A deployment and locking mechanism for a flexible solar sail panel

Abstract

The present invention discloses an unfolding and locking mechanism for a flexible solar sail panel, which can realize the unfolding and locking of the flexible solar wing in place. The unfolding and locking mechanism for the flexible solar sail panel includes a base plate, an upper plate, a main roller, a supporting side column, a guide assembly, and a connecting rod unfolding assembly; the flexible solar wing is curled and wrapped around the main roller, one end of the flexible solar wing is fixedly connected to the main roller, and the other end is fixed to the upper plate through a clamping sheet, and the main roller is fixed to the base plate through a support arm. The guide assemblies are respectively installed on the base plate and the upper plate, and the connecting rod unfolding assembly is installed between the guide assemblies of the base plate and the upper plate; the connecting rod unfolding assembly includes a long connecting rod, a short connecting rod, and a rotating shaft frame; the guide assembly includes a guide rail seat, a guide rod, a guide slider, a guide rail positioning seat, a locking spring, and an unfolding spring. The mechanism of the present invention can realize the curling, storage and unfolding of the flexible solar wing, and the overall structure is compact and small in size, and the extension mechanism can realize the unfolding with a large extension ratio.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of aerospace technology, and in particular relates to an unfolding locking mechanism that can be used for unfolding a flexible solar sail panel with a large extension ratio. Background Art

[0002] As a combination of mechanism and structure, deployable structure is a frontier field of engineering research. Configuration design should consider the mechanism characteristics such as deployment stability, synchronization, and avoiding singularity, as well as the structural characteristics such as surface accuracy, large expansion-retraction ratio, and high stiffness. The technical focus is on simplifying the structure, reducing the stowed size, and making the drive mechanism reliable.

[0003] Chinese patent CN113291494A discloses a high-expansion-retraction ratio flexible solar wing deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism includes a base plate, a scissor rod assembly, a top plate and a solar blanket assembly; the deployment mechanism also includes a drive assembly integrated in the base plate; the drive assembly has a drive motor and a transmission gear, and the transmission gear extends to the upper part of the base plate; the drive assembly is connected to the scissor rod assembly through the transmission gear and drives the scissor rod assembly to unfold to drive the solar blanket assembly to unfold. The motor drive method of this technology has quality and reliability problems. The foldable solar blanket assembly limits the maximum area of ​​the unfolded size on the one hand, and the minimum occupied space of the stored size on the other hand. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above technical problems, the object of the present invention is to provide an unfolding and locking mechanism that can be used for the large extension ratio unfolding of flexible solar panels, so as to realize the unfolding and locking of the flexible solar wings in place.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a deployment and locking mechanism for a flexible solar sail panel, including a base plate, an upper plate, a main roller, a supporting side column, a locking device, a guide assembly, and a connecting rod deployment assembly.

[0006] The flexible solar wing is curled and wound on the main roller, one end of the flexible solar wing is fixedly connected to the main roller, and the other end is fixed to the upper plate through a clamping sheet, and the main roller is fixed to the base plate through a support arm.

[0007] The guide components are respectively installed on the base plate and the upper plate, and the connecting rod deployment component is installed between the guide components of the base plate and the upper plate.

[0008] The connecting rod deployment assembly includes a long connecting rod, a short connecting rod, and a rotating shaft frame; the long connecting rod is combined and connected in a scissor-fork configuration through a rotating shaft, and the long connecting rod at the end is connected to the guide slider of the guide assembly; one end of the short connecting rod is rotatably connected to the long connecting rod at the end, and the other end is rotatably installed on the rotating shaft frame; the rotating shaft frame is fixed in the middle of the base plate and the upper plate. Two short connecting rods are connected to each rotating shaft frame, and the short connecting rods are connected to the long connecting rods to form a parallelogram mechanism, so that the sliders at both ends of the connecting rod deployment assembly move synchronously to the middle position, so that the connecting rod deployment assembly is linearly deployed upward along the central symmetry line.

