JP2006304061A - Reflector antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reflector antenna which eliminates the need for carrying a plurality of kinds of parabolic reflectors to a video transmission point and which will not give hindrance to mobility during collections of news. <P>SOLUTION: The reflector antenna has a parabolic reflector 11, having a center mirror surface portion 14 and a mirror surface support portion which supports the center mirror surface portion 14 and enables a reflector surface opening to be formed selectively to different sizes, and a feeding unit 12 arranged at the focus position of the parabolic reflector 11, whose reflector surface opening is variable in size. The feeding unit 12 is supported by a support portion 12a of the feeding unit 12, which is varied in length, in matching with the size of the reflector surface opening. The parabolic reflector 11 changes the reflector surface opening to a different size, by changing the support state of the reflector mirror surface portion by the mirror surface support portion so that the reflector mirror portion varies in the degree of curvature, and the feeding unit 12 varies the distance from the reflector mirror surface portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reflector antenna, and more particularly to a foldable deployable reflector antenna.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a deployable reflector antenna that is light and foldable and used in a high frequency band such as a microwave and a millimeter wave is known. As such a deployable reflector antenna, for example, a deployable mesh reflector antenna (non-patent document) used when a broadcaster wirelessly transmits a recorded video or a relay video of an event venue to a broadcasting station. Reference 1).

This deployable mesh reflector antenna is equipped with a parabolic reflector for a microwave transmission device, and this parabolic reflector has a configuration in which a plurality of radially arranged radial ribs are provided with a mirror surface made of a metal mesh. By folding each radiation rib at the rib attachment portion, it can be folded like an umbrella, for example, so that it can be easily carried to a news gathering place or event venue.
Nakazawa, Tanaka, Nomoto, “Examination of a deployable mesh reflector antenna for 7 GHz band FPU”, Eiji Jigaku, Vol. 28, No. 60, pp. 13-16, October 2004.

However, the parabolic reflector for microwave transmission equipment is selected from several types of parabolic reflectors with different aperture diameters depending on the distance from the transmission point to the broadcasting station and the conditions of the transmission path. Therefore, when using a parabolic reflector, it was necessary to prepare several types of parabolic reflectors having different aperture diameters and bring them to the transmission point.
In other words, even if the conventional deployable mesh reflector antenna is lightweight and foldable and easy to carry, when using the reflector antenna, prepare several types of parabolic reflectors with different aperture diameters, It was necessary to bring it to the video transmission point. This was a factor that hindered mobility during coverage.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a reflector antenna that does not need to carry a plurality of types of parabolic reflectors to a video transmission point and does not impair mobility during coverage.

  To achieve the above object, a reflecting mirror antenna according to the present invention includes a reflecting mirror surface portion and a parabolic reflecting mirror including a mirror surface supporting portion that supports the reflecting mirror surface portion and selectively forms a reflecting mirror surface opening in different sizes. And a power feeder disposed at the focal position of the parabolic reflector whose size of the reflector opening can be changed.

  According to the present invention, the parabolic reflector includes the reflecting mirror surface portion and the mirror surface supporting portion that supports the reflecting mirror surface portion and selectively forms the reflecting mirror surface opening in different sizes, and the power feeder has a size of the reflecting mirror surface opening. Since it is arranged at the focal position of the parabolic reflector whose height can be changed, it is not necessary to carry a plurality of types of parabolic reflectors to the video transmission point, and the mobility during the coverage is not hindered.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a partially broken side view of a reflector antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the side, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of the radiation rib set of FIG. . FIG. 3 is a partially broken side view of the reflector antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention when the aperture is large, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the radiation rib set of FIG. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the reflector antenna 10 includes a parabolic reflector 11 and a power feeder 12 disposed at a substantially focal position of the parabolic reflector 11. The parabolic reflector 11 has a mirror surface (reflecting mirror surface portion) made of a rotating paraboloid, and the opening diameter of the mirror surface can be changed to one of two types, large and small. The mirror surface at the time of a small opening having a small opening diameter is composed of a central mirror surface portion 14 supported by a plurality of radiation rib sets 13 (only one is shown) (see FIG. 1). The center mirror surface portion 14 supported by a plurality of adjustment ribs 15 (only one shown) and the peripheral mirror surface portion 17 supported by a plurality of extension ribs 16 (only one shown) (see FIG. 3). The peripheral mirror surface portion 17 is disposed adjacent to the outside of the central mirror surface portion 14 so as to be integrated with the central mirror surface portion 14.

  Each radial rib set 13 is radially arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base portion 18 at substantially equal intervals, and a slide mechanism portion 19 is mounted on the base portion 18 so as to be slidable along the base portion 18. Has been. A support portion 12a of the power feeder 12 is detachably connected to the protruding end of the slide mechanism portion 19 (the focal side of the parabolic reflector 11). That is, each radiation rib set 13 is fixedly arranged radially around the support portion 12a.

  The position of the power feeder 12 can be changed between a small opening and a large opening on the mirror surface. When the opening is large, the length of the entire support portion 12a can be increased by adding the extension portion 12b to the support portion 12a (see FIG. 3) or by making the support portion 12a extendable. The position of the power feeder 12 can be further away from the parabolic reflector 11 than when the aperture is small. Therefore, the feeder 12 is always arranged at the focal position of the parabolic reflector 11 even if the size of the reflector opening is changed by the support portion 12a whose length is changed according to the size of the reflector opening. The The support portion 12a can also function as a power supply line that supplies power to the power feeder 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the radiating rib set 13 is composed of a pair of radiating ribs 20 arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other, and is attached to a base 18 by a mounting plate 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). ). Between the two radiating ribs 20 and 20, an adjusting rib 15 and an extending rib 16 are housed so as to be unfolded (see FIGS. 1 and 2). That is, the radiation rib set 13 has a sandwich structure in which the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are sandwiched between the two radiation ribs 20. The radiating rib 20 has a shaft portion 22 provided on the mounting plate 21 as a supporting shaft, and the adjustment rib 15 has a shaft portion 23 provided on the distal end portion (opposite side of the base portion 18) of both the radiating ribs 20 and 20 as a supporting shaft. The extension ribs 16 are freely rotatable with a shaft portion 24 provided below the shaft portion 23 as a support shaft.

  Therefore, each adjustment rib 15 is protruded toward the power feeder 12 from the upper end (the power feeder 12 side) of the radiation rib 20 by rotating in the clockwise direction toward the drawing with the shaft portion 23 as a support shaft. (See FIG. 3). Further, each extension rib 16 extends from the side of the adjustment rib 15 (the end of the shaft 23 side) by rotating in the counterclockwise direction with the shaft 24 as a support shaft. It can be made to project outward (see FIGS. 3 and 4), thereby supporting the outer diameter-enlarged portion of the mirror surface.

  The upper end of the adjustment rib 15 and the upper end of the radiation rib 20 are formed by different curves, and the upper end of the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are formed by the same curve. The opening diameter of the mirror surface formed of the paraboloid formed by the upper end is larger when the adjustment rib 15 is used than when the radiation rib 20 is used. That is, when the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are stored in the radiation rib 20 and only the radiation rib 20 is used (see FIG. 1), a small opening is formed, and the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are pulled out from the radiation rib 20. Thus, when the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are used (see FIG. 3), the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are continuously integrated to form a large opening.

