Sonar array expansion mechanism

Abstract

The invention discloses a sonar array expansion mechanism, and relates to the technical field of sonar arrays, the expansion mechanism comprises a frame assembly, a transmitting array assembly and a receiving array assembly, the receiving array assembly is a circular tube transducer array, and the receiving array assembly comprises a linear driving mechanism and a plurality of receiving array components; the linear driving mechanism is arranged at the position, close to the top end, in the frame assembly, the multiple receiving array assemblies are distributed on the outer side of the frame assembly in the circumferential direction, and one end of each receiving array assembly is connected with the edge of the top of the frame assembly in a vertical rotating mode. The linear driving mechanism is fixedly connected with a connecting part, and the connecting part can be driven by the linear driving mechanism to move in the axis direction of the frame assembly; and the connecting part is connected with the plurality of receiving array assemblies. The device is simple in structure, reduces the volume ratio of the contraction and expansion mechanism, improves the space utilization rate of the sonar probe, simplifies the transmission relation of the contraction and expansion mechanism, reduces the bending of a signal cable, improves the reliability, and is higher in practicability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of sonar arrays, in particular to a sonar array expansion mechanism. Background Art

[0002] In order to solve the contradiction between array gain and installation physical size, most low-frequency dipping sonars and sonar buoy probes use expandable arrays. The arrays are folded in the transportation and storage state, and expanded in the deployment working state. At present, the receiving array expansion mechanism generally adopts a multi-link mechanism.

[0003] The multi-link mechanism used in the retracted and expanded mechanism occupies a high proportion of the sonar probe volume in the retracted state, especially occupying radial space, and the fragmented space formed inside the expanded array is difficult to effectively utilize; in the expanded state, the aperture of the receiving array is limited by the size of the link mechanism, and the height of the sonar probe cannot be fully utilized. At the same time, the retracted and expanded mechanism adopts a link mechanism transmission form, which has multiple rotating hinge points, large movement friction resistance, and many bends in the signal cable, affecting reliability. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a sonar array expansion mechanism to solve the problems raised in the background technology.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A sonar array expansion mechanism comprises a frame assembly, a transmitting array assembly and a receiving array assembly, wherein the frame assembly is a cylindrical frame structure and the transmitting array assembly is arranged inside the frame assembly, the transmitting array assembly is a fixed array of overflow ring transducers, the receiving array assembly is a circular tube transducer array and the receiving array assembly comprises a linear drive mechanism and a plurality of receiving array assemblies, the linear drive mechanism is arranged in a position close to the top end portion of the frame assembly, a plurality of receiving array assemblies are circumferentially distributed on the outer side of the frame assembly and one end of the receiving array assembly is connected to the top edge of the frame assembly in an up and down rotating manner, a connecting portion is fixedly connected to the linear drive mechanism and the connecting portion can move along the axial direction of the frame assembly under the drive of the linear drive mechanism; the connecting portion is connected to a plurality of receiving array assemblies and can drive the receiving array assembly to rotate around the connection between it and the frame assembly when the connecting portion moves.

[0007] On the basis of the above technical solution, the present invention also provides the following optional technical solution:

[0008] In an optional solution: when the telescopic part of the linear drive mechanism is in a fully extended state, the receiving array assembly is in a retracted state, and when the telescopic part of the linear drive mechanism is in a fully retracted state, the receiving array assembly is in an extended state.

[0009] In an optional scheme: the circumferential wall of the connecting part has a plurality of longitudinal tooth conditions, the receiving array assembly includes a gear arm, an array element, a gear portion and a mounting rod shaft, the mounting rod shaft is rotatably connected to the top of the frame assembly through a support, the gear portion is fixed on the mounting rod shaft and the gear portion and the corresponding tooth condition maintain an involute meshing state, one end of the gear arm is connected to the gear portion, and the array elements are multiple and are arranged on the gear arm in a linearly equidistant manner.

[0010] In an optional solution: the top of the array element is clamped on the gear arm and can be fastened with screws.

[0011] In an optional solution, the transmitting array assembly is a fixed array of overflow ring transducers.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. The array expansion mechanism adopts the gear rack transmission form, which is compact and saves the space of the expansion mechanism, leaving more layout space for the transmitting array and the electronic cabin, and improving the acoustic performance when the total volume of the probe is limited; the array radius in the expanded state is close to the height of the probe, and the array gain is higher

[0014] 2. The expansion mechanism has only one rotating hinge point (gear rotation center), the movement friction resistance is small, the signal cable has only one bending point, the reliability is better, and the expansion angle can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs;

