Bi-Directional Foldable Antenna Plates for Large, Rigid Planar Arrays

The patent transitions from unidirectional folding to bidirectional folding by adding a second folding dimension perpendicular to the first. The antenna plate can now fold along both the length direction and width direction, creating a more stable three-dimensional folded configuration that enhances rigidity while maintaining compactness.

The antenna plate is divided into multiple segments with hinge connections that enable independent folding in two orthogonal directions. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve stability through multiple folding planes rather than a single folding line, improving overall rigidity.

By introducing bidirectional folding capability, the patent enables larger antenna diameters to be achieved without proportionally increasing support mechanism complexity. The second folding dimension provides additional structural support that naturally reinforces larger configurations.

The patent employs a composite support mechanism combining multiple hinge connections and folding elements that work together to provide enhanced support for larger antenna diameters, distributing structural requirements across multiple components rather than requiring a single complex support system.

The patent implements bidirectional folding by adding folding capability in a second dimension perpendicular to the first, which improves rigidity and stability through enhanced three-dimensional structural configuration while managing complexity through systematic hinge design.

The hinge connections serve multiple functions: they enable folding in one direction, provide structural support in another direction, and maintain rigidity when deployed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing overall device complexity while achieving improved stability.