[0009] The guide assembly includes a guide rail seat, a guide rod, a guide slider, a guide rail positioning seat, a locking spring, and an expansion spring. The expansion spring is sleeved on the guide rod. When the connecting rod expansion assembly is in the stowed state, the expansion spring is in a compressed state; the expansion spring can push the guide slider to move laterally along the guide rod, thereby pushing the connecting rod expansion assembly to the expanded state; when the guide slider moves to the middle and into position under the action of the expansion spring, the locking spring fixed on the guide slider is clamped into the limiting protrusion on the guide rail positioning seat to fix the position of the guide slider, thereby locking the expanded state of the connecting rod expansion assembly. A guide assembly is arranged on each side of the left and right sides of the base plate, and a guide assembly is arranged on each side of the left and right sides of the upper plate.

[0010] Furthermore, supporting side columns are provided on both sides of the base plate, and locking devices are fixed on the supporting side columns, and the upper plate and the base plate are pressed and fixed by the locking devices.

[0011] Furthermore, the main roller is fixed with the locking gear, and one end of the linkage rod is located above the locking gear. When the linkage rod is pressed by the locking device, the linkage rod applies a downward force to the limit pin, so that the limit pin is in a state of being stuck in the tooth groove of the locking gear, thereby constraining the locking gear. This prevents the flexible solar wing wrapped around the main roller from rotating freely in the pressed state, and at the same time ensures the tension after the flexible solar wing is curled up and stored, ensuring the stability of the curled state, preventing vibration and friction during the launch process, and ensuring the stability of the overall structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the linkage rod is connected to the clamping screw or clamping rod matching the locking device, and is tightened and released with the clamping screw or clamping rod. When the locking device is tightened and fixed, the linkage rod is tightened and fixed on the clamping screw or clamping rod, so that the other end of the linkage rod presses the upper end of the limit pin to ensure that the tapered end of the limit pin is inserted into the tooth groove of the locking gear, thereby locking the locking gear.

[0013] Furthermore, an auxiliary spring is arranged on the limit pin, and the two ends of the auxiliary spring are respectively against the support arm and the limit pin. When the locking device releases the fixed constraint, the linkage rod is synchronously disengaged upward, and the constraint on the limit pin is released at the same time. Under the action of the auxiliary spring, the limit pin is disengaged and moves upward, thereby releasing the constraint on the locking gear. At this time, the main roller can rotate without constraint. When the long connecting rod is extended, the upper plate is unfolded upward, thereby driving the flexible solar wing fixed on the upper plate to unfold synchronously. At the same time, the main roller also rotates freely synchronously to realize the unfolding of the flexible solar wing.

[0014] When the locking device is tightened and fixed, one end of the linkage rod is connected to the clamping screw, and the other end presses the upper end of the limit pin. At the same time, the linkage rod is sleeved on the support rod to realize guide constraint, and the clamping screw is screwed into the locking device to realize the clamping and fixing of the linkage rod. The upper end of the limit pin is clamped and limited through the linkage rod to ensure that the limit pin is stuck in the tooth groove of the locking gear, thereby realizing the rotation constraint of the main roller fixedly connected to the locking gear.

[0015] Unlocking and releasing process: the locking device is unlocked, the clamping screw is disengaged and released from the locking device, and the limit pin is pushed upward under the upward force of the auxiliary spring, thereby pushing the linkage in contact with the upper end of the limit pin, pushing the linkage rod along the support rod axis, and moving upward, and the linkage rod further drives the clamping screw to disengage from the locking device.

[0016] Furthermore, the restraint frame is fixed on the supporting side column to restrain the long connecting rod, so that the long connecting rod is restrained on both sides when the unfolding mechanism is stored to prevent shaking.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to achieve a more stable guiding effect, three guide rods are arranged in parallel in the guiding assembly.

[0018] Furthermore, the guide slider includes a guide hole for being set on the guide rod and a rotating shaft mounting seat at the top, and the guide hole is provided with an expansion spring and a connecting sleeve; the guide hole is provided with two step surfaces, and the step surface inside the guide hole is used to limit the expansion spring; the step surface outside the guide hole is used to limit the connecting sleeve; the expansion spring sleeve on the guide rod is used by two springs connected in series, and the two springs are connected by a connecting sleeve. When the expansion mechanism is completely stored, the connecting sleeve is located between the guide slider and the guide rail seat, and one end of the connecting sleeve is against the step surface outside the guide hole to support the guide slider; the other end supports the guide rail seat, so that the whole is constrained and fixed and no longer moves. The rotating shaft mounting seat is rotatably connected to the long connecting rod at the end.