[0015] 3. The present invention has a simple structure, reduces the volume of the receiving and expanding mechanism, improves the space utilization rate of the sonar probe, simplifies the transmission relationship of the receiving and expanding mechanism, reduces the bending of signal cables, improves reliability, and has strong practicality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the expansion mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a receiving array assembly in a folded state in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a receiving array assembly in an extended state in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a receiving array assembly in a horizontal posture in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a receiving array assembly in an embodiment of the present invention in an upward tilt posture.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of a receiving array assembly in a downward tilt posture in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a receiving array assembly in a vertical posture in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Notes on the figure marks: frame assembly 100, transmitting array assembly 200, receiving array assembly 300, linear drive mechanism 310, receiving array assembly 320, gear arm 321, array element 322, gear part 323, mounting rod shaft 324, connecting part 330, gear condition 340. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments; in the drawings or descriptions, similar or identical parts use the same reference numerals, and in practical applications, the shape, thickness or height of each component can be enlarged or reduced. The various embodiments listed in the present invention are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention. Any obvious modifications or changes made to the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0025] In one embodiment, Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, a sonar array expansion mechanism includes a frame assembly 100, a transmitting array assembly 200 and a receiving array assembly 300, wherein the frame assembly 100 is a cylindrical frame structure and the transmitting array assembly 200 is arranged inside the frame assembly 100, the transmitting array assembly 200 is an overflow ring transducer fixed array, the receiving array assembly 300 is a circular tube transducer array and the receiving array assembly 300 includes a linear drive mechanism 310 and a plurality of receiving array assemblies 320, wherein the linear drive mechanism 310 is arranged at a position near the top end of the frame assembly 100, and the plurality of receiving array assemblies 320 are arranged at a position near the top end of the frame assembly 100. The receiving array components 320 are circumferentially distributed on the outer side of the frame assembly 100, and one end of the receiving array component 320 is connected to the top edge of the frame assembly 100 in a manner of up and down rotation. The linear drive mechanism 310 is fixedly connected with a connecting portion 330, and the connecting portion 330 can move along the axis direction of the frame assembly 100 under the drive of the linear drive mechanism 310; the connecting portion 330 is connected to a plurality of receiving array components 320, and the connecting portion 330 can drive the receiving array component 320 to rotate around the connection between it and the frame assembly 100 when moving;

[0026] In the embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly 100 adopts a cylindrical frame structure to increase the support strength of the entire main body, and the connecting portion 330 can move longitudinally under the drive of the linear drive mechanism 310; the connecting portion 330 drives the multiple receiving array components 320 to rotate synchronously during the movement process, so that the receiving array components 320 can be in a horizontal posture, an upward tilt posture, a downward tilt posture and a vertical posture, so that it can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs;

[0027] In one embodiment, Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, when the telescopic part of the linear drive mechanism 310 is in a fully extended state, the receiving array assembly 320 is in a retracted state, and when the telescopic part of the linear drive mechanism 310 is in a fully retracted state, the receiving array assembly 320 is in an extended state.

[0028] In one embodiment, Figure 4-Figure 7 As shown, the circumferential wall of the connecting portion 330 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal tooth conditions 340, the receiving array assembly 320 comprises a gear arm 321, an array element 322, a gear portion 323 and a mounting rod shaft 324, the mounting rod shaft 324 is rotatably connected to the top of the frame assembly 100 through a support, the gear portion 323 is fixed on the mounting rod shaft 324 and the gear portion 323 and the corresponding tooth condition 340 are kept in meshing state according to an involute, one end of the gear arm 321 is connected to the gear portion 323, the array element 322 is a plurality of and is linearly equidistantly arranged. is arranged on the gear arm 321; in the embodiment of the present invention, the gear condition 340 can move with the connecting part 330, and the gear part 323 rotates around the center of the mounting rod shaft 324 through the engagement between the gear condition 340 and the outer wall of the mounting rod shaft 324, and the gear arm 321 rotates with the gear part 323 to achieve a change in posture; wherein, a gear rack mechanism transmission form is adopted, the transmission form is compact, the space occupied by the expansion mechanism is saved, more layout space is reserved for the transmitting array and the electronic cabin, and the acoustic performance is improved when the total volume of the probe is limited.

[0029] In one embodiment, Figure 4-Figure 7 As shown, the top of the array element 322 is stuck on the gear arm 321 and can be screwed; the array element 322 can be removed from the gear arm 321 to facilitate position adjustment and replacement.

[0030] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the linear drive mechanism 310 is an electric telescopic rod or a linear motor.

[0031] The above is only a specific implementation of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure, which should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sonar array expansion mechanism, comprising a frame assembly, a transmitting array assembly and a receiving array assembly, characterized in that: The frame assembly is a cylindrical structure and the transmitting array assembly is arranged inside the frame assembly, the receiving array assembly is a circular tube transducer array and the receiving array assembly includes a linear drive mechanism and a plurality of receiving array components, the linear drive mechanism is arranged in a position close to the top end of the frame assembly, the plurality of receiving array components are circumferentially distributed on the outer side of the frame assembly and one end of the receiving array component is connected to the top edge of the frame assembly in a manner of rotating up and down, a connecting portion is fixedly connected to the linear drive mechanism and the connecting portion can move along the axis direction of the frame assembly under the drive of the linear drive mechanism; the connecting portion is connected to the plurality of receiving array components and can drive the receiving array component to rotate around the connection between it and the frame assembly when moving.

2. The sonar array expansion mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the telescopic part of the linear drive mechanism is in a fully extended state, the receiving array assembly is in a retracted state, and when the telescopic part of the linear drive mechanism is in a fully retracted state, the receiving array assembly is in an extended state.

3. The sonar array expansion mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circumferential wall of the connecting portion is provided with a plurality of longitudinal tooth conditions, and the receiving array assembly comprises a gear arm, an array element, a gear portion and a mounting rod shaft, the mounting rod shaft being rotatably connected to the top of the frame assembly via a support, the gear portion being fixed on the mounting rod shaft and the gear portion and the corresponding tooth condition being kept in meshing state according to an involute, one end portion of the gear arm being connected to the gear portion, and the array elements being multiple and being arranged on the gear arm in a linearly equidistant manner.

4. The sonar array expansion mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top of the array element is clamped on the gear arm and can be fastened with screws.

5. The sonar array expansion mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmitting array assembly is an overflow ring transducer fixed array.

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