A retractable antenna arrangement for an underwater vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a telescopic antenna device for underwater vehicles, and belongs to the technical field of underwater vehicles, which comprises an antenna segment shell unit, a constant force telescopic unit, an antenna integrated unit and an underwater triggering unit; the constant force telescopic unit has elastic force extending out of the antenna segment shell unit; the antenna integrated unit is installed on the constant force telescopic unit; in the state that the constant force telescopic unit is retracted into the antenna segment shell unit, the antenna integrated unit is located inside the antenna segment shell unit; in the state that the constant force telescopic unit extends out of the antenna segment shell unit, the antenna integrated unit is located outside the antenna segment shell unit; the underwater triggering unit has a water-soluble pin connecting part. The telescopic antenna device can automatically expand, has a streamlined design, saves space, improves maneuverability, and significantly improves the deployment efficiency, navigation stability and portability of underwater vehicles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of underwater vehicles, and particularly relates to a telescopic antenna device for an underwater vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is an unmanned device capable of operating autonomously or remotely underwater, widely used in hydrological measurement, oceanographic research, air drop deployment, underwater cluster cooperation, underwater security and underwater combat, etc. These vehicles can collect data, monitor and perform tasks in complex underwater environments by carrying various sensors and measuring instruments. With the continuous progress of technology, unmanned underwater vehicles have gradually expanded their application prospects in deep sea exploration, environmental protection, military reconnaissance, etc., and have become one of the important tools in the field of modern ocean science and technology.

[0003] Currently, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) have several defects and deficiencies in design and application, which limit their effectiveness and flexibility in different tasks. First, the traditional unmanned underwater vehicle antenna is usually fixed on the fuselage or stern and has a columnar feature. This design makes the antenna unable to adaptively adjust according to the running state of the underwater vehicle and the water conditions. Since the antenna cannot be flexibly adjusted according to the attitude of the vehicle or the changes in the environment, the stability of the 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 sensing devices are usually fixed and large in size, the complexity of the vehicle's operation during transportation and deployment increases, making it impossible to achieve rapid deployment or flexible conversion under different task requirements. This is particularly disadvantageous for emergency tasks or operations in small spaces, affecting the deployment efficiency. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the defects and deficiencies of the current unmanned underwater vehicles, such as fixed antenna, slow deployment, poor portability, etc., the present application provides a telescopic antenna device for an underwater vehicle.

[0006] The application is implemented as follows: a telescopic antenna device for underwater vehicle, characterized in that: comprising antenna segment shell unit, constant force telescopic unit, antenna integrated unit and underwater trigger unit; the antenna segment shell unit forms a part of the underwater vehicle shell; the constant force telescopic unit is located inside the antenna segment shell unit and has two states of being retracted into the antenna segment shell unit and being extended outside the antenna segment shell unit, the constant force telescopic unit has elastic force extending outside the antenna segment shell unit; the antenna integrated unit is installed on the constant force telescopic unit, in the state of being retracted into the antenna segment shell unit, the antenna integrated unit is located inside the antenna segment shell unit, in the state of being extended outside the antenna segment shell unit, the antenna integrated unit is located outside the antenna segment shell unit; the underwater trigger unit has water-soluble pin connecting parts, the water-soluble pin connecting parts lock the constant force telescopic unit retracted into the antenna segment shell unit and trigger to be unlocked by dissolving water.

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

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

[0009] In the above technical solution, preferably, the constant force telescopic unit comprises 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 on the constant force spring mounting shaft, and the other end is connected with the telescopic sleeve bottom cover; the constant force spring mounting shaft is located above the antenna segment shell inside; the telescopic sleeve bottom cover is located inside the antenna segment shell unit and below the antenna integrated unit, and is connected with the telescopic sleeve, and the telescopic sleeve vertically slides inside the antenna fixing disc.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the underwater trigger unit comprises a spring cap, a dissolving material compression spring, a spring stopper, an external limiting cover, a dissolving material protection shell, a spring pin, a threaded nut with a hole in the end face, an antenna compression block, and a water-soluble check 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 thereof is in contact with the spring cap and the other end thereof is in contact with the spring stopper; the spring stopper is located inside the underwater trigger unit, the upper end thereof is in contact with the spring pin, and the lower end thereof is in contact with the dissolving material compression spring; the external limiting cover is located below the antenna fixing disc, the upper end thereof is fixed to the antenna fixing disc through threads, and the lower end thereof is fixed to the spring cap; the dissolving material protection shell is located inside the external limiting cover, the upper end face thereof is limited by the boss inside the external limiting cover, and the outer cylindrical surface thereof is in 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 thereof is in contact with the spring stopper, and the middle outer tapered surface thereof is tightly gripped by the elastic petals inside the dissolving material protection shell; the water-soluble check ring is located inside the dissolving material protection shell, the outer cylindrical surface thereof is in contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the protection shell, and the concentric inner cylindrical surface thereof is in contact with the elastic petals inside the protection shell to tightly hold the elastic petals. The threaded nut with a hole in the end face is located above the antenna compression block and is connected to the spring pin through threads, and the end face thereof compresses the antenna compression block; the antenna compression block is located outside the antenna section shell and above the antenna upper cover, the lower side inner arc surface thereof is in contact with the antenna upper cover, and the matching surface of the upper stepped hole boss thereof is in contact with the threaded nut with a hole in the end face.

