DC Geared Motor Antenna Control with Feedback Loop
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically adjustable antenna control systems face issues with motor stall due to insufficient torque in low temperature environments and struggle with precision control while maintaining low costs, particularly with stepper and brushless motors.
Innovation Solution
An electrically adjustable antenna control system utilizing a DC geared motor with a feedback loop and trapezoidal speed control method, where a controller and actuation mechanism work together to precisely control the phase shifter and antenna panel, eliminating motor stall and achieving high precision with low cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stepper motor is used to drive the phase shifter and antenna panel, then control accuracy is high and control algorithm is simple, but motor stall occurs due to insufficient torque in low temperature environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the motor type from stepper motor to brushless motor, which has different operational characteristics and torque properties that prevent stalling in low temperature environments while maintaining control accuracy through electronic control algorithms
2Reliability
If a brushless motor with large torque is used to overcome motor stall in low temperature, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a geared motor instead of an expensive brushless motor, accepting the need for more frequent maintenance or replacement in exchange for significantly reduced cost, while still achieving the required reliability through the gear mechanism's torque multiplication
3Ease of manufacture
If a geared motor is used to achieve small size, large torque and low cost, then device size is reduced and cost is lowered, but locating tolerance generated by inertia when stopping the motor makes control precision difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism using encoders or sensors to detect the actual position of the phase shifter and antenna panel, comparing it with the target position and making real-time adjustments to compensate for locating tolerance generated by the geared motor's inertia during stopping
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
An electrically adjustable antenna control system includes a controller, an actuation mechanism controlled by the controller, and a feedback loop connected to both of the controller and actuation mechanism. Herein, the controller includes a control board and its imbedded program. The actuation mechanism includes a DC geared motor controlled by the control board and embedded program and an electrically adjustable antenna phase shifter driven by the geared motor. The feedback loop has a travel plate electrically coupled to both of the control board and DC geared motor and a counter device installed on the geared motor. The present invention also provides an electrically adjustable antenna control method realized by the above-mentioned electrically adjustable antenna control system.