Antenna assembly, aircraft and aircraft system

Abstract

An antenna assembly, an aircraft and an aircraft system, the antenna assembly comprises a directional antenna, a transmission assembly and a driving member, and the directional antenna is used for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal in a specific direction; the transmission assembly is connected to the directional antenna; the driving part is connected to the transmission assembly and used for driving the transmission assembly, so that the transmission assembly drives the directional antenna to rotate to the preset direction, the directional antenna transmits and receives wireless signals in the preset direction, and the communication effect of the antenna assembly in the preset direction is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aircraft technology, and particularly relates to an antenna assembly, an aircraft, and an aircraft system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, consumer aircraft are typically equipped with omnidirectional antennas, which are fixedly mounted on the aircraft's fuselage and cannot change their angle. Additionally, the control terminal is equipped with a directional antenna, but this antenna cannot be rotated to change its angle. In situations with obstacles, such as interference sources or obstacles blocking the communication signal between the aircraft and the control terminal, the communication efficiency or distance between them will be significantly affected, thus impacting the overall communication performance. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides an antenna assembly, an aircraft, and an aircraft system to improve the communication performance of an aircraft by rotating a directional antenna.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides an antenna assembly for use in an aircraft. The antenna assembly includes a directional antenna, a transmission assembly, and a driving component. The directional antenna is used to transmit and receive wireless signals in a specific direction. The transmission assembly is connected to the directional antenna. The driving component is connected to the transmission assembly and is used to drive the transmission assembly, causing the transmission assembly to rotate the directional antenna to a preset direction, thereby enabling the directional antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals in the preset direction.

[0005] In this embodiment, a drive component drives a transmission assembly, which in turn drives the pointing antenna to rotate to a preset direction. This allows the pointing antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals in the preset direction, which is the direction toward the device to be communicated. This ensures that the antenna is at the optimal signal transmission and reception angle, thereby improving the communication effect between the pointing antenna and the device to be communicated.

[0006] In some embodiments, the antenna assembly further includes an angle detection sensor connected between the drive and the transmission assembly for detecting the current direction pointing to the antenna.

[0007] In some embodiments, the antenna assembly further includes a controller, which is used to acquire the positioning information of the control terminal and the current direction of the pointing antenna detected by the angle detection sensor, and control the driving element to drive the pointing antenna to rotate to a preset direction, the preset direction being towards the control terminal.

[0008] In some embodiments, the directional antenna includes a radiator and a carrier. The radiator is disposed on the carrier, and one end of the carrier is connected to a transmission component. The radiator includes a polarization surface, which is used to transmit and receive wireless signals in a preset direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the transmission assembly includes a first transmission member and a second transmission member, the first transmission member and the second transmission member being engagedly connected, the first transmission member being connected to a driving member, and the second transmission member being connected to a pointing antenna. When the driving member rotates, the driving member drives the first transmission member to rotate, the first transmission member drives the second transmission member to rotate, and the second transmission member drives the pointing antenna to rotate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the angle detection sensor is connected between the drive member and the first transmission member, and when the drive member rotates, the drive member drives the angle detection sensor to rotate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second transmission member includes a circular hole, and the pointing antenna includes a slip ring rotatably housed within the circular hole.

[0012] In some embodiments, the antenna assembly further includes a bracket and a cover, with the drive element and transmission assembly housed in the bracket and the drive element housed in the cover, and the bracket and cover being connected.

[0013] Secondly, this application provides an aircraft, including a fuselage and an arm, the arm being connected to the fuselage, the arm being provided with propeller blades and an antenna assembly as described in the first aspect, the propeller blades being used to provide flight power for the aircraft.

[0014] Thirdly, this application provides an aircraft system, including the aircraft of the second aspect and a control terminal. The control terminal is wirelessly connected to the aircraft, and the control terminal includes a pointing antenna. The aircraft obtains the positioning information of the control terminal and drives the pointing antenna to rotate toward the control terminal accordingly. The control terminal obtains the positioning information of the aircraft and drives the pointing antenna to rotate toward the aircraft accordingly. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an aircraft including an antenna assembly, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the antenna assembly provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shown is an exploded three-dimensional view of the aircraft, including the antenna assembly.

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The image shown is a cross-sectional view of the aircraft, including the antenna assembly.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the aircraft system provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The diagram shown is an exploded 3D view of the aircraft system.

