One-dimensional motion unfolding device of solid surface antenna based on connecting rod structure

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of one-dimensional motion unfolding device of solid surface antenna based on connecting rod structure, including solid surface antenna, by the main fixed surface of being located in center and the main unfolding petal of being arranged around main fixed surface several blocks is formed;Connecting rod mechanism is connected with main fixed surface, main unfolding petal and transmission respectively;Transmission generates one-dimensional rotation around rotation axis under the action of driving source;Support structure is used as installation reference, and main fixed surface, transmission and driving source are all fixedly connected to support structure;One-dimensional rotation of transmission is converted into the space two-dimensional motion of main unfolding petal by connecting rod mechanism, and the synchronous expansion or contraction of several main unfolding petals is realized.The application has the advantages of simple structure, good synchronism, reliable locking, strong adaptability and the like, and has broad application prospect in the field of large-aperture solid surface deployable antenna.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of large space deployable antenna technology for spaceborne payloads, and particularly to a one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-surface antenna based on a linkage structure. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development of aerospace technology, large-aperture, high-precision, deployable antenna technology has become a research hotspot in the field of spaceborne payloads. Solid-surface antennas, due to their high surface accuracy and excellent electrical performance, have irreplaceable application value in high-resolution Earth observation, deep space exploration, and other missions. However, limited by the envelope size of the launch vehicle fairing, large-aperture solid-surface antennas must adopt a deployable design, folding and collapsing during launch and unfolding to establish operational status after entering orbit.

[0003] Existing fixed-surface deployable antennas are mainly divided into two categories: integrally deployable and modularly deployable. Among them, positive-feed fixed-surface deployable antennas typically adopt a modularly deployable design. Its typical structure consists of a fixed surface arranged in the center and several rigid deployable lobes arranged radially around the fixed surface. During transmission, each deployable element folds and retracts. After unlocking upon entering the rail, it unfolds and locks under the drive of the driving device.

[0004] However, existing modular deployable solid-surface antennas still have the following technical problems in terms of deployment mechanism design: First, the unfolding motion is complex, usually requiring the simple motion of the driving source to be converted into the complex spatial motion of the unfolding petals, which makes the mechanism design difficult. Secondly, the synchronization of several unfolded lobes is difficult to guarantee. If multiple driving sources are used to drive them separately, there will be problems of complex synchronization control and reduced reliability. Third, the design of the deployment and locking mechanism is rather complicated, and the reliability of the locking needs to be improved; fourth, the mechanism is not very adaptable to changes in antenna aperture, and the deployment mechanism needs to be redesigned for antennas of different apertures.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a solid-surface antenna deployment device that is simple in structure, has good synchronization, high reliability, and good adaptability. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the reliable deployment and retraction of large-aperture antennas, this invention provides a one-dimensional motion deployment device for solid-surface antennas based on a linkage structure. This device simplifies two-dimensional spatial motion into one-dimensional motion, enabling the two-dimensional spatial deployment and locking of large-aperture solid-surface antennas. It is suitable for deployable designs of large-size, positive-feed reflectors, solving the two-dimensional deployment motion problem of the antenna through simple one-dimensional circular motion. It features strong design flexibility and good stability, and shows promising application prospects for fixed-surface deployable antennas.

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned objectives of the invention, the technical solution adopted to solve its technical problems is as follows: This invention discloses a one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure, comprising: A fixed-surface antenna consists of a centrally located main anti-fixed surface and several main anti-expanded lobes arranged around the main anti-fixed surface. The linkage mechanism is connected to the main anti-fixed surface, the main anti-expanding petal, and the transmission device respectively; The transmission device generates a one-dimensional rotation about the axis of rotation under the action of the drive source; The support structure serves as the installation reference, and the main anti-fixing surface, transmission device, and drive source are all fixedly connected to the support structure. The one-dimensional rotation of the transmission device is converted into two-dimensional spatial motion of the main anti-spreading petals through a linkage mechanism, thereby realizing the synchronous unfolding or retraction of several main anti-spreading petals.

