Folding joint for antenna

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding joint for an antenna, and belongs to the technical field of antennas. The folding chair comprises a seat plate, a folding rod and a middle supporting seat, the number of the seat plates and the number of the folding rods are both two, the seat plates and the folding rods are in one-to-one correspondence, and one end of each folding rod is connected to one side face of the corresponding seat plate; the two ends of the middle supporting base are hinged to the two folding rods respectively, and the hinged positions of the folding rods are located at the intersection point of the fourth folding rod and the third folding rod. An SMA memory alloy spring and an SMA memory alloy plate which are connected with the two seat plates are arranged between the two seat plates; the two ends of the SMA memory alloy spring are connected with the corresponding seat plates respectively, and the two ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are hinged to the two seat plates respectively. The SMA memory alloy spring and the SMA memory alloy plate are located below the middle supporting base. The log-periodic antenna can be folded and unfolded by adopting a novel shape memory alloy material, so that the log-periodic antenna is smaller and more portable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a folding joint for an antenna. Background Art

[0002] At present, logarithmic periodic antennas are often used in a new reconnaissance and early warning method of vehicle + multi-rotor UAV. The ground mobile vehicle arrives at the designated location, the antenna is fixed on the multi-rotor UAV, the multi-rotor UAV carries the antenna into the air, and the antenna is connected to the communication terminal of the ground vehicle through a cable for direct signal transmission. When the multi-rotor UAV reaches a suitable height, the antenna starts working.

[0003] However, the traditional log-periodic antenna in the same frequency band has certain defects: when the operating frequency of the antenna is 27-110Hz, the length of the antenna is about 5 meters, the weight is heavy, and the energy consumption is high; the traditional retraction and extension mechanism design is mostly driven by motors or electric cylinders, which increases the weight of the antenna itself, resulting in the antenna weight not meeting the UAV load requirements. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a folding joint for an antenna in view of the defects and shortcomings of the prior art. The folding joint adopts a new shape memory alloy material for folding and unfolding, so as to make the log-periodic antenna more compact and portable.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A folding joint for an antenna, comprising a seat plate, a folding rod and an intermediate support seat; the seat plate and the folding rod are each provided with two, and the seat plate and the folding rod correspond to each other one by one, and one end of the folding rod is connected to one side surface of the corresponding seat plate;

[0007] The folding rod comprises four folding rods, folding rods, folding rods and folding rods connected in sequence; the folding rod and the folding rod are perpendicular to each other, the folding rod and the folding rod are parallel to each other, the folding rod and the folding rod are located on the same side of the folding rod, and the folding rod is an oblique rod;

[0008] Two folding rods are hinged at both ends of the intermediate support seat, and the hinged positions of the folding rods are located at the intersection of the folding four rods and the folding three rods;

[0009] An SMA memory alloy spring and an SMA memory alloy plate connected thereto are also provided between the two seat plates; both ends of the SMA memory alloy spring are respectively connected to the corresponding seat plates, and both ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are respectively hinged on the two seat plates.

[0010] The SMA memory alloy spring and the SMA memory alloy plate are located below the middle support seat.

[0011] Furthermore, a locking blind hole and a spring action groove are provided on the intermediate support seat; the locking blind hole is located in the middle of the spring action groove and passes through the top wall of the intermediate support seat, and the central axes of the locking blind hole and the spring action groove are perpendicular to each other;

[0012] A spring constraint rod is provided in the spring action groove and coincides with the central axis thereof; two SMA memory springs and a slider are mounted on the spring constraint rod; a release groove is provided on the slider, and a locking groove corresponding to the release groove is provided on one side of the folding rod;

[0013] In the unfolded state, the second folding rod is located at the top of the middle support seat, the first folding rod is located in the locking blind hole, and the release groove deviates from the locking groove of the first folding rod to achieve locking; under the condition that the release groove and the locking groove are facing each other, the first folding rod of the folding rod can be disengaged from the locking blind hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the angles formed by the folding-three rods, the folding-two rods and the folding-four rods are all obtuse angles.

