JP2008236095A - Surface type antenna system support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a surface type antenna system support structure for detachably fixing a simply-configured, light-weight and flexible surface type antenna system to a desired part of the surface of a mobile object without the need of substantial alteration or substantial weight increase even when the desired part includes a curved surface. <P>SOLUTION: The surface type antenna system support structure 10 is provided with an antenna system support frame body 50 to which the peripheral edge part of the flexible surface type antenna system 20 is detachably attached, and which is to be fixed to the desired part 40a of the surface of the mobile object 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a planar antenna device support structure that removably fixes a planar antenna device to a desired portion of the surface of a moving body.

The planar antenna device is well known as, for example, a phased array antenna device. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-39857 (Patent Document 1), in a conventional phased array antenna device, a large number of antenna elements are arranged in a predetermined arrangement on a radio wave reflector that does not have flexibility. It has been.
JP 2004-39857 A

  Conventional antenna elements are large and heavy, and generate a large amount of heat with their operation. Therefore, a conventional phased array antenna device using a large number of conventional antenna elements that are large and heavy and generate a large amount of heat as a result of operation requires an independent cooling device for the large number of conventional antenna elements. In conventional phased array antenna devices that require independent cooling devices for a number of conventional antenna elements as well as a large number of conventional antenna elements that are large and heavy, the radio wave reflector must be strong and therefore inevitable Is not flexible.

  When such a conventional phased array antenna apparatus is mounted on an existing mobile object such as an airplane, an automobile, a railway vehicle moving on a track, or a linear motor car, the conventional phased array antenna apparatus is to be mounted. The structure of the surface part of the existing moving body had to be significantly modified. A significant modification of the structure is cumbersome and requires great effort and cost. Further, the increase in weight has a considerable influence on the moving performance of the moving body.

  The present invention has been made under the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a planar antenna device having a simple structure, light weight, and flexibility to a desired portion of the surface of a moving body, and the desired portion being a curved surface. Even if it contains, it is providing the planar antenna apparatus support structure fixed detachably, without requiring a big remodeling and a big weight increase.

  In order to achieve the above object, a planar antenna device support structure according to the present invention is detachably attached to a peripheral portion of a flexible planar antenna device and fixed to a desired portion of the surface of a movable body. An antenna device supporting frame body is provided.

  By eliminating the independent cooling device for a large number of antenna elements from the conventional planar antenna device described above and reducing the size of each of the large number of antenna elements, the radio wave reflector supporting the large number of antenna elements is smaller than the conventional one. The strength can be reduced and flexibility can be provided. By attaching the peripheral portion of the planar antenna device having flexibility in this way to the antenna device support frame fixed to a desired portion of the surface of the movable body, the flexibility can be achieved. Even if the desired part of the surface of the moving body includes a curved surface, the planar antenna device can be attached / detached without requiring significant modification or significant increase in weight. Can be fixed. The heat generated from a large number of antenna elements and heat-generating components of the planar antenna device can be removed from the large number of antenna elements and radio wave reflectors by the air flowing along the surface of the movable body as the movable body moves. .

  First, a flexible planar antenna device 20 supported by the planar antenna device support structure 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross section of the planar antenna device 20, and FIG. 2 schematically shows an exploded perspective view of the planar antenna device 20 of FIG.

  The planar antenna device 20 includes a flat substrate 22 made of a non-conductive material having flexibility, for example, made of synthetic resin. In FIG. 2, the substrate 22 is shown in a bent state, but is not bent while no external force is applied. The substrate 22 has a desired shape. In this embodiment, the substrate 22 has a rectangular shape having a predetermined outer dimension.

  A predetermined plurality of planar antenna elements 24 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement on one surface of the substrate 22, and a predetermined operation is performed on the other surface of the substrate 22 by a plurality of planar antenna elements 24. A predetermined plurality of antenna element operation modules 26 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. The antenna element operation module 26 is a phase shifter or a transmission / reception module. The phase shifter or the transmission / reception module is configured to be thin and small by a solid element.

  The plurality of antenna element operation modules 26 on the other surface of the substrate 22 have a predetermined plurality of planar antenna elements sandwiching the substrate 22 with respect to the predetermined plurality of planar antenna elements 24 on one surface of the substrate 22. 24 are arranged between each other. The antenna element operation module 26 includes a heat generating component.

  The plurality of planar antenna elements 24 on the one surface and the other surface of the substrate 22 and the staggered arrangement of the plurality of antenna element substrates 22 as described above are arranged between the plurality of planar antenna elements 24 on the one surface. In addition, a relatively large gap is generated between the plurality of antenna element operation modules 26 on the other surface, so that the substrate 22 can be easily bent.

