Symmetrical double-branch adaptive shafting radar turntable

Abstract

This invention discloses a symmetrical dual-arm adaptive shaft radar turntable, relating to the field of radar turntable design technology. It includes a base, upper turntable, fixed arms, thermally compensated arms, antenna array, a first drive unit, and a second drive unit. The fixed arms employ axially fixed bearings to ensure the positioning accuracy of the main load-bearing end. The thermally compensated arms, through a combination of axially floating bearings and a sliding hinge with a shift fork, allow the rotating shaft to float axially and allow for gear clearance. This design absorbs thermal expansion deformation of materials, avoids gear jamming and stress concentration, and ensures continuous operation of the shaft system under extreme temperature changes. An axial sliding mechanism connects the fixed inner ring and the mounting end cover, forming a radially rigid and axially flexible torque transmission channel. When temperature changes cause the shaft system to elongate, the inner ring can slide axially along the transition groove, preventing hinge jamming.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radar turntable design technology, and in particular to a symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable. Background Technology

[0002] As radar technology advances towards larger scales, the application of phased array antennas in precision measurement radars faces multiple technical challenges. Their forked-arm elevation axis structure, due to its large span and high load-bearing inertia, requires consideration of both thermal adaptability and dynamic performance requirements. Specifically: 1) Significant thermo-mechanical coupling effects occur, with heat generated by the antenna array's electronic equipment leading to substantial local temperature rises, creating temperature differences with surrounding structures and causing non-uniform thermal deformation; 2) A prominent contradiction exists in structural stiffness. Limited by size and weight constraints, the stiffness of the antenna array and turntable body cannot meet the requirements of high resonant frequencies, directly affecting tracking accuracy and dynamic response; 3) The axis design needs to balance thermal compensation and impact resistance requirements. Traditional fixed-end designs cannot adapt to thermal expansion and contraction, while the movable-end structure is susceptible to impact loads during mobile operations.

[0003] The aforementioned contradictions make the shafting system a key weak link restricting the performance of precision tracking turntables, necessitating innovative adaptive design methods to achieve multi-objective optimization of stiffness, inertia, and thermal adaptability. Therefore, to address this issue, a symmetrical dual-arm adaptive shafting radar turntable is proposed to meet practical application needs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable to reduce the inertia of large radar antenna array turntables and improve the turntable's tracking accuracy and dynamic response performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable, comprising a base, an upper turntable, fixed arms, thermally compensated arms, an antenna array, a first driving unit, and a second driving unit. The upper turntable is rotatably mounted on the base and has a two-arm structure. The fixed arm and the thermally compensated arm are respectively disposed on the two arms of the upper turntable. The antenna array is disposed between the fixed arm and the thermally compensated arm. The first driving unit and the second driving unit are respectively disposed on the outer sides of the fixed arm and the thermally compensated arm. Both the fixed arm and the thermally compensated arm include a rotating assembly. The rotating assembly includes a mounting bracket. The fixed support arm includes a first bearing and a first rotating hinge. The two rotating shafts are respectively disposed on both sides of the antenna array. The thermal compensation support arm also includes a second bearing and a second rotating hinge. The rotating shaft of the fixed support arm is mounted on the mounting bracket via the first bearing, and the rotating shaft of the thermal compensation support arm is mounted on the mounting bracket via the second bearing. The first rotating hinge is disposed on the side of the fixed support arm, and the second rotating hinge is disposed on the side of the thermal compensation support arm. The first bearing is an axially fixed bearing, and the second bearing is an axially floating bearing. The first rotating hinge restricts axial displacement, and the second rotating hinge is provided with an axial sliding mechanism.

[0006] Preferably, the rotating assembly further includes a driven gear; the driven gear is sleeved on the rotating shaft; both the first driving unit and the second driving unit include a mounting housing, a driving device, and a driving gear; the mounting housing is respectively disposed on the outside of the corresponding mounting support, the driving device is disposed in the mounting housing, the driving gear is sleeved on the output end of the driving device, and the driving gear meshes with the corresponding driven gear; the mounting housing, driving device, and driving gear of the first driving unit and the second driving unit are all symmetrically distributed around the center of the antenna array.

[0007] Preferably, the rotating assembly further includes an angle detection element, a bearing end cover, and a mounting flange; the inner ring of the angle detection element is connected to the rotating shaft, the outer ring of the angle detection element is fixed to the mounting support by the mounting flange, and the bearing end cover is disposed on the two end faces of the mounting support.

[0008] Preferably, the first rotary hinge includes a first mounting bracket and a retaining ring, the first mounting bracket being connected to a mounting support, and the retaining ring being disposed on the end cap of the first mounting bracket.

[0009] Preferably, the second rotary hinge further includes a second mounting bracket, a mounting end cap, and a fixed inner ring; the second mounting bracket is connected to a mounting support, the mounting end cap is disposed on the end cap of the second mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket is connected to a rotation shaft, and the mounting end cap is connected to the fixed inner ring through an axial sliding mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the mounting end cap is annular, the inner wall of the mounting end cap is integrally formed with a first shift fork, the surface of the fixed inner ring is integrally formed with a second shift fork, the axial sliding mechanism is annular, the outer side of the axial sliding mechanism is provided with a first shift fork groove that matches the first shift fork, and the inner side of the axial sliding mechanism is provided with a second shift fork groove that matches the second shift fork.

[0011] Preferably, the mounting axis of the driving gear is parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft, and the axis of the driving gear is parallel to the axis of the driven gear.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes a pin, which is disposed on the side of the fixed support arm and the thermal compensation support arm, and the antenna array surface is provided with a pin hole that matches the pin.

[0013] Preferably, the axis of the pin is parallel to and at the same height as the axis of the antenna array.

[0014] Preferably, the driven gear of the thermal compensation arm and the mounting bracket have an axial clearance.

[0015] Compared with related technologies, the symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] This invention provides a symmetrical double-arm adaptive shaft radar turntable. The fixed arm uses an axially fixed bearing to ensure the positioning accuracy of the main load-bearing end. The thermally compensated arm combines an axially floating bearing with a sliding hinge fork, allowing the rotating shaft to float axially and reserving gear clearance. This design can absorb the thermal expansion deformation of materials, avoid gear jamming and stress concentration, and ensure continuous operation of the shaft system under extreme temperature changes. An axial sliding mechanism connects the inner ring and the mounting end cover, forming a radially rigid and axially flexible torque transmission channel. When temperature changes cause the shaft system to elongate, the inner ring can slide axially along the transition groove, preventing hinge jamming.

[0017] This invention provides a symmetrical dual-arm adaptive shaft system radar turntable, employing a "fixed-floating" asymmetrical layout: the fixed end bearing on the front side is rigidly locked, while the moving end shaft system on the rear side is designed as an axially free end, allowing displacement to disperse impact energy. Before transportation, the drive unit engages the driven gear with the active gear to lock it, increasing the shaft system resonant frequency and avoiding common vehicle vibration frequency bands. A buffer pad is added to the gear clearance on the floating end to limit gear runout. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed support arm structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the fixed support arm of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the thermal compensation arm of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the drive unit structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second rotary hinge structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting end cap structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed inner ring structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the axial sliding mechanism of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the first rotating hinge structure of the present invention.

[0028] The diagram shows the following components: 1. Base; 2. Upper turntable; 3. Fixed support arm; 4. Thermal compensation support arm; 5. Antenna array; 6. Pin; 7. First drive unit; 8. Second drive unit; 31. First bearing; 32. First rotary hinge; 321. First mounting bracket; 322. Fixed ring; 34. Rotating assembly; 341. Mounting support; 342. Rotating shaft; 343. Driven gear; 344. Angle detection element; 345. Mounting flange; 346. Bearing end cover; 781. Drive device; 782. Drive gear; 41. Second bearing; 42. Second rotary hinge; 421. Second mounting bracket; 422. Mounting end cover; 423. Axial sliding mechanism; 424. Fixed inner ring; 425. First shift fork; 426. Second shift fork; 427. First shift fork slot; 428. Second shift fork slot. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The above-mentioned and other technical features and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] Reference Figure 1-10This embodiment provides a symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable, including a base 1, an upper turntable 2, a fixed arm 3, a thermal compensation arm 4, an antenna array 5, a first drive unit 7, and a second drive unit 8. The upper turntable 2 is rotatably mounted on the base 1 and has a two-arm structure. The fixed arm 3 and the thermal compensation arm 4 are respectively disposed on the two arms of the upper turntable 2. The antenna array 5 is disposed between the fixed arm 3 and the thermal compensation arm 4. The first drive unit 7 and the second drive unit 8 are respectively disposed on the outer sides of the fixed arm 3 and the thermal compensation arm 4.

