Antenna equipment and satellites

Abstract

To compactly store an element holder supporting an antenna element when stored, and to hold the element holder so that its position does not change due to shock or impact at launch. [Solution] The antenna device 1, which can be in a stored state stored within a housing 10 and in a deployed state extending to the outside from the housing 10, comprises an extension shaft member 20 that can be extended in the axial direction from within the housing 10, a plurality of element holders 30 that can move along the extension shaft member 20, and an antenna element 40 that can be deployed from the element holder 30, and the element holders 40 have a recess formed on one side and a convex portion formed on the other side, and in the stored state, the convex portion of one element holder 40 fits into the recess of the other adjacent element holder 40.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antenna device and an artificial satellite. [Background technology]

[0002] An antenna device for transmitting and receiving radio signals is mounted on an artificial satellite. Since the antenna device becomes very large in the deployed state, it is mounted on the rocket in a small stored state at the time of launch and is expanded to the deployed state in space. As such an antenna device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a support structure in which a cylindrical main body is formed with a plurality of openings to form a foldable tape spring hinge, and the tape spring hinge generates a force that biases the device toward the deployed state, thereby making the device deployable. Patent Document 1 further discloses an antenna structure using this support structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7040874 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to transmit and receive with the desired beam width and communication efficiency, elements that protrude to the side are required, rather than a simple rod-shaped structure. The spacing between the elements affects the performance gain (antenna communication efficiency) and reception frequency, so the spacing between each element is designed to achieve the desired frequency and communication efficiency. When attempting to provide an antenna element that protrudes to the side using such a support structure, an element holder that supports the antenna element is required. However, when launching a satellite, it is necessary to store the antenna device including the element holder compactly and to hold the antenna device including the element holder in a manner that can withstand shocks and other impacts during launch.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to enable an element holder that supports an antenna element when stored to be stored compactly, and to hold the element holder so that its position does not change due to shocks or impacts during launch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna device that can be in a stored state stored within a housing and in a deployed state extending from the housing to the outside, the antenna device comprising an extension shaft member that can extend axially from within the housing, a plurality of element holders that can move along the extension shaft member, and antenna elements that can be deployed from the element holders, the element holders having a recess formed on one side and a convex portion formed on the other side, and in the stored state, the convex portion of one element holder fits into the recess of the other adjacent element holder.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna device capable of being stored in a housing, the antenna device comprising: an extension shaft member stored in the housing in an axially retracted state; an opening through which the extension shaft member is inserted; a plurality of element holders stacked in the housing; and a deployable antenna element held by the element holders, the element holders having a recess formed on one side and a convex portion formed on the other side, and in the stored state, the convex portion of one element holder fits into the recess of the other adjacent element holder.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the antenna element is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the element holder in a stored state, and the element holder is provided with element guides on both axial edges of the outer peripheral surface for guiding the antenna element in the stored state, and in the stored state, the element guide on the housing side of one adjacent element holder and the element guide on the tip side of the other adjacent element holder are positioned so as not to interfere with each other.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the device further includes a retaining member made of linear strips that maintains a predetermined distance between the multiple element holders in the deployed state, and the element holder has a storage portion that stores the retaining member in the stored state.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the accommodation portion is formed between the recess of one adjacent element holder and the protrusion of the other adjacent element holder that fits into the recess.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the device further includes a lid member for closing the storage portion.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the cover member is fixed to the holding member and also to the element holder.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the element holder has a frame portion through the center of which the extension shaft member is inserted, and protrusions protruding radially from the portions corresponding to each side of the frame portion, and the convex portions and concave portions are formed in the protrusions.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the antenna element has a base end fixed to the protrusion.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the housing has a housing main body having an opening on one side, and an opening / closing lid that is rotatably connected to the housing main body and can close the opening, and the central axis of the extension shaft member is located closer to the rotation axis of the opening / closing lid than the central axis of the housing.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a satellite including the antenna apparatus described above. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, the element holder that supports the antenna element when stored can be stored compactly, and the element holder can be held so that its position does not change due to shocks, impacts, etc. at launch. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna device in a deployed state according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an antenna device in a deployed state according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna device in a stored state according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an antenna device in a stored state according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of an antenna device in a stored state according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram showing storage sections for each component within an antenna device in a stored state according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a surface of the element holder. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rear surface of the element holder. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a plurality of element holders in a stored state. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the element holder in a stored state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an antenna device and an artificial satellite of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description, descriptions of up and down directions such as up and down are used for convenience of explanation, and the attitude of the antenna device may be any attitude.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna device in a deployed state according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the antenna device in a deployed state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna device in a stored state according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of an antenna device in a stored state according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of an antenna device in a stored state according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing storage sections for each member in an antenna device in a stored state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The antenna device 1 of this embodiment is a device that is incorporated in an artificial satellite and is used to transmit and receive radio waves. The antenna device 1 can be in a stored state in which the antenna is stored in a housing 10, and in an extended state in which the antenna is extended from the housing 10.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the antenna device 1 includes a housing 10, an extension shaft member 20, a plurality of element holders 30, an antenna element 40 connected to the element holder 30, and a holding member 50.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 10 includes a housing body 11 and an opening / closing cover 12 connected to the housing body 11. The housing body 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped with one side open. The opening / closing cover 12 is rotatably attached to the edge of the opening of the housing body 11 with a hinge 15 as a rotation axis. This allows the opening / closing cover 12 to be in a state where the opening of the housing body 11 is closed and a state where the opening of the housing body 11 is open. In the stored state, the opening / closing cover 12 closes the opening of the housing body 11, and in the unfolded state, the opening / closing cover 12 opens the opening of the housing body 11. The hinge 15 is spring-loaded and biases the opening / closing cover 12 to open.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the unfolded state, the stretching shaft member 20 extends linearly in the axial direction from within the housing 10. The stretching shaft member 20 is formed of a pair of metallic convex tapes 20A. The convex tape 20A is a thin, plate-like member that extends linearly and has an arc-shaped cross section. When the fixing force is released from the rolled-up state, the convex tape 20A is subjected to a restoring force that causes it to return to a linear shape. In this embodiment, the stretching shaft member 20 is configured by overlapping the pair of convex tapes 20A so that the concave sides face each other, and connecting both side edges.

