Antenna device and artificial satellite

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible for element holders to be arranged so as to be positioned at predetermined intervals upon deployment.　This antenna device 1, which can assume a stored state in which the antenna device is stored in a housing and a deployed state in which the antenna device extends from the housing to the outside, comprises: an extension shaft member 20 stored in an axially retracted state inside the housing 10; a plurality of element holders 30 provided with openings and laminated in the housing 10 in a state in which the extension shaft member 20 is inserted in the openings; a deployable antenna element 40 held by the element holders 30; and a holding member for connecting the plurality of element holders 30 to each other.

Description

Antenna equipment and artificial satellites

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

[0002] Artificial satellites are equipped with antenna devices for transmitting and receiving radio signals. Because the antenna devices are very large in the deployed state, they are loaded onto the rocket in a compact, stowed state at launch and then expanded to the deployed state in space. Patent Document 1, for example, discloses an antenna structure using a support structure in which a cylindrical main body is formed with multiple openings to form foldable tape spring hinges, and the tape spring hinges generate a force that biases the antenna toward the deployed state, thereby enabling it to be deployed.

[0003] Patent No. 7040874

[0004] To efficiently transmit and receive radio waves, a cross-Yagi antenna that can handle circularly polarized waves with stable radio wave strength is required, rather than a simple rod-shaped structure. Polarization often changes due to changes in the relative position and angle between the satellite and the Earth. To ensure stable transmission and reception at all times despite such changes, a cross-Yagi antenna that can handle circularly polarized waves with stable radio wave strength is required. Since the spacing between elements affects performance gain (antenna communication efficiency) and receiving frequency, the spacing between each element is designed to achieve the desired frequency and communication efficiency. When using such a support structure to install antenna elements that extend laterally, the antenna elements must be positioned at the designed predetermined spacing when deployed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable antenna elements to be arranged at predetermined designed intervals when deployed.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna device that can assume a stored state in which it is stored in a housing and a deployed state in which it extends outward from the housing, the antenna device comprising: an extension shaft member stored in the housing in a state in which it is axially retracted relative to an opening in the housing; a plurality of element holders stacked in the housing with an opening through which the extension shaft member is inserted; deployable antenna elements held by the element holders; and a holding member that connects the plurality of element holders to each other.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the retaining member comprises a string.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the elongated shaft member is made of a convex tape.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the stretching shaft member is formed by overlapping a pair of convex tapes so as to face each other.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the power supply board is disposed on at least one of the element holders.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a power supply cable is provided that extends from the housing to the power supply board, and the power supply cable is arranged along the extension shaft member.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the antenna element includes a convex tape.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the housing has a housing main body with 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 positioned offset from the central axis of the housing.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, an opening mechanism storage section that houses an opening section that opens the opening / closing lid and an element storage section that houses an element holder are formed within the housing, and the opening mechanism storage section and the element storage section are provided at the top of the housing.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a power supply cable storage section that stores a power supply cable for supplying power to a power supply board attached to an antenna element, and an extension shaft member storage section that stores an extension shaft member are formed within the housing, and the power supply cable storage section and the extension shaft member storage section are provided at the bottom of the housing.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, 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.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the element holder is fixed to the holding member so that the distance between the locations where adjacent element holders are attached to the holding member is a preset interval.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a satellite including the antenna apparatus described above.

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to arrange the antenna elements so that they are positioned at predetermined designed intervals when deployed.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna device in an unfolded state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an antenna device in an unfolded state according to one 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 view showing storage sections for each member in an antenna device in a stored state according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front surface of an element holder. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back surface of an element holder. 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.

[0021] An embodiment of an antenna device and an artificial satellite according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description, the terms "up" and "down" and other terms relating to the up and down directions are used for convenience of explanation, and the antenna device may be in any position.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna device in an unfolded state according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an antenna device in an unfolded state according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an antenna device in a stowed 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 stowed 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 stowed state according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the storage sections for each component within an antenna device in a stowed state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The antenna device 1 of this embodiment is a device that is incorporated into an artificial satellite and is used to transmit and receive radio waves. The antenna device 1 can be in a retracted state in which the antenna is housed within a housing 10, or in an extended state in which the antenna is extended from the housing 10.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the antenna device 1 includes a housing 10, an elongated shaft member 20, a plurality of element holders 30, antenna elements 40 connected to the element holders 30, and a holding member 50.