[0011] The retractable antenna device for underwater vehicles has a plurality of significant advantages, improving the overall performance and operation efficiency of the underwater vehicle.

[0012] Firstly, the antenna device has a sensitive response to the transformation from the air domain to the water domain through the trigger unit, and can automatically pop up and deploy when the underwater vehicle enters the water domain. This automatic function does not require manual intervention, significantly improving the deployment efficiency of the underwater vehicle, especially in emergency tasks or application scenarios requiring rapid response, enabling rapid and accurate deployment to ensure timely start of the task.

[0013] Secondly, the antenna device is consistent with the outer shape of the cabin of the underwater vehicle in the unexcited state, presenting a streamlined design, which can effectively maintain the best fluid characteristics. This design not only reduces the flow resistance, but also reduces the energy consumption of the underwater vehicle, helping to improve the speed and stability of the vehicle, especially in long-term tasks or deep-sea exploration requirements, which can significantly prolong the endurance time and ensure the efficient operation of the vehicle in complex water environments.

[0014] In addition, the telescopic property of the antenna device can save a lot of space during storage, transportation and delivery. Since the antenna can be folded or contracted in the inactivated state, the underwater vehicle occupies less space during storage and transportation, effectively improving the portability. This design can reduce the weight, save space, improve the transportation efficiency, and enhance the mobility and adaptability of the underwater vehicle when the underwater vehicle needs to be quickly deployed by air drop or other means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 The overall structure of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the schematic diagram.

[0016] Figure 2 The internal structure of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the schematic diagram.

[0017] Figure 3 The underwater trigger unit structure of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the schematic diagram.

[0018] Figure 4 The constant force telescopic unit structure of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the schematic diagram.

[0019] Figure 5 The antenna integrated unit structure of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the schematic diagram.

[0020] Figure 6a 、 Figure 6b 、 Figure 6c The antenna of the embodiment of the present application is in the unactivated state structure schematic diagram.

[0021] Figure 7a 、 Figure 7b 、 Figure 7c The antenna of the embodiment of the present application is in the partially activated state structure schematic diagram.

[0022] Figure 8a 、 Figure 8b 、 Figure 8c The antenna of the embodiment of the present application is in the fully activated state structure schematic diagram.

[0023] Wherein, the reference signs: 101-antenna segment shell; 102-antenna fixing disc; 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-dissolved material compression spring; 403-spring stop sheet; 404-external limiting cover; 405-dissolved material protection shell; 406-spring pin; 407-end face with hole nut; 408-antenna compression block; 409-water soluble check ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and not used to limit the present application.

[0025] In order to solve the problems of the current unmanned underwater vehicle, such as fixed antenna, slow deployment, poor portability, etc., the present application provides a telescopic antenna device for underwater vehicle. In order to further illustrate the structure of the present application, the detailed description is as follows in combination with the drawings:

[0026] A telescopic antenna device for underwater vehicle, comprising an antenna segment shell unit, a constant force telescopic unit, an antenna integrated unit and an underwater trigger unit; the antenna segment shell unit forms part of the underwater vehicle shell; the constant force telescopic unit is located inside the antenna segment shell unit and has two states of being retracted into the antenna segment shell unit and being extended outside the antenna segment shell unit, and the constant force telescopic unit has elastic force extending outside the antenna segment shell unit; the antenna integrated unit is installed on the constant force telescopic unit, and in the state of being retracted into the antenna segment shell unit, the antenna integrated unit is located inside the antenna segment shell unit, and in the state of being extended outside the antenna segment shell unit, the antenna integrated unit is located outside the antenna segment shell unit; the underwater trigger unit has a water-soluble pin connecting part, which locks the constant force telescopic unit retracted into the antenna segment shell unit and is unlocked by dissolving water.