  The predetermined plurality of planar antenna elements 24 on one surface of the substrate 22 and the corresponding plurality of antenna element operation modules 26 on the other surface of the substrate 22 are connected to wirings (not shown) formed on the substrate 22. Electrically coupled.

  A plurality of antenna element operation modules 26 are provided on a part of the peripheral region on the other surface of the substrate 22, in this embodiment, at least one of the longitudinal ends of the substrate 22, that is, either or both. Furthermore, if necessary, external connection members (not shown) that are electrically connected to a plurality of planar antenna elements 24 are arranged.

  The structure in which a plurality of planar antenna elements 24 and a plurality of antenna element substrates 22 are arranged on one surface and the other surface of the substrate 22 provides a basic structure of a so-called phased array antenna device.

  The planar antenna device 20 further includes an exterior plate 30 made of a highly heat conductive material, such as metal, which is harder than the substrate 22 but has flexibility. The exterior plate 30 has the same outer shape as the substrate 22, but the exterior dimension of the exterior plate 30 is somewhat larger than the exterior dimension of the substrate 22.

  The exterior plate 30 is overlapped on the one surface of the substrate 22 leaving a blank over the entire circumference. A plurality of portions corresponding to a plurality of planar antenna elements 24 on the one surface of the substrate 22 are formed as a plurality of radio wave transmitting portions 32 in a region overlapping the one surface of the substrate 22 in the exterior plate 30. In this embodiment, the radio wave transmitting portion 32 is formed by a through hole. Therefore, when the one surface of the substrate 22 is overlapped with the region of the exterior plate 30, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of planar antenna elements 24 on the one surface of the substrate 22 have a plurality of radio wave transmissions. The surface of the substrate 22 can be brought into close contact with the region of the exterior plate 30 by entering the portion 32.

  The plane dimension of each radio wave transmitting portion 32 is slightly larger than the plane dimension of each planar antenna element 24 entering there, and the one surface of the substrate 22 with respect to the region of the exterior plate 30 is not shown. It is fixed with an adhesive. A soft adhesive is an adhesive that does not cure with time and can maintain its softness. As a result, the exterior plate 30 and the substrate 22 can be integrally bent in a state where the one surface of the substrate 22 is overlapped with the region of the exterior plate 30. In addition, a soft adhesive or a soft filler can be filled in the gap between the radio wave transmitting portion 32 of the exterior plate 30 and the planar antenna element 24 that enters there.

  Further, if the exterior plate 30 and the substrate 22 can be bent in a state where the one surface of the substrate 22 overlaps the region of the exterior plate 30, for example, a fixing pin, a bolt, a bolt, and a nut The exterior plate 30 and the substrate 22 can be fixed to each other in a state where the one surface of the substrate 22 is overlapped with the region of the exterior plate 30 by a known fixing means such as When such a known fixing means is used, one end of a known fixing means such as a fixing pin, a bolt, or a combination of a bolt and a nut is fixed to only one of the exterior plate 30 and the substrate 22, and the exterior plate 30. And the other end of such a known fixing means with respect to either one of the substrates 22 in the direction in which the curved surface extends when the exterior plate 30 and the substrate 22 are integrally bent (in FIG. 2, the vertical direction along the plane of the paper). It is preferable that a planar shape that creates a gap only in the through hole is inserted into the elongated through hole. Accordingly, when the exterior plate 30 and the substrate 22 are integrally bent with the one surface of the substrate 22 being overlapped with the region of the exterior plate 30, a difference in curvature radius between the exterior plate 30 and the substrate 22. It is possible to shift the positions of the outer plate 30 and the substrate 22 when the position shift is not possible.

  The exterior plate 30 functions as a radio wave reflection plate in the planar antenna device 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the planar antenna device support structure 10 has a planar antenna device 20 configured as described above and has a desired surface on the surface of the moving body 40 existing in the past. A planar antenna device support frame 50 is detachably fixed to the portion, in this embodiment, the front edge of the wing of an airplane.

  The planar antenna device support frame 50 can be formed of a flexible material. In this case, the planar antenna device support frame 50 is fixed to a desired portion of the surface of the moving body 40, so that even when the desired portion of the surface of the movable body 40 is curved, the planar antenna device support is supported. The frame body 50 can be curved corresponding to the curvature of a desired portion of the surface of the moving body 40.

  The planar antenna device support frame 50 can be formed of a material having no flexibility. In this case, when a desired portion on the surface of the moving body 40 is curved, the planar antenna device support frame 50 is formed in advance in accordance with the curvature of the desired portion on the surface of the moving body 40. Is done.