[0015] Furthermore, the intermediate support seat comprises a support seat body and a support seat cover; the support seat body and the support seat cover form a closed space; the SMA memory spring and the slider are both located in the closed space;

[0016] The minimum distance between the center axis of the locking blind hole and the center axis of the spring action groove is greater than zero.

[0017] Furthermore, in the unfolded state, there is a distance between the two folding rods to facilitate the folding rods to be disengaged.

[0018] Furthermore, the length of the SMA memory alloy plate is greater than the spacing between the two seat plates, and the SMA memory alloy plate located between the two seat plates forms an arc-shaped plate, and the concave surface of the arc-shaped plate faces the middle support seat; through holes are provided at both ends of the SMA memory alloy plate; and both ends of the SMA memory alloy spring pass through the corresponding through holes and are connected to the seat plate on the side where they are located.

[0019] Furthermore, one end of the SMA memory spring is against the inner wall of the support seat, and the other end is connected to the slider.

[0020] Furthermore, one of the two SMA memory springs may be replaced by a compression spring.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] This device uses a new shape memory alloy material for retractable key design to achieve the design and manufacture of an ultra-light new retractable log-periodic antenna structure, which can be 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lighter than the current retractable log-periodic antenna in the same frequency band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is an overall structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the internal structure (the folding rod and the support seat cover are both transparent for easy viewing);

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a slider mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the unlocking direction of the slider in the unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the folding process of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention in a collection state;

[0029] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the movement direction of the slider and the SMA memory alloy spring in the stowed state of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the locking direction of the slider in the unfolded state of the present invention.

[0031] In the figure: 30-1, folding rod, 30-2, middle supporting seat, 30-3, seat plate, 30-4, SMA memory alloy spring, 30-5, SMA memory alloy plate (or called "thin plate"), 30-6, SMA memory spring, 30-7, slider, 30-8, SMA memory spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] 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 embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0033] The key technology of the retractable antenna is to use the antagonistically configured large deformation shape memory alloy functional elements (SMA memory alloy plate + SMA memory alloy spring) to realize the antenna retraction and extension, without adding additional driving mechanisms, to ensure that the antenna weight can meet the unmanned load requirements. The two shape memory alloy elements interact in an antagonistic manner. By heating the SMA memory alloy spring joint and pulling it down, the SMA memory alloy spring joint restores its original shape and the tension generated is greater than the support force of the SMA memory alloy plate. The two interact to generate an inward pulling force, and the antenna is retracted; conversely, by heating the SMA memory alloy plate joint, the SMA memory alloy plate returns to its original shape, and the inference generated is greater than the tension of the SMA memory alloy spring. The two interact to generate an outward thrust, and the antenna is unfolded, thereby realizing the retractable and extendable function of the antenna. The driving of the antagonistic shape memory alloy structural joint mainly lies in the antagonistic interaction of the two shape memory alloy elements.

[0034] After the circumferential antenna is unfolded or folded, since the shape memory alloy has low strength at room temperature, a special locking mechanism needs to be designed to ensure the state of the antenna's movable joints.

[0035] The linear motion of the slider is achieved by the antagonistic effect of the ordinary spring and the shape memory spring (SMA memory spring). The key lies in the matching design of the ordinary spring and the shape memory alloy. During the heating process of the shape memory alloy spring - the austenite phase transformation (also known as the reverse martensite phase transformation), the tension increases, driving the ordinary tension spring to stretch; after cooling, the tension spring drives the shape memory alloy tension to decrease, and the ordinary spring drives the memory alloy spring to reset. The focus of this process is the coupling of the two forces. By constructing the constitutive model of the ordinary carbon steel spring and the shape memory alloy spring, modeling simulation optimization is carried out to determine the parameters of the final shape memory alloy spring (pitch, number of turns, wire diameter).

