A folding joint for an antenna

Abstract

The application relates to a folding joint for an antenna and belongs to the technical field of antennas. The application comprises seat plates, folding rods and intermediate support seats; the seat plates and the folding rods are both provided with two, and the seat plates and the folding rods are one-to-one corresponding, one end of the folding rod is connected to one side of the corresponding seat plate; the two ends of the intermediate support seat are respectively hinged to two folding rods, and the hinged positions of the folding rods are located at the intersection of a folding four-rod and a folding three-rod; SMA memory alloy springs and SMA memory alloy plates connected with the seat plates are further arranged between the two seat plates; the two ends of the SMA memory alloy spring are respectively connected to the corresponding seat plate, and the two ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are respectively hinged to the two seat plates. The SMA memory alloy spring and the SMA memory alloy plate are located below the intermediate support seat. The application adopts a novel shape memory alloy material to be foldable and expandable, and can make a logarithmic-periodic antenna more compact and portable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to an antenna folding joint. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, a logarithmic-periodic antenna is commonly used in a novel reconnaissance and early warning method of a vehicle + multi-rotor unmanned plane. A ground mobile vehicle reaches a designated position, an antenna is fixed on a multi-rotor unmanned plane, the multi-rotor unmanned plane carries the antenna to ascend, the antenna is connected to a communication terminal of the ground vehicle through a cable to directly transmit signals, and the antenna works when the multi-rotor unmanned plane reaches a proper height.

[0003] However, the traditional logarithmic-periodic antenna of the same frequency band has certain defects: when the working frequency of the antenna is 27-110Hz, the length of the antenna is about 5m, the weight is large, and the energy consumption is high; the traditional folding mechanism is driven by a motor or an electric cylinder, which increases the weight of the antenna itself, and causes the weight of the antenna to not meet the load requirement of the unmanned plane. SUMMARY

[0004] The application aims at the defects and deficiencies of the prior art, and provides an antenna folding joint which is foldable by using a novel shape memory alloy material and is more compact and portable.

[0005] The application is realized by the following technical scheme:

[0006] The antenna folding joint comprises seat plates, folding rods and an intermediate support seat.

[0007] The folding rod comprises four folding rods which are sequentially connected, namely, a first folding rod, a second folding rod, a third folding rod and a fourth folding rod.

[0008] The two ends of the intermediate support seat are respectively hinged to the two folding rods, and the hinged positions of the folding rods are located at the intersection of the fourth folding rod and the third folding rod.

[0009] The two seat plates are further provided with SMA memory alloy springs and SMA memory alloy plates which are connected to the seat plates.

[0010] The SMA memory alloy springs and the SMA memory alloy plates are located below the intermediate support seat.

[0011] Further, the intermediate support seat is provided with a locking blind hole and a spring action slot; the locking blind hole is located at the middle position of the spring action slot and penetrates the top wall of the intermediate support seat, and the central axes of the locking blind hole and the spring action slot are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] The spring action slot is provided with a spring constraint rod coaxial with the central axis thereof; two SMA memory springs and a slider are sleeved on the spring constraint rod; the slider is provided with a release slot, and one side of the first folding rod is provided with a lock slot corresponding to the release slot.

[0013] In the unfolded state, the second folding rod is located at the top of the intermediate support seat, the first folding rod is located in the locking blind hole, and the release slot deviates from the lock slot of the first folding rod to achieve locking; under the condition that the release slot and the lock slot are opposite, the first folding rod of the folding rod can be pulled out of the locking blind hole.

[0014] Further, the included angles formed by the third folding rod and the second folding rod and the fourth folding rod are obtuse angles.

[0015] Further, 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 located in the closed space.

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

[0017] Further, in the unfolded state, the first folding rods of the two folding rods have a spacing facilitating pulling out.

[0018] Further, 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, the concave surface of the arc-shaped plate faces the intermediate support seat; both ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are provided with through holes; both ends of the SMA memory alloy spring pass through the corresponding through holes and are connected with the seat plates on the same side.

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

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

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present application are:

[0022] The device adopts a new shape memory alloy material for key design of folding and unfolding, so as to realize design and manufacture of a super-light new type of folding and unfolding logarithmic periodic antenna structure, and the weight of the logarithmic periodic antenna can be reduced by 1-2 orders of magnitude compared with the same frequency band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

[0024] Figure 2 is the internal structural diagram of the embodiment of the present application (both the folding rod and the support seat cover plate are transparent for easy viewing); Figure 1

[0025] Figure 3 is the sliding block mechanism diagram of the embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 is the sliding block unlocking direction diagram of the embodiment of the present application in the unfolded state;

[0027] Figure 5 is the folding process diagram of the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 6 is the structural diagram of the embodiment of the present application in the folded state;

[0029] Figure 7 is the sliding block and SMA memory alloy spring action direction diagram of the embodiment of the present application in the folded state;

[0030] Figure 8 is the sliding block locking direction diagram of the embodiment of the present application in the unfolded state.