  The planar antenna device support frame 50 can be fixed to a desired portion of the surface of the moving body 40 by using various known fixing means including, for example, an adhesive, a fixing screw, and a fixing pin.

  The planar antenna device support frame 50 surrounds the entire periphery of the peripheral portion of the planar antenna device 20, in this embodiment, the peripheral blank region surrounding the region where the one surface of the substrate 22 overlaps in the exterior plate 30. It is out. The peripheral edge area of the planar antenna device 20, in this embodiment, the peripheral margin area surrounding the area where the one surface of the substrate 22 overlaps in the exterior plate 30 is the inner peripheral edge portion of the planar antenna apparatus support frame 50. Removably attached to. This attachment can be performed using a known detachable fixing means such as an adhesive, a fixing screw or a fixing pin. In this embodiment, a plurality of fixing means mounting holes 34 are formed in the peripheral margin area of the exterior plate 30, and for example, tips of fixing screws and fixing pins inserted through the plurality of fixing means mounting holes 34 are surfaces. It is fixed to the inner peripheral edge of the mold antenna device support frame 50.

  Before being attached to the planar antenna device support frame 50, the planar antenna device 20 is flat. When the planar antenna device 20 is attached to the curved planar antenna device support frame 50 fixed to a desired curved portion of the surface of the moving body 40 as described above, the planar type is obtained as a result of this attachment. The antenna device 20, in this embodiment, the substrate 22 and the exterior plate 30 are curved so as to correspond to the curved planar antenna device support frame 50.

  The thickness of the planar antenna device support frame 50 is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the planar antenna device 20. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral portion of the planar antenna device 20, in this embodiment, the peripheral blank region surrounding the region where the one surface of the substrate 22 overlaps in the exterior plate 30, When detachably attached to the inner peripheral edge of the planar antenna device support frame 50, the outer surface of the planar antenna device support frame 50 and the exterior plate 30 of the planar antenna device 20 are substantially flush with each other. Become.

  The outer peripheral edge portion of the outer surface of the planar antenna device support frame 50 does not cause a large frictional resistance against the fluid that blows on a desired portion of the surface of the moving body 40, that is, the atmosphere, while the moving body 40 moves. It is shaped into a smooth so-called streamline shape.

  The moving body 40 stores an antenna device operation control device 42 that controls the operation of the planar antenna device 20. When the antenna element operation module 26 of the planar antenna device 20 is a phase shifter, the antenna device operation control device 42 includes a power feeding unit, a transmitter, and a receiver. When the antenna element operation module 26 is a transmission / reception module, the antenna device operation control device 42 includes a power feeding unit, a transmission pulse generator, and a receiver.

  At a predetermined position in a region surrounded by the inner peripheral edge of the planar antenna device support frame 50 fixed to the desired portion at the desired curved portion of the surface of the moving body 40, the antenna device operation control device 42 is provided. An electrical connector 44 is provided for this purpose.

  The operation of disposing the electrical connector 44 on the desired curved portion of the surface of the moving body 40 does not require a large modification of the desired curved portion of the surface of the moving body 40 and its peripheral portion. is there.

  At the inner peripheral edge of the planar antenna device support frame 50, when the planar antenna device support frame 50 is fixed to a desired curved portion of the surface of the movable body 40, the desired curved surface of the movable body 40 is obtained. An intermediate electrical connector 52 that is detachably connected to the electrical connector 44 of the part is disposed.

  When the planar antenna device 20 is attached to the inner peripheral edge of the planar antenna device support frame 50, the intermediate electrical connector 52 of the planar antenna device support frame 50 has a substrate 22 of the planar antenna device 20. The external connection member (not shown) described above is disposed in a part of the peripheral area of the other surface, in this embodiment, at least one of the longitudinal ends of the substrate 22, that is, either or both. Electrically connected. This is because the intermediate electrical connector 52 of the planar antenna device support frame 50 includes the antenna device operation control device 42 stored in the moving body 40 and the planar antenna elements 24 and the planar antenna elements 24 of the planar antenna device 20. This means that an electrical interface for electrical connection with the antenna element operation module 26 is configured.

  Note that the intermediate electrical connector 52 of the planar antenna device support frame 50 is omitted, and when the planar antenna device 20 is attached to the inner peripheral edge of the planar antenna device support frame 50, the planar antenna device 20 A part of the peripheral area of the other surface of the substrate 22, in this embodiment, at least one of the longitudinal ends of the substrate 22, that is, one or both of them, the above-mentioned external not shown The connecting member may be configured to be directly and detachably connected to the electric connector 44 of a desired curved portion on the surface of the moving body 40.