[0008] Furthermore, the linkage mechanism includes: The first connecting rod is fixedly connected to the main anti-spreading lobe; Second link; A first ball joint, through which the first link is connected to the second link; A rotating shaft is provided, and the first connecting rod is connected to a locking bracket fixed to the main anti-fixing surface via the rotating shaft. The second ball joint connects the second link to the transmission device.

[0009] Furthermore, the rotating shafts are evenly distributed around the rotation axis along the circumference of the main anti-fixed surface, and their number corresponds to the number of the main anti-expansion lobes; the angle between the rotating shaft and the rotation axis is α, and the angle between the rotating shaft and the horizontal line is β. By adjusting the angle values ​​of α and β and the lengths of the first and second connecting rods, the shrinking envelope size and unfolding trajectory of the main anti-expansion lobes can be changed.

[0010] Furthermore, the first connecting rod is provided with a locking pin for locking and maintaining the position of the main anti-spreading petal when it is fully unfolded; the locking bracket is provided with a guide groove and a pin hole. During the unfolding process, the locking pin can move along the guide groove of the locking bracket with the first connecting rod. When the main anti-spreading petal is fully unfolded, the locking pin is inserted into the pin hole to lock the unfolded state.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking pin includes a pin, a pin guard, a preload spring, a pin fixing bolt, a locking nut, and a screw; the preload spring is fitted onto the pin, providing preload force to keep the pin in close contact with the guide groove during unfolding, and driving the pin to automatically insert into the pin hole when unfolded into place.

[0012] Furthermore, the driving source is a single driving source, capable of driving the transmission device to rotate bidirectionally around the rotation axis; the forward rotation drives several main anti-spreading petals to expand and lock synchronously, and the reverse rotation drives several main anti-spreading petals to retract synchronously.

[0013] Furthermore, the transmission device includes: An inner ring support structure is fixedly connected to the support structure; The outer ring gear structure is connected to the drive source via gear meshing; The intermediate guide body connects the inner ring support structure and the outer ring gear structure, and is used to guide the outer ring gear structure to rotate smoothly around the rotation axis, thereby realizing the folding and unfolding of several main anti-spreading petals.

[0014] Furthermore, the main anti-spreading petal consists of several rigid petals with the same structural form and size, which are arranged radially and uniformly around the main anti-fixing surface.

[0015] Preferably, the solid-surface antenna is a standard positive-feed parabolic antenna.

[0016] The present invention also discloses a space-deployable antenna, including the above-mentioned one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-surface antenna based on a linkage structure.

[0017] By employing the above technical solutions, this invention has the following advantages and positive effects compared with the prior art: 1. Simple structure and efficient motion conversion: Unlike the multi-link composite mechanisms, gear systems, or cam mechanisms used in existing technologies, this invention converts the one-dimensional rotation of the drive source into the two-dimensional spatial motion of the unfolding petals through a linkage mechanism. The mechanism is simple in composition (requiring only two connecting rods, two ball joints, and one rotating shaft), and has high motion conversion efficiency, solving the problem of complex motion mechanisms in traditional solutions. This achieves precise conversion of complex spatial motions, significantly reducing the weight, volume, and failure rate of the mechanism, which is of great significance for weight-sensitive aerospace payloads.

[0018] 2. Good synchronization and high reliability: This invention uses a single drive source to drive all unfolding petals to move synchronously. Through the linkage design of the transmission device and linkage mechanism, it ensures that several unfolding petals maintain a high degree of synchronization during unfolding and retraction, avoiding the complexity of multi-drive source synchronous control and improving system reliability.

[0019] 3. Reliable locking and stable position: This invention features a locking pin on the first connecting rod and a guide groove and pin hole on the locking bracket. During deployment, the locking pin moves along the guide groove, and when fully deployed, it automatically inserts into the pin hole under the action of a pre-tension spring to achieve locking. This design ensures that the antenna is connected only by a single connecting rod and a positioning pin after deployment, resulting in a simple structure and reliable locking.

[0020] 4. High adaptability and good designability: By adjusting the included angles α and β of the rotation shaft and the lengths of the first and second connecting rods, the size of the unfolded lobe's convergence envelope and its unfolding trajectory can be flexibly changed. This device can adapt to the design requirements of solid-surface antennas with different apertures and envelope requirements without changing the mechanism's topology. This parametric adjustability gives the device excellent platform characteristics, making it suitable for a series of antenna products and providing good engineering adaptability.