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

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application clearer and more apparent, the present application will be 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 application and do not limit the present application.

[0033] ​The main key technology of the deployable peripheral antenna is to use the large deformation shape memory alloy functional element (SMA memory alloy plate + SMA memory alloy spring) with antagonistic configuration to realize the antenna deployment, without increasing additional driving mechanism, to ensure that the antenna weight can meet the requirements of unmanned payload, and the two shape memory alloy elements interact antagonistically, by heating the SMA memory alloy spring joint to pull down, the pulling force generated by the SMA memory alloy spring joint restoring to the original shape is greater than the supporting force of the SMA memory alloy plate, the two interact to generate inward pulling force, and the antenna is folded; on the contrary, heating the SMA memory alloy plate joint, the SMA memory alloy plate restores to the original shape, generates a greater pulling force than the SMA memory alloy spring, the two interact to generate outward pushing force, and the antenna is unfolded, thereby realizing the deployment function of the antenna. The driving of the antagonistic shape memory alloy structure joint mainly depends on the antagonistic interaction of the two shape memory alloy elements.

[0034] After the peripheral antenna is unfolded or folded, the strength of the shape memory alloy is small at room temperature, and a special locking mechanism needs to be designed to ensure the state of the antenna movable joint.

[0035] The linear motion of the slider is realized by the antagonistic action of the ordinary spring and the shape memory spring (SMA memory spring), and the key lies in the cooperation design of the ordinary spring and the shape memory alloy. In the process of heating the shape memory alloy spring, the austenitic phase change (also known as the reverse martensitic phase change) process, the pulling force becomes larger, driving the ordinary tension spring to stretch; after cooling, the pulling force of the tension spring becomes smaller, and the ordinary spring drives the memory alloy spring to reset. The key point in this process is the coupling of the forces of the two. By constructing the constitutive model of the ordinary carbon steel spring and the shape memory alloy spring, modeling simulation optimization is carried out, so as to determine the parameters (pitch, number of turns, wire diameter) of the final shape memory alloy spring.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the embodiment comprises a seat plate, a folding rod and an intermediate support seat; the seat plate and the folding rod are both provided with two, and the seat plate and the folding rod correspond one by one, one end of the folding rod is connected to one side of the corresponding seat plate;

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

[0038] Both ends of the intermediate support seat are hingedly connected to two folding rods, and the hinged position of the folding rod is located at the intersection of the folding four rod and the folding three rod;

[0039] The two seat plates are further provided with SMA memory alloy springs and SMA memory alloy plates connected therewith; the two ends of the SMA memory alloy springs are connected to the corresponding seat plates respectively, and the two ends of the SMA memory alloy plates are hingedly connected to the two seat plates.

[0040] The SMA memory alloy springs and the SMA memory alloy plates are located below the intermediate support seat.

[0041] The intermediate support seat is provided with a locking blind hole and a spring action slot; the locking blind hole is located at the middle position of the spring action slot and penetrates the top wall of the intermediate support seat, and the central axes of the locking blind hole and the spring action slot are perpendicular to each other.

[0042] The spring action slot is provided with a spring constraint rod coinciding with the central axis thereof; two SMA memory springs (or one memory spring + one ordinary spring) and a slider are sleeved on the spring constraint rod; the slider is provided with a release slot, and one side of the first folding rod is provided with a locking slot corresponding to the release slot.

[0043] In the unfolded state, the second folding rod is located at the top of the intermediate support seat, the first folding rod is located in the locking blind hole, and the release slot deviates from the locking slot of the first folding rod to achieve locking; under the condition that the release slot and the locking slot are opposite, the first folding rod of the folding rod can be pulled out of the locking blind hole.

[0044] The included angles formed by the third folding rod and the second folding rod and the fourth folding rod are 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 located in the closed space.

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

[0047] In the unfolded state, the first folding rods of the two folding rods have a spacing facilitating pulling out.

[0048] 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, the concave surface of the arc-shaped plate faces the intermediate support seat; the two ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are provided with through holes; the two ends of the SMA memory alloy spring pass through the corresponding through holes and are connected to the seat plates on the same side.