[0019] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: the flexible solar wing can be rolled up, stored and unfolded, the overall structure is compact, the storage size is small, the weight is light, and the extension mechanism can realize a large extension ratio. A spring is used as the driving power source of the unfolding mechanism, the driving mechanism is simple and reliable, and the unfolding mechanism and the flexible solar wing roller are synchronously locked through a linkage mechanism, and the mechanism is simple and effective. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the back side of the unfolding and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel in the stowed state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a front schematic diagram of the stowed state of the unfolding and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a side view of the stowed state of the unfolding and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the guide assembly of the deployment and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is an axonometric view of the unfolding and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel in the stowed state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 It is an axonometric view of the unfolding locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to an embodiment of the present invention in the unfolded state.

[0026] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of a guide assembly of an unfolding and locking mechanism of a flexible solar sail panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of a guide slider of an unfolding and locking mechanism of a flexible solar sail panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the figure, 1 is the flexible solar wing, 2 is the main roller, 3 is the rotating shaft, 4 is the locking gear, 5 is the auxiliary spring, 6 is the support arm, 7 is the support rod, 8 is the supporting side column, 9 is the upper plate, 10 is the base plate, 11 is the locking device, 12 is the linkage rod, 13 is the guide rail seat, 14 is the unfolding spring, 15 is the long connecting rod, 16 is the guide rail positioning seat, 17 is the short connecting rod, 18 is the rotating shaft frame, 19 is the guide rod, 20 is the guide slider, 21 is the locking spring piece, 22 is the restraining frame, 23 is the pressing plate, 24 is the limit pin, 25 is the limit protrusion, and 26 is the step surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with embodiments and drawings.

[0030] The deployment and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel of this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, it is mainly composed of a flexible solar wing 1, a main roller 2, a rotating shaft 3, a locking gear 4, an auxiliary spring 5, a support arm 6, a support rod 7, a supporting side column 8, an upper plate 9, a base plate 10, a locking device 11, a linkage rod 12, a guide rail seat 13, an unfolding spring 14, a long connecting rod 15, a guide rail positioning seat 16, a short connecting rod 17, a rotating shaft frame 18, a guide rod 19, a guide slider 20, a locking spring 21, a constraint frame 22, a clamping plate 23, a limit pin 24, a limit protrusion 25, etc. The flexible solar wing 1 is curled and wound on the main roller 2. One end of the flexible solar wing 1 is fixedly connected to the main roller 2, and the other end is fixed to the upper plate 9 through a clamping sheet 23. The long connecting rod 15, the short connecting rod 17, the rotating shaft 3, and the rotating shaft frame 18 constitute a scissor fork connecting rod deployment component. Three rotating shaft holes are designed on the long connecting rod 15. The long connecting rod 15 is combined and connected in a scissor fork configuration through the rotating shaft 3. One end of the short connecting rod 17 is connected to the shaft on the long connecting rod 15, and the other end is connected to the shaft on the rotating shaft frame 18. A rotating shaft is fixed on the base plate 10 and the upper plate 9 respectively. The bracket 18 and the locking device 11 are fixed on the supporting side column 8. The locking device 11 can press the upper plate 9 and the base plate 10 together and fix them. One end of the connecting rod expansion assembly composed of the long connecting rod 15 is fixed on the guide assembly through the guide slider 20. Two short connecting rods 17 are connected to each rotating shaft bracket 18, which are respectively arranged on both sides. The short connecting rod 17 is connected with the long connecting rod 15 to form a parallelogram mechanism. When the connecting rod expansion assembly is linearly expanded upward along the central symmetry line, it moves to the middle position synchronously with the guide sliders 20 at both ends of the connecting rod expansion assembly. The constraint bracket 22 is fixed on the supporting side column 8 to realize the constraint of the long connecting rod 15, so that the long connecting rod 15 is constrained on both sides when the connecting rod expansion assembly is stored to prevent shaking.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the guide assembly is composed of a guide rail seat 13, a guide rod 19, a guide slider 20, a guide rail positioning seat 16, a locking spring 21, an expansion spring 14, a limiting protrusion 25, etc. The expansion spring 14 is sleeved on the guide rod 19, and at the same time, the expansion spring 14 can push the guide slider 20 to move laterally along the guide rod 19, thereby pushing the connecting rod expansion assembly composed of the long connecting rod 15 to expand. When the guide slider 20 moves to the middle and is in place under the action of the expansion spring 14, the locking spring 21 fixed on the guide slider 20 is clamped into the limiting protrusion 25 on the guide rail positioning seat 16 to fix the position of the guide slider 20, thereby realizing the locking of the expansion posture position of the connecting rod expansion assembly. A guide assembly is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the base plate 10, and a guide assembly is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the upper plate 9.