[0032] Among them, the two-arm structure is a common structure of the upper turntable 2. This structure is symmetrical U-shaped. The fixed support arm 3 and the thermal compensation support arm 4 are respectively set above the two-arm structure. The antenna array 5 rotates through the fixed support arm 3 and the thermal compensation support arm 4, and is driven by the first driving unit 7 and the second driving unit 8 respectively.

[0033] Furthermore, both the fixed support arm 3 and the thermal compensation support arm 4 include a rotating assembly 34; the rotating assembly 34 includes a mounting bracket 341 and a rotating shaft 342; the two rotating shafts 342 are respectively fixed at the middle positions on both sides of the antenna array 5. The fixed support arm 3 also includes a first bearing 31 and a first rotating hinge 32; the thermal compensation support arm 4 also includes a second bearing 41 and a second rotating hinge 42. The rotating shaft 342 of the fixed support arm 3 is mounted on the mounting bracket 341 via the first bearing 31, and the rotating shaft 342 of the thermal compensation support arm 4 is mounted on the mounting bracket 341 via the second bearing 41. The first rotating hinge 32 is located on the side of the fixed support arm 3, and the second rotating hinge 42 is located on the side of the thermal compensation support arm 4. The first bearing 31 is an axially fixed bearing, and the second bearing 41 is an axially floating bearing; the first rotating hinge 32 restricts axial displacement, and the second rotating hinge 42 is provided with an axial sliding mechanism 423 to allow axial displacement.

[0034] Among them, the axial fixed bearing can be a pair of symmetrically arranged tapered roller bearings, with the inner ring of the tapered roller bearing fixed to the rotating shaft 342 and the outer ring fixed to the mounting support 341; the axial floating bearing allows the rotating shaft 342 to be displaced a certain distance along the axis, and can be a pair of cylindrical roller bearings to ensure the stability of the rotation of the rotating shaft 342.

[0035] Furthermore, the rotating assembly 34 also includes a driven gear 343; the driven gear 343 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 342; both the first drive unit 7 and the second drive unit 8 include a mounting housing, a drive device 781, and a driving gear 782; the mounting housings are respectively fixed to the outside of the corresponding mounting supports 341, the drive device 781 is fixed in the mounting housing, and the driving gear 782 is sleeved on the output end of the drive device 781, meshing with the corresponding driven gear 343. The mounting axis of the driving gear 782 is parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft 342, and the axis of the driving gear 782 is parallel to the axis of the driven gear 343.

[0036] The drive unit 781 uses a commonly used driver. The first drive unit 7 and the second drive unit 8 drive the drive gear 782 to rotate through the drive unit 781. The gear meshing transmission drives the drive gear 782 to rotate, thereby driving the rotation shaft 342 to rotate, ultimately allowing the antenna array 5 to adjust its elevation angle as needed. The drive gear 782 meshes with the driven gear 343 to hold the rotation shaft 342. The dual drive units, through symmetrical holding, can improve the overall stiffness of the shaft system more than a single drive unit. When the dual drive units significantly improve the stiffness of the shaft system through symmetrical constraints, while the mass of the shaft system (mainly the mass of components such as the antenna array 5 and the rotation shaft 342) remains basically unchanged, its inherent resonant frequency will increase accordingly, thus avoiding the vehicle vibration frequency band.

[0037] The mounting housings of the first driving unit 7 and the second driving unit 8, the driving device 781 and the driving gear 782 are all symmetrically arranged through the center of the antenna array 5.

[0038] Furthermore, this embodiment also includes a pin 6, which is disposed on the side of the fixed support arm 3 and the thermal compensation support arm 4. The antenna array 5 is provided with a pin hole that matches the pin 6. The axis of the pin 6 is parallel to and at the same height as the axis of the antenna array 5. The rotating assembly 34 also includes an angle detection element 344, a bearing end cover 345, and a mounting flange 346. The inner ring of the angle detection element 344 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 342, and the outer ring of the angle detection element 344 is fixed to the mounting support 341 through the mounting flange 346. The bearing end cover 345 is fixed to the two end faces of the mounting support 341 to press the bearing.