[0049] One end of the SMA memory spring abuts 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 folding and storing process of the embodiment is specifically as follows:

[0052] In the unfolded state, the structure is specifically as shown in Figure 4 When folding and storing is needed, the circuit control makes the SMA memory spring on the left side elongate, and pushes the sliding block to move to the right. The sliding block moves to the right to the corresponding position, that is, the release slot on the sliding block and the locking blind hole on the middle support seat coincide, at this time, the first folding rod can be pulled out.

[0053] The circuit control makes the SMA memory alloy spring at the bottom shorten and gather to the middle, the opening force of the SMA memory alloy plate becomes smaller, drives the rotation of the hinge shaft of the seat plate and the middle support seat, further drives the rotation of the folding rod, and makes the first folding rod pull out of the locking blind hole. In the movement process, the SMA memory spring on the left side is powered off, and the elastic force of the compression spring on the right side is greater than that of the SMA memory spring on the left side, so that the sliding block moves to the left. For details, please refer to Figure 5 ;

[0054] In the embodiment, the two seat plates are located in the same plane to reach the limit position, and the folding and storing state is realized.

[0055] When unfolding is needed, the circuit control makes the SMA memory spring on the left side elongate, and pushes the sliding block to move to the right. The sliding block moves to the right to the corresponding position, that is, the release slot on the sliding block and the locking blind hole on the middle support seat coincide, for the first folding rod to enter the release space, please refer to Figure 6 ; In the process, the circuit control makes the SMA memory alloy spring at the bottom elongate, and the opening force of the SMA memory alloy plate becomes larger. The seat plate rotates and drives the rotation of the folding rod, and the first folding rod enters the locking blind hole. For details, please refer to Figure 7 ;

[0056] After the first folding rod enters the locking blind hole, the SMA memory spring on the left side is powered off, and the elastic force of the compression spring on the right side is greater than that of the SMA memory spring on the left side, so that the sliding block moves to the left to realize locking. For details, please refer to Figure 8 .

[0057] It should be noted that the above only describes the preferred application examples of the present application, and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any technical solution with equivalent substitution or equivalent transformation is within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A folding joint for an antenna, characterized in that, It includes a seat plate, a folding rod, and an intermediate support base; there are two of each of the seat plates and folding rods, and the seat plates and folding rods correspond one-to-one, with one end of the folding rod connected to one side of the corresponding seat plate; The folding rod includes four folding rods connected in sequence: folding rod one, folding rod two, folding rod three, and folding rod four; folding rod one and folding rod two are perpendicular to each other, folding rod two and folding rod four are parallel to each other, folding rod one and folding rod four are located on the same side of folding rod two, and folding rod three is an oblique rod; The two ends of the intermediate support are respectively hinged to two folded rods, and the hinge position of the folded rods is located at the intersection of the four-fold rod and the three-fold rod; An SMA memory alloy spring and an SMA memory alloy plate are also provided between the two base plates and connected thereto; the two ends of the SMA memory alloy spring are respectively connected to the corresponding base plates, and the two ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are respectively hinged to the two base plates. The SMA memory alloy spring and SMA memory alloy plate are located below the middle support base; The intermediate support base is provided with a locking blind hole and a spring actuation groove; the locking blind hole is located in the middle of the spring actuation groove and penetrates the top wall of the intermediate support base, and the central axes of the locking blind hole and the spring actuation groove are perpendicular to each other. The spring action groove is provided with a spring constraint rod that coincides with its central axis; two SMA memory springs and a slider are fitted on the spring constraint rod; the slider is provided with a release groove, and one side of the folding rod is provided with a locking groove corresponding to the release groove; In the unfolded state, the second folding rod is located on top of the middle support, the first folding rod is located in the locking blind hole, and the release groove is offset from the locking groove of the first folding rod to achieve locking; when the release groove and the locking groove are aligned, the first folding rod can be disengaged from the locking blind hole.

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

3. A folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intermediate support includes a support body and a support cover plate; the support body and the support cover plate form a closed space; the SMA memory spring and the slider are both located within the closed space. The minimum distance between the central axis of the locking blind hole and the central axis of the spring action groove is greater than zero.

4. A folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the unfolded state, there is a gap between the two folded rods that facilitates disengagement.

5. A folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the SMA memory alloy plate is greater than the distance between the two base plates. The SMA memory alloy plate located between the two base plates forms an arc-shaped plate, and the concave surface of the arc-shaped plate faces the middle support base. The two ends of the SMA memory alloy plate are provided with through holes. The two ends of the SMA memory alloy spring pass through the corresponding through holes and are connected to the base plate on their respective sides.

6. A folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the SMA memory spring rests against the inner wall of the support base, and the other end is connected to the slider.

7. A folding joint for an antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the two SMA memory springs can be replaced with a compression spring.

Images