[0025] 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 the 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.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the unfolded state, the extension shaft member 20 extends linearly in the axial direction from within the housing 10. The extension shaft member 20 is formed of a pair of metal convex tapes 20A. The convex tapes 20A are thin, plate-like members that extend linearly and have an arc-shaped cross section. When the fixing force is released from the rolled-up state, a restoring force acts on the convex tapes 20A, causing them to return to their linear shape. In this embodiment, the extension shaft member 20 is configured by overlapping the pair of convex tapes 20A so that the concave sides thereof face each other, and connecting both side edges.

[0027] The multiple element holders 30 are arranged along the extension shaft member 20 at predetermined intervals set by design when in the expanded state. The element holders 30 are held in position by a holding member 50 when in the expanded state, but are movable along the extension shaft member 20 during transition from the contracted state to the expanded state. In this embodiment, four element holders 30 are arranged along the extension 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) element holder 30 from the housing 10, is fixed to the tip of the extension shaft member 20. The first to third element holders 30, which are the first to third element holders from the housing 10, have openings 304 ( FIG. 7 ) formed in their centers, through which the extension shaft member 20 can be inserted. The extension shaft member 20 is inserted through the openings 304 of the element holders 30.

[0028] In the unfolded state, the antenna elements 40 each extend 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 metal 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. In other words, the antenna elements 40 extend in a cross shape in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0029] 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. This ensures that the spacing between the element holders 30 is maintained at a predetermined interval when the extension shaft member 20 transforms from the stored state to the deployed state. Here, "predetermined spacing" does not mean equal spacing, but rather spacing that is preset in the design. The spacing between the antenna elements 40 affects the performance gain (antenna communication efficiency) and reception frequency, so it is designed to achieve a desired frequency and communication efficiency. In this embodiment, the attachment positions of the element holders 30 on the holding member 50 are adjusted so that, when the string constituting the holding member 50 is tensioned, the distance between the first element holder 30 and the second element holder 30, the distance between the second element holder 30 and the third element holder 30, and the distance between the third element holder 30 and the fourth element holder 30 are each set to a predetermined distance. Furthermore, a portion of the extension shaft member 20 is held without stretching within the extension shaft member storage section 10B, maintaining a stretching force that stretches it in the axial direction. This ensures that the string constituting the holding member 50 is always in a tensioned state, preventing the string from sagging due to the stretching force, and enabling the set predetermined distance to be stably maintained. While an antenna formed solely by the free length of a spring can change its overall length due to disturbances such as satellite movement, this configuration is resistant to such disturbances. Therefore, the distance between the portions of the holding member 50 where adjacent element holders 30 are fixed is set to a predetermined distance. In this embodiment, four holding members 50 are provided, but the number is not limited to four, and it is sufficient to provide at least one. With this configuration, the antenna device 1 forms a cross Yagi antenna in the deployed state.

[0030] 2, an antenna feeder board 60 is attached to the second element holder 30B, which is the second from the housing 10. One end of a feeder cable 62 extending from inside the housing 10 is connected to the antenna feeder board 60. The other end of the feeder cable 62 extends outside the antenna device 1 and is electrically connected to another base of the artificial satellite, and an electrical signal is supplied to the antenna feeder board 60 via the feeder cable 62.

[0031] The feeder 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 element holder from the housing 10, functions as a reflector, the antenna element 40 connected to the second element holder 30B, which is the second element holder from the housing 10, functions as a radiator, and the antenna elements 40 connected to the third and fourth element holders 30C, 30D, which are the third and fourth element holders from the housing 10, function as directors.