  Each radiating rib 20 is connected to a ring portion 26 that can slide up and down on the outer surface of the base portion 18 by an arm 25, and each arm 25 is attached to each mounting portion 25 a with the radiating rib 20 and the ring portion 26. 25b freely rotates (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

  FIG. 5 is a partially broken side view illustrating the retracted state of the reflector antenna of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the reflector antenna 10 has the radiating rib 20 (that is, the radiating rib set 13) storing the adjusting rib 15 and the extension rib 16 by positioning the ring portion 26 in the vicinity of the mounting plate 21. All can be folded upwards. When the ring portion 26 moves upward toward the mounting plate 21, the radiating rib 20 (that is, the radiating rib set 13) rotates upward about the shaft portion 22 via the arm 25, and the radiating rib 20 (that is, radiating). The rib assembly 13) is substantially upright (see FIG. 5). In addition, in FIG. 5, illustration of the center mirror surface part 14 is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the slide mechanism portion 19 can freely move up and down in the base portion 18, and the range of movement thereof is an upper flange 19a formed at an exposed portion from both openings of the base portion 18 and a lower portion. It is regulated by the flange 19b. The slide mechanism portion 19 is provided with a lift portion 19 c that protrudes substantially perpendicular to the vertical movement direction and contacts the lower end of the adjustment rib 15 on the base 18 side.

  When the slide mechanism 19 moves up and down, the lift 19 c moves up and down a notch (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface of the base 18, and accordingly, the adjustment rib 15 moves up and down around the shaft 23. The upward movement of the slide mechanism portion 19 is stopped by a restricting means (not shown) when the adjustment rib 15 moves upward and protrudes substantially above the radiation rib set 13 to be exposed. In this way, by pushing the base 18 and the adjustment rib 15 that are the central part of the parabolic reflector 11 toward the power feeder 12, the degree of curvature of the reflecting mirror surface formed of a paraboloid of revolution can be adjusted.

  The central mirror surface portion 14 is made of, for example, a stretchable mesh (mesh) member formed by weaving thin metal threads, and covers all of the radiating rib sets 13 to form the radiating rib sets 13 in a small opening. It is mounted (see FIG. 1), and is mounted on the adjustment rib 15 so as to cover all the adjustment ribs 15 when the opening is large (see FIG. 3). The entire area of the central mirror surface portion 14 that is mounted and fixed is held along the upper end surface of the radiation rib set 13 or the adjusting rib 15 to form a paraboloid of revolution.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the attached state of the central mirror surface portion and the radiation rib set. As shown in FIG. 6, on the surface side of the central mirror surface portion 14, mirror surface restraining ribs 27 are disposed so as to overlap the adjustment ribs 15. The mirror surface restraining rib 27 is fixed to the upper end of the side of the radiating rib set 13 by the end fixing tool 28 (the end of the shaft part 23 side), and the radiating rib set 13 (that is, the radiating rib) by the mirror fixing tool 29. 20) and the adjusting rib 15. Accordingly, when the adjustment rib 15 is accommodated in the radiation rib set 13 in a small opening, the upper end 20a of the radiation rib 20 contacts the central mirror surface portion 14 (see (a)), and the adjustment rib 15 is exposed from the radiation rib set 13. When the large opening is made, the upper end 15a of the adjustment rib 15 contacts the central mirror surface portion 14 (see (b)).

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show the mirror surface fixture mounting portion of FIG. 6, where FIG. 7A is a partial explanatory view of the radiating rib set by the first method, and FIG. 7B is a partial explanatory view of the radiating rib set by the second method. . As shown in FIG. 7, the mirror surface fixing tool 29 includes a locking portion 29 a that locks to the front surface side so that it does not fall off to the back surface side of the central mirror surface portion 14, and an exposed end portion 29 b that protrudes and is exposed to the back surface side. Have. A hole (not shown) is opened in the exposed end portion 29b to allow the wire 30 to pass therethrough, and one end of the wire 30 is locked to the radiation rib 20 and the other end is locked to the adjustment rib 15.

