Telescopic antenna device for underwater vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a telescopic antenna device for an underwater vehicle, which belongs to the technical field of underwater vehicles and comprises an antenna section shell unit, a constant-force telescopic unit, an antenna integration unit and an underwater trigger unit. The constant-force telescopic unit has elastic force extending towards the outer side of the antenna section shell unit; the antenna integration unit is installed on the constant-force telescopic unit, the antenna integration unit is located in the antenna section shell unit in the state that the constant-force telescopic unit is retracted into the antenna section shell unit, and the antenna integration unit is located on the outer side of the antenna section shell unit in the state that the constant-force telescopic unit extends out of the outer side of the antenna section shell unit. The underwater trigger unit has a water-soluble pinning member. According to the telescopic antenna device, through automatic unfolding and streamline design, the space is saved, the maneuverability is improved, and the deployment efficiency, the navigation stability and the portability of the underwater vehicle are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of underwater vehicles, and in particular relates to a retractable antenna device for underwater vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are unmanned devices that can operate autonomously or remotely underwater. They are widely used in hydrographic surveys, marine scientific research, airdrop deployment, underwater cluster collaboration, underwater security, and underwater combat. These vehicles are equipped with a variety of sensors and measuring instruments to collect data, monitor, and perform tasks in complex underwater environments. With the continuous advancement of technology, the application prospects of unmanned underwater vehicles in deep-sea exploration, environmental protection, military reconnaissance, etc. have gradually been expanded, becoming one of the important tools in the field of modern marine science and technology.

[0003] At present, there are many defects and deficiencies in the design and application of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), which limit their effectiveness and flexibility in different tasks. First, the antennas of traditional UUVs are usually fixed to the fuselage or stern and have a columnar feature. This design makes it impossible for the antenna to be adaptively adjusted according to the operating status of the underwater vehicle and the water conditions. Since the antenna cannot be flexibly adjusted with the attitude of the vehicle or the environment, the stability of its communication signal and the adaptability of the vehicle are limited, especially in complex or harsh underwater environments, the quality of signal transmission may be greatly affected.

[0004] In addition, the portability and deployment speed of traditional unmanned underwater vehicles are limited. Since their antennas and other sensor equipment are usually fixed and large in size, the operation complexity of the vehicle during transportation and deployment increases, and it is impossible to achieve rapid deployment or flexible conversion under different mission requirements. This is particularly disadvantageous for emergency missions or operations in a small space, affecting its deployment efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the defects and shortcomings of current unmanned underwater vehicles, such as fixed antennas, slow deployment, and poor portability, the present invention provides a retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle.

[0006] The present invention is implemented as follows: a retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle, characterized in that it includes an antenna segment housing unit, a constant force retractable unit, an antenna integrated unit and an underwater trigger unit; the antenna segment housing unit forms a part of the underwater vehicle; the constant force retractable unit is located inside the antenna segment housing unit and has two states: being received inside the antenna segment housing unit and being extended outside the antenna segment housing unit, and the constant force retractable unit has an elastic force extending toward the outside of the antenna segment housing unit; the antenna integrated unit is installed on the constant force retractable unit, and when the constant force retractable unit is received inside the antenna segment housing unit, the antenna integrated unit is located inside the antenna segment housing unit, and when the constant force retractable unit is extended outside the antenna segment housing unit, the antenna integrated unit is located outside the antenna segment housing unit; the underwater trigger unit has a water-soluble pin-connecting component, and the water-soluble pin-connecting component locks the constant force retractable unit received inside the antenna segment housing unit and releases the lock by dissolving water.

[0007] In the above technical solution, preferably, the antenna segment housing unit includes an antenna segment outer shell and an antenna fixing plate; the antenna segment outer shell is fixed on the underwater vehicle; and the antenna fixing plate is fixed on the antenna segment outer shell.