[0025] The element holders 30 are arranged at predetermined intervals set by design along the elongated shaft member 20 in the expanded state. In the expanded state, the element holders 30 are held in position by the holding member 50, but are movable along the elongated shaft member 20 during the transition from the contracted state to the expanded state. In this embodiment, four element holders 30 are arranged along the elongated shaft member 20. The element holders 30 are, for example, plate-shaped members made of resin. The fourth element holder 30, which is the fourth (most distal end) element holder 30 from the housing 10, is fixed to the tip of the elongated shaft member 20. In addition, the first to third element holders 30, which are the first to third from the housing 10, have openings 304 (FIG. 7) formed in their centers through which the elongated shaft member 20 can be inserted. The elongated shaft member 20 is inserted through the openings 304 of the element holders 30.

[0026] In the unfolded state, each of the antenna elements 40 extends linearly outward from the element holder 30 perpendicular to the direction in which the extension shaft member 20 extends (axial direction). Each antenna element 40 is formed from a single piece of metallic convex tape. Four antenna elements 40 are connected to each element holder 30. In the unfolded state, the four antenna elements 40 connected to each element holder 30 are arranged at equal angular intervals (90°) and extend perpendicular to the axial direction. That is, the antenna elements 40 extend in a cross shape in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0027] The holding member 50 is made of a flexible wire such as a string, and is fixed to each element holder 30. The attachment positions of each element holder 30 to the holding member 50 are set at a predetermined interval. In addition, the end of the holding member 50 is fixed to the bottom of the element storage section 10A in the housing 10. As a result, when the extension shaft member 20 is transformed from the stored state to the deployed state, the interval between the element holders 30 is maintained at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval here does not mean an equal interval, but an interval that is preset in the design. The interval between the antenna elements 40 affects the performance gain (antenna communication efficiency) and the reception frequency, so it is designed to achieve a desired frequency and communication efficiency. In this embodiment, the attachment position of the element holder 30 to the holding member 50 is adjusted so that the interval between the first element holder 30 and the second element holder 30, the interval between the second element holder 30 and the third element holder 30, and the interval between the third element holder 30 and the fourth element holder 30 are each set to a predetermined interval when the string constituting the holding member 50 is stretched. Furthermore, a part of the extension shaft member 20 is held in the extension shaft member storage section 10B without stretching, and holds the stretching force to stretch in the axial direction. As a result, the string which is the holding member 50 is always in a tensioned state, and the string does not sag due to the stretching force, and it is possible to stably maintain the set predetermined interval. As a result, if an antenna is formed simply by the free length of the spring, the total length will change due to disturbances such as the movement of the satellite, but the present configuration has a structure that is resistant to such disturbances. Therefore, the intervals between the parts of the holding member 50 where the adjacent element holders 30 are fixed are each set to a predetermined distance. In this embodiment, four holding members 50 are provided, but the number is not limited to four, and at least one may be provided. With this configuration, the antenna device 1 forms a cross Yagi antenna in the deployed state.

