SADA-driven solar wing sun-facing device

Abstract

The invention discloses an SADA driving solar wing sun alignment device which comprises a lens seat, a lens, a base, telescopic rods, a support and shape memory alloy capable of stretching after being heated, the lens is fixed in the lens seat, one end of the support is fixed to the lens seat, the other end of the support is hinged to the base, the telescopic rods are arranged in the circumferential direction of the lens, and the shape memory alloy is fixed to the base. The two ends of the telescopic rods are hinged to the lens base and the base respectively, the shape memory alloy is wound to be in a spiral spring shape, the two ends of the shape memory alloy are connected with the two free ends of the telescopic rods respectively, and therefore the shape memory alloy is in a stretched state and is arranged in the telescopic rods. And the lens holder is parallel to the base through the retraction pulling force of the shape memory alloy. Sunlight is ingeniously used as driving energy, the shape memory alloy is heated by focusing the sunlight through the lens, the shape memory alloy drives the telescopic rod to act, and sun-facing adjustment of the lens base is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a SADA-driven solar wing sun-pointing device. Background Art

[0002] When a satellite is in orbit, the solar wing, as a key energy supply component thereof, needs to be driven by a solar array drive assembly (SADA) to achieve sun-pointing and ensure efficient conversion of solar energy. However, in the prior art, most solar wing drives rely on motor drives, which have many limitations. On the one hand, the SADA structure driven by a motor is relatively complex, with a large number of components. This not only increases the overall mass of the device but also raises the risk of mechanical failures and reduces the reliability of the system. On the other hand, motor drives consume valuable electrical energy of the satellite, increasing the energy burden and restricting the energy distribution of other satellite devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a SADA-driven solar wing sun-pointing device to solve the problems existing in the above prior art.

[0004] The technical solutions adopted by the present invention are as follows:

[0005] A SADA-driven solar wing sun-pointing device includes a lens holder, a lens, a base, a telescopic rod, a bracket, and a shape memory alloy that expands when heated. The lens is fixed in the lens holder. One end of the bracket is fixed to the lens holder, and the other end is hinged to the base. A plurality of telescopic rods are arranged along the circumferential direction of the lens, and both ends of the telescopic rod are respectively hinged to the lens holder and the base. The shape memory alloy is wound into a spiral spring shape, and both ends of the shape memory alloy are respectively connected to two free ends of the telescopic rod, so that the shape memory alloy is in a stretched state and placed in each telescopic rod. The lens holder is made parallel to the base by the pulling force of the retraction of the shape memory alloy.

[0006] Further, the telescopic rod includes a sub-rod, a mother-rod, and a hinge seat with a ball head. Both the sub-rod and the mother-rod are hollow rod structures. The sub-rod is inserted into the mother-rod. Two hinge seats are respectively fixed at the ends of the sub-rod and the mother-rod. The shape memory alloy is placed in the sub-rod and the mother-rod, and each end is respectively connected to the corresponding hinge seat.

[0007] Further, both the sub-rod and the mother-rod are made of light-transmitting materials.

[0008] Further, a plurality of first ball head seats are fixed on the lower end surface of the lens holder and in the circumferential direction of the lens. The ball head of the hinge seat on one side of the telescopic rod is hinged to the first ball head seat.

[0009] Furthermore, the lower end surface of the lens seat is provided with a plurality of mounting holes, the first ball head seat is formed by splicing two semicircular seats with semicircular holes, and the spliced first ball head seat is fixed in the mounting holes.

[0010] Furthermore, a second ball head seat is fixed on the base, and the second ball head seat is formed by splicing a plurality of mounting plates with semicircular holes, a circular hole is formed between adjacent mounting plates, and the ball head of the hinge seat in the telescopic rod is hinged in the circular hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the bracket is a triangular support foot, the top corner of the bracket is hinged to the base by a ball head structure, and the three bottom corners are fixedly connected to the lens holder.

[0012] Furthermore, the lens seat is a circular seat with a hole in the middle, and the lens is coaxially fixed in the middle hole of the lens seat.