[0036] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , this embodiment includes a seat plate, a folding rod and an intermediate support seat; the seat plate and the folding rod are each provided with two, and the seat plate and the folding rod correspond to each other one by one, and one end of the folding rod is connected to one side surface of the corresponding seat plate;

[0037] The folding rod comprises four folding rods, folding rods, folding rods and folding rods connected in sequence; the folding rod and the folding rod are perpendicular to each other, the folding rod and the folding rod are parallel to each other, the folding rod and the folding rod are located on the same side of the folding rod, and the folding rod is an oblique rod; Figure 1 The folding rod on the left side is divided into four folding rods, three folding rods, two folding rods and one folding rod from left to right;

[0038] Two folding rods are hinged at both ends of the intermediate support seat, and the hinged positions of the folding rods are located at the intersection of the folding four rods and the folding three rods;

[0039] An SMA memory alloy spring and an SMA memory alloy plate connected thereto are also provided between the two seat plates; both ends of the SMA memory alloy spring are respectively connected to the corresponding seat plates, and both ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are respectively hinged on the two seat plates.

[0040] The SMA memory alloy spring and the SMA memory alloy plate are located below the middle support seat.

[0041] The intermediate support seat is provided with a locking blind hole and a spring action groove; the locking blind hole is located in the middle of the spring action groove and passes through the top wall of the intermediate support seat, and the central axes of the locking blind hole and the spring action groove are perpendicular to each other;

[0042] A spring constraint rod is provided in the spring action groove and coincides with the central axis thereof; two SMA memory springs (or one memory spring + one ordinary spring) and a slider are mounted on the spring constraint rod; a release groove is provided on the slider, and a locking groove corresponding to the release groove is provided on one side of the folding rod;

[0043] In the unfolded state, the second folding rod is located at the top of the middle support seat, the first folding rod is located in the locking blind hole, and the release groove deviates from the locking groove of the first folding rod to achieve locking; under the condition that the release groove and the locking groove are facing each other, the first folding rod of the folding rod can be disengaged from the locking blind hole.

[0044] The angles formed by the folding-three rod, the folding-two rod and the folding-four rod are all obtuse angles.

[0045] The intermediate support seat comprises a support seat body and a support seat cover plate; the support seat body and the support seat cover plate form a closed space; the SMA memory spring and the slider are both located in the closed space;

[0046] The minimum distance between the center axis of the locking blind hole and the center axis of the spring action groove is greater than zero.

[0047] In the unfolded state, there is a distance between the folding rods of the two folding rods to facilitate the folding rods to be pulled out.

[0048] The length of the SMA memory alloy plate is greater than the spacing between the two seat plates. The SMA memory alloy plate located between the two seat plates forms an arc-shaped plate, and the concave surface of the arc-shaped plate faces the middle support seat; through holes are provided at both ends of the SMA memory alloy plate; both ends of the SMA memory alloy spring pass through the corresponding through holes and are connected to the seat plate on the side where they are located.

[0049] One end of the SMA memory spring is against the inner wall of the support seat, and the other end is connected to the slider.

[0050] One of the two SMA memory springs can be replaced by a compression spring.

[0051] Reference Figures 4 to 8The process of expanding the collection in this embodiment is as follows:

[0052] In the expanded state, the structure is as follows Figure 4 As shown, when the folding and storage is required, the circuit controls the SMA memory spring on the left to extend and push the slider to the right. The slider moves to the right to the corresponding position, that is, the release slot on the slider coincides with the locking blind hole on the middle support seat, and the folding rod can be removed.

[0053] The circuit controls the SMA memory alloy spring at the bottom to shorten and gather toward the middle, and the opening force of the SMA memory alloy plate becomes smaller; it drives the hinge axis of the seat plate extension folding rod and the middle support seat to rotate, and further drives the folding rod to rotate, so that the folding rod is disengaged from the locking blind hole; during this movement, the SMA memory spring on the left is powered off, the elastic force of the compression spring on the right is greater than the SMA memory spring on the left, and the slider moves to the left. For details, refer to Figure 5 ;

[0054] In this embodiment, the two seat plates are located in the same plane and reach the limit position, realizing the folded and stored state.