[0028] 2, an antenna feed board 60 is attached to the second element holder 30B, which is the second from the housing 10. In addition, one end of a feed cable 62 extending from inside the housing 10 is connected to the antenna feed board 60. The other end of the feed cable 62 extends to the outside of the antenna device 1 and is electrically connected to another board of the artificial satellite, and an electrical signal is supplied to the antenna feed board 60 via the feed cable 62.

[0029] The power supply cable 62 extends from inside the housing 10 to the second element holder 30B along the extension shaft member 20. As a result, the antenna element 40 connected to the first element holder 30A, which is the first from the housing 10, functions as a reflector, the antenna element 40 connected to the second element holder 30B, which is the second from the housing 10, functions as a radiator, and the antenna element 40 connected to the third and fourth element holders 30C, 30D, which are the third and fourth from the housing 10, function as a director.

[0030] In this embodiment, four element holders 30 are provided, however, it is possible to omit the third and fourth element holders 30C, 30D, and five or more element holders 30 may be provided. As long as there are multiple element holders 30 to which antenna elements 40 are connected, the device can function as an antenna device.

[0031] 4 to 6, an element storage section 10A, an extension shaft member storage section 10B, a power supply cable storage section 10C, and an opening mechanism storage section 10D are formed inside the housing 10. The element storage section 10A is a space that opens upward, and in the stored state, the upper opening is closed by an opening / closing lid 12. In addition, a spring 13 (FIG. 2) is attached to the bottom of the element storage section 10A.

[0032] The extension shaft member storage section 10B is disposed below the element storage section 10A. An opening is formed between the element storage section 10A and the extension shaft member storage section 10B to connect these spaces, and the extension shaft member 20 stored in the extension shaft member storage section 10B advances into the element storage section 10A through this opening.

[0033] The stretch shaft member storage section 10B is provided with a stretch shaft member storage device 18. The stretch shaft member storage device 18 is a device that winds up and stores the stretch shaft member 20. The stretch shaft member storage device 18 has a rotatable shaft portion 18A, and one end of the stretch shaft member 20 is connected to a connecting member 18B fixed to the shaft portion 18A. In the stored state, the stretch shaft member 20 is stored in the housing 10 in a state where it is wound around the shaft portion 18A. In addition, the stretch shaft member storage device 18 is configured to restrict the rotation of the shaft portion 18A when the opening and closing lid is closed.

[0034] The power supply cable storage section 10C is disposed below the element storage section 10A and to the side of the extension shaft member storage section 10B. An opening is formed between the power supply cable storage section 10C and the element storage section 10A to connect these spaces, and the power supply cable 62 enters the element storage section 10A through this opening.