[0008] In the above technical solution, preferably, the antenna integrated unit includes an antenna cover, an antenna, an antenna base, an antenna base plug, an antenna compression spring and a telescopic sleeve, wherein the antenna cover is located at the upper part of the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base; the antenna is located inside the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base; the upper end of the antenna base is located outside the antenna segment shell, and the lower end is located inside the telescopic sleeve, and the antenna base slides vertically inside the telescopic sleeve; the antenna compression spring is located at the lower part of the antenna base, one end of which is in contact with the antenna base, and the other end of which is in contact with the bottom cover of the telescopic sleeve; the telescopic sleeve is located outside the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the bottom cover of the telescopic sleeve, and the telescopic sleeve slides vertically inside the antenna fixing plate.

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the constant force telescopic unit includes a constant force spring, a constant force spring mounting shaft, and a telescopic sleeve bottom cover; one end of the constant force spring is fixed and wound around the constant force spring mounting shaft, and the other end is connected to the telescopic sleeve bottom cover; the constant force spring mounting shaft is located above the interior of the antenna segment outer shell; the telescopic sleeve bottom cover is located inside the antenna segment shell unit and below the antenna integrated unit and is connected to the telescopic sleeve, and slides in the vertical direction inside the antenna fixed plate with the telescopic sleeve.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the underwater trigger unit includes a spring cap, a dissolving material compression spring, a spring baffle, an external limiting cover, a dissolving material protective shell, a spring pin, a nut with a hole on the end face, an antenna clamping block and a water-soluble retaining ring; the spring cap is located at the lower part of the underwater trigger unit and is connected to the external limiting cover; the dissolving material compression spring is located inside the spring cap and one end contacts the spring cap and the other end contacts the spring baffle; the spring baffle is located inside the underwater trigger unit, the upper end contacts the spring pin and the lower end contacts the dissolving material compression spring; the external limiting cover is located at the antenna fixing The upper end of the plate is fixed to the antenna fixing plate by a thread, and the lower end is fixed to the spring cap; the dissolving material protection shell is located inside the external limiting cover, the upper end face is limited by the boss inside the external limiting cover, and the outer cylindrical surface forms a matching relationship with the inner cylindrical surface of the external limiting cover; the spring pin is located inside the underwater trigger unit, the lower end face contacts the spring baffle, and the middle outer conical surface is tightly clamped by the elastic petal inside the dissolving material protection shell; the water-soluble retaining ring is located inside the dissolving material protection shell, the outer cylindrical surface contacts the inner cylindrical surface of the protection shell, and its concentric inner cylindrical surface contacts the elastic petal inside the protection shell to hold the elastic petal tightly. The end face hole nut is located above the antenna clamping block, connected to the spring pin by a thread, and its end face clamps the antenna clamping block; the antenna clamping block is located outside the antenna segment shell and above the antenna upper cover, its lower inner arc surface contacts the antenna upper cover, and its upper stepped hole boss mating surface contacts the end face hole nut.

[0011] The retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle has multiple significant advantages, and improves the overall performance and operating efficiency of the underwater vehicle.

[0012] First, the antenna device has a sensitive response to the transformation from air to water through the trigger unit, and can automatically pop up and deploy when the underwater vehicle enters the water. This automated function does not require human intervention and significantly improves the deployment efficiency of underwater vehicles, especially in emergency missions or application scenarios that require rapid response, enabling rapid and accurate deployment to ensure the timely start of the mission.

[0013] Secondly, the antenna device is consistent with the shape of the underwater vehicle's cabin when not excited, presenting a streamlined design that can effectively maintain the best fluid characteristics. This design not only reduces water flow resistance, but also reduces the energy consumption of the underwater vehicle, which helps to improve the speed and stability of the vehicle, especially in long-term missions or deep-sea exploration. It can significantly extend the endurance time and ensure the efficient operation of the vehicle in complex water environments.