[0021] 5. High compactness: By optimizing the linkage parameters and rotation axis angle, this invention can achieve a highly compact antenna in its retracted state, improving the compactness and meeting the launch vehicle's requirements for the effective payload envelope size.

[0022] 6. Integrated Design: The locking pin in this application is integrated with the guide groove and pin hole on the locking bracket. The locking pin moves along the guide groove throughout the unfolding process and automatically inserts into the pin hole under the action of the pre-tension spring to achieve locking. This design eliminates the need for an additional locking drive source and control commands, achieving mechanical logic linkage between the unfolding movement and locking, thus improving reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the retracted state structure of a large-size solid-surface deployable antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged view of the design of the large-size solid-surface deployable antenna linkage structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged view of the rotating shaft design according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged view of the antenna in its locked state after deployment, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the locking pin according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Explanation of Key Symbols] 1-Main and reverse fixed surfaces; 2-Main reverse unfolding lobe; 3-Linkage mechanism; 4-Transmission device; 5-First link; 6-Second link; 7-First ball joint; 8- Rotating shaft; 9-Second ball joint; 10-Inner ring support structure; 11-Outer ring gear structure; 12-Intermediate guide body; 13-Driver source; 14-Supporting structure; 15 - Rotation axis; 16 - Horizontal line; 17-Locking bracket; 18-Locking pin; 19-Pin; 20-Pin Protective Cover; 21-Preload spring; 22- Pin fixing bolt; 23- Lock nut; 24-Screw. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] Example 1 like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment provides a one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-surface antenna based on a linkage structure, suitable for the deployment and locking of a standard positive-feed parabolic antenna. The device mainly includes: a solid-surface antenna, a linkage mechanism 3, a transmission device 4, and a support structure 14, wherein: The fixed-surface antenna consists of a centrally located main anti-reflection fixed surface 1 and several main anti-reflection expanded lobes 2 arranged around the main anti-reflection fixed surface 1. In this embodiment, there are 6 main anti-reflection expanded lobes 2, all of which are rigid lobes with the same structure and size, and are arranged radially and uniformly around the main anti-reflection fixed surface 1.

[0029] Linkage mechanism 3 is connected to the main anti-fixed surface 1, the main anti-expanding petal 2 and the transmission device 4 respectively; The transmission device 4, under the action of the drive source 13, generates a one-dimensional rotation about the rotation axis 15; The support structure 14 serves as the installation reference for the entire device, and the main anti-fixing surface 1, the transmission device 4, and the drive source 13 are all fixedly connected to the support structure 14. The one-dimensional rotation of the transmission device 4 is converted into the two-dimensional spatial motion of the main anti-spreading petals 2 through the linkage mechanism 3, thereby realizing the synchronous unfolding or retraction of several main anti-spreading petals 2.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the linkage mechanism 3 includes: The first connecting rod 5 is fixedly connected to the main anti-spreading lobe 2; Second link 6; The first ball joint 7, the first link 5 is connected to the second link 6 through the first ball joint 7; Rotating shaft 8, the first connecting rod 5 is connected to the locking bracket 17 fixed on the main anti-fixing surface 1 through the rotating shaft 8; The second ball joint 9 is used to connect the second connecting rod 6 to the transmission device 4.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first ball joint 7 and the second ball joint 9 are used instead of a simple rotary hinge because the main anti-spreading petal 2 has two-dimensional spatial motion during the unfolding process (both rotation around the rotation axis 8 and translational components along the radial direction). The ball joint can adapt to this composite motion and avoid motion interference.