[0035] 4, the antenna device 1 includes an opening section 14 for opening the opening-closing cover 12, and an opening section drive board 16 for driving the opening section 14. The opening section 14 is housed in the opening mechanism housing section 10D. In the housed state, the opening section 14 holds the opening-closing cover 12 in a closed state, and when the opening section drive board 16 drives the opening section 14, the opening section 14 releases the closing of the opening-closing cover 12, making the opening-closing cover 12 rotatable.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 6, in the antenna device 1 of this embodiment, an element storage section 10A is arranged on the upper hinge 15 (rotation axis) side in the housing 10, and an extension shaft member storage section 10B is arranged on the lower hinge side. As a result, the central axis CL2 of the extension shaft member 20 is located on the hinge 15 side with respect to the central axis CL1 in the width direction of the housing 10 (left and right direction in Fig. 6). In this way, by shifting the central axis CL1 of the housing 10 and the central axis CL2 of the extension shaft member 20 in the lateral direction, it is possible to arrange the opening mechanism storage section 10D on the opposite side of the upper hinge 15 in the housing 10 and to arrange the power supply cable storage section 10C on the opposite side of the lower hinge 15 in the housing 10, and it is possible to effectively utilize the space in the housing 10.

[0037] Next, the basic configuration of the element holder 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front surface of the element holder. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the element holder. The front surface of the element holder here is the surface on the tip side of the extension shaft member 20, and the back surface of the element holder is the surface on the housing 10 side. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a second element holder. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the element holder 30 has a central frame portion 300 and protruding portions 310 connected to the four sides of the frame portion 300. The protruding portions 310 are formed in the vicinity of one end of each side of the frame portion 300.

[0038] The frame 300 is a square part having a predetermined thickness. A flat plate 302 is provided inside the frame 300. An opening 304 is formed in the flat plate 302 of the element holder 30. The opening 304 has a shape that is linearly symmetrical with respect to one diagonal line as an axis of symmetry, and is a shape that combines two arcs. The shape of this opening 304 corresponds to the shape of the extension shaft member 20 formed by combining a pair of convex tapes. A closing plate 360 ​​(FIG. 8) that closes the opening 304 is attached to the tip side of the first element holder 30. The shape of the frame 300 is not limited to a square, and may be other polygonal, circular, elliptical, or the like.

[0039] A front surface convex portion 314 having a substantially rectangular cross section is provided on the front surface of the protruding portion 310. A front surface groove portion 312 having a substantially rectangular cross section is formed in the front surface convex portion 314. A rear surface recess portion 316 having a substantially rectangular shape is formed on the rear surface of the protruding portion 310 at a location corresponding to the front surface groove portion 312. The shape of the inner surface of the rear surface recess portion 316 corresponds to the shape of the outer surface of the front surface convex portion 314. A through hole 318 is formed to connect the front surface groove portion 312 and the rear surface recess portion 316.

[0040] Although not shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in the stored state, a lid member 340 (Fig. 9) is attached to the bottom of the back surface recess 316. The lid member 340 has a wide portion 342 and a narrow portion 344. The wide portion 324 is plate-shaped and its outer shape is approximately equal to that of the front surface protrusion 314. The narrow portion 344 protrudes from one side of the wide portion 342 and its outer shape is approximately equal to the inner shape of the front surface protrusion 314. The lid member 340 has two through holes 346, and the holding member 50 is fixed to the lid member 340 with the holding member 50 inserted through the through holes 346. The lid member 340 is fixed to the bottom of the back surface recess 316 by screws or the like. As will be described later, when the element holders 30 are stacked in the stored state, the narrow width portion 344 of the cover member 340 fits into the surface groove 312 of the adjacent element holder 30 , closing the surface groove 312 .

[0041] The side surface of each protruding portion 310 on the center side of the side of frame portion 300 is perpendicular to the radially outer surface of frame portion 300. The base end portion of antenna element 40 is fixed to the side surface of each protruding portion 310. In addition, the radially outer surface of each protruding portion 310 is formed into an arc shape.

[0042] Further, a first element guide 330 is attached to the surface of each protruding portion 310. The first element guide 330 is a plate material, and protrudes radially outward from the protruding portion 310. In this embodiment, four first element guides 330 are attached to each element holder 30. The first element guides 330 are provided at positions corresponding to the centers of each side of the frame portion 300 so as to extend in the circumferential direction.

[0043] Further, a second element guide 332 is attached to the back surface of the protruding portion 310. The second element guide 332 is a plate material and protrudes radially outward from the protruding portion 310. The second element guide 332 has the same thickness as the first element guide 330. In this embodiment, four second element guides 332 are attached to each element holder 30. The second element guides 332 are provided at positions corresponding to the corners of each side of the frame portion 300. The first element guide 330 and the second element guide 332 are shaped and arranged so as not to overlap when viewed in the axial direction.