[0014] In addition, the telescopic characteristics of the antenna device show a huge space-saving effect during storage, transportation and delivery. Since the antenna can be folded or retracted in an inactive state, the space occupied by the underwater vehicle during storage and transportation is greatly reduced, effectively improving its portability. This design can reduce weight, save space, improve transportation efficiency, and enhance the maneuverability and adaptability of the underwater vehicle, especially when the underwater vehicle needs to be quickly deployed by airdrop or other means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the underwater trigger unit implemented in the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the constant force telescopic unit implemented in the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna integration unit structure implemented in the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6a , Figure 6b , Figure 6c It is a structural schematic diagram of an antenna in an unexcited state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c It is a structural schematic diagram of an antenna in a partially excited state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8a , Figure 8b , Figure 8c It is a structural schematic diagram of the antenna in a fully excited state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Among them, the figure markings are: 101-antenna segment shell; 102-antenna fixing plate; 201-constant force spring; 202-constant force spring mounting shaft; 203-telescopic sleeve bottom cover; 301-antenna upper cover; 302-antenna; 303-antenna base; 304-antenna base plug; 305-antenna compression spring; 306-telescopic sleeve; 401-spring cap; 402-dissolving material compression spring; 403-spring baffle; 404-external limiting cover; 405-dissolving material protective shell; 406-spring pin; 407-end face nut with hole; 408-antenna clamping block; 409-water-soluble retaining ring. 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 embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0025] In order to solve the problems of fixed antenna, slow deployment and poor portability of current unmanned underwater vehicles, the present invention provides a retractable antenna device for underwater vehicles. In order to further illustrate the structure of the present invention, the detailed description is as follows in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0026] A retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle comprises an antenna segment housing unit, a constant force retractable unit, an antenna integrated unit and an underwater trigger unit; the antenna segment housing unit forms a part of the underwater vehicle; the constant force retractable unit is located inside the antenna segment housing unit and has two states: being received inside the antenna segment housing unit and being extended outside the antenna segment housing unit, and the constant force retractable unit has an elastic force extending toward the outside of the antenna segment housing unit; the antenna integrated unit is installed on the constant force retractable unit, and when the constant force retractable unit is received inside the antenna segment housing unit, the antenna integrated unit is located inside the antenna segment housing unit, and when the constant force retractable unit is extended outside the antenna segment housing unit, the antenna integrated unit is located outside the antenna segment housing unit; the underwater trigger unit has a water-soluble pin-connecting component, and the water-soluble pin-connecting component locks the constant force retractable unit received inside the antenna segment housing unit and releases the lock by dissolving water.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the antenna segment housing unit includes an antenna segment outer shell 101 and an antenna fixing plate 102 ; the constant force telescopic unit includes a constant force spring 201 , a constant force spring mounting shaft 202 , and a telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203 .

[0028] like Figure 4 As shown, the antenna integrated unit includes an antenna cover 301 , an antenna 302 , an antenna base 303 , an antenna base plug 304 , an antenna compression spring 305 , and a telescopic sleeve 306 .

[0029] like Figure 5 As shown, the underwater trigger unit includes a spring cap 401, a dissolving material compression spring 402, a spring baffle 403, an external limiting cover 404, a dissolving material protective shell 405, a spring pin 406, an end face nut with a hole 407, an antenna clamping block 408, and a water-soluble baffle 409.

[0030] like Figure 6a-Figure 8cAs shown, when the antenna integrated unit is in a compressed state, the antenna clamping block 408 is locked and conforms to the antenna segment housing 101; when the water-soluble retaining ring 409 of the underwater trigger unit dissolves, the elastic petals in the dissolved material protective shell 405 no longer have the ability to clamp the spring pin 406, and the spring pin 406 is ejected under the action of the dissolved material compression spring 402. At the same time, the constant force spring 201 contracts, the antenna integrated unit is ejected, and the antenna clamping block 408, the end face hole nut 407, and the spring pin 406 are all ejected and thrown away by the antenna cover 301; after the antenna is ejected, the antenna compression spring 305 inside the antenna integrated unit lifts the antenna base 303, and the antenna base 303 slides to the extreme position of the telescopic sleeve 306, and the antenna is fully deployed.

[0031] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the antenna segment housing unit 101 and the antenna fixing plate 102 provide the overall device with a hydrodynamic shape that is consistent with the underwater vehicle, and provide an installation platform for the constant force telescopic unit and the antenna integrated unit.