  The planar antenna device 20 is attached to the antenna device support frame 50 so that the peripheral portion of the exterior plate 30 is detachable, and when the antenna device support frame 50 is fixed to a desired portion 40 a on the surface of the moving body 40. 30 is exposed to the external space on the surface of the moving body 40 on the surface opposite to the substrate 22 and is cooled by the air flowing on the surface of the moving body 40.

  FIG. 5 shows a modification of the planar antenna device 20 shown in FIG. In this modification, an antenna element operation module 26 including a heat generating component is disposed on the surface of the substrate 22 opposite to the plurality of antenna elements 24, and the substrate 22 corresponds to the antenna element operation module 26 including a heat generating component. An opening 22a is formed in the opened portion, and a good heat conductive member, for example, a heat radiating sheet 60, is disposed in the opening 22a of the substrate 22. The good heat conductive member 60 generates heat generated by the heat-generating component in the substrate 22 In FIG. 2, the signal is transmitted to the surface side where the plurality of antenna elements 24 are arranged.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a flexible planar antenna device that is detachably attached to an antenna device support frame included in a planar antenna device support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 shows an antenna device support frame provided in a surface antenna device support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, a surface antenna device detachably attached to the antenna device support frame, and the above-mentioned It is a disassembled perspective view which shows roughly the state which isolate | separated the desired part of the surface of the moving body to which an antenna apparatus support frame is fixed mutually. FIG. 3 shows an antenna device support frame in which a planar antenna device support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a desired portion of the surface of a moving body. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state from which the planar antenna apparatus attached to a body so that attachment or detachment is possible is isolate | separated from the antenna apparatus support frame. FIG. 4 shows an antenna device support frame in which a planar antenna device support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a desired portion of the surface of a moving body. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows roughly the state by which the planar antenna apparatus is attached to the body so that attachment or detachment is possible. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modification of the planar antenna device shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Planar antenna apparatus support structure, 20 ... Planar antenna apparatus, 22 ... Board | substrate, 22a ... Opening, 24 ... Antenna element, 26 ... Antenna element operation module, 30 ... Exterior board, 32 ... Radio wave transmission part, 40 ... Moving body, 40a ... desired part, 42 ... antenna device operation control device, 50 ... antenna device support frame, 52 ... intermediate electrical connector (electrical interface), 60 ... good heat conductive member

Claims (9)

  A planar antenna device support structure comprising an antenna device support frame that is detachably attached to a peripheral portion of a flexible planar antenna device and is fixed to a desired portion of a surface of a movable body .   The desired portion of the surface of the moving body is curved, and the antenna device support frame is curved corresponding to the curvature of the desired portion of the surface of the moving body. Planar antenna element support structure.   3. The planar antenna device support structure according to claim 1, wherein the antenna device support frame surrounds the entire periphery of the planar antenna device.   The planar antenna device is a phased array antenna device including a flexible substrate and a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a predetermined arrangement on the substrate. The planar antenna device support structure according to claim 1.   5. The planar antenna device support structure according to claim 4, wherein the substrate is non-conductive and has wiring electrically connected to a plurality of antenna elements. The planar antenna device further includes an exterior plate that faces and overlaps the plurality of antenna elements on the substrate,
The exterior plate has a plurality of radio wave transmitting portions corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a predetermined arrangement on the substrate, and has good thermal conductivity and flexibility that is harder than the substrate. ing,
The planar antenna device support structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the structure is a planar antenna device support structure. In the planar antenna device, the outer periphery of the exterior plate is detachably attached to the antenna device support frame, and the exterior plate is opposite to the substrate when the antenna device support frame is fixed to a desired portion of the surface of the movable body. The side surface is exposed to the external space on the surface of the moving body and cooled by air flowing on the surface of the moving body.
The planar antenna device support structure according to claim 7. A heating component is disposed on the surface of the substrate of the planar antenna device opposite to the plurality of antenna elements, and an opening is formed in a portion of the substrate corresponding to the heating component. A good heat conductive member is disposed in the opening, and the good heat conductive member transmits heat generated by the heat generating component to the surface side where the plurality of antenna elements are arranged on the substrate.
The planar antenna device support structure according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the structure is a planar antenna device support structure. The moving body stores an antenna device operation control device that controls the operation of the planar antenna device,
The antenna device support frame includes an electrical interface that performs electrical connection between a plurality of antenna elements of the planar antenna device and the antenna device operation control device stored in the moving body. The planar antenna device support structure according to any one of claims 4 to 8.

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