[0044] The first to fourth element holders do not need to have the same configuration. For example, the thickness of the flat plate 302 may be the same as the thickness of the frame portion 300. Also, a cylindrical guide portion that guides the extension shaft member 20 along the periphery of the opening 304 may be provided.

[0045] The configuration of the antenna device in the stored state will be described below. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, in the storage state, the opening / closing lid 12 is closed and the upper part of the element storage section 10A is closed. The stretch shaft member 20 is stored in the stretch shaft member storage section 10B in a retracted (retracted) state, wound around the shaft portion 18A of the stretch shaft member storage device 18. The tip portion of the stretch shaft member 20 advances into the element storage section 10A, and the tip portion abuts against the opening / closing lid 12. In this state, the shaft portion 18A of the stretch shaft member storage device 18 is restricted from rotating. Since the stretch shaft member 20 is formed by joining two convex tapes, a restoring force is generated in the stretch shaft member 20 by being wound flat around the shaft portion 18A of the stretch shaft member storage device 18, and a force is generated to advance upward from the stretch shaft member storage device 18.

[0046] In the stored state, the power supply cable 62 is wound in a spiral shape and stored in the power supply cable storage section 10C. The tip of the power supply cable 62 advances to the element storage section 10A, passes through the opening of the element holder 30, and reaches the power supply board 60 fixed to the second element holder 30.

[0047] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a plurality of element holders in a stored state. FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the element holder in a stored state. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of element holders 30 are stored in an element storage section 10A in a stacked state. As shown in FIG. 10, adjacent element holders 30 are stacked in a state in which the front surface convex portion 314 of one (lower layer) element holder 30 is inserted into the back surface concave portion 316 of the other (upper layer) element holder 30. As a result, the cover member 340 attached to the bottom of the back surface concave portion 316 of the other element holder 30 closes the front surface groove portion 312 of the adjacent element holder 30. As a result, a storage section 350 for the holding member 50 is formed in a space surrounded by the front surface groove portion 312 and the cover member 340. In the storage section 350, a portion of the holding member 50 located between the adjacent element holders 30 is stored in a spirally wound state, for example.

[0048] As described above, the first element guide 330 and the second element guide 332 are provided so as not to interfere with each other. As a result, the second element guide 332 of one of the stacked adjacent element holders 30 is positioned between the first element guide 330 of the other element holder 30. As a result, the adjacent element holders 30 are stacked in closer proximity to each other.

[0049] The antenna element 40 is held in a state where it is wound around the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction of the element holder 30. The antenna element 40 is wound so as to follow the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 310 of the element holder 30, and thus assumes a circular shape. Furthermore, the antenna element 40 is guided by the first element guide 330 and the second element guide 332 so as to follow the outer peripheral surface of the element holder 30. Each antenna element 40 is held in a retracted state around the element holder 30 by abutting its tip against the inner wall of the element storage portion 10A. The antenna element 40 is made of a convex tape, and therefore can be deployed outward from the element holder 30.

[0050] In the stored state, the element holders 30 are stored in a stacked manner in the element storage section 10A. In this state, the element holders 30 are biased toward the opening by the springs 13 attached to the bottom of the element storage section 10A. In addition, a force is generated in the extension shaft member 20 to advance upward.

[0051] Next, the transition of the antenna device from the stored state to the deployed state will be described. When the antenna device 1 is shifted to the deployed state, first, the satellite's control device transmits a signal to the opening section drive board 16 to instruct the shift to the deployed state. When the opening section drive board 16 receives this signal, it drives the opening section 14, which releases the closure of the opening / closing cover 12, making the opening / closing cover 12 rotatable. In conjunction with this, the locking member of the extension shaft member storage device 18 releases the restriction on the rotation of the shaft section.

