Foldable Rigid Substrate Antennas for Satellite Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturized satellite antennas face size limitations due to signal wavelength constraints, preventing full realization of satellite miniaturization benefits, as they require dimensions similar to larger satellites despite being scaled down.
Innovation Solution
Development of foldable antenna devices on rigid substrates with metal layers that can be folded into compact configurations, utilizing mountain and valley folds or connected substrates with hinges, allowing the antenna to transition between unfolded and fully folded states while maintaining operational performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional antennas are scaled down for miniaturized satellites, then the satellite size is reduced, but the antenna dimensions remain constrained by signal wavelength requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple rigid substrate panels that can be folded together to form the complete antenna structure. This segmentation allows the antenna to be compacted into a small volume for satellite deployment while maintaining the full operational length required for wavelength-based performance when unfolded.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with multiple deployable states. The rigid substrate panels can be folded and unfolded to change the antenna's physical dimensions, enabling it to adapt between compact storage configuration and full operational configuration, effectively decoupling the satellite's launch volume from the antenna's operational length.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid substrates are used for antenna construction, then structural stability is improved, but foldability and compactness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is segmented into multiple rigid substrate panels connected by hinges, allowing each panel to maintain its structural stability while the overall structure achieves foldability through the articulated connections between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna combines rigid substrate materials with hinge mechanisms to create a composite structure that exhibits both rigidity (when panels are connected in the unfolded state) and flexibility (when hinges enable folding). This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary mechanical properties.
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna is designed to be foldable, then compact deployment is enabled, but device complexity increases due to folding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into modular rigid substrate panels that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the folding mechanism by using discrete panels connected at specific hinge locations, rather than requiring complex continuous deformation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin hinge connections between rigid substrate panels, allowing the structure to fold compactly while maintaining simplicity. The thin film-like hinges provide the necessary flexibility without adding significant mechanical complexity to the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
Foldable antenna devices formed on rigid substrates are provided. The substrate can be planar in an unfolded state, and a metal layer can be formed on the rigid substrate to act as an antenna element. The rigid substrate(s) can include mountain folds and valley folds, or hinges, such that the antenna device is foldable from an unfolded state to a fully folded state.