JPH0812975B2 - Helical array antenna - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a helical array antenna, and more particularly to a helical array antenna for satellite communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional helical array antenna, an axial mode helical antenna is used as an element antenna, and the spiral pitch is fixed, and a high-rigidity winding shown in FIG. 5 is used to fix the spiral pitch. (For example, JP-A-57-10
No. 504), or a method of forming windings on a cylindrical substrate material by printing or etching as shown in FIG. 6, or a method of supporting the windings as shown in FIG. 7 by a support. The installation method is horizontal installation or a method of fixing the main beam in the satellite direction by the elevation angle adjustment mechanism shown in FIG. 8, or a method of fixing the main beam in the satellite direction by an elevation angle adjustment mechanism and a tripod shown in FIG. 9, or an elevation angle adjustment mechanism. The pole was used to fix the main beam in the direction of the satellite.
Also, in the case of vehicle installation, the main beam was directed toward the satellite by the satellite tracking device.

[0003]

Since this conventional helical antenna has a fixed directivity, when it is installed horizontally,
It is necessary to fabricate with a pitch pitch if optimum directional characteristics can be obtained for each installed latitude. Therefore, it is necessary to supply various types of helical array antennas having different helical pitches to the market, which increases the manufacturing cost.

Further, when the main beam is fixed in the satellite direction by using the elevation angle adjusting mechanism, an elevation angle adjusting mechanism, a tripod, a pole, etc. are required and a large installation work is required. In addition, it is necessary to increase wind resistance.

In the case of a vehicle, the shape of the satellite tracking device,
Since the weight is large, the body structure needs to be modified and the running performance is significantly affected.

[0006] Further, although the needs for portable type are increasing,
Since the height of the helical array antenna is fixed and the thickness is large, it is not suitable for a portable type.

Therefore, the present invention improves the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional techniques, makes it possible to change the spiral pitch of each element antenna, and easily adjust the elevation angle of the main beam, and the thickness of the helical array antenna. It is designed to be thin and convenient for carrying.

[0008]

A helical array antenna according to the present invention comprises an axial mode helical antenna made of an elastic metal material as an element antenna, and a plurality of element antennas are used as an array antenna. In the array antenna connected to the feed point of the composite distributor fixed to the reflector through the through hole of the reflector with one end of the winding abutting against the radome and the other end supported by the insulator, the radome and the reflector A non-metallic spiral pitch adjusting mechanism is provided that allows the spiral pitch of each element antenna to be changed in common by arbitrarily increasing or decreasing the distance between them. The spiral pitch adjusting mechanism is attached to the radome and the reflecting plate, and the distance between the radome and the reflecting plate is increased or decreased by a step method using a plurality of pitch adjusting grooves or a continuous method using a fixed knob or a pitch adjusting jack. . Furthermore, to make it suitable for carrying, the height of each element antenna should be close to the radome and the reflector at a minimum height that does not exceed the elastic limit, and the radome and the reflector should be fixed with metal fittings. Each element antenna is housed in the housing.

[0009]

Next, three embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a helical array antenna according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a side cross section of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The axial mode helical antenna 1 made of an elastic metal material is used as an element antenna and is arranged at appropriate intervals to form an array antenna. One end of the spiral winding end of each axial mode helical antenna 1 is abutted against the radome 2, and the other end is fed to a composite distributor 5 fixed to the reflector 3 through an insulator 4 inserted into a through hole of the reflector 3. Connecting.

The helical pitch of each axial mode helical antenna 1 is changed by increasing or decreasing the distance between the radome 2 and the reflector 3. For this purpose, the radome 2 is provided with a pin 6, the reflector 3 is provided with a pin 7, and a non-metal pitch adjusting hook 8 is rotatably attached to the pin 7.

The pitch adjusting hook 8 is provided with a plurality of pitch adjusting grooves 9 within the variable range of the elevation angle of the main beam in accordance with the elevation angle adjusting resolution. The elevation angle of the main beam is changed by selecting the pitch adjustment groove 9 of the pitch adjustment hook 8 corresponding to the latitude where the helical array antenna is installed and hooking it on the pin 6 provided on the radome 2. The pitch adjusting groove 9 of the pitch adjusting hook 8 is deep in the direction in which the spring force of the axial mode helical antenna 1 acts so as not to come off due to vibration or the like after being hooked on the pin 6.

When carrying the helical array antenna, remove the pin 6 from the pitch adjusting groove 9 of the pitch adjusting hook 8,
The pin 10 of the reflection plate 3 is engaged and fixed. Next, the radome 2 is pressed against the reflection plate 3 and the fixture 1 provided on the reflection plate 3
Fixed by 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. In order to change the spiral pitch of the axial mode helical antenna 1 continuously, the pitch adjusting groove 9 of the pitch adjusting hook 8 is provided long, and the fixing knob 12 is used to increase or decrease the distance between the radome 2 and the reflecting plate 3 for fixation.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the third embodiment of the present invention. The pitch adjusting hook 8 of the first and second embodiments is replaced with a pitch adjusting jack 13 to facilitate the pitch adjustment and to simplify the procedure of fixing the radome 2 and the reflector 3 when carrying.

As described above, the elevation angle of the main beam can be easily adjusted in each of the first to third embodiments, and the helical array antenna can be installed horizontally. In addition, since the antenna is thin when carried, it is suitable for carrying.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, a helical antenna made of an elastic metal material is used as an element antenna,
A helical array antenna is made up of multiple element antennas, and the helical pitch of each element antenna can be changed in common by increasing or decreasing the distance between the radome and the reflector, making it easy to adjust the elevation angle of the main beam. It was This enables the helical array antenna to be installed horizontally regardless of the installation latitude of the helical array antenna, eliminating the need for the elevation angle fixing parts that were conventionally attached to the helical array antenna.

Further, since the elevation angle of the main beam can be easily changed even when mounted on a vehicle, the satellite tracking device is unnecessary.

Furthermore, since each element antenna is housed in a housing formed by a radome and a reflector when being carried,
Since the element antenna is protected and the thickness of the helical array antenna can be reduced, it is possible to carry it with less labor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of a side cross section in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a conventional helical array antenna using a high-rigidity winding.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a helical array antenna having windings formed on a conventional substrate material by printing or etching.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a helical array antenna according to a conventional method of supporting a winding by a support.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a method of installing a helical array antenna by a conventional elevation angle adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a prior art elevation angle adjusting mechanism and a method of installing a helical array antenna using a tripod.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Helical Antenna 2 Radome 3 Reflector 4 Insulator 5 Composite Distributor 6 Pin 7 Pin 8 Pitch Adjusting Hook 9 Pitch Adjusting Groove 10 Pin 11 Fixing Metal 12 Fixing Knob 13 Pitch Adjusting Jack 14 Board 15 Support 16 Elevation Adjusting Mechanism 17 Tripod 18 Helical array antenna

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An axial mode helical antenna made of an elastic metal material is used as an element antenna, and a plurality of element antennas are used as an array antenna. One end of the spiral winding end of each element antenna abuts against a radome and the other end. Is an array antenna that is supported by an insulator and connected to the feed point of the composite distributor fixed to the reflector through the through hole of the reflector. A helical array antenna having a non-metallic spiral pitch adjusting mechanism capable of commonly changing the spiral pitch. 2. A radome and a reflector are brought close to each other at a height not less than the elastic limit of each element antenna, and the radome and the reflector are fixed to each other, and the radome and the reflector are housed in a housing. The helical array antenna according to claim 1, wherein each element antenna is accommodated.