Corner Reflector Unfolding Mechanism for Decoy Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corner reflectors face challenges in prolonging their time in the air to deceive enemies effectively and in suppressing descending speed, with issues related to entangled hanging ropes causing improper unfolding and insufficient speed reduction due to flat radio wave reflection faces.

Innovation Solution

A corner reflector design featuring a three-dimensionally unfolding radio wave reflection film with an annular hollow balloon and a canopy that unfolds concurrently, eliminating the need for hanging ropes and stabilizing the falling posture with a gas supplying device connected to the balloon.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a parachute is used to suppress descending speed, then the descending speed is reduced, but the volume of the corner reflector increases and unfolding may fail due to entangled hanging rope

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedescending speedVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the parachute and hanging rope system from the corner reflector structure. Instead of using a parachute to suppress descending speed, the invention integrates the speed suppression function directly into the corner reflector body through its three-dimensional unfolding structure and radio wave reflection faces, thereby eliminating the complexity and entanglement issues associated with separate parachute systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of speed suppression and corner reflector operation into a single integrated structure. The three-dimensionally unfolded radio wave reflection faces serve both as the functional element for radar reflection and as the structure that provides air resistance for speed suppression, eliminating the need for separate parachute components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If the radio wave reflection face is made flat, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to suppress descending speed sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddescending speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a flat, two-dimensional radio wave reflection face to a three-dimensionally unfolded structure. By arranging multiple reflection faces in three-dimensional space with specific spatial relationships, the invention simultaneously achieves adequate air resistance for speed suppression while maintaining the simplicity of individual flat reflection face components

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

3Reliability

If the corner reflector unfolds in the air, then it can receive and reflect radio waves, but the time of floating in the air is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio wave reflection capabilityVSAvoidfloating time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic unfolding mechanism where the corner reflector transitions from a compact stored state to an expanded operational state in the air. The three-dimensional unfolding structure increases the surface area for air resistance, naturally extending the floating time while ensuring the reflection faces are properly positioned for reliable radio wave reception and reflection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively suppresses descending speed, ensures proper unfolding, and stabilizes the falling posture, enhancing the decoy's duration and reliability by eliminating entangled rope issues and utilizing a gas cylinder for stabilization.

Implementation Method 1

when gas is supplied therein, the hollow balloon expands with pressure of the gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

enables the corner reflector 6 after unfolding to fall freely while suppressing descending speed using air resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir resistance: Drag

Implementation Method 3

reflects the radio wave in the incident direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio wave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2730882B1Corner reflector
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 IHI AEROSPACE CO LTD
  • EP2730882B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2730882B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2730882B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A corner reflector 11 includes: a radio wave reflection film 11a having three reflection faces that are mutually orthogonal, and an unfolding device 11b which unfolds the radio wave reflection film 11a three-dimensionally. The corner reflector further includes: a canopy 12 that unfolds concurrently with unfolding of the radio wave reflection film 11a, and the canopy 12 is connected to the unfolding device 11b so as to partially overlie the radio wave reflection film 11a.