[0052] When the opening / closing lid 12 becomes rotatable, the opening / closing lid 12 is opened by a spring (not shown) provided on the hinge 15. At the same time, the extension shaft member 20 has a restoring force that tries to return to a straight line as described above, and due to this restoring force, it extends outward from the housing 10, and the element holder 30 is released outward from the housing 10 by the restoring force of the extension shaft member 20 and the spring force of the assisting spring 13. As a result, the extension shaft member 20 advances outward from the housing 10, and the element holder 30 is released outward from the housing 10.

[0053] The extension of the elongated shaft member 20 causes the first element holder 30 to advance outward. Since each element holder 30 is fixed to the holding member 50, the element holder 30 is pulled by the holding member 50 and moves along the elongated shaft member 20.

[0054] Then, the extension of the extension shaft member 20 stops when the holding members between each element holder 30 and between the fourth element holder 30 and the housing 10 are in a tensed state. By putting the holding members 50 in a tensed state in this manner, each element holder 30 is positioned at a predetermined interval determined by design.

[0055] Furthermore, as the element holder 30 is released from the element storage section 10A, the constraint of the antenna element 40 wound around the outer circumferential surface of the element holder 30 is released. Since the antenna element 40 is made of a convex tape, it unfolds to a state in which it extends outward from each element holder 30.

[0056] In the deployed state of the antenna device, the extension shaft member 20 extends linearly from within the housing 10. An excess length remains at the base end side end of the extension shaft member 20, and this excess length is wound around the shaft portion 18A of the extension shaft member storage device 18. As a result, a force acts on the extension shaft member 20 in the advancing direction. In addition, since a force acts on the extension shaft member 20 in the advancing direction, the holding members 50 between the element holders 30 are in a tensioned state. As a result, the plurality of element holders 30 are spaced at predetermined intervals.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved. In this embodiment, in the stored state, the front surface convex portion 314 of one adjacent element holder 30 fits into the rear surface concave portion 316 of the other element holder. This allows the element holders 30 supporting the antenna element 40 to be stored compactly in the stored state, and the element holders 30 can be supported so that their position does not change due to the impact at launch.

[0058] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in a stored state, the first element guide 330 on the housing 10 side of one adjacent element holder 30 and the second element guide 332 on the tip side of the other adjacent element holder 30 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other. This allows the adjacent element holders 30 to be stored in closer proximity to each other.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the element holder 30 is provided with a retaining member 50 made of filaments that maintains a predetermined distance between the element holders 30 in the deployed state, and the element holder 30 has a housing portion that houses the retaining member 50 in the stored state. By housing the retaining member 50 made of filaments in the housing portion in this manner, it is possible to prevent the retaining member 50 from becoming entangled with other members.

[0060] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the container further includes a lid member 340 for closing the container portion. By closing the container portion with the lid member 340 in this manner, the container portion can be smoothly housed in the holding member 50.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the cover member 340 is fixed to the holding member 50 and also to the element holder 30. With such a configuration, the operation of fixing the holding member 50 to the element holder 30 can be performed smoothly.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the element holder 30 has a frame portion 300 through the center of which the extension shaft member 20 is inserted, and protruding portions 310 protruding in radial directions from portions corresponding to each side of the frame portion 300, and the front surface convex portion 314 and the back surface concave portion 316 are formed on the protruding portions 310. According to this configuration, adjacent element holders are held on the outer side of the antenna holder 30 in the radial direction, and the antenna holder 30 can be held in an accurate positional relationship when stored.

[0063] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the base end of the antenna element 40 is fixed to the protruding portion 310. With this configuration, the antenna element 40 can be fixed to the element holder 30 without forming a new portion for fixing the antenna element 40, and therefore the antenna device 1 can be made compact.