[0021] Main component symbol explanation

[0022] 100 - aircraft; 10 - body; 20 - arm; 30 - antenna assembly;

[0023] 21 - base; 22 - blade; 23 - power element;

[0024] 31 - pointing antenna; 312 - radiator; 3122 - polarization surface; 3124 - connecting point; 314 - carrier; 3142 - receiving groove; 3144 - connecting part; 316 - slip ring; 318 - wire;

[0025] 32 - transmission assembly; 322 - first transmission element; 324 - second transmission element; 3242 - gear; 3244 - round hole part; 3246 - fixing part;

[0026] 33 - driving element; 332 - rotating shaft; 34 - angle detection sensor; 35 - controller;

[0027] 36 - support; 362 - receiving disc; 364 - first receiving cylinder; 366 - second receiving cylinder; 37 - cover; 38 - satellite positioning receiving antenna;

[0028] 200 - control terminal; 210 - pointing antenna; 220 - satellite positioning receiving antenna.

[0029] The following detailed description will further describe the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second" in the specification and claims of the present application and the drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. In the specification and claims of the present application and the drawings, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B. For example, A and / or B can mean three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the term "multiple" in the specification and claims of the present application and the drawings means two or more than two.

[0031] It can be understood that the connection relationship described in the present application refers to direct or indirect connection. For example, A is connected with B or A is electrically connected with B, which can be direct connection between A and B, or indirect connection between A and B through one or more other electrical elements, for example, A can be directly connected with C, and C is directly connected with B, so that A and B are connected through C.

[0032] Some embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described below and the features thereof can be combined with each other in the case of no conflict.

[0033] Currently, a consumer aircraft is usually equipped with an omnidirectional antenna, and the omnidirectional antenna is fixedly installed on the fuselage of the aircraft. The omnidirectional antenna cannot change its angle. In addition, a control terminal is equipped with a directional antenna, but the directional antenna cannot rotate to change its angle. In some obstacle cases, such as an interference source or an obstacle shielding the communication signals between the aircraft and the control terminal, the communication efficiency or the communication distance of the aircraft and the control terminal will be obviously affected, thereby affecting the communication effect between the two.

[0034] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide an antenna assembly, an aircraft and an aircraft system to improve the communication effect of the aircraft by rotating the directional antenna.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiments of the present application provide an application for an aircraft 100. The aircraft 100 has a flight function. In some embodiments, the aircraft 100 can be, but is not limited to, an unmanned aircraft, a drone, a non-manned aircraft, etc. The aircraft 100 can include a body 10, an arm 20 and an antenna assembly 30.

[0036] In some embodiments, the aircraft 100 can include a plurality of arms 20, for example, four arms 20, which are foldably connected to the body 10. It can be understood that the four arms 20 can be symmetrically connected to the four end corner positions of the body 10.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, each arm 20 can be provided with a base 21, a paddle 22 and a power member 23.

[0038] The base 21 can be arranged at the end of the arm 20 away from the body 10. In some embodiments, the base 21 is substantially annular.

[0039] The paddle 22 is foldably connected to the power member 23, and the power member 23 can be connected to the base 21. The power member 23 is used to provide power for the rotation of the paddle 22, and the paddle 22 is used to rotate to realize the flight function of the aircraft 100. In some embodiments, the power member 23 can be, but is not limited to, a power motor, which can generate power for the rotation of the paddle 22.

[0040] In some embodiments, the antenna assembly 30 can include a directional antenna 31, a transmission assembly 32, a driving member 33, an angle detection sensor 34 and a controller 35 (see Figure 1 ).

[0041] The pointing antenna 31 is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a specific direction. In some embodiments, the pointing antenna 31 can be, but is not limited to, a directional high-gain antenna, which can concentrate electromagnetic waves in a specific direction for radiation or reception, and can be suitable for long-distance communication or specific direction communication of the aircraft 100, thereby ensuring communication efficiency and signal quality.

[0042] In some embodiments, the pointing antenna 31 can include a radiator 312 and a carrier 314. The radiator 312 is arranged on the carrier 314, and the radiator 312 can include a polarization plane 3122 and a connection point 3124. The polarization plane 3122 can be a radiation plane of the pointing antenna 31 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The connection point 3124 is arranged at one end of the radiator 312 and is used for connection with other components, and can realize conduction of current or signals.

[0043] The carrier 314 can be provided with a receiving groove 3142 for receiving the radiator 312. One end of the carrier 314 is provided with a connecting portion 3144, which can be in a cylindrical shape. The connecting portion 3144 is connected to the transmission assembly 32, and the overall rotation of the pointing antenna 31 can be realized through the connecting portion 3144.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 together. The transmission assembly 32 is connected to the pointing antenna 31 and is used to drive the pointing antenna 31 to rotate. In some embodiments, the transmission assembly 32 can include a first transmission member 322 and a second transmission member 324. The first transmission member 322 is engaged with the second transmission member 324. The first transmission member 322 is connected to the driving member 33, and the second transmission member 324 is connected to the pointing antenna 31.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first transmission member 322 can be, but is not limited to, a gear with teeth. The second transmission member 324 can include a gear 3242, a circular hole portion 3244, and a fixed portion 3246. The gear 3242 has teeth and can be engaged with the first transmission member 322. In some embodiments, the first transmission member 322 and the second transmission member 324 are connected through gear engagement and realize synchronous transmission. It can be understood that the rotation directions of the first transmission member 322 and the second transmission member 324 are opposite. The circular hole portion 3244 and the fixed portion 3246 are connected to one side of the gear 3242 in sequence. Both the circular hole portion 3244 and the fixed portion 3246 are hollow structures, and the circular hole portion 3244 has a larger outer diameter than the fixed portion 3246. In some embodiments, the fixed portion 3246 is provided with a D-shaped hole, which can correspond to the connecting portion 3144 and fixedly connect the connecting portion 3144, so as to realize the fixed connection between the second transmission member 324 and the carrier 314.

[0046] In some embodiments, the pointing antenna 31 can further include a slip ring 316 and a wire 318. The wire 318 passes through the slip ring 316, and the wire 318 is connected to the connecting point 3124 to realize the conduction of current or signal between the pointing antenna 31 and other components. The slip ring 316 is rotatably accommodated in the circular hole portion 3244, and when the second transmission member 324 drives the pointing antenna 31 to rotate, the slip ring 316 is rotatably accommodated in the circular hole portion 3244 to prevent the wire 318 from being twisted or wound due to rotation.

[0047] The driving member 33 is connected to the first transmission member 322 and is used to drive the first transmission member 322 to rotate. In some embodiments, the driving member 33 can be but is not limited to a driving motor, which can generate a rotary driving force. The driving member 33 includes a rotating shaft 332, which is arranged at one end of the driving member 33 and is fixedly connected to the angle detection sensor 34 and the first transmission member 322, and is used to drive the angle detection sensor 34 and the first transmission member 322 to synchronously rotate. In some embodiments, the rotating shaft 332 can be substantially D-shaped, and the angle detection sensor 34 and the first transmission member 322 can correspondingly have D-shaped holes, and the rotating shaft 332 can pass through the D-shaped holes of the angle detection sensor 34 and the first transmission member 322 in sequence to realize the fixed connection of the rotating shaft 332, the angle detection sensor 34 and the first transmission member 322.

[0048] The angle detection sensor 34 is connected between the driving member 33 and the first transmission member 322 and can synchronously rotate with the rotating shaft 332 and the first transmission member 322. The angle detection sensor 34 is used to detect the current direction or angle of the pointing antenna 31. In some embodiments, the angle detection sensor 34 can be connected to the controller 35 through a wire (not shown in the figure), and can detect the current direction or angle of the pointing antenna 31 according to a preset frequency band and can transmit the detection data to the controller 35 in real time.

[0049] The controller 35 can be arranged in the machine body 10 and can be used to obtain information of other electronic devices, such as positioning information of other electronic devices, and can obtain the current direction or angle of the pointing antenna 31 detected by the angle detection sensor 34, and can control the driving member 33 to drive the pointing antenna 31 to rotate to a preset direction.

[0050] In some embodiments, the antenna assembly 30 can further include a support 36 and a cover 37.