[0032] like Figure 7-8As shown, in order to achieve a more stable guiding effect, three guide rods 19 are arranged in parallel in the guide assembly. The guide slider 20 includes a guide hole set on the guide rod 19 and a rotating shaft mounting seat at the top. The guide hole is provided with an expansion spring 14 and a connecting sleeve; the guide hole is provided with two-step surfaces, the step surface inside the guide hole is used to limit the expansion spring 14; the step surface outside the guide hole is used to limit the connecting sleeve; the expansion spring 14 sleeve on the guide rod 19 is used by two springs in series, and the two springs are connected by a connecting sleeve. When the expansion mechanism is completely stored, the connecting sleeve is located between the guide slider 20 and the guide rail seat 13, and one end of the connecting sleeve is against the step surface 26 outside the guide hole to support the guide slider; the other end supports the guide rail seat 13, so that the whole is constrained and fixed and no longer moves. The rotating shaft mounting seat is rotatably connected to the long connecting rod at the end. The rotating shaft mounting seat is rotatably connected to the long connecting rod 15 at the end. The rotating shaft mounting seat is eccentrically arranged at the top of the guide slider 20 relative to the three guide holes.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the linkage rod 12 is compressed by the locking device 11, and the limit pin 24 is constrained at the same time, so that the limit pin 24 is stuck in the tooth groove of the locking gear 4 to constrain the locking gear 4. The main roller 2 and the locking gear 4 are fixed together and rotate synchronously. The limit pin 24 is used to synchronously constrain the main roller 2 to prevent the flexible solar wing 1 wrapped around the main roller 2 from rotating freely in the compressed state. At the same time, the tension force after the flexible solar wing 1 is curled up and collected is ensured, ensuring the stability of the curled state, preventing vibration and friction during the launch process, and ensuring the stability of the overall structure. Figure 6 As shown, when the locking device 11 releases the fixed constraint, the linkage rod 12 simultaneously disengages upward and releases the constraint on the limit pin 24. Under the action of the auxiliary spring 5, the limit pin 24 disengages and moves upward, thereby releasing the constraint on the locking gear 4. At this time, the main roller 2 can rotate without constraint. When the long connecting rod 15 of the unfolding scissors fork is extended, the upper plate 9 unfolds upward, thereby driving the flexible solar wing 1 fixed on the upper plate 9 to unfold synchronously. At the same time, the main roller 2 also rotates freely synchronously to realize the unfolding of the flexible solar wing 1.

[0034] The locking device 11 can be an explosive bolt or a split nut locking mechanism. The explosive bolt or split nut locking mechanism can be released by power-on triggering, so that the upper plate 9 and the base plate 10 are disconnected. The linkage rod 12 is connected to the clamping screw or clamping rod matched with the locking device 11, and is compressed and released with the clamping screw or clamping rod. When the locking device 11 is compressed and fixed, the linkage rod 12 is compressed and fixed on the clamping screw or clamping rod, so that the other end of the linkage rod 12 presses the upper end of the limit pin 24, ensuring that the tapered end of the limit pin 24 is inserted into the tooth groove of the locking gear 4, thereby locking the locking gear 4.

[0035] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any changes made on the basis of the technical solution in accordance with the technical idea proposed by the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A deployment and locking mechanism for a flexible solar sail panel, characterized in that: It includes a base plate, an upper plate, a main roller, a supporting side column, a guide assembly, and a connecting rod deployment assembly; The flexible solar wing is curled and wound on the main roller, one end of the flexible solar wing is fixedly connected to the main roller, and the other end is fixed to the upper plate through a pressing sheet, and the main roller is fixed to the base plate through a support arm; The guide components are respectively mounted on the base plate and the upper plate, and a connecting rod deployment component is mounted between the guide components of the base plate and the upper plate; The connecting rod deployment assembly includes a long connecting rod, a short connecting rod, and a rotating shaft frame; the long connecting rod is combined and connected in a scissor-fork configuration through a rotating shaft, and the long connecting rod at the end is connected to the guide slider of the guide assembly; one end of the short connecting rod is rotatably connected to the long connecting rod at the end, and the other end is rotatably installed on the rotating shaft frame; the rotating shaft frame is fixed at the middle of the base plate and the upper plate; The guide assembly includes a guide rail seat, a guide rod, a guide slider, a guide rail positioning seat, a locking spring, and an expansion spring. The expansion spring is sleeved on the guide rod. When the connecting rod expansion assembly is in the stowed state, the expansion spring is in a compressed state. The expansion spring can push the guide slider to move laterally along the guide rod, thereby pushing the connecting rod expansion assembly to the expanded state. When the guide slider moves to the middle under the action of the expansion spring, the locking spring fixed on the guide slider is clamped into the limiting protrusion on the guide rail positioning seat to fix the position of the guide slider. A guide assembly is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the base plate, and a guide assembly is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the upper plate. It also includes a locking device, support side columns are provided on both sides of the base plate, the locking device is fixed on the support side columns, and the upper plate and the base plate are pressed and fixed by the locking device; It also includes a restraint frame, which is fixed on the supporting side column and restrains the two sides of the long connecting rod when the connecting rod deployment assembly is in the stowed state; The main roller is fixed together with the locking gear, and one end of the linkage rod is located above the locking gear. When the linkage rod is pressed by the locking device, the linkage rod applies a downward force to the limit pin, so that the limit pin is in a state of being stuck in the tooth groove of the locking gear, thereby constraining the locking gear; When the locking device is tightened and fixed, one end of the linkage rod is connected to the clamping screw, and the other end presses the upper end of the limit pin. At the same time, the linkage rod is sleeved on the support rod to realize guide constraint, and the clamping screw is screwed into the locking device to realize the clamping and fixing of the linkage rod. The upper end of the limit pin is clamped and limited through the linkage rod to ensure that the limit pin is stuck in the tooth groove of the locking gear, thereby realizing the rotation constraint of the main roller fixedly connected to the locking gear.

2. The deployment and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: An auxiliary spring is mounted on the limit pin, and one end of the auxiliary spring rests on the auxiliary spring mounting seat of the support arm. When the locking device releases the fixed constraint, the linkage rod simultaneously disengages upward, and at the same time releases the constraint on the limit pin. Under the action of the auxiliary spring, the limit pin disengages upward, thereby releasing the constraint on the locking gear, and the main roller can rotate at this time.

3. The deployment and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to claim 2, characterized in that: Unlocking and releasing process: the locking device is unlocked, the clamping screw is disengaged and released from the locking device, and the limit pin is pushed upward under the upward force of the auxiliary spring, thereby pushing the linkage in contact with the upper end of the limit pin, pushing the linkage rod along the support rod axis, and moving upward, and the linkage rod further drives the clamping screw to disengage from the locking device.

4. The deployment and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the guide assembly, three guide rods are arranged in parallel.

5. The deployment and locking mechanism of the flexible solar sail panel according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The guide slider includes a guide hole provided on the guide rod and a rotating shaft mounting seat located at the top, and an expansion spring and a connecting sleeve are provided in the guide hole; two step surfaces are provided in the guide hole, and the step surface on the inner side of the guide hole is used to limit the expansion spring; the step surface on the outer side of the guide hole is used to limit the connecting sleeve; the expansion spring sleeve on the guide rod is used in series with two springs, and the two springs are connected by a connecting sleeve. When the expansion mechanism is fully retracted, the connecting sleeve is located between the guide slider and the guide rail seat, one end of the connecting sleeve is against the step surface on the outer side of the guide hole, and the other end is against the guide rail seat; the rotating shaft mounting seat is rotatably connected to the long connecting rod at the end.

Images