[0039] The angle detection element 344, which can be a photoelectric encoder or similar device, is used to obtain the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 342. The angle detection element 344, mounted on the fixed support arm 3 and the thermal compensation support arm 4, can simultaneously detect and adjust the torsional angle at both ends of the antenna array 5 axis system via servo control of the two drive devices 781, ensuring smooth insertion and removal of the pins 6 at both ends. The depth of the pin hole is greater than the length of the pin 6, ensuring sufficient space for the pin 6 to move within the pin hole, meeting the requirements of the rotating shaft 342 during axial displacement.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 10 As shown, the first rotary hinge 32 includes a first mounting bracket 321 and a retaining ring 322 for mounting an RF slip ring. The first mounting bracket 321 is connected to a mounting support 341, and the retaining ring 322 is disposed on the end cap of the first mounting bracket 321. Figure 6 As shown, the second rotary hinge 42 also includes a second mounting bracket 421, a mounting end cap 422, and a fixed inner ring 424 for mounting an RF slip ring. The second mounting bracket 421 is connected to the mounting support 341, and the mounting end cap 422 is fixed to the outer end cap of the second mounting bracket 421. The second mounting bracket 421 is connected to the rotation shaft 342, and the mounting end cap 422 is connected to the fixed inner ring 424 via an axial sliding mechanism 423. The mounting end cap 422 is annular, and a first shift fork 425 is integrally formed on the inner wall of the mounting end cap 422. A second shift fork 426 is integrally formed on the surface of the fixed inner ring 424. The axial sliding mechanism 423 is annular, and a first shift fork groove 427 matching the first shift fork 425 is opened on the outer side of the axial sliding mechanism 423, and a second shift fork groove 428 matching the second shift fork 426 is opened on the inner side of the axial sliding mechanism 423.

[0041] The axial sliding mechanism 423 ensures that when the second mounting bracket 421, which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 342, undergoes axial displacement, the inner ring 424 remains axially fixed and rotates, thereby driving the outer ring of the RF slip ring to rotate and ensuring the stability of signal transmission.

[0042] Furthermore, the driven gear 343 of the thermal compensation arm 4 has an axial clearance with the mounting support 341. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The clearance spacing 'a' ensures the axial displacement of the driven gear 343 under various working conditions.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] In this example, the radar turntable is deployed in a desert or high-altitude cold region with significant day-night temperature differences (such as an environment of -30℃ to +60℃). In addition, the phased array antenna array generates heat during use, and the structural components are at risk of axial deformation due to thermal expansion and contraction.

[0045] At this time, the rotating shaft 342 of the thermal compensation support arm 4 is installed through an axial floating bearing, allowing axial displacement of ±2mm. An axial clearance a (a = 0.5-1.2mm) is reserved between the driven gear 343 and the support to ensure that the gear meshing surface does not jam due to material expansion when the temperature changes.

[0046] In the second rotary hinge 42, the fixed inner ring 424 is provided with symmetrical second forks 426, and the mounting end cover 422 is provided with symmetrical first forks 425. The axial sliding mechanism 423 connects the fixed inner ring 424 and the mounting end cover 422 through four sets of fork slots, forming a torque transmission channel with radial rigidity and axial flexibility. When the temperature changes and the shaft system elongates, the inner ring can slide axially along the transition sleeve groove to avoid the hinge from jamming.

[0047] In the drive unit (first drive unit 7 and second drive unit 8), the axes of the drive gear 782 and the driven gear 343 are parallel and use a spur gear structure, so that the meshing state can be maintained when the drive gear 782 is axially displaced.

[0048] When the pin 6 is in use, the angle detection element 344 on the left and right rotation shaft 342 monitors the rotation angle deviation at both ends in real time. When thermal deformation causes the torsional angle difference of the two shaft systems to be greater than 0.05°, the two drive devices 781 dynamically adjust the output torque to ensure that the pin 6 is accurately aligned with the pin hole of the antenna array 5.

[0049] Other implementation methods are the same as in Example 1.

[0050] Example 3

[0051] In this embodiment, the radar turntable is transported on a rugged road, and the sudden acceleration and deceleration cause inertial impact.

