bar mechanism is symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and the planes are parallel to each other. The five-bar mechanisms on both sides are connected by the longitudinal connecting rod 26. After folding, it is placed on the outside of the antenna panel 3.

[0032] When unfolded, the inclined support rod 21 has one end connected to the connection between the star (1) and the antenna panel in the module connecting the star, and the other end connected to the connection between the middle support rod 22 and the transverse connecting rod 23. In other modules, unlike the former, one end of the inclined folding rod on the left side of the same module is changed to be connected to the connection between two adjacent antenna panels in the two modules. The end of the inclined support rod 21 connected to the connection between the star 1 and the antenna panel and the end connected to the middle support rod 22 and the transverse connecting rod 23 are respectively connected by hinges to achieve rotational folding. The five-bar mechanism composed of two inclined support rods 21, one transverse connecting rod 22 and two antenna panels 3 connected by hinges 27 is symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and the planes on both sides are parallel to each other. The five-bar mechanisms on both sides are connected together by the longitudinal connecting rod 26 connected in the middle position of the transverse connecting rod 22. After folding, it is placed outside the antenna panel.

[0033] The central support rod 22 consists of a pair of folding rods, one long and one short. The two rods are connected at the joint by a folding hinge 25 to achieve a 180° fold. The longer rod of the central support rod is connected to the diagonal support rod 21 and the transverse connecting rod 23, while the shorter rod is connected to the antenna panel via a hinge. The five-bar linkage formed by the central support rod 22 and the transverse connecting rod 23 is symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction, and the planes of the two symmetrical five-bar linkages are parallel to each other. Finally, when the central support rod 22 is folded, it is located outside the antenna panel.

[0034] The two inter-module connecting rods 24 are interlaced at the joint via folding hinges 25, forming a pair of linkage mechanisms that enable 180° folding. The two pairs of linkage mechanisms are symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and are parallel to each other. When the modules are folded, the inter-module connecting rods 24 are located on the outside of the antenna panel. The multi-bar mechanism composed of several connecting rods is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the antenna panel.

[0035] The multi-bar mechanism composed of several connecting rods is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the antenna panel, and the planes in which they are located are parallel to each other, so as to ensure that when the antenna is in the retracted state, each rod is folded to the outside of the antenna.

[0036] The working process of the side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism provided in this embodiment is described as follows:

[0037] This embodiment of a deployable mechanism includes a star 1, a deployment mechanism 2, and an antenna panel 3. Please refer to [previous section]. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the unfolding mechanism of the present invention. In the folded state, each rod is located outside the antenna panel 3. After unfolding, the inter-panel hinge unfolds 180° and locks, and the middle support rod 22 and the inter-module connecting rod 24 unfold 180° and locks through the folding hinge.

[0038] In summary, the design of the deployable mechanism in this embodiment is as follows: the deployable mechanism 2 is composed of a diagonal support rod 21, a middle support rod 22, a transverse connecting rod 23, an inter-module connecting rod 24, and a longitudinal connecting rod 26. When the antenna is in the retracted state, all the above rods are folded to the outside of the antenna panel 3, so as not to occupy too much of the gap between the panels when the antenna panel 3 is retracted, thereby further reducing the retracted volume and saving more usable space.

Claims

1. A side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism, characterized in that, Includes several unfolding mechanisms (2) connected to one side of the bottom of the star (1). Each unfolding mechanism (2) is used to support the antenna panel (3) and provide it with structural rigidity after unfolding. The unfolding mechanism (2) is composed of two equal and axially parallel triangular prism mechanisms arranged symmetrically. One unfolding mechanism (2) connects two antenna panels (3) to form an unfolding module. Multiple unfolding modules are provided. The unfolding mechanism (2) is located outside the antenna panel (3). Each antenna panel (3) is arranged on the same plane; Each of the triangular prism mechanisms includes two diagonal support rods (21), two central support rods (22), and a transverse connecting rod (23). The two intermediate support rods (22) are connected at one end to the connection of the two antenna panels (3) respectively, and at the other end to both ends of the transverse connecting rod (23); In the deployment module connecting the star (1), one end of the two inclined support rods (21) is connected to the connection between the star (1) and the antenna panel (3), and the other end is connected to both ends of the horizontal connecting rod (23); The middle support rod (22) consists of a long and a short pair of folding rods. The two middle support rods are connected at the joint by folding hinges (25), so that the longer middle support rod (22) on the left side of the unfolding direction folds clockwise and the shorter middle support rod (22) folds counterclockwise by 180°. The folding direction of the two rods on the right side is opposite. One end of the longer middle support rod (22) is connected to the joint of the diagonal support rod (21) and the transverse connecting rod (23) by a hinge, and the other end is connected to one end of the shorter middle support rod (22) by a folding hinge. 25) Connected; one end of the short middle support rod (22) is connected to the long middle support rod (22), and the other end is connected to the other end of another short middle support rod (22) in the same module through a hinge at the connection point of the two antenna panels (3) in the same module. The five-bar mechanism formed by the middle support rod (22) and the transverse connecting rod (23) is symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and the planes of the two symmetrical five-bar mechanisms are parallel to each other. Finally, when the middle support rod (22) is in the retracted state, it is located outside the antenna panel (3).

2. The side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the deployment module that is not directly connected to the star (1), the two antenna panels (3) are connected by a hinge, and one end of the inclined support rod (21) is connected to the hinge connection of the two adjacent antenna panels (3) in the two deployment modules.

3. The side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inclined support rod (21) is connected at one end of the connection between the star (1) and the antenna panel (3), and at the other end of the connection between the middle support rod (22) and the transverse connecting rod (23) through hinges to achieve rotational folding.

4. The side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the module connecting the star, one end of the diagonal support rod (21) is connected to the connection between the star (1) and the antenna panel, and the other end is connected to the connection between the middle support rod (22) and the transverse connecting rod (23). In the other modules, unlike the former, one end of the diagonal folding rod on the left side of the same module is changed to be connected to the connection between two adjacent antenna panels (3) in the two modules. The end of the diagonal support rod (21) connected to the connection between the star (1) and the antenna panel (3) and the end connected to the middle support rod (22) and the transverse connecting rod (23) are respectively connected by hinges to achieve rotational folding. The two diagonal support rods (21), one transverse connecting rod (23) and two antenna panels (3) are equivalent to two rods connected laterally along the unfolding direction. They are connected by hinges (27) to form a five-bar mechanism on one side. They are symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and their planes are parallel to each other. The five-bar mechanisms on both sides are connected together by the longitudinal connecting rod (26) connected in the middle position of the transverse connecting rod (23). After folding, they are placed outside the antenna panel (3).

5. The side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A connecting rod (24) is provided between the tops of the two unfolding modules. The connecting rod (24) is connected at the joint by a folding hinge (25) to form a pair of linkage mechanisms that enable the left connecting rod (24) to fold clockwise and the right connecting rod (24) to fold counterclockwise by 180°. The two pairs of linkage mechanisms are symmetrically arranged about the unfolding direction and are parallel to each other. When the connecting rod (24) between the unfolding modules is in the folded state, it is located outside the antenna panel (3).

6. The side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-bar mechanism consisting of several links of the unfolding mechanism (2) is located on the outside of the antenna panel (3) when it is in the retracted state.

7. The side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjacent unfolding modules are connected by hinges to the corresponding bottom inclined support rods (21).

8. The application of the side-folding planar array antenna deployment mechanism according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The unfolding mechanism (2) is used to support the antenna panel (3) of the planar array antenna.

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