[0032] like Figure 3As shown, the rotating shafts 8 are evenly distributed around the rotation axis 15 along the circumference of the main anti-fixed surface 1, and their number corresponds to the number of the main anti-spreading lobes 2 (6 in this embodiment). The angle between the rotating shafts 8 and the rotation axis 15 is α, and the angle between the rotating shafts 8 and the horizontal line 16 (which can be defined as the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (15)) is β. By adjusting the angle values ​​of α and β and the lengths of the first connecting rod 5 and the second connecting rod 6, the size of the shrinking envelope and the unfolding trajectory of the main anti-spreading lobes 2 can be changed to adapt to different antenna apertures and envelope requirements. In other embodiments, the angles α and β of the rotating shafts 8 and the lengths of the first connecting rod 5 and the second connecting rod 6 can be adjusted according to the antenna aperture and shrinking envelope requirements. When a larger shrinking envelope is required, the angle α is appropriately increased or the connecting rod length is shortened; when a more compact shrinking state is required, the angle α is appropriately decreased or the connecting rod length is increased. Through parametric design, this device can quickly adapt to the design requirements of antennas of different specifications without requiring major modifications to the mechanism, demonstrating good adaptability and designability.

[0033] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first connecting rod 5 is provided with a locking pin 18 for locking and maintaining the position of the main anti-spreading petal 2 when it is fully unfolded; the locking bracket 17 is provided with a guide groove and a pin hole. During the unfolding process, the locking pin 18 can move along the guide groove of the locking bracket 17 with the first connecting rod 5. When the main anti-spreading petal 2 is fully unfolded, the locking pin 18 is inserted into the pin hole to lock the unfolded state.

[0034] Furthermore, the locking pin 18 includes a pin 19, a pin protective cover 20, a preload spring 21, a pin fixing bolt 22, a locking nut 23, and a screw 24; the preload spring 21 is fitted onto the pin 19, providing preload force to keep the pin 19 in close contact with the guide groove during the unfolding process, and driving the pin 19 to automatically insert into the pin hole when unfolded into place.

[0035] Furthermore, the driving source 13 is a single driving source, capable of driving the transmission device 4 to rotate bidirectionally around the rotation axis 15; the forward rotation drives several main anti-spreading petals 2 to expand and lock synchronously, and the reverse rotation drives several main anti-spreading petals 2 to retract synchronously.

[0036] Continue to refer to Figure 2 The transmission device 4 includes: The inner ring support structure 10 is fixedly connected to the support structure 14; The outer ring gear structure 11 is connected to the drive source 13 via gear meshing; The intermediate guide body 12 connects the inner ring support structure 10 and the outer ring gear structure 11, and is used to guide the outer ring gear structure 11 to rotate smoothly around the rotation axis 15, thereby realizing the folding and unfolding of several main anti-spreading petals 2.

[0037] In this embodiment, the outer ring gear structure 11 is a gear ring with internal or external teeth, and the output shaft of the drive source 13 (such as a stepper motor) is provided with a gear that meshes with it. The intermediate guide body 12 is a precision ball bearing or a sliding bearing, with its inner ring fixedly connected to the inner ring support structure 10 and its outer ring fixedly connected to the outer ring gear structure 11, thereby ensuring coaxiality and radial stiffness while achieving relative rotation.

[0038] The working process of this device is as follows: Deployment Process: Drive source 13 starts, driving the outer gear structure 11 to rotate forward around the rotation axis 15. The rotation of the outer gear structure 11 drives the second connecting rod 6 through the second ball joint 9. The second connecting rod 6 drives the first connecting rod 5 through the first ball joint 7. The first connecting rod 5 rotates around the rotation axis 8, thereby pushing the main anti-deployment petal 2 to unfold outward around the rotation axis 8. During deployment, the pin 19 of the locking pin 18 remains in close contact with the guide groove on the locking bracket 17 under the action of the preload spring 21 and slides along the guide groove. When the main anti-deployment petal 2 is fully deployed, the pin 19 moves to the pin hole position at the end of the guide groove and automatically inserts into the pin hole under the elastic force of the preload spring 21, achieving mechanical locking in the deployed state. At this time, the antenna is fully deployed and stably locked in the working position.

[0039] Retraction process: The drive source 13 rotates in the reverse direction, driving the outer ring gear structure 11 to rotate in the opposite direction. Under the action of the driving force, the pin 19 overcomes the elastic force of the preload spring 21, disengages from the pin hole, and slides in the reverse direction along the guide groove. The linkage mechanism 3 drives the main anti-deployment petals 2 to retract inward around the rotation axis 8 until the antenna is completely retracted to the desired position. Figure 1 The folded state shown.