[0032] In this embodiment, four element holders 30 are provided, but it is possible to omit the third and fourth element holders 30C and 30D, and five or more element holders 30 may be provided.If multiple element holders 30 to which antenna elements 40 are connected are provided, the device can function as an antenna device.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The stretching shaft member storage section 10B is provided with a stretching shaft member storage device 18. The stretching shaft member storage device 18 is a device that winds up and stores a stretching shaft member 20. The stretching shaft member storage device 18 has a rotatable shaft portion 18A, and one end of the stretching shaft member 20 is connected to a connecting member 18B fixed to the shaft portion 18A. In the stored state, the stretching shaft member 20 is stored in the housing 10 in a state where it is wound around the shaft portion 18A. Furthermore, the stretching shaft member storage device 18 is configured to restrict rotation of the shaft portion 18A when the opening / closing lid is closed.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 4, the antenna device 1 also 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 opening-closing cover 12, allowing the opening-closing cover 12 to rotate.

[0038] 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 within 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 positioned on the hinge 15 side with respect to the central axis CL1 in the width direction of the housing 10 (the left-right direction in Fig. 6). In this way, by laterally shifting the central axis CL1 of the housing 10 and the central axis CL2 of the extension shaft member 20, it is possible to arrange the opening mechanism storage section 10D on the upper side of the housing 10 opposite the hinge 15, and to arrange the power feed cable storage section 10C on the lower side of the housing 10 opposite the hinge 15, thereby making effective use of the space within the housing 10.

[0039] 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. Note that the front surface of the element holder here refers to the surface on the tip side of the extension shaft member 20, and the back surface of the element holder refers to the surface on the housing 10 side. Figs. 7 and 8 show a second element holder. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the element holder 30 has a central frame portion 300 and protrusions 310 connected to each of the four sides of the frame portion 300. The protrusions 310 are formed near one end of each side of the frame portion 300.

[0040] The frame 300 is a square portion 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 line-symmetrical with respect to one diagonal line as the 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.

[0041] A surface convex portion 314 having a substantially rectangular cross section is erected on the surface of the protrusion 310. A surface groove portion 312 having a substantially rectangular cross section is formed within the surface convex portion 314. A substantially rectangular back surface recess portion 316 is formed on the back surface of the protrusion 310 at a location corresponding to the surface groove portion 312. The shape of the inner surface of the back surface recess portion 316 corresponds to the shape of the outer surface of the surface convex portion 314. A through hole 318 is formed to connect the surface groove portion 312 and the back surface recess portion 316.

[0042] Although not shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the stored state, a lid member 340 (Figure 9) is attached to the bottom of the rear recess 316. The lid member 340 has a wide portion 342 and a narrow portion 344. The wide portion 344 is plate-shaped and its outer shape is approximately the same as the outer shape of the front protrusion 314. The narrow portion 344 protrudes from one side of the wide portion 342 and its outer shape is approximately the same as the inner shape of the front 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 rear recess 316 with screws or the like. As will be described later, when the element holders 30 are stacked in the stored state, the narrow portion 344 of the cover member 340 fits into the surface groove portion 312 of the adjacent element holder 30, closing the surface groove portion 312.

[0043] The side surface of each protrusion 310 on the center side of the side of frame 300 is perpendicular to the radially outer surface of frame 300. The base end of antenna element 40 is fixed to the side surface of each protrusion 310. The radially outer surface of each protrusion 310 is formed in an arc shape.

[0044] Additionally, a first element guide 330 is attached to the surface of each protruding portion 310. The first element guide 330 is made of 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.

[0045] In addition, a second element guide 332 is attached to the back surface of the protruding portion 310. The second element guide 332 is made of a plate material and protrudes radially outward from the protruding portion 310. The thickness of the second element guide 332 is the same as that of 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 guides 332 are shaped and arranged so that they do not overlap when viewed in the axial direction.

[0046] 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 may be provided along the periphery of the opening 304.

[0047] The configuration of the antenna device in the storage state will be described below. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in the storage state, the opening / closing cover 12 is closed, and the top 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, wrapped around the shaft portion 18A of the stretch shaft member storage device 18. The tip of the stretch shaft member 20 extends into the element storage section 10A, and its tip abuts the opening / closing cover 12. In this state, the shaft portion 18A of the stretch shaft member storage device 18 is restricted from rotating. Because 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 wrapped flat around the shaft portion 18A of the stretch shaft member storage device 18, generating a force that causes the stretch shaft member 20 to advance upward from the stretch shaft member storage device 18.

