Antenna shell outer wall processing clamp, outer wall processing method and processing tooling

Abstract

The application relates to an antenna cover outer wall machining clamp, an outer wall machining method and a machining tool, which comprise a supporting base, a conical surface pressing ring, a conical surface pressing ring, a connecting assembly and a head pressing block; the inner wall of the conical surface pressing ring forms a conical abutting surface; the supporting base and the conical surface pressing ring are detachably connected through the connecting assembly; one side of the head pressing block is inwardly recessed to form a head conical cavity, and the other side of the head pressing block is inwardly recessed to form a conical hole matched with a lathe needle for connection; the antenna cover can be quickly clamped and positioned, and can be safely and efficiently machined, the problems of high material consumption, high cost and long time consumption caused by traditional machining modes such as a reserved process clamp or adhesive bonding of a radar antenna cover are solved, meanwhile, the quick detachable structure of the inner and outer wall machining clamp and the reasonable machining process further improve the production efficiency and the operation convenience; the machining precision and efficiency are high, and the product design precision requirement is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace radome processing and manufacturing technology, and in particular to a radome outer wall processing fixture, outer wall processing method and processing tooling. Background Technology

[0002] The radome is a crucial component of a spacecraft, located at its front end. It protects internal electronic equipment from harsh environmental interference and damage, and serves as an electromagnetic wave transmission channel to ensure stable communication between the spacecraft and the outside world. Furthermore, it optimizes the spacecraft's aerodynamic shape, reducing drag and improving flight efficiency. Therefore, the stable operation of the radome is a vital guarantee for the safe, stable, and efficient flight of a spacecraft.

[0003] Antenna radomes are typically made of quartz ceramic-based wave-transmitting and heat-insulating materials. This material has strong wave transmission, high temperature resistance, and thermal shock resistance, but it is also hard and brittle, making it difficult to machine. Furthermore, its internal and external shapes are cone-shaped, making it impossible to achieve a secure and stable clamping using conventional chucks. Therefore, a stable and reliable clamping method for the radome becomes a key factor in its machining.

[0004] Currently, there are two main reliable machining solutions for radomes. One is to allow a large margin in the radome blank, which can be clamped by designing process clamps. After machining, the process clamps are removed. However, this method results in excessive material waste and a significant increase in manufacturing costs. The other method is to design a special internal support fixture and use adhesive to bond the fixture to the inner wall of the radome. Then, the fixture is clamped to complete the machining. However, the bonding process in this method requires a long curing time, and the demolding process after machining requires a large amount of acetone to soften the adhesive, resulting in high time and material costs.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose a safe, reliable, and precise processing device and method for fabricating cone-shaped antenna radomes. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a radome outer wall machining fixture, an outer wall machining method, and machining tooling.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a radome outer wall machining fixture, including a support base, a conical clamping ring, a connecting assembly, and a head clamping block; one side of the support base is used to connect with a three-jaw chuck of a lathe, and the other side can extend into the interior of the radome and abut against its inner wall; the inner wall of the conical clamping ring is formed with a conical abutment surface for abutting against the outer wall of the radome; the support base and the conical clamping ring are detachably connected via the connecting assembly; one side of the head clamping block is recessed inward to form a head conical cavity that engages with the head of the radome, and the other side is recessed inward to form a conical hole that engages with the center pin of the lathe.

[0008] Furthermore, the support base includes a clamping end plate and an inner wall adapter cone. The outer wall of the clamping end plate is used to connect with the three-jaw chuck of the lathe. One side of the clamping end plate is fixedly connected to the end with the larger cross-section of the inner wall adapter cone. The inner wall adapter cone can extend into the interior of the radome and abut against its inner wall.

[0009] Furthermore, the outer wall of the inner wall adapter cone is provided with a plurality of through grooves evenly arranged along its circumference.

[0010] Furthermore, the conical clamping ring includes two half-rings, multiple connecting screws, and multiple connecting nuts. The two half-rings can be joined together to form a ring structure, and the multiple connecting screws pass through the two half-rings and are respectively connected to the multiple connecting nuts.