[0040] This embodiment achieves the synchronous unfolding and retraction of the six main anti-spreading lobes 2 through one-dimensional rotation of a single driving source 13, and automatically locks them after unfolding. The mechanism is simple, has good synchronization, and reliable locking.

[0041] Example 2 The present invention also discloses a space deployable antenna, including the one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid surface antenna based on a linkage structure as described in Embodiment 1 above.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure, characterized in that, include: The fixed-surface antenna consists of a centrally located main anti-fixed surface (1) and several main anti-expanding lobes (2) arranged around the main anti-fixed surface (1); The linkage mechanism (3) is connected to the main anti-fixed surface (1), the main anti-expanding petal (2) and the transmission device (4) respectively; The transmission device (4) generates a one-dimensional rotation around the rotation axis (15) under the action of the drive source (13); The support structure (14) serves as the installation reference, and the main anti-fixing surface (1), transmission device (4), and drive source (13) are all fixedly connected to the support structure (14). The one-dimensional rotation of the transmission device (4) is converted into the two-dimensional spatial motion of the main anti-spreading petals (2) through the linkage mechanism (3), thereby realizing the synchronous unfolding or retraction of several main anti-spreading petals (2).

2. The one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage mechanism (3) includes: The first connecting rod (5) is fixedly connected to the main anti-spreading petal (2); Second link (6); The first ball joint (7) is used to connect the first link (5) to the second link (6); Rotating shaft (8), the first connecting rod (5) is connected to the locking bracket (17) fixed on the main anti-fixing surface (1) through the rotating shaft (8); The second ball joint (9) connects the second link (6) to the transmission device (4).

3. The one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating shaft (8) is evenly distributed around the rotating axis (15) along the circumference of the main anti-fixed surface (1), and its number corresponds to the number of the main anti-expanding petals (2). The angle between the rotating shaft (8) and the rotating axis (15) is α, and the angle between the rotating shaft (8) and the horizontal line (16) is β. By adjusting the angle values ​​of α and β and the lengths of the first connecting rod (5) and the second connecting rod (6), the shrinking envelope size and unfolding trajectory of the main anti-expanding petals (2) can be changed.

4. The one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first connecting rod (5) is provided with a locking pin (18) for locking and maintaining the position of the main reverse unfolding petal (2) when it is unfolded into place; the locking bracket (17) is provided with a guide groove and a pin hole. During the unfolding process, the locking pin (18) can move along the guide groove of the locking bracket (17) with the first connecting rod (5). When the main reverse unfolding petal (2) is unfolded into place, the locking pin (18) is inserted into the pin hole to lock the unfolded state.

5. The one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking pin (18) includes a pin (19), a pin guard (20), a preload spring (21), a pin fixing bolt (22), a locking nut (23), and a screw (24); the preload spring (21) is fitted on the pin (19) to provide preload force so that the pin (19) remains in close contact with the guide groove during the unfolding process, and drives the pin (19) to automatically insert into the pin hole when unfolded into place.

6. The one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving source (13) is a single driving source that can drive the transmission device (4) to rotate bidirectionally around the rotation axis (15); the forward rotation drives several main anti-expansion petals (2) to expand and lock synchronously, and the reverse rotation drives several main anti-expansion petals (2) to retract synchronously.

7. A one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission device (4) includes: The inner ring support structure (10) is fixedly connected to the support structure (14); The outer ring gear structure (11) is connected to the drive source (13) through gear meshing; The intermediate guide body (12) connects the inner ring support structure (10) and the outer ring gear structure (11) and is used to guide the outer ring gear structure (11) to rotate smoothly around the rotation axis (15) so as to realize the folding and unfolding of several main anti-expansion petals (2).

8. The one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main anti-spreading petal (2) consists of several rigid petals with the same structure and size, which are arranged radially and uniformly around the main anti-fixing surface (1).

9. A one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-plane antenna based on a linkage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solid-surface antenna is a standard positive-feed parabolic antenna.

10. A spatially deployable antenna, characterized in that, The device includes a one-dimensional motion deployment device for a solid-surface antenna based on a linkage structure, as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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