  For example, the wire 30 itself is formed of a contracting member, or a spring member is attached to one end of the wire 30, so that the wire 30 is loosened in both the small opening and the large opening of the parabolic reflector 11. The state is adjusted so as to be absent (see the first method, (a)). Further, the adjustment rib 15 has a rotation fulcrum, and a movable arm 31 having a rotation end fixed to the exposed end portion 29b is provided. The rotation end is always pulled downward (on the adjustment rib 15 side) by a tension spring 32 or the like. (Refer to the second method, (b)). As a result, the central mirror surface portion 14 can be stretched without loosening regardless of whether the parabolic reflector 11 is small or large.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of the parabolic reflector when the aperture is large. As shown in FIG. 8, the parabolic reflector 11 is arranged by arranging the peripheral mirror surface portion 17 outside the central mirror surface portion 14 at the time of large opening by the radiation rib set 13 and the central mirror surface portion 14 at the time of small opening. It is formed. The peripheral mirror surface portion 17 corresponds to an annular portion that is a concentric enlarged portion obtained by enlarging the central mirror surface portion 14, and is formed by mounting a plurality of partial mirror surface plates 33 between adjacent extension ribs 16.

  The partial mirror surface plate 33 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape using, for example, a hard material formed by coating metal fibers or carbon fibers with fiber reinforced plastics (FRP). The size is not limited to the size corresponding to the interval (see FIG. 8), and may have a size extending between the plurality of extension ribs 16. In the case of a size extending between the plurality of extension ribs 16, the number of partial mirror plates 33 corresponding to the size is integrally formed in advance. In addition, when the number of the extension ribs 16 is arranged and the adjacent interval becomes narrow, the size of the partial mirror plate 33 becomes small in accordance with the interval.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B show an example of attachment of a partial mirror plate at the time of a large opening. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram viewed from the side, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 9, the extension rib 16 is formed alone without being incorporated in the radiation rib assembly 13, and the recess 34a and the locking portion 35a are formed on the extension rib 16 side, and the projection 34b and the covered portion are disposed on the radiation rib assembly 13 side. Each of the locking portions 35b is provided. The locking portion 35a can be locked and unlocked or released from the locked portion 35b. The extension rib 16 is bonded to the back surface of the partial mirror plate 33 in advance. When attaching the extension rib 16 to the radiation rib set 13, the convex portion 34b is inserted into the concave portion 34a, the locking portion 35a is locked and fixed to the locked portion 35b, and the convex portion 34b is inserted into the concave portion 34a. Hold (see (a)).

  The connection between the adjacent partial mirror plates 33 to which the extension ribs 16 are bonded is formed by forming a locking projection 36a on one of the adjacent side surfaces of each partial mirror plate 33 and a locked recess 36b on the other side, This is performed by locking the locking projection 36a to the locked recess 36b (see (b)). The partial mirror plate 33 to be connected may be one or a combination of two or more (for example, a combination of three is shown).

  Accordingly, the reflector antenna 10 can be a parabolic reflector 11 having a small opening in a state where the central mirror surface portion 14 is attached to the radiation rib set 13 in which the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are stored. Further, the extension rib 16 is pulled out from the radiating rib set 13 to expand the extension rib 16, and the adjustment mechanism 15 is pushed out to the power feeder 12 side by pushing the slide mechanism portion 19 to the power feeder 12 side (that is, upward). To expose from the radiation rib set 13. Then, the partial mirror plate 33 is attached to the extension rib 16 so that the central mirror portion 14 attached to the adjustment rib 15 and the peripheral mirror surface portion 17 composed of the partial mirror plate 33 are integrated, and the parabolic reflection with a large opening. It can be a mirror 11.

  In other words, the radiation rib set 13, the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 support the mirror surface portion including the central mirror surface portion 14 and the peripheral mirror surface portion 17, and serve as a mirror surface support portion that selectively forms the reflector opening in different sizes. Function. The parabolic reflector made up of this mirror surface portion changes the degree of curvature of the rotating object surface with the power supply 12 on the reflector mirror surface as a focus in response to a change in the size of the reflector opening.