[0013] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] (1) The present invention cleverly uses sunlight as a driving energy source, focusing sunlight through a lens to heat the shape memory alloy, which drives the telescopic rod to move and adjust the lens mount to the sun. Compared with the traditional motor-driven SADA, the present invention avoids the consumption of satellite power by the motor operation, directly converts solar energy into mechanical energy for driving, has high energy utilization efficiency, effectively reduces the burden on the satellite energy system, and provides more abundant power resources for other satellite equipment.

[0015] (2) With the help of the lens's focusing effect on sunlight, the sunlight can be accurately guided to the corresponding telescopic rod, triggering the telescopic action of the shape memory alloy, and then fine-tuning the angle of the lens seat to achieve high-precision solar pointing. At the same time, because the telescopic rods are evenly arranged along the circumference of the lens, multiple telescopic rods work together to enable the lens seat to adjust its attitude in an all-round and even manner to adapt to the satellite's solar needs at different orbital positions and attitudes, ensuring that the solar wing is always facing the sun and maximizing the efficiency of solar energy collection.

[0016] (3) Shape memory alloys are used as driving elements. They have a unique shape memory effect and good environmental resistance. They can adapt to the harsh environmental conditions in space, such as extreme temperature changes, high vacuum, and strong radiation. They ensure that the driving mechanism can work stably and reliably during the long-term on-orbit operation of the satellite. There is no need for frequent maintenance and replacement of parts, which reduces the maintenance cost and operating risk of the satellite.

[0017] (4) The overall structural design is simple, with fewer components, reducing the complexity of the mechanical system. The telescopic rod adopts a hollow structure with the sub-rod inserted into the mother-rod, and together with the hinge seats at both ends and the ingenious arrangement of the shape memory alloy, the entire driving mechanism has high structural stability and reliability while achieving the sun-tracking adjustment function, reducing the risk of failures caused by numerous components and complex structures, and improving the safety and lifespan of the satellite in orbit. Description of the Drawings

[0018] Figure 1 This is the structural diagram of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is the structural diagram of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is the exploded view of the telescopic rod.

[0021] Figure 4 This is the structural diagram of the telescopic rod.

[0022] Figure 5 This is the assembly drawing of the telescopic rod and the base.

[0023] Figure 6 This is the assembly drawing of the telescopic rod and the lens holder.

[0024] Figure 7 This is the structural diagram of the bracket connecting the lens holder and the base. Detailed Embodiment

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a SADA-driven sunwing sun-tracking device of the present invention includes a lens holder 1, a lens 2, a base 3, a telescopic rod 4, a bracket 6, and a heat-expandable shape memory alloy 5. The lens holder 1 is a circular seat with a hole in the middle, and the lens 2 is coaxially fixed in the middle hole of the lens holder 1. One end of the bracket 6 is fixed to the lens holder 1, and the other end is hinged to the base 3. A plurality of telescopic rods 4 are arranged along the circumference of the lens 2, and both ends of the telescopic rod 4 are respectively hinged to the lens holder 1 and the base 3. The shape memory alloy 5 is wound into a spiral spring shape, and the shape memory alloy 5 is placed inside each telescopic rod 4, and both ends of the shape memory alloy 5 are respectively connected to the two free ends of the telescopic rod, so that the shape memory alloy 5 is in a stretched state and placed inside each telescopic rod 4. The lens holder 1 is made parallel to the base 3 by the retraction force of the shape memory alloy 5.

[0027] In use, the lens holder 1 is fixed to the solar panel. When the satellite moves along its satellite orbit, sunlight passes through the lens 2 and is focused and irradiated onto one or more telescopic rods 4. The temperature of the shape memory alloy 5 inside the telescopic rod 4 receiving the focused light rises. Through the two-way memory effect of the shape memory alloy 5, the shape memory alloy 5 extends when heated, causing the telescopic rod 4 receiving the focused light to elongate, and then adjusting the angle of the lens holder 1 so that the lens holder 1 can always face the sun directly.

[0028] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown in, the telescopic rod 4 in the present invention includes a sub-rod 41, a mother rod 42 and a hinge seat 43 with a ball head. Both the sub-rod 41 and the mother rod 42 are hollow rod structures. The sub-rod 41 is inserted into the mