Case structure and artificial satellite

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11117682-B2
Application number	US-201816107406-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 21, 2018
Priority date	Feb 29, 2016
Publication date	Sep 14, 2021
Grant date	Sep 14, 2021

Abstract

A case structure forms a storage space for a first electronic component. The case structure includes a plurality of support posts that are disposed parallel to each other; and a plurality of panels that is provided among the plurality of support posts, the plurality of panels constituting outer walls. At least one panel of the plurality of panels is a panel having an outer surface on which a second electronic component provided, the second electronic component being connected with the first electronic component, and the plurality of panels is attached to the plurality of support posts in a detachable manner along a longitudinal direction of the plurality of support posts.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A case structure that forms a storage space for a first electronic component, the case structure comprising:
a plurality of support posts disposed parallel to each other;
a plurality of panels provided among the plurality of support posts, the plurality of panels forming outer walls, wherein at least one panel of the plurality of panels is a support panel having an outer surface on which a second electronic component provided, the second electronic component being connected with the first electronic component;
a top portion panel different from the plurality of panels;
grooves into which edge portions of the plurality of panels are inserted, the grooves being formed on the plurality of support posts, respectively, wherein each groove extends from one end of a corresponding post in the plurality of support posts to an opposite end of the corresponding post,
wherein each groove includes an open end at the one end of the corresponding post,
wherein the plurality of panels is attached to the plurality of support posts in a detachable manner along a longitudinal direction of the plurality of support posts via the grooves, and
wherein the top portion panel is arranged so as to close the open end of each of the grooves.

2. The case structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement member provided so as to traverse a space surrounded by the plurality of support posts, the reinforcement member reinforcing a case stiffness by joining at least one pair of facing support posts of the plurality of support posts.

3. The case structure according to claim 1 , wherein
the second electronic component is bonded to the support panel.

4. The case structure according to claim 1 , wherein
the second electronic component is provided at a position other than the edge portions of the plurality of panels.

5. The case structure according to claim 1 , wherein
the second electronic component is bonded to the support panel with an adhesive, at a position other than the edge portions of the plurality of panels.

6. The case structure according to claim 4 , wherein
each of the grooves is formed so as to penetrate through each of the support posts in a longitudinal direction.

7. The case structure according to claim 6 , wherein
threaded portions are formed at both end portions of each of the plurality of support posts, each of the threaded portions allowing joining of another support post.

8. The case structure according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of support posts and the plurality of panels form a polygonal tube, and
the outer surface of the panel and the second electronic component are positioned on an inside of a virtual plane that contains an outer surface of an adjacent support post of the support posts.

9. The case structure according to claim 8 , wherein
the second electronic component is a solar cell panel.

10. The case structure according to claim 8 , wherein
the second electronic component is a sensor.

11. An artificial satellite comprising:
a case that forms a storage space for an electronic component; and
a solar cell panel that is connected with the electronic component, wherein
the case comprises:
a plurality of support posts disposed parallel to each other;
a plurality of panels provided among the plurality of support posts, the plurality of panels constituting outer walls, wherein at least one panel of the plurality of panels is a support panel having an outer surface on which the solar cell panel is provided;
a top portion panel different from the plurality of panels;
grooves into which edge portions of the plurality of panels are inserted, the grooves being formed on the plurality of support posts, respectively, wherein each groove extends from one end of a corresponding post in the plurality of support posts to an opposite end of the corresponding post,
wherein each groove includes an open end at the one end of the corresponding post, and
wherein the top portion panel is arranged so as to close the open end of each of the grooves.

12. The artificial satellite according to claim 11 , wherein
the electronic component is supported by a support body that is connected with the plurality of support posts.

13. An artificial satellite comprising:
a case that forms a storage space for an electronic component; and
a solar cell panel connected with the electronic component, wherein
the case comprises:
a plurality of support posts disposed parallel to each other;
a plurality of panels provided among the plurality of support posts, the plurality of panels constituting outer walls, wherein at least one panel of the plurality of panels is a support panel having an outer surface on which the solar cell panel is provided; and
grooves into which edge portions of the plurality of panels are inserted, the grooves being formed on the plurality of support posts, respectively, wherein each groove is formed so as to penetrate through each of the support posts in a longitudinal direction,
wherein the solar cell panel is provided on the support panel at a position other than the edges portions of the plurality of panels.

14. The artificial satellite according to claim 11 , further comprising a support frame that joins the one end of each of the plurality of support posts, and wherein
the support frame is arranged between the one end of each of the plurality of support posts and the top portion panel so as not to close the open end of each of the grooves.

15. The artificial satellite according to claim 11 , further comprising a lens barrel in the storage space, and wherein
the top portion panel includes an opening portion through which light to the lens barrel passes.

Assignees

• Canon Denshi Kk

Inventors

• Sato Tsumori
• Matsuzawa Ren

Classifications

• B64G1/363

  using sun sensors · CPC title

• B64G1/10 Primary

  Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles (space shuttles B64G1/14) · CPC title

• Y02E10/50

  Photovoltaic [PV] energy · CPC title

• H02S99/00

  Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass · CPC title

• B64G1/443

  Photovoltaic cell arrays · CPC title