[0051] The bracket 36 can be used to accommodate the transmission assembly 32, the driving member 33 and the angle detection sensor 34. The bracket 36 can include an accommodation disc 362, a first accommodation cylinder 364 and a second accommodation cylinder 366. The accommodation disc 362 is generally in the shape of a hollow disc and can be used to accommodate the first transmission member 322, the angle detection sensor 34 and the gear 3242 of the second transmission member 324. The first accommodation cylinder 364 and the second accommodation cylinder 366 are adjacently arranged on the accommodation disc 362. The first accommodation cylinder 364 is generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder and can be used to accommodate the driving member 33. In some embodiments, the driving member 33 is accommodated in the first accommodation cylinder 364, and the shaft 332 extends into the accommodation disc 362 and connects the angle detection sensor 34 and the first transmission member 322 in the accommodation disc 362. The second accommodation cylinder 366 is generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder and can be used to accommodate the round hole portion 3244 and the fixed portion 3246 of the second transmission member 324. In some embodiments, the round hole portion 3244 of the second transmission member 324 can extend from the second accommodation cylinder 366 into the accommodation disc 362 and connect the gear 3242 in the accommodation disc 362, and the fixed portion 3246 can extend from the second accommodation cylinder 366 and connect the connecting portion 3144 of the carrier 314. In some embodiments, the driving member 33 and the pointing antenna 31 are adjacently arranged by the adjacently arrangement of the first accommodation cylinder 364 and the second accommodation cylinder 366. In some embodiments, the bracket 36 can be accommodated in the base 21 of the robot arm 20.

[0052] The cover 37 can be used to accommodate the pointing antenna 31 and connect with the first accommodation cylinder 364 and the second accommodation cylinder 366 of the bracket 36, so that the cover 37 and the bracket 36 can accommodate the pointing antenna 31, the transmission assembly 32, the driving member 33 and the angle detection sensor 34 for physical protection.

[0053] During the flight of the aerial vehicle 100, the antenna assembly 30 can adjust the pointing antenna 31 to rotate to a preset direction according to actual needs, so that the pointing antenna 31 emits and receives wireless signals in the preset direction. Specifically, the current direction or angle of the pointing antenna 31 is detected by the angle detection sensor 34, and the controller 35 obtains the current direction or angle of the pointing antenna 31 detected by the angle detection sensor 34. The controller 35 can control the driving member 33 to drive the first transmission member 322 according to actual needs, such as a preset direction, the first transmission member 322 drives the second transmission member 324, and the second transmission member 324 drives the pointing antenna 31 to rotate to the preset direction, so that the pointing antenna 31 emits and receives wireless signals in the preset direction, thereby improving the communication effect of the pointing antenna 31 in the preset direction. It can be understood that the preset direction can be a target direction for the aerial vehicle 100 to communicate, for example, in the preset direction, the aerial vehicle 100 communicates with a target device or terminal for communication.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 5 andFigure 6 The embodiments of the present application provide an aircraft system, which comprises an aircraft 100 and a control terminal 200. The aircraft 100 and the control terminal 200 can perform wireless communication. In some embodiments, the control terminal 200 can be a remote control device matched with the aircraft 100, and can be used to remotely control the aircraft 100. The control terminal 200 can send instructions to the aircraft 100 through wireless transmission, so as to control the movement of the aircraft 100 and the operation of other devices on the aircraft 100.

[0055] In some embodiments, the control terminal 200 can perform wireless communication signals or wireless transmission through the directional antenna 210. In some embodiments, the directional antenna 210 of the control terminal 200 can have substantially the same structure and function as the directional antenna 31 of the aircraft 100, that is, the directional antenna 210 is also used to emit and receive wireless signals in a specific direction, and has a rotatable function, so that the directional antenna 210 can be rotated to a preset direction according to actual needs. It can be understood that, during the flight of the aircraft 100, the position of the aircraft 100 can change in real time or intermittently, and the control terminal 200 can be held by a user or an operator on the ground, that is, the relative position or angle between the aircraft 100 and the control terminal 200 can change in real time or intermittently, so it is necessary to dynamically adjust the directional antenna 31 of the aircraft 100 to rotate to a preset direction, for example, towards the control terminal 200, and dynamically adjust the directional antenna 210 of the control terminal 200 to rotate to a preset direction, for example, towards the current position of the aircraft 100.

[0056] In some embodiments, the aircraft 100 can further comprise a satellite positioning receiving antenna 38 for receiving positioning information of other target devices or terminals, for example, receiving positioning information of the control terminal 200. The control terminal 200 can further comprise a satellite positioning receiving antenna 220 for receiving positioning information of other target devices or terminals, for example, receiving positioning information of the aircraft 100.

