Collapsible LPDA Antenna with Flexible Rope Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Log periodic dipole array (LPDA) antennas are either too bulky when fully assembled or require excessive time and skill to assemble from separate components, posing challenges in transportation and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible LPDA antenna design featuring a flexible rope frame that allows radiating elements to pivot between operative and collapsed configurations, using a non-conductive rope and conductive or insulating stiff arms for support, enabling compact storage and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the antenna is transported as a fully assembled antenna, then the antenna is ready for immediate use, but the antenna is too bulky and takes up too much space
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into separable components including a collapsible frame structure with radiating elements that can be detached from the boom. This segmentation allows the antenna to be disassembled into compact parts for transport while maintaining full functionality when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is designed to be collapsible and dynamic, allowing it to transition between an expanded operative configuration and a compressed storage configuration. The flexible rope and pivotable joints enable the frame to collapse onto itself, reducing volume by a factor of 5 or more while maintaining structural integrity
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna is transported as separate components, then the antenna takes up less space, but it takes unnecessary time and requires skill to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The radiating elements are pre-attached to the frame structure in a factory-prepared configuration, so that when the user assembles the antenna, they only need to attach the pre-assembled frame-radiating element unit to the boom. This preliminary assembly eliminates complex on-site construction requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting members are designed to be simple self-installing components that require minimal skill. The radiating elements can be attached to the boom using basic tools and procedures that do not require specialized antenna assembly expertise, enabling field deployment by non-specialists
3Stability of the object's composition
If the radiating elements are made rigid for structural stability, then the antenna maintains its shape, but the antenna cannot be collapsed for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates flexible rope elements and thin-walled aluminum tubes that can bend and collapse while maintaining their structural function. These flexible components allow the frame to compress into a compact configuration for transport while returning to their rigid operative shape when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The frame uses pivotable joints and flexible connections that allow dynamic transformation between collapsed and operative states. The radiating elements are mounted on pivotable arms that can rotate between a collapsed position (parallel to the boom) and an operative position (perpendicular to the boom), providing both stability during operation and compactness during transport
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible antenna (10) comprises an elongate boom (12) having a main axis (14) and a plurality of elongate radiating elements (16) having respective first ends (18.1) and respective second ends (18.2). At least some of the elongate radiating elements are flexible and are mounted at the respective first ends to the boom in longitudinally spaced relation. Regions towards the respective second ends of the at least some of the elongate radiating elements engage a flexible rope (20). The flexible rope forms part of a frame (22) which is manipulatable relative to the boom between a first collapsed configuration and a second operative configuration wherein the at least some radiating elements are in an operative configuration relative to the boom.