[0032] The antenna segment housing unit includes an antenna segment housing 101 ; the antenna segment housing 101 is fixed to the underwater vehicle by bolts; and the antenna fixing plate 102 is fixed to the antenna segment housing 101 by bolts.

[0033] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the constant force telescopic unit provides an installation position for the antenna integrated unit, and includes a constant force spring 201 , a constant force spring installation shaft 202 , and a telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203 .

[0034] One end of the constant force spring 201 is fixed and wound on the constant force spring mounting shaft 202, and the other end is fixed to the telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203 by bolts; the constant force spring mounting shaft 202 is located above the inside of the antenna segment housing 101 and is fixed to the antenna segment housing 101 by threads; the telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203 is located inside the antenna fixing plate 102 and below the antenna integrated unit, and is connected to the telescopic sleeve 306 by bolts, and slides vertically inside the antenna fixing plate 102 with the telescopic sleeve 306.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the antenna integrated unit provides communication function for the underwater vehicle, including an antenna cover 301, an antenna 302, an antenna base 303, an antenna base plug 304, an antenna compression spring 305, and a telescopic sleeve 306.

[0036] The antenna upper cover 301 is located at the upper part of the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base 303 by bolts; the antenna 302 is located inside the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base 303 by bolts; the upper end of the antenna base 303 is located on the outside of the antenna segment shell 101, and the lower end is located inside the telescopic sleeve 306, and can slide in the vertical direction inside the telescopic sleeve 306; the antenna compression spring 305 is located at the lower part of the antenna base 303, one end of which is in contact with the antenna base 303, and the other end of which is in contact with the telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203; the telescopic sleeve 306 is located outside the antenna integrated unit, fixed to the telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203 by bolts, and can slide in the vertical direction inside the antenna fixing plate 102.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, the underwater trigger unit provides the entire device with the functions of antenna compression locking and underwater triggering deployment, including a spring cap 401, a dissolving material compression spring 402, a spring baffle 403, an external limiting cover 404, a dissolving material protective shell 405, a spring pin 406, an end face nut with a hole 407, an antenna clamping block 408, and a water-soluble retaining ring 409.

[0038] The spring cap 401 is located at the lower part of the underwater trigger unit and is fixed to the external limiting cover 404 by threads; the dissolving material compression spring 402 is located inside the spring cap 401, one end of which is in contact with the spring cap 401, and the other end of which is in contact with the spring stopper 403; the spring stopper 403 is located inside the underwater trigger unit, the upper end of which is in contact with the spring pin 406, and the lower end of which is in contact with the dissolving material compression spring 402; the external limiting cover 404 is located below the antenna fixing plate 102, the upper end of which is fixed to the antenna fixing plate 102 by threads, and the lower end of which is fixed to the spring cap 401 by threads; The dissolving material protection shell 405 is located inside the external limiting cover 404, and the upper end face is limited by the boss inside the external limiting cover 404, and the outer cylindrical surface forms a matching relationship with the inner cylindrical surface of the external limiting cover 404; the spring pin 406 is located inside the underwater trigger unit, the lower end face is in contact with the spring baffle 403, and the middle outer conical surface is tightly clamped by the elastic petals inside the dissolving material protection shell 405; the water-soluble retaining ring 409 is located inside the dissolving material protection shell 405, the outer cylindrical surface is in contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the protection shell 405, and its concentric inner cylindrical surface is in contact with the elastic petals inside the protection shell 405, thereby holding the elastic petals tightly. The end face nut 407 with a hole is located above the antenna clamping block 408 and is connected to the spring pin 406 through a thread, and its end face presses the antenna clamping block 408; the antenna clamping block 408 is located outside the antenna segment housing 101 and above the antenna cover 301, and its lower inner arc surface contacts the antenna cover 301, and its upper stepped hole boss mating surface contacts the end face nut 407 with a hole.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle, characterized in that: It includes an antenna segment housing unit, a constant force telescopic unit, an antenna integrated unit and an underwater trigger unit; the antenna segment housing unit forms a part of the underwater vehicle; the constant force telescopic unit is located inside the antenna segment housing unit and has two states: being received inside the antenna segment housing unit and being extended outside the antenna segment housing unit, and the constant force telescopic unit has an elastic force extending toward the outside of the antenna segment housing unit; the antenna integrated unit is installed on the constant force telescopic unit, and when the constant force telescopic unit is received inside the antenna segment housing unit, the antenna integrated unit is located inside the antenna segment housing unit, and when the constant force telescopic unit is extended outside the antenna segment housing unit, the antenna integrated unit is located outside the antenna segment housing unit; the underwater trigger unit has a water-soluble pin-connecting component, and the water-soluble pin-connecting component locks the constant force telescopic unit received inside the antenna segment housing unit and releases the lock by dissolving water.