[0057] In some embodiments, the aerial vehicle 100 and the control terminal 200 can transmit the respective positioning information to each other. After obtaining the positioning information of the control terminal 200, the aerial vehicle 100 calculates the direction angle A of the control terminal 200 relative to the pointing antenna 31, which can be the direction angle of the control terminal 200, and obtains the current direction angle B of the pointing antenna 31 detected by the angle detection sensor 34. Then, the aerial vehicle 100 calculates whether the direction angle A is the same as the direction angle B. If the direction angle A is not the same as the direction angle B, the aerial vehicle 100 controls the driving member 33 to drive the first transmission member 322, which drives the second transmission member 324, and the second transmission member 324 drives the pointing antenna 31 to rotate to the direction angle A, so that the pointing antenna 31 emits and receives wireless signals at the direction angle A, i.e., the direction angle of the control terminal 200, thereby improving the communication effect between the pointing antenna 31 and the control terminal 200. Similarly, the control terminal 200 can control the pointing antenna 210 to rotate to the aerial vehicle 100, so that the pointing antenna 210 emits and receives wireless signals at the direction angle of the aerial vehicle 100, thereby improving the communication effect between the pointing antenna 210 and the aerial vehicle 100.

[0058] In some embodiments, since the position of the aerial vehicle 100 dynamically changes during flight, the aerial vehicle 100 and the control terminal 200 adjust the respective pointing antennas to rotate to the other party according to a preset frequency, thereby dynamically adjusting the communication effect between the aerial vehicle 100 and the control terminal 200.

[0059] It can be understood that when the aerial vehicle 100 and the control terminal 200 dynamically adjust the respective pointing antennas to rotate to the other party, the pointing antennas of the aerial vehicle 100 and the control terminal 200 can be at a better signal emission and reception direction angle, which can increase the communication distance between the aerial vehicle 100 and the control terminal 200, increase the communication transmission power at the direction angle, and improve the communication effect.

[0060] In other embodiments, when there is an interference source or an obstacle between the aerial vehicle 100 and the control terminal 200, the aerial vehicle 100 can calculate the optimal azimuth angle by the controller 35 in combination with the direction angle A and the direction angle B, so as to reduce the influence of the interference source or the obstacle and ensure the communication effect.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not limiting. In actual application, the entire content of the technical solution described in any embodiment of the present application can be implemented, or part of the content can be added, deleted, or replaced / changed. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical solution of the present application can be modified or replaced equivalently without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly for use on an aircraft, comprising: The antenna assembly comprises: a pointing antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a specific direction; a transmission assembly connected to the pointing antenna; a driving member connected to the transmission assembly, the driving member being configured to drive the transmission assembly to rotate the pointing antenna to a preset direction, so that the pointing antenna transmits and receives wireless signals in the preset direction.

2. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The antenna assembly further comprises an angle detection sensor connected between the driving member and the transmission assembly, and configured to detect a current direction of the pointing antenna.

3. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein, The antenna assembly further comprises a controller configured to acquire positioning information of a control terminal, acquire the current direction of the pointing antenna detected by the angle detection sensor, and control the driving member to rotate the pointing antenna to the preset direction, the preset direction being towards the control terminal.

4. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The pointing antenna comprises a radiator and a carrier, the radiator being arranged on the carrier, one end of the carrier being connected to the transmission assembly, and the radiator comprising a polarization plane configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in the preset direction.

5. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein, The transmission assembly comprises a first transmission member and a second transmission member, the first transmission member being meshed with the second transmission member, the first transmission member being connected to the driving member, and the second transmission member being connected to the pointing antenna, the driving member driving the first transmission member to rotate when the driving member rotates, the first transmission member driving the second transmission member to rotate, and the second transmission member driving the pointing antenna to rotate.

6. The antenna assembly of claim 5, wherein, The angle detection sensor is connected between the driving member and the first transmission member, and the driving member drives the angle detection sensor to rotate when the driving member rotates.

7. The antenna assembly of claim 5, wherein, The second transmission member comprises a circular hole portion, and the pointing antenna comprises a slip ring rotatably accommodated in the circular hole portion.

8. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein, The antenna assembly further comprises a bracket and a cover, the driving member and the transmission assembly being accommodated in the bracket, the driving member being accommodated in the cover, and the bracket and the cover being connected.

9. An aircraft, characterized in that The aerial vehicle comprises a fuselage and an arm connected to the fuselage, the arm being provided with a paddle and the antenna assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the paddle being configured to provide flight power for the aerial vehicle.

10. An aircraft system, characterized in that The aerial vehicle system comprises: the aerial vehicle according to claim 9; and a control terminal wirelessly connected to the aerial vehicle, the control terminal comprising a pointing antenna; the aerial vehicle acquires positioning information of the control terminal, and drives the pointing antenna to rotate towards the control terminal according to the positioning information, and the control terminal acquires positioning information of the aerial vehicle, and drives the pointing antenna to rotate towards the aerial vehicle according to the positioning information.

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