JP2006217349A - Compact range and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light compact range, having superior operability and having superior productivity, and to provide its manufacturing method. <P>SOLUTION: A compact range 1 is composed of a parabolic reflector 2 for converting electric waves, from spherical waves into plane waves. The parabolic reflector 2 is made of carbon fiber composite material. The compact range 1 is formed by rolling up the periphery edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 toward the back side of a reflecting surface, into a roll shape. In the manufacturing method, a carbon prepreg sheet 4 is laid on a placement plane 3a and 8a of a metal mold 3 or a lower metal mold 8, having an annular inclined plane of an arcuate shape 3b or 8b at an inner wall near the periphery. Its end is folded up, along with a flexible tubular object 5 or a mold tube 9. The external surface of the turnaround is covered with a silicone rubber sheet 6 or an upper metal mold 10. The entirety is covered with a bag-like vacuum sheet 7, and the interior is decompressed, and heating is carried out for a predetermined time in that state, and the parabolic reflector 2, after curing, is taken out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a compact range and a method for manufacturing the same, and more specifically, a compact range that is lightweight, excellent in operability, and excellent in productivity that enables pseudo far field measurement in a limited narrow space. It relates to the manufacturing method.

In a radiation system test for an antenna or the like, as shown in FIG. 5, the far field reference is applied in relation to the dimension D of the device under test and the wavelength λ of the test radio wave, and the distance R between the transmission antenna and the reception antenna is Restricted as follows.
R ≧ 2D ² / λ

  According to this condition, even in an anechoic chamber in which a distance of 10 m can be secured, the test can be performed under far-field conditions only with an antenna of about 120 mm at the maximum in the millimeter wave band (as 100 GHz).

  On the other hand, the same condition holds for RCS (radar cross-sectional area), and only the measurement of an object having a maximum dimension of 120 mm can be performed under the above condition.

  As a method for solving such a problem, a compact range has been devised (for example, see Patent Document 1). The compact range is a radio wave measuring device that has the function of converting a radiated spherical wave into a plane wave by a parabolic reflector. By replacing it with a plane wave, it is possible to realize a far field measurement in a pseudo manner even when the measurement distance is short. Measurement can be performed regardless of the wavelength and the dimensions of the device under test.

By the way, the parabolic reflector in the conventional compact range is made of a plate-like metal material having a circular or elliptical shape, and its end rolls toward the back side with respect to the reflecting surface in order to prevent scattering of radio waves. It has been formed by rounding into a shape.
JP 2003-315440 A

  However, the compact range made of metal is heavy because it is made of metal, and even if it is a compact range with an outer periphery of about 1.7 m × 2 m, it has a weight of about 150 kg, and is difficult to carry. However, the processing for forming the end portion by rolling it into a roll shape is not easy, and it has the disadvantage that the productivity is low and the processing cost increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a compact range that is lightweight, excellent in operability, and excellent in productivity, and a manufacturing method thereof.

  An invention relating to a compact range that achieves the above object is a compact range comprising a parabolic reflector having a function of converting a radio wave from a spherical wave to a plane wave, wherein the parabolic reflector is formed of a carbon fiber composite material, and the outside of the parabolic reflector. The gist is that the peripheral edge portion is formed in a roll shape toward the back side with respect to the reflecting surface.

  Thus, since the compact range was comprised by the parabolic reflector which consists of carbon fiber composite materials, the weight of a compact range is reduced and the operativity of a compact range is improved.

  On the other hand, the invention relating to the compact range manufacturing method that achieves the above object comprises two inventions. The first invention is an arc-shaped annular inclined surface formed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the inner surface of the mold, and the annular inclined surface is continuous. A carbon prepreg sheet is laid on the mounting surface for forming the reflecting surface of the parabolic reflector, and a flexible tubular body is mounted on the carbon prepreg sheet laid on the annular inclined surface along the annular inclined surface. The end portion of the carbon prepreg sheet is folded along the surface of the flexible tubular body, and the outer surface of the folded portion is covered with a silicon rubber sheet, and then the mold, the silicon rubber sheet, and the carbon prepreg sheet are covered. The whole is covered with a bag-shaped vacuum sheet, and the vacuum prepreg is heated for a predetermined time in a state where the inside of the vacuum sheet is decompressed. Heat-curing the over preparative, then summarized in that retrieving the parabolic reflector molded from the vacuum sheet into a predetermined shape.

  As a result, the outer peripheral edge of the parabolic reflector constituting the compact range can be formed into an annular shape along the surface of the flexible tubular body, and the outer surface is an arc-shaped annular inclined surface of the mold and the silicon rubber sheet. Therefore, it is not necessary to finish the annular surface at the outer peripheral edge of the parabolic reflector, thereby improving the productivity of the compact range.