2. The retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The antenna segment housing unit comprises an antenna segment outer shell and an antenna fixing plate; the antenna segment outer shell is fixed on the underwater vehicle; and the antenna fixing plate is fixed on the antenna segment outer shell.

3. The retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The antenna integrated unit includes an antenna cover, an antenna, an antenna base, an antenna base plug, an antenna compression spring and a telescopic sleeve. The antenna cover is located at the upper part of the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base; the antenna is located inside the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base; the upper end of the antenna base is located outside the antenna segment shell, and the lower end is located inside the telescopic sleeve, and the antenna base slides vertically inside the telescopic sleeve; the antenna compression spring is located at the lower part of the antenna base, one end of which is in contact with the antenna base, and the other end of which is in contact with the bottom cover of the telescopic sleeve; the telescopic sleeve is located outside the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the bottom cover of the telescopic sleeve, and the telescopic sleeve slides vertically inside the antenna fixing plate.

4. The retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The constant force telescopic unit includes a constant force spring, a constant force spring mounting shaft, and a telescopic sleeve bottom cover; one end of the constant force spring is fixed and wound around the constant force spring mounting shaft, and the other end is connected to the telescopic sleeve bottom cover; the constant force spring mounting shaft is located above the interior of the antenna segment outer shell; the telescopic sleeve bottom cover is located inside the antenna segment shell unit and below the antenna integrated unit and is connected to the telescopic sleeve, and slides vertically along with the telescopic sleeve on the inner side of the antenna fixing plate.

5. The retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The underwater trigger unit comprises a spring cap, a dissolving material compression spring, a spring baffle, an external limiting cover, a dissolving material protective shell, a spring pin, a nut with a hole on the end face, an antenna clamping block and a water-soluble baffle; the spring cap is located at the lower part of the underwater trigger unit and is connected to the external limiting cover; the dissolving material compression spring is located inside the spring cap and one end contacts the spring cap and the other end contacts the spring baffle; the spring baffle is located inside the underwater trigger unit, the upper end contacts the spring pin, and the lower end contacts the dissolving material compression spring; the external limiting cover is located below the antenna fixing disk, the upper end is fixed to the antenna fixing disk by a thread, and the lower end is fixed to the spring cap; the dissolving material protective shell is located inside the external limiting cover, the upper end face is limited by the boss inside the external limiting cover, and the outer cylindrical surface forms a matching relationship with the inner cylindrical surface of the external limiting cover; the spring pin is located inside the underwater trigger unit, the lower end face contacts the spring baffle, and the middle outer conical surface is tightly clamped by the elastic petal inside the dissolving material protective shell; The water-soluble retaining ring is located inside the protective shell of the dissolving material, and its outer cylindrical surface contacts the inner cylindrical surface of the protective shell, and its concentric inner cylindrical surface contacts the elastic petal inside the protective shell to hold the elastic petal tightly. The end face hole nut is located above the antenna clamping block, connected to the spring pin through a thread, and its end face presses the antenna clamping block; the antenna clamping block is located outside the antenna segment shell and above the antenna cover, and its lower inner arc surface contacts the antenna cover, and its upper stepped hole boss mating surface contacts the end face hole nut.

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