[0064] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the housing 10 has a housing body 11 having an opening on one side, and an opening / closing lid 12 rotatably connected to the housing body 11 and capable of closing the opening, and the central axis CL2 of the extension shaft member 20 is located closer to the hinge 15 (rotation axis) of the opening / closing lid 12 than the central axis CL1 of the housing 10. This allows the opening mechanism storage section 10D to be disposed on the opposite side of the hinge 15 at the top inside the housing 10, and the power supply cable storage section 10C to be disposed on the opposite side of the hinge 15 at the bottom inside the housing 10, thereby making effective use of the space inside the housing 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1: Antenna device 10: Housing 10A: Element storage section 10B: Extension shaft member storage section 10C: Power supply cable storage section 10D: Opening mechanism storage section 11: Main unit 12: Opening and closing lid 13: Spring 14:Open part 15: Hinge 16: Open section drive board 18: Extension shaft member storage device 18A:Shaft part 18B: Connecting member 20: Extension shaft member 20A: Convex tape 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D: Element holder 40: Antenna element 50: Retaining member 60: Power supply board 62: Power supply cable 300: Frame 302: Flat plate 304: Opening 310:Protrusion 312: Surface groove 314: Surface convexity 316: Back recess 318:Through hole 324: Wide section 330: 1st Element Guide 332: Second Element Guide 340: Lid member 342: Wide section 344: Narrow part 346:Through hole 350: Storage unit

Claims

1. An antenna device incorporated in an artificial satellite, the antenna device has a housing and is capable of assuming a stored state in which it is stored in the housing and a deployed state in which it extends outward from the housing, an extension shaft member that can be extended in an axial direction from within the housing; A plurality of element holders movable along the elongated shaft member; an antenna element deployable from the element holder; Equipped with the housing has a housing body having an opening on one side, and an opening / closing cover rotatably connected to the housing body and capable of closing the opening, The central axis of the extension shaft member is located closer to the rotation axis of the opening / closing cover than the central axis of the housing. Satellite antenna equipment.

2. The element holder has a recess formed on one surface and a protrusion formed on the other surface, In the stored state, a convex portion of one adjacent element holder fits into a concave portion of the other element holder.

2. An antenna device for an artificial satellite according to claim 1.

3. An antenna device capable of assuming a stored state in which it is stored in a housing and a deployed state in which it extends to the outside from the housing, an extension shaft member that can be extended in an axial direction from within the housing; A plurality of element holders movable along the elongated shaft member; an antenna element deployable from the element holder; Equipped with The element holder has a recess formed on one surface and a protrusion formed on the other surface, In the stored state, the protrusion of one element holder fits into the recess of the other adjacent element holder. The antenna element is wound around an outer circumferential surface of the element holder in a stored state, the element holder includes element guides on both axial edges of the outer circumferential surface for guiding the antenna element in a housed state, In a stored state, an element guide on a housing side of one of the adjacent element holders and an element guide on a tip side of the other adjacent element holder are arranged so as not to interfere with each other. Antenna device.

4. An antenna device capable of assuming a stored state in which it is stored in a housing and a deployed state in which it extends to the outside from the housing, an elongated shaft member housed within the housing in a state where the elongated shaft member is axially retracted from an opening of the housing; a plurality of element holders stacked in the housing with the elongated shaft member passing through an opening; a deployable antenna element held by the element holder; Equipped with The element holder has a recess formed on one surface and a protrusion formed on the other surface, In the stored state, a protrusion of one adjacent element holder is fitted into a recess of the other element holder, The antenna element is wound around an outer circumferential surface of the element holder in a stored state, the element holder includes element guides on both axial edges of the outer circumferential surface for guiding the antenna element in a housed state, In a stored state, the element guide on the housing side of one of the adjacent element holders and the element guide on the tip side of the other adjacent element holder are arranged so as not to interfere with each other. Antenna device.

5. Further, a retaining member formed of a line that maintains a predetermined interval between the plurality of element holders in the deployed state, the element holder has an accommodating portion that accommodates the holding member in the stored state.

5. The antenna device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The accommodation portion is formed between the recess of one adjacent element holder and a protrusion of the other adjacent element holder that fits into the recess.

6. The antenna device according to claim 5.

7. Further comprising a cover member for closing the storage section.

7. The antenna device according to claim 6.

8. The cover member is fixed to the holding member and to the element holder.

8. The antenna device according to claim 7.

9. The element holder includes a frame portion through whose center the extension shaft member is inserted, a protrusion protruding in a radial direction from each side of the frame; The convex portion and the concave portion are formed on the protruding portion.

5. The antenna device according to claim 3 or 4.

10. The antenna element has a base end fixed to the protrusion.

10. The antenna device according to claim 9.

Images