[0055] When it is necessary to unfold, the circuit controls the SMA memory spring on the left to extend, pushing the slider to the right. The slider moves to the right to the corresponding position, that is, the release slot on the slider coincides with the locking blind hole on the middle support seat, which is the release space for the folding rod to enter. Figure 6 During this process, the circuit controls the SMA memory alloy spring at the bottom to extend, and the force of the SMA memory alloy plate opening increases; the seat plate rotates and drives the folding rod to rotate, and the folded rod enters the locking blind hole. For details, refer to Figure 7 ;

[0056] After folding one rod into the locking blind hole, the SMA memory spring on the left is powered off, the elastic force of the compression spring on the right is greater than the SMA memory spring on the left, and the slider moves left to achieve locking. For details, refer to Figure 8 .

[0057] It should be noted that the above description is only a preferred application example of the present invention and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any technical solution using equivalent replacement or equivalent transformation is within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A folding joint for an antenna, characterized in that: It includes a seat plate, a folding rod and an intermediate support seat; the seat plates and the folding rods are provided with two each, and the seat plates and the folding rods correspond to each other one by one, and one end of the folding rod is connected to one side surface of the corresponding seat plate; The folding rod comprises four folding rods, folding rods, folding rods and folding rods connected in sequence; the folding rod and the folding rod are perpendicular to each other, the folding rod and the folding rod are parallel to each other, the folding rod and the folding rod are located on the same side of the folding rod, and the folding rod is an oblique rod; Two folding rods are hinged at both ends of the intermediate support seat, and the hinged positions of the folding rods are located at the intersection of the folding four rods and the folding three rods; An SMA memory alloy spring and an SMA memory alloy plate connected thereto are also provided between the two seat plates; both ends of the SMA memory alloy spring are respectively connected to the corresponding seat plates, and both ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are respectively hinged on the two seat plates. The SMA memory alloy spring and the SMA memory alloy plate are located below the middle support seat.

2. A folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate support seat is provided with a locking blind hole and a spring action groove; the locking blind hole is located in the middle of the spring action groove and passes through the top wall of the intermediate support seat, and the central axes of the locking blind hole and the spring action groove are perpendicular to each other; A spring constraint rod is provided in the spring action groove and coincides with the central axis thereof; two SMA memory springs and a slider are mounted on the spring constraint rod; a release groove is provided on the slider, and a locking groove corresponding to the release groove is provided on one side of the folding rod; In the unfolded state, the second folding rod is located at the top of the middle support seat, the first folding rod is located in the locking blind hole, and the release groove deviates from the locking groove of the first folding rod to achieve locking; under the condition that the release groove and the locking groove are facing each other, the first folding rod of the folding rod can be disengaged from the locking blind hole.

3. The folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angles formed by the folding-three rod, the folding-two rod and the folding-four rod are all obtuse angles.

4. The folding joint for an antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: The intermediate support seat comprises a support seat body and a support seat cover plate; the support seat body and the support seat cover plate form a closed space; the SMA memory spring and the slider are both located in the closed space; The minimum distance between the center axis of the locking blind hole and the center axis of the spring action groove is greater than zero.

5. The folding joint for an antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the unfolded state, there is a distance between the folding rods of the two folding rods to facilitate the folding rods to be pulled out.

6. The folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the SMA memory alloy plate is greater than the spacing between the two seat plates. The SMA memory alloy plate located between the two seat plates forms an arc-shaped plate, and the concave surface of the arc-shaped plate faces the middle support seat; through holes are provided at both ends of the SMA memory alloy plate; both ends of the SMA memory alloy spring pass through the corresponding through holes and are connected to the seat plate on the side where they are located.

7. The folding joint for an antenna according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the SMA memory spring is against the inner wall of the support seat, and the other end is connected to the slider.

8. The folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the two SMA memory springs can be replaced by a compression spring.

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