[0011] Furthermore, the connecting assembly includes multiple screws and multiple fixing nuts. One end of the multiple screws is connected to the support base, and the other end of the multiple screws passes through the conical clamping ring and is connected to the multiple fixing nuts respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, a detection hole is provided at the center of the head clamping block, which connects the head conical cavity and the conical hole.

[0013] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for machining the outer wall of an radome, applicable to the radome outer wall machining fixture described above, comprising the following steps: The non-head part of the radome blank is connected and fixed by a support base and a conical clamping ring, and the support base is installed on the three-jaw chuck of the lathe. Turn the head portion of the radome blank to the required size; Install the head clamping block onto the head part of the radome blank that has been machined, and tighten the head clamping block by the center of the lathe. Remove the conical clamping ring and connecting assembly, and machine the outer wall of the radome blank (excluding the head section) to the required dimensions.

[0014] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a radome processing fixture, including a radome outer wall processing fixture as described above, and an inner wall processing fixture, wherein the inner wall processing fixture is connected to the outer wall and end face of the radome.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner wall machining fixture includes a concave base and an end face clamping ring. The interior of the concave base forms a cavity for abutting against the outer wall of the radome. One side of the concave base is used to connect with a three-jaw chuck of a lathe, and the other side of the concave base is detachably connected to the end face clamping ring, which abuts against the end face of the radome.

[0016] Furthermore, the concave base includes a connecting end plate and an outer wall adapter cone. The connecting end plate is used to connect with a three-jaw chuck of a lathe. The connecting end plate is fixedly connected to the tip of the outer wall adapter cone. The interior of the outer wall adapter cone forms a cavity for abutting against the outer wall of the radome. The side of the outer wall adapter cone away from the connecting end plate is detachably connected to the end face clamping ring via multiple clamping screws. The inner diameter of the end face clamping ring is smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the outer wall adapter cone.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the method involves inserting a support base into the interior of the radome blank and abutting it against the inner wall of the radome blank; placing a conical clamping ring on the outer wall of the radome blank and abutting it against the outer wall of the radome blank; connecting the support base and the conical clamping ring via a connecting assembly; mounting the support base onto a three-jaw chuck of a lathe; machining the head of the radome blank by turning it; installing a head clamping block onto the head of the radome blank, wherein the head of the radome blank is fitted into the conical cavity of the head clamping block, and inserting a lathe center into the conical hole of the head clamping block; removing the conical clamping ring; and turning the remaining outer wall of the radome blank to the required size. It achieves rapid clamping and positioning of the radome, and safe and efficient processing, solving the problems of high material consumption, high cost and long time consumption caused by traditional processing methods such as pre-reserved process clamps or adhesive bonding of radar radomes. At the same time, the quick-release structure of the outer wall processing fixture and the reasonable processing flow further improve production efficiency and ease of operation; the processing accuracy is high and the efficiency is high, which fully meets the product design accuracy requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the radome outer wall machining fixture provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Overall internal structure diagram; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the central support base; Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle semi-ring; Figure 5 A flowchart of the antenna radome outer wall processing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the connection between the outer wall machining fixture and the radome in step S100; Figure 7 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the connection between the outer wall machining fixture and the radome in steps S300-S400; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the radome processing fixture provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0020] In the first aspect, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a radome outer wall machining fixture, including a support base 100, a conical clamping ring 200, a connecting assembly 300, and a head clamping block 400; one side of the support base 100 is used to connect with a three-jaw chuck of a lathe, and the other side can extend into the interior of the radome and abut against its inner wall; the inner wall of the conical clamping ring 200 is formed with a conical abutment surface for abutting against the outer wall of the radome; the support base 100 and the conical clamping ring 200 are detachably connected via the connecting assembly 300; one side of the head clamping block 400 is recessed inward to form a head conical cavity 40a that mates with the head of the radome, and the other side is recessed inward to form a conical hole 40b that mates with the center pin N of the lathe.