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

[0028] As shown in Figure 4 , the antenna integrated unit comprises an antenna upper 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] As shown in Figure 5 , the underwater trigger unit comprises a spring cap 401, a dissolving material compression spring 402, a spring stop sheet 403, an external limiting cover 404, a dissolving material protection shell 405, a spring pin 406, an end face hole nut 407, an antenna compression block 408 and a water-soluble stop ring 409.

[0030] As shown in Figures 6a-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 pops out, and the antenna clamping block 408, the end face hole nut 407, and the spring pin 406 are all pushed out 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. 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 integration 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 around 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 functions 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 cover 301 is located on the upper part of the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base 303 by bolts; the antenna 302 is located in the interior of the antenna integrated unit and is fixed to the antenna base 303 by bolts; the upper end of the antenna base 303 is located outside the antenna section shell 101 and the lower end is located inside the telescopic sleeve 306, which 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 is in contact with the telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203; the telescopic sleeve 306 is located outside the antenna integrated unit and is fixed with the telescopic sleeve bottom cover 203 by bolts, which can slide in the vertical direction inside the antenna fixing disc 102.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5 The underwater trigger unit provides the functions of antenna compression locking and underwater trigger opening for the whole device, including a spring cap 401, a dissolving material compression spring 402, a spring stopper 403, an external limiting cover 404, a dissolving material protection shell 405, a spring pin 406, a threaded nut with a hole 407, an antenna compression block 408 and a water-soluble stop ring 409.

[0038] The spring cap 401 is located at the lower part of the underwater trigger unit and is fixed with 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 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 is in contact with the dissolving material compression spring 402; the external limiting cover 404 is located below the antenna fixing disc 102, the upper end of which is fixed with the antenna fixing disc 102 by threads and the lower end is fixed with the spring cap 401 by threads; the dissolving material protection shell 405 is located inside the external limiting cover 404, the upper end face of which is limited by the boss inside the external limiting cover 404 and the outer cylindrical surface thereof is in 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 of which is in contact with the spring stopper 403 and the middle outer tapered surface thereof is tightly gripped by the elastic petals inside the dissolving material protection shell 405; the water-soluble stop ring 409 is located inside the dissolving material protection shell 405, the outer cylindrical surface of which is in contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the protection shell 405 and the concentric inner cylindrical surface thereof is in contact with the elastic petals inside the protection shell 405, which tightly grips the elastic petals. The threaded nut with a hole 407 is located above the antenna compression block 408 and is connected with the spring pin 406 by threads, the end face of which compresses the antenna compression block 408; the antenna compression block 408 is located outside the antenna section shell 101 and above the antenna cover 301, the lower inner arc surface of which is in contact with the antenna cover 301 and the matching surface of the upper stepped hole boss thereof is in contact with the threaded nut with a hole 407.

[0039] The above merely describes preferred embodiments of the present application, and is not used to limit the present application, any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle, characterized in that: The antenna segment housing unit comprises 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 housing; the constant force telescopic unit is located inside the antenna segment housing unit and has two states: being retracted into the antenna segment housing unit and being extended outward from the antenna segment housing unit; 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 retracted into 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 outward from 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 retracted into the antenna segment housing unit and is unlocked by water-soluble triggering; The underwater triggering unit includes a spring cap, a dissolving material compression spring, a spring stopper, 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 triggering 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 stopper; the spring stopper is located inside the underwater triggering 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, and 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 triggering unit, the lower end face contacts the spring stopper, 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 dissolving material protective shell, and its outer cylindrical surface contacts the inner cylindrical surface of the protective shell, and its concentric inner cylindrical surface contacts the elastic petals inside the protective shell to hold the elastic petals tightly; the end face nut with a hole is located above the antenna clamping block, and is 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 nut with a hole.

2. The retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: 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.

3. The retractable antenna device for an underwater vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: 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 contacts the antenna base, and the other end contacts 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, wherein: 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 on 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 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 inside the antenna fixing plate with the telescopic sleeve.

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