[0048] In the stored state, the power supply cable 62 is spirally wound 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.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing multiple 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 , multiple element holders 30 are stored in a stacked state within the element storage unit 10A. As shown in FIG. 10 , adjacent element holders 30 are stacked with the front surface convex portion 314 of one (lower) element holder 30 inserted into the rear surface concave portion 316 of the other (upper) element holder 30. As a result, a cover member 340 attached to the bottom of the rear 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 unit 350 for the holding member 50 is formed within the space surrounded by the front surface groove 312 and the cover member 340. Within the storage unit 350, the portion of the holding member 50 located between the adjacent element holders 30 is stored in a spirally wound state, for example.

[0050] As described above, the first element guide 330 and the second element guide 332 are arranged 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.

[0051] The antenna elements 40 are held in a state where they are wound around the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction of the element holder 30. The antenna elements 40 are wound along the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 310 of the element holder 30, thereby assuming a circular shape. Furthermore, the antenna elements 40 are 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 section 10A. The antenna elements 40 are made of convex tape and can be deployed outward from the element holder 30.

[0052] 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 that causes it to advance upward.

[0053] Next, we will explain how the antenna device transitions from the stored state to the deployed state. When transitioning the antenna device 1 to the deployed state, the satellite's control device first sends a signal to the opening section drive board 16 instructing it to transition to the deployed state. When the opening section drive board 16 receives this signal, it drives the opening section 14, which then 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 rotation of the shaft.

[0054] 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 it to a straight line as described above, and this restoring force causes it to extend 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.

[0055] The extension of the extension 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 extension shaft member 20.

[0056] Then, 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 tensioned state. By putting the holding members 50 in a tensioned state in this way, the element holders 30 are positioned at a predetermined interval determined by the design.

[0057] Furthermore, as the element holders 30 are released from the element storage sections 10A, the constraint on the antenna elements 40 wound around the outer peripheral surfaces of the element holders 30 is released. Since the antenna elements 40 are made of convex tape, they unfold into a state in which they extend outward from the element holders 30.

[0058] When the antenna device is deployed, the extension shaft member 20 extends linearly from within the housing 10. An excess length remains at the base 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 direction in which it advances. Furthermore, because a force acts in the direction in which the extension shaft member 20 advances, the holding members 50 between each element holder 30 are in a tensioned state. As a result, the plurality of element holders 30 are spaced apart at predetermined intervals.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved. To achieve sufficient transmission and reception performance of the antenna device, the extension shaft member 20 and the antenna element 40 need to be significantly extended. However, if the antenna device 1 is deployed at the time of launch, the entire device will become larger, making it difficult to miniaturize the satellite. Furthermore, the antenna device 1 functions only after being released into space, so it does not need to be deployed before that. However, if the antenna device 1 does not deploy reliably in space, it will not function as a satellite, so a simple deployment method and reliable deployment are required. Furthermore, even if the elements constituting the antenna device are stowed at the time of launch to achieve miniaturization, the stowed space becomes wasted space after deployment, so it must be minimized as much as possible. Furthermore, as described above, to maximize the performance of the antenna device 1, the antenna elements 40 need to be spaced as designed. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the holding member 50 that connects the multiple element holders 30 to each other is provided, so the spacing between the multiple element holders 30 in the deployed state is maintained at a predetermined distance. This allows the antenna elements to be positioned at a predetermined interval as designed, allowing them to function as an antenna.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the holding member 50 is made of a string, it can be stored in a small storage space in the stored state.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the extension shaft member 20 is made of a convex tape, which allows the extension shaft member 20 to be unfolded from a wound-up storage state to a linear unfolded state with a simple configuration and without requiring any additional power.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the stretching shaft member 20 is formed by overlapping a pair of convex tapes so that they face each other, thereby ensuring that the stretching shaft member 20 extends linearly and increasing the restoring force.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the antenna device 1 has the power supply board 60 arranged on the second element holder 30. By arranging the power supply board 60 on the element holder 30 in this way, the antenna device 1 can be made compact.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power supply cable 62 extends from the housing 10 to the power supply board 60, and the power supply cable 62 is arranged along the extension shaft member 20. As a result, when the extension shaft member 20 is deployed linearly, the power supply cable 62 advances along it.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the antenna element 40 includes a convex tape, which allows the antenna element 40 to be deployed from a rolled-up stored state to a linear deployed state with a simple configuration and without requiring any additional power.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the opening mechanism housing section 10D and the element housing section 10A are provided in the upper part of the housing 10. This allows the space inside the housing 10 to be used effectively, and the antenna device 1 can be configured compactly.