[0021] In practice, the support base 100 is inserted into the interior of the radome blank M and abuts against the inner wall of the radome blank M. The conical clamping ring 200 is fitted onto the outer wall of the radome blank M and abuts against the outer wall of the radome blank M. The support base 100 and the conical clamping ring 200 are connected by the connecting assembly 300. The support base 100 is installed on the three-jaw chuck of the lathe, and the head of the radome blank M is machined by turning. The head clamping block 400 is installed on the head of the radome blank M, wherein the head of the radome blank M is fitted into the head conical cavity 40a of the head clamping block 400, and the lathe's center pin N is inserted into the conical hole 40b of the head clamping block 400. The conical clamping ring 200 is removed, and the remaining outer wall of the radome blank M is machined to the required size. It achieves rapid clamping and positioning of the radome, and safe and efficient processing, solving the problems of high material consumption, high cost and long time consumption caused by traditional processing methods such as pre-reserved process clamps or adhesive bonding of radar radomes. At the same time, the quick-release structure of the outer wall processing fixture and the reasonable processing flow further improve production efficiency and ease of operation; the processing accuracy is high and the efficiency is high, which fully meets the product design accuracy requirements.

[0022] like Figure 3As shown, the support base 100 in this embodiment includes a clamping end plate 110 and an inner wall adapter cone 120. The outer wall of the clamping end plate 110 is used to connect with the three-jaw chuck of the lathe. One side of the clamping end plate 110 is fixedly connected to the end of the inner wall adapter cone 120 with a larger cross section. The inner wall adapter cone 120 can extend into the interior of the radome and abut against its inner wall.

[0023] The clamping end plate 110 and the inner wall adapting cone 120 are hollow inside to reduce the weight of the fixture. The clamping end plate 110 is annular, and its outer circumferential wall forms a clamping position for connection with the three-jaw chuck of the lathe. When the conical clamping ring 200 reinforces and clamps the radome to the clamping end plate 110, the conical structure of the inner wall adapting cone 120 increases the force-bearing area through surface contact, preventing local stress concentration from damaging the radome. At the same time, the conical surface of the inner wall adapting cone 120 can realize the self-positioning of the radome, reducing the alignment time.

[0024] In one embodiment, a plurality of through slots 12a are evenly arranged circumferentially on the outer wall of the inner wall adapter cone 120. In this way, air in the gap between the inner wall adapter cone 120 and the inner wall of the radome can be discharged through the through slots 12a, avoiding the formation of a vacuum between the radome and the outer wall of the support base 100, which would prevent them from being separated. At the same time, it is convenient to measure the wall thickness of the radome during the manufacturing process.

[0025] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the conical clamping ring 200 is formed with a clamping cone (i.e. a conical contact surface), which increases the force-bearing area through surface contact when the conical clamping ring 200 is pressurized to fasten the radome, preventing local stress concentration from causing damage to the radome, and at the same time realizing the self-positioning of the radome.

[0026] Because the radome is quite long, to facilitate the installation of the conical clamping ring 200, such as... Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the conical clamping ring 200 includes two half-rings 210, a plurality of connecting screws 220 and a plurality of connecting nuts 230. The two half-rings 210 can be joined together to form an annular structure. The plurality of connecting screws 220 pass through the two half-rings 210 and are respectively connected to the plurality of connecting nuts 230.

[0027] The connecting component 300 in this embodiment includes a plurality of screws 310 and a plurality of fixing nuts 320. One end of the plurality of screws 310 is connected to the support base 100, and the other end of the plurality of screws 310 passes through the conical clamping ring 200 and is connected to the plurality of fixing nuts 320 respectively.

[0028] The clamping end plate 110 has multiple threaded holes 11a, and multiple screws 310 are respectively connected to the multiple threaded holes 11a on the clamping end plate 110. The semi-ring 210 has multiple through holes 21a, and multiple screws 310 are respectively connected to multiple fixing nuts 320 after passing through multiple through holes 21a. At the same time, the opposite side of the two semi-rings 210 extends along the axis and has multiple round holes 21b. Multiple connecting screws 220 are respectively connected to multiple connecting nuts 230 after passing through multiple round holes 21b on the two semi-rings 210.