[0052] Before transportation, the first drive unit 7 and the second drive unit 8 lock the driven gear 343 with the drive gear 782, rigidly locking the rotating shaft 342 to the mounting bracket 341. Simultaneously, the engagement of the pin 6 and the pin hole prevents movement of the antenna array 5. The dual drive units, through symmetrical clamping, improve the overall rigidity of the shaft system compared to a single drive unit, thereby increasing its inherent resonant frequency to avoid the vehicle's vibration frequency band.

[0053] A buffer pad is added in the gap between the driven gear 343 of the thermal compensation arm 4 and the mounting support 341 to attenuate high-frequency vibrations during transportation and prevent the driven gear from directly impacting the support.

[0054] Other implementation methods are the same as in Example 1.

Claims

1. A symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable, comprising a base, an upper turntable, fixed arms, thermally compensated arms, an antenna array, a first drive unit, and a second drive unit, characterized in that: The upper turntable is rotatably mounted on the base. The upper turntable has a two-arm structure. The fixed arm and the thermal compensation arm are respectively disposed on the two arms of the upper turntable. The antenna array is disposed between the fixed arm and the thermal compensation arm. The first driving unit and the second driving unit are respectively disposed on the outer sides of the fixed arm and the thermal compensation arm. Both the fixed arm and the thermal compensation arm include a rotating assembly. The rotating assembly includes a mounting bracket and a rotating shaft. The two rotating shafts are respectively disposed on both sides of the antenna array. The fixed arm also includes a first bearing and a first rotating hinge. The thermal compensation arm also includes a second bearing and a second rotating hinge. The rotating shaft of the fixed arm is mounted on the mounting bracket through the first bearing, and the rotating shaft of the thermal compensation arm is mounted on the mounting bracket through the second bearing. The first rotating hinge is disposed on the side of the fixed arm, and the second rotating hinge is disposed on the side of the thermal compensation arm. The first bearing is an axially fixed bearing, and the second bearing is an axially floating bearing. The first rotating hinge restricts axial displacement, and the second rotating hinge is provided with an axial sliding mechanism. The rotating assembly further includes a driven gear; the driven gear is sleeved on the rotating shaft; the first driving unit and the second driving unit each include a mounting housing, a driving device, and a driving gear; the mounting housings are respectively disposed on the outside of the corresponding mounting supports, the driving device is disposed in the mounting housing, the driving gear is sleeved on the output end of the driving device, and the driving gear meshes with the corresponding driven gear; the mounting housings, driving devices, and driving gears of the first driving unit and the second driving unit are all symmetrically distributed around the center of the antenna array; The second rotary hinge further includes a second mounting bracket, a mounting end cap, and a fixed inner ring; the second mounting bracket is connected to a mounting support, the mounting end cap is disposed on the end cap of the second mounting bracket, the second mounting bracket is connected to a rotating shaft, and the mounting end cap is connected to the fixed inner ring through an axial sliding mechanism; The mounting end cap is annular, and a first shift fork is integrally formed on the inner wall of the mounting end cap. A second shift fork is integrally formed on the surface of the fixed inner ring. The axial sliding mechanism is annular, and a first shift fork groove matching the first shift fork is opened on the outer side of the axial sliding mechanism. A second shift fork groove matching the second shift fork is opened on the inner side of the axial sliding mechanism.

2. The symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating assembly also includes an angle detection element, a bearing end cover, and a mounting flange; the inner ring of the angle detection element is connected to the rotating shaft, the outer ring of the angle detection element is fixed to the mounting support by the mounting flange, and the bearing end cover is disposed on the two end faces of the mounting support.

3. A symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rotary hinge includes a first mounting bracket and a fixing ring. The first mounting bracket is connected to a mounting support, and the fixing ring is disposed on the end cap of the first mounting bracket.

4. A symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting axis of the driving gear is parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft, and the axis of the driving gear is parallel to the axis of the driven gear.

5. A symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a pin, which is disposed on the side of the fixed support arm and the heat compensation support arm, and the antenna array surface is provided with a pin hole that matches the pin.

6. A symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable according to claim 5, characterized in that, The axis of the pin is parallel to and at the same height as the axis of the antenna array. There are two pins, which are symmetrically arranged around the center of the antenna array.

7. A symmetrical dual-arm adaptive axis radar turntable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driven gear of the thermal compensation arm and the mounting bracket have an axial clearance.

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