[0067] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power supply cable storage section 10C and the extension shaft member storage section 10B are provided in the lower part of the housing 10. This allows the space inside the housing 10 to be used effectively, and the antenna device 1 can be configured compactly.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the central axis of the extension shaft member 20 is located closer to the hinge 15 (rotation axis) of the opening / closing cover 12 than the central axis of the housing 10. This allows the opening mechanism storage section 10D and the element storage section 10A to be provided in the upper part of the housing 10, and the power supply cable storage section 10C and the extension shaft member storage section 10B to be provided in the lower part of the housing 10.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the element holder 30 is fixed to the holding member 50 so that the distance between the locations where adjacent element holders 30 are attached to the holding member 50 is a preset interval. As a result, the antenna element 40 attached to the element holder 30 is positioned as designed, and the desired antenna performance is achieved. Furthermore, because a portion of the extension shaft member 20 is held within the extension shaft member storage section 10B without stretching and retains a stretching force that stretches it in the axial direction, the string that is the holding member 50 is always in a tensioned state, and the string does not sag due to the stretching force, making it possible to stably maintain the set predetermined interval.

[0070] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 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: Housing body 12: Opening / closing cover 13: Spring 14: Opening section 15: Hinge 16: Opening section drive board 18: Extension shaft member storage device 18A: Shaft section 18B: Connecting member 20: Extension shaft member 20A: Convex tape 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D: Element holder 40: Antenna element 50: Holding member 60: Power supply board 62: Power supply cable 300: Frame section 302: Flat plate 304: Opening section 310: Protrusion 312: Surface groove section 314 : Front surface convex portion 316 : Back surface concave portion 318 : Through hole 324 : Wide portion 330 : First element guide 332 : Second element guide 340 : Cover member 342 : Wide portion 344 : Narrow portion 346 : Through hole 350 : Storage portion

Claims

1. An antenna device that can be in a stored state where it is stored in a housing, and in a deployed state where it extends outward from the housing, comprising: an extension shaft member stored within the housing in a state where it is axially retracted relative to an opening in the housing; a plurality of element holders that have openings and are stacked within the housing with the extension shaft member inserted through the openings; deployable antenna elements held by the element holders; and a holding member that connects the plurality of element holders to each other.

2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is made of a string.

3. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft member is made of a convex tape.

4. The antenna device according to claim 3, wherein said elongated shaft member is formed by overlapping a pair of convex tapes facing each other.

5. The antenna device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a power supply board disposed on at least one of the element holders.

6. The antenna device according to claim 5, further comprising a power feed cable extending from said housing to said power feed board, said power feed cable being arranged along said extension shaft member.

7. The antenna device of claim 1, wherein the antenna element comprises a convex tape.

8. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a housing body with an opening on one side and an opening / closing cover rotatably connected to the housing body and capable of closing the opening, and the central axis of the extension shaft member is positioned offset from the central axis of the housing.

9. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein an opening mechanism storage section that houses an opening section that opens the opening / closing cover, and an element storage section that houses the element holder are formed within the housing, and the opening mechanism storage section and element storage section are provided on the top of the housing.

10. An antenna device as described in claim 1, wherein the housing is formed with a power supply cable storage section that stores a power supply cable for supplying power to a power supply board attached to the antenna element, and an extension shaft member storage section that stores the extension shaft member, and the power supply cable storage section and the extension shaft member storage section are provided at the bottom of the housing.

11. The antenna device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein 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.

12. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the element holders are fixed to the holding member so that the distance between the locations where adjacent element holders are attached to the holding member is a preset interval.

13. A satellite comprising an antenna device according to claim 1.

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