[0029] It is understandable that the two semi-rings 210 can also be connected by means of snap-fit ​​or other methods, and this implementation scheme does not limit this.

[0030] In one embodiment, a detection hole 40c is provided at the center of the head clamping block 400, which connects the head conical cavity 40a and the conical hole 40b, and can be used to measure the total length of the radome.

[0031] In the second aspect, such as Figure 5-7 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a method for machining the outer wall of an radome, applicable to the radome outer wall machining fixture described above, including the following steps: Step S100: Connect and fix the non-head part of the radome blank M through the support base 100 and the conical clamping ring 200, and install the support base 100 onto the three-jaw chuck of the lathe. Step S200: Turn the head portion of the radome blank M to the required size; Step S300: Install the head clamping block 400 onto the head part of the radome blank M that has been machined, and tighten the head clamping block 400 by the center pin N of the lathe. Step S400: Remove the conical clamping ring 200 and the connecting assembly 300, and machine the outer wall of the radome blank M (excluding the head part) to the required size.

[0032] It should be noted that the outer diameter of the radome blank M is larger than that of the finished radome. The radome blank M is turned to the required size. Therefore, in step S100, the radome blank M is placed on the support base 100. Specifically, the inner wall fitting cone 120 is located inside the radome blank M and abuts against the inner wall of the radome blank M. At the same time, the two semi-rings 210 are fitted onto the outer wall of the radome blank M. Through the connection of the connecting screw 220 and the screw 310, the two semi-rings 210 can be moved towards the radome blank M and towards the clamping end plate 110, thereby firmly locking the radome blank M on the inner wall fitting cone 120 and achieving self-positioning. Finally, the clamping end plate 110 is installed on the three-jaw chuck of the horizontal lathe.

[0033] In step S200, the radome blank M is rotated along its circumferential direction by a three-jaw chuck, and the head of the radome blank M is machined to the required size by the feed of a horizontal lathe.

[0034] In step S300, after the head of the radome blank M is machined, the head clamping block 400 is placed over the head of the radome blank M, so that the head of the radome is fitted into the head conical cavity 40a of the head clamping block 400, and the center pin N of the horizontal lathe is pressed into the conical hole 40b of the head clamping block 400, thereby clamping the radome from both ends.

[0035] In step S400, the fixing nut 320, screw 310, connecting screw 220 and connecting nut 230 are unscrewed, the two half rings 210 are removed, the radome blank M is rotated along its circumferential direction by a three-jaw chuck, and the outer wall of the radome blank M (excluding the head part) is machined to the required size by the feed of a horizontal lathe, thereby completing the outer wall machining process of the radome.

[0036] In the third aspect, such as Figure 8 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a radome processing fixture, including the radome outer wall processing fixture as described above, and an inner wall processing fixture, which is connected to the outer wall and end face of the radome.

[0037] After the outer wall of the radome is processed using the aforementioned outer wall processing fixture and outer wall processing method, the inner wall of the radome needs to be processed. This application achieves this by using an inner wall processing fixture in conjunction with a lathe.

[0038] In one embodiment, the inner wall machining fixture includes a concave base 500 and an end face clamping ring 600. The concave base 500 has a cavity formed inside for abutting against the outer wall of the radome. One side of the concave base 500 is used to connect to a three-jaw chuck of a lathe, and the other side of the concave base 500 is detachably connected to the end face clamping ring 600, which abuts against the end face of the radome.

[0039] In one embodiment, the concave base 500 includes a connecting end plate 510 and an outer wall adapter cone 520. The connecting end plate 510 is used to connect with a three-jaw chuck of a lathe. The connecting end plate 510 is fixedly connected to the tip of the outer wall adapter cone 520. The interior of the outer wall adapter cone 520 forms a cavity for abutting against the outer wall of the radome. The side of the outer wall adapter cone 520 away from the connecting end plate 510 is detachably connected to an end face clamping ring 600 via a plurality of clamping screws 700. The inner diameter of the end face clamping ring 600 is smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the outer wall adapter cone 520.