  The second invention relating to the compact range manufacturing method is a mounting for forming an arcuate annular inclined surface formed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the lower mold and a parabolic reflector reflecting surface continuous with the annular inclined surface. A carbon prepreg sheet is laid on the surface, and a mold tube that can expand and contract along the annular inclined surface is placed on the carbon prepreg sheet laid on the annular inclined surface. Folded in an arc along the surface of the mold tube, an upper mold having a semispherical annular concave surface on the inner wall is fitted to the outer surface of the folded portion, and the mold tube is filled with gas and expanded. The carbon prepreg sheet is pressed against the annular inclined surface of the lower mold and the annular concave surface of the upper mold by the expansion pressure while the upper and lower molds and the carbon The entire prepreg sheet is covered with a bag-like vacuum sheet, the inside of the vacuum sheet is decompressed, the whole is heated for a predetermined time to heat and cure the carbon prepreg sheet, and then the parabola formed into a predetermined shape from the inside of the vacuum sheet The gist is to take out the reflector.

  As a result, the outer peripheral edge of the parabolic reflector constituting the compact range can be formed into an annular shape along the surface of the mold tube in an expanded state, and the outer surface is smoothed by the annular inclined surface and the annular concave surface of the upper and lower molds. Therefore, it is not necessary to finish the annular surface at the outer peripheral edge of the parabolic reflector, thereby improving the productivity of the compact range.

  As described above, the compact range of the present invention is lightweight and excellent in operability because the parabolic reflector is made of a carbon fiber composite.

  Moreover, in order to manufacture the compact range manufacturing method of the present invention by forming a carbon prepreg sheet using a mold and a flexible tubular body or a mold tube, and heating and curing the molded body, The manufacturing cost is low, and the productivity is improved because the finishing of the annular surface at the outer peripheral edge of the parabolic reflector is not required.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the compact range of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, and the compact range 1 is an elliptical parabolic reflector 2 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral edge portion 2 a is formed into a ring shape by rolling it into a roll shape toward the back side with respect to the reflecting surface.

  The parabolic reflector 2 has a function of converting a radio wave from a spherical wave to a plane wave. The parabolic reflector 2 converts the spherical wave radiated from the source into a plane wave and reflects it. Thereby, even in the case of radio wave measurement in a narrow space, a measurement environment in the far field is realized in a pseudo manner, which is particularly advantageous for radio wave measurement in the millimeter wave band that requires a large space.

  The outer peripheral edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 is likely to scatter radio waves, thereby disturbing the plane wave and lowering the accuracy of radio wave measurement. Therefore, the outer peripheral edge 2a is rolled toward the back side with respect to the reflecting surface. It is formed by rounding to a shape to suppress the scattering of radio waves.

  The parabolic reflector 2 is composed of a composite material containing carbon fibers, preferably a carbon prepreg. The carbon prepreg contains carbon fibers in a thermosetting resin, and an epoxy resin is used as the thermosetting resin.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the process of the first invention relating to the method of manufacturing the compact range of the present invention. The process of manufacturing the compact range 1 according to the first invention starts with the vicinity of the outer periphery of the inner surface of the mold 3. The carbon prepreg sheet 4 is laid on the arc-shaped annular inclined surface 3b formed in the above and the mounting surface 3a for forming the reflecting surface of the parabolic reflector continuous with the annular inclined surface 3b.

  Next, the flexible tubular body 5 is placed along the annular inclined surface 3b on the carbon prepreg sheet 4 laid on the annular inclined surface 3b, and the terminal portion of the carbon prepreg sheet 4 is attached to the flexible tubular member. The body 5 is folded back along the surface, and the outer surface of the folded portion is covered with the silicon rubber sheet 6.

  Thereafter, the mold 3, the silicon rubber sheet 6 and the carbon prepreg sheet 4 are entirely covered with a bag-like vacuum sheet 7, and the vacuum sheet 7 is heated for a predetermined time in a state where the inside of the vacuum sheet 7 is decompressed. The sheet 4 is cured by heating, and then the parabolic reflector 2 molded into a predetermined shape is taken out from the vacuum sheet 7.

  Thereby, the outer peripheral edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 constituting the compact range 1 can be formed into an annular shape along the surface of the flexible tubular body 5, and further, the outer surface thereof is an arc-shaped annular inclined surface of the mold 3. Since the surface 3b and the inner surface of the silicon rubber sheet 6 are formed smoothly, the finishing process of the annular surface at the outer peripheral edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 is not required, and the productivity of the compact range 1 is improved.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the process of the second invention relating to the method of manufacturing the compact range of the present invention. The process of manufacturing the compact range 1 according to the second invention is first performed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the lower mold 8. The carbon prepreg sheet 4 is laid on the formed arcuate annular inclined surface 8b and the mounting surface 8a for forming the reflecting surface of the parabolic reflector continuous with the annular inclined surface 8b.

  Next, a mold tube 9 that can expand and contract along the annular inclined surface 8b is placed on the carbon prepreg sheet 4 laid on the annular inclined surface 8b, and the terminal portion of the carbon prepreg sheet 4 is attached to the mold tube. The upper mold 10 having a hemispherical annular concave surface 10b on the inner wall is fitted to the outer surface of the folded portion, and the mold tube 9 is filled with gas and expanded. The carbon prepreg sheet 4 is pressed against the annular inclined surface 8b of the lower mold 8 and the annular concave surface 10b of the upper mold 10 by the expansion pressure.

  Thereafter, the upper and lower molds 10, 8 and the carbon prepreg sheet 4 are entirely covered with a bag-like vacuum sheet 7, and the inside of the vacuum sheet 7 is depressurized, and then the whole is heated for a predetermined time to obtain the carbon prepreg sheet 4. Then, the parabolic reflector 2 molded into a predetermined shape is taken out from the vacuum sheet 7.

  Thereby, the outer peripheral edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 constituting the compact range 1 can be formed into an annular shape along the surface of the mold tube 9 in an expanded state, and the outer surface is an annular inclined surface of the lower mold 8 8b and the annular concave surface 10b of the upper mold 10 are formed smoothly, so that finishing of the annular surface at the outer peripheral edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 is not required, and the productivity of the compact range is improved.

  The outer peripheral edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 of the compact range 1 obtained as described above is formed in an annular shape that is rolled in a roll shape toward the back side with respect to the reflecting surface, and the annular surface Is formed smoothly, so that almost no scattering of radio waves is seen at the outer peripheral edge 2a of the parabolic reflector 2 during radio wave measurement.

  Note that the mold 3, the lower mold 8, and the upper mold 10 used in the manufacturing method of the compact range of the present invention are usually in the circumferential direction from the viewpoint of convenience in forming the carbon prepreg sheet 4. The mold is divided into a plurality of molds, and these are used in combination during molding.

It is a top view which shows an example of the compact range of this invention. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process of the 1st invention regarding the manufacturing method of the compact range of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process of the 2nd invention regarding the manufacturing method of the compact range of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the condition of the radio wave radiation system test.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compact range 2 Parabolic reflector 2a Outer peripheral edge part 3 Mold | dies 3a, 8a Mounting surface 3b, 8b Annular inclined surface 4 Carbon prepreg sheet 5 Flexible tubular body 6 Silicone rubber sheet 7 Vacuum sheet 8 Lower mold 9 Type tube 10 Upper die 10b Annular concave surface

Claims (5)

It is a compact range consisting of parabolic reflectors having a function of converting radio waves from spherical waves to plane waves, and the parabolic reflectors are made of carbon fiber composite material, and the outer peripheral edge of the parabolic reflectors is on the back side with respect to the reflecting surface. A compact range formed by rolling into a roll. The compact range according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral edge formed by rolling into a roll shape is annular. The compact range according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carbon fiber composite material is a carbon prepreg. A carbon prepreg sheet is laid on an arcuate annular inclined surface formed near the outer periphery of the inner surface of the mold and a mounting surface for forming a reflecting surface of a parabolic reflector continuous with the annular inclined surface, and the annular inclined surface On the carbon prepreg sheet laid on top, a flexible tubular body is placed along an annular inclined surface, and the end portion of the carbon prepreg sheet is folded along the surface of the flexible tubular body, and the folded portion The outer surface of the vacuum sheet is covered with a silicon rubber sheet, and then the entire mold, the silicon rubber sheet, and the carbon prepreg sheet are covered with a bag-like vacuum sheet, and the vacuum sheet is decompressed and the whole is kept for a predetermined time. Heat to heat and cure the carbon prepreg sheet, and then remove the parabolic reflector molded into the specified shape from the vacuum sheet. Method for producing a compact range characterized by Succoth. A carbon prepreg sheet is laid on an arcuate annular inclined surface formed near the outer periphery of the lower mold and a mounting surface for forming a reflecting surface of a parabolic reflector continuous with the annular inclined surface, and the annular inclined surface A mold tube that can be expanded and contracted along an annular inclined surface is placed on a carbon prepreg sheet laid on the top, and a terminal portion of the carbon prepreg sheet is folded in an arc along the surface of the mold tube. An upper die having a semispherical annular concave surface on the inner wall is fitted to the outer surface of the folded portion, and the carbon prepreg sheet is made to expand by filling the gas into the die tube and expanding the lower die. The annular inclined surface of the upper mold and the annular concave surface of the upper mold are pressed, and the upper and lower molds and the carbon prepreg sheet are entirely covered with a bag-like vacuum sheet, A method for producing a compact range, characterized in that after decompressing the interior of the vacuum sheet, the whole is heated for a predetermined time to heat and cure the carbon prepreg sheet, and then the parabolic reflector formed into a predetermined shape is taken out from the vacuum sheet. .

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