Antenna Centroid Control via Opposite Counterweight Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antenna apparatuses face challenges in positioning the centroid close to the base plate due to structural constraints, particularly when a counterweight is directly coupled with the antenna, limiting the placement flexibility and vibration isolation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The antenna apparatus design includes a counterweight unit positioned opposite to the antenna unit on the base, supported by the base via beams, allowing the centroid to be closer to the base and reducing placement constraints, while utilizing a vibration isolation structure between the base plates for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the counterweight is directly coupled with the antenna or placed at the same side of the base plate, then the structural constraint is reduced or the antenna can rotate around a pivot, but the centroid cannot be positioned closer to the base plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement flexibilityVSAvoidcentroid position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the counterweight support structure from the antenna support structure, placing the counterweight unit on the opposite side of the base plate rather than directly coupling it with the antenna. This segmentation allows independent optimization of both structures, enabling the centroid to be positioned closer to the base plate while maintaining placement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a one-dimensional arrangement (counterweight and antenna on the same side or directly coupled) to a two-dimensional arrangement (counterweight on the opposite side of the base plate). This dimensional change enables the centroid to be positioned closer to the base plate while maintaining structural balance and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the counterweight is positioned to balance the antenna, then structural balance is achieved, but the centroid is positioned farther from the base plate, reducing vibration isolation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural balanceVSAvoidvibration isolation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention strategically positions the counterweight unit on the opposite side of the base plate to create a balanced structure where the centroid is located near the base plate. This counterweight arrangement achieves structural balance while minimizing the moment of inertia, thereby improving vibration isolation efficiency by reducing pendulum-like vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables improved vibration isolation, reduces directivity errors, and enhances the reliability and performance of the tracking antenna by maintaining the centroid near the base, thus minimizing pendulum-like vibrations and ensuring stable communication.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration isolation structure between the base plates for enhanced stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2752937B1Antenna device
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2752937B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2752937B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2752937B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention provides an antenna apparatus which has the centroid close to a base (10) and which has a less constraint for placement of a counterweight. The antenna apparatus includes a base (10) fixed to a moving object or a structural object, an antenna unit (6) disposed at a side of the base (10) and supported by the base (10), and a counterweight unit (7) disposed at a side of the base (10) opposite to the antenna unit (6) and supported by the base (10).