[0040] The circular outer wall of the connecting end plate 510 can be used for clamping on vertical lathes and also for clamping on horizontal lathes.

[0041] In one embodiment, the outer wall of the outer wall adapter cone 520 is provided with a plurality of visible slots 52a evenly arranged along its circumference. When processing the inner wall of the radome, the wall thickness of the radome can be monitored in real time through the plurality of visible slots 52a on the outer wall adapter cone 520.

[0042] Compared with existing technologies, this technology enables rapid clamping and positioning of the radome, as well as safe and efficient processing. It solves the problems of high material consumption, high cost, and long processing time associated with traditional processing methods such as pre-reserved process clamps or adhesive bonding of radar radomes. At the same time, the quick-release structure of the outer wall processing fixture and the reasonable processing flow further improve production efficiency and ease of operation. The processing accuracy is high and the efficiency is high, fully meeting the product design accuracy requirements.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A jig for machining the outer wall of an antenna radome, characterized in that, include: The support base has one side for connection with the lathe's three-jaw chuck, and the other side can extend into the interior of the radome and abut against its inner wall. The conical clamping ring has a conical abutment surface formed on its inner wall for abutting against the outer wall of the radome; A connecting assembly is provided, wherein the support base and the conical clamping ring are detachably connected via the connecting assembly; The head pressing block has a concave cavity on one side that connects with the head of the antenna radome, and a concave hole on the other side that connects with the center of the lathe. The support base includes a clamping end plate and an inner wall adapter cone. The outer wall of the clamping end plate is used to connect with the three-jaw chuck of the lathe. One side of the clamping end plate is fixedly connected to the end with the larger cross section of the inner wall adapter cone. The inner wall adapter cone can extend into the interior of the radome and abut against its inner wall. The outer wall of the inner wall adapter cone is provided with multiple through grooves evenly arranged along its circumference. The connecting assembly includes multiple screws and multiple fixing nuts. One end of each screw is connected to the support base, and the other end of each screw passes through the conical clamping ring and is connected to the multiple fixing nuts respectively. A detection hole is provided at the center of the head clamping block, which connects the head conical cavity and the conical hole.

2. The radome outer wall machining fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conical clamping ring includes two half-rings, multiple connecting screws, and multiple connecting nuts. The two half-rings can be joined together to form a ring structure. The multiple connecting screws pass through the two half-rings and are respectively connected to the multiple connecting nuts.

3. A method for processing the outer wall of an antenna radome, characterized in that, A fixture for machining the outer wall of an antenna radome as described in any one of claims 1-2, comprising the following steps: The non-head part of the radome blank is connected and fixed by a support base and a conical clamping ring, and the support base is installed on the three-jaw chuck of the lathe. Turn the head portion of the radome blank to the required size; Install the head clamping block onto the head part of the radome blank that has been machined, and tighten the head clamping block by the center of the lathe. Remove the conical clamping ring and connecting assembly, and machine the outer wall of the radome blank (excluding the head section) to the required dimensions.

4. A radome machining fixture, characterized in that, The device includes a radome outer wall machining fixture as described in any one of claims 1-2, and also includes an inner wall machining fixture, wherein the inner wall machining fixture is connected to the outer wall and end face of the radome.

5. The radome processing fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inner wall machining fixture includes a concave base and an end face clamping ring. The concave base has a cavity inside for abutting against the outer wall of the radome. One side of the concave base is used to connect with a three-jaw chuck of a lathe, and the other side of the concave base is detachably connected to the end face clamping ring, which is used to abut against the end face of the radome.

6. The radome processing fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that, The concave base includes a connecting end plate and an outer wall adapter cone. The connecting end plate is used to connect with a three-jaw chuck of a lathe. The connecting end plate is fixedly connected to the tip of the outer wall adapter cone. The interior of the outer wall adapter cone forms a cavity for abutting against the outer wall of the radome. The side of the outer wall adapter cone away from the connecting end plate is detachably connected to the end face clamping ring via multiple clamping screws. The inner diameter of the end face clamping ring is smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the outer wall adapter cone.

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