Satellite Hatch Antenna Layout for Compact Payload Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial satellites face challenges in miniaturization due to the large size of their antennas, which limits the capacity for mission devices and hinders the satellite's purpose when the antenna is mounted externally, requiring reduction in payload unit size.

Innovation Solution

An artificial satellite design featuring a hatch in the wall forming a dead space with a hatch opening and closing mechanism, allowing the antenna to be stored inside during launch and deployed externally for communication, thus maintaining payload unit size and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the antenna is mounted externally on the satellite, then the communication function is achieved, but the satellite size cannot be miniaturized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite sizeVSAvoidantenna deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is nested within the dead space of the satellite body during launch, and then deployed to the exterior through a hatch after launch. This allows the antenna to be compact during launch while still being able to function externally in orbit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system transitions from a static stored state inside the satellite to a dynamic deployed state outside the satellite. The hatch opening and closing mechanism enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the antenna to be positioned optimally for communication while maintaining satellite miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the payload unit size is reduced to accommodate the antenna, then the satellite is miniaturized, but the mission device capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload unit sizeVSAvoidmission device units

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is extracted from the payload unit and placed in the dead space of the satellite body. This extraction allows the payload unit to maintain its full size and capacity for mission devices, while the antenna is accommodated separately in the previously unused dead space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the antenna is stored inside the satellite during launch, then the satellite structure is simplified, but the antenna cannot be positioned for optimal communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite structureVSAvoidantenna positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The satellite structure is segmented into functional areas, with the dead space specifically allocated for antenna storage. The hatch mechanism provides a controlled interface between the internal storage space and external deployment position, simplifying the overall structure while enabling optimal antenna positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2774856B1Artificial satellite with integrated antenna

Publication Date: 2023.09.27 NEC CORP

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AI summary

An artificial satellite includes at least one hatch formed in a wall of the artificial satellite coming in contact with dead space of the artificial satellite, and a hatch opening and closing mechanism which opens the hatch, and the antenna is attached to the hatch.