Furthermore, the ratio of the focal length to the aperture diameter (FD ratio) can be made constant by separating the position of the power feeder 12 when the aperture is large from the parabolic reflector 11 compared to when the aperture is small. Even if the aperture changes, the same primary power feeding unit can be used. In addition, when carrying or not in use, the radiation rib set 13 can be folded and stored while the adjustment rib 15 and the extension rib 16 are stored.
Therefore, by using the reflector antenna 10, it is not necessary to carry a plurality of types of parabolic reflectors to the video transmission point, and the mobility at the time of coverage is not hindered.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a partially broken side view when a reflector antenna according to another embodiment of the present invention has a large opening. As shown in FIG. 10, the reflector antenna 40 does not include the adjustment rib 15, and the opening of the radiation rib set 13 (that is, the radiation rib 20) is increased. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the reflector antenna 10.

The base portion 18 is formed, for example, from an opening (not shown) cut out on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 18 along the vertical direction of the outer peripheral surface so that the end 20b on the base portion 18 side of the radiation rib 20 can enter. It has the rib spread adjustment part which becomes. When the edge 20b on the base 18 side of the radiating rib 20 enters the rib spread adjusting portion, the ring portion 26 can move downward to the vicinity of the lower end of the base 18 and, as a result, the radiating rib set 13 (that is, The opening of the radiation rib 20) can be increased. Since the opening of the radiation rib set 13 is larger than that at the time of the small opening, the adjustment rib 15 (see FIG. 1) is not used, that is, the radiation rib 20 forming the small opening is used (see a in the figure). It can approximate the curvature of the rotating paraboloid at the time of large opening.
That is, the radiation rib set 13 and the extension rib 16 function as a mirror surface support portion that supports the mirror surface portion including the central mirror surface portion 14 and the peripheral mirror surface portion 17 and selectively forms the reflecting mirror openings in different sizes.

  As described above, the reflector antenna 10 is stored in a plurality of radiation rib sets 13 radially fixed around the base portion 18 and can be deployed in each radiation rib set 13 so as to have an opening diameter and a curved shape when deployed. The mirror surface is supported by a plurality of adjusting ribs 15 and extension ribs 16 that form a plurality of mirror surfaces (reflecting mirror surface portions) composed of rotating paraboloids having different degrees, and the reflector antenna 40 has a plurality of radiation ribs. The mirror surface is supported by the set 13 and the plurality of extending ribs 16.

The mirror surface supported by these mirror surface support portions is made of a stretchable member whose shape can be changed. The central mirror surface portion 14 disposed in the center portion of the mirror surface and the outside of the central mirror surface portion 14 when each rib is deployed. And a peripheral mirror surface portion 17 serving as a concentric enlarged portion obtained by enlarging the central mirror surface portion 14.
That is, the parabolic reflector 11 changes the support state of the reflecting mirror surface portion by the mirror surface support portion so that the degree of curvature of the reflecting mirror surface portion changes in response to the change in the size of the reflecting mirror surface opening, and also the power feeder 12. Change the distance.
The parabolic reflector 11 moves the adjustment member 15 and the extension rib 16 or the extension rib 16 by moving the moving member (ring part 26) connected to the radiation rib set 13 along the extension direction of the support part 12a. Is folded into a state in which the radiation rib set 13 storing the information is gathered around the support portion 12a.

  As described above, the reflector antenna 10 (40) according to the present invention adds a function of increasing the aperture diameter to the foldable deployable antenna, so that a transmission distance, a propagation path, etc. can be obtained only by carrying one antenna. A parabolic reflector having a more suitable aperture diameter can be selected in accordance with the situation during use, and a foldable deployable reflector antenna having excellent portability can be obtained. Therefore, it is not necessary to carry a plurality of types of parabolic reflectors to the video transmission point, and the mobility at the time of coverage is not hindered.

It is explanatory drawing by the side view partially broken at the time of the small opening of the reflector antenna which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of the radiation rib group of FIG. It is explanatory drawing by the side view which a part fracture | ruptured at the time of large opening of the reflector antenna which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of the radiation rib set of FIG. It is explanatory drawing by the side view which fractured | ruptured partially which shows the accommodation state of the reflector antenna of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the attachment state of a center mirror surface part and a radiation rib group. The mirror surface fixture attachment part of FIG. 6 is shown, (a) is partial explanatory drawing of the radiation rib group by a 1st method, (b) is partial explanatory drawing of the radiation rib group by a 2nd method. It is a top view of the parabolic reflector at the time of large opening. The example of attachment of the partial mirror surface board at the time of large opening is shown, (a) is explanatory drawing by a side view, (b) is explanatory drawing by a back view. It is explanatory drawing by the side view which fractured | ruptured partially at the time of large opening of the reflector antenna which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,40 Reflector antenna 11 Parabolic reflector 12 Feeder 12a Support part 12b Extension part 13 Radiation rib group 14 Central mirror surface part 15 Adjustment rib 15a Upper end 16 Extension rib 17 Peripheral mirror surface part 18 Base 19 Slide mechanism part 19a Upper flange 19b Bottom Flange 19c Lift part 20 Radiation rib 20a Upper end 20b End side 21 Mounting plate 22, 23, 24 Shaft part 25 Arm 25a, 25b Attachment part 26 Ring part 27 Mirror surface holding rib 28 End part fixing tool 29 Mirror surface fixing tool 29a Locking part 29b Exposed end 30 Wire 31 Movable arm 32 Tension spring 33 Partial mirror plate 34a Recess 34b Protrusion 35a Locking portion 35b Locked portion

Claims (8)

A parabolic reflector including a reflecting mirror surface portion and a mirror surface supporting portion that selectively supports the reflecting mirror surface portion to form a reflecting mirror surface opening in a different size;
A reflector antenna having a feeder disposed at a focal position of a parabolic reflector whose size of the reflector opening can be changed.   The reflector antenna according to claim 1, wherein the feeder is supported by a feeder support portion that changes a length according to a size of the reflector opening.   The parabolic reflector has a different size of the reflection surface opening by changing the support state of the reflection mirror surface portion by the mirror surface support portion so that the degree of curvature of the reflection mirror surface portion changes, and The reflector antenna according to claim 1, wherein the power feeder changes a distance from the reflector surface portion. The mirror surface support part is
A plurality of radial ribs fixedly arranged radially around the base;
The reflecting mirror surface portion is retractably stored in each of the radiation ribs, and is changed in position to the feeder side from the radiation rib during deployment so that the degree of curvature is different from that of the reflecting mirror surface portion supported by the radiation rib. A plurality of adjustment ribs for supporting
A plurality of extension ribs, which are stored in each of the radiation ribs so as to be deployable and support an outer diameter-expanded portion of the reflecting mirror surface portion located in the extension direction of the adjustment rib when deployed. Reflector antenna. The mirror surface support part is
A plurality of radiating ribs arranged radially around the base and arranged so that the tip thereof can move away from the feeder;
A plurality of extension ribs, which are stored in each radiation rib so as to be deployable, and support an outer diameter-enlarged portion of the reflecting mirror surface portion in the extension direction of each radiation rib when deployed. Reflector antenna. The reflecting mirror surface portion is
A center mirror surface portion that is made of a stretchable member capable of changing the shape, and is disposed in the center portion of the mirror surface;
6. The reflector antenna according to claim 4, further comprising: a peripheral mirror surface portion that is disposed outside the central mirror surface portion when the extension ribs are unfolded and serves as an enlarged portion of a concentric circle obtained by enlarging the central mirror surface portion.   The parabolic reflector is configured to move the moving member connected to the radiation ribs along the extending direction of the support portion, so that the radiation ribs storing the adjustment ribs and the extension ribs support the support ribs. The reflector antenna according to claim 4, wherein the reflector antenna is folded into a state of being gathered around the portion.   The parabolic reflector moves the moving member connected to the radiation ribs along the extending direction of the support portion, so that the radiation ribs storing the extension ribs gather around the support portion. The reflector antenna according to claim 5, wherein the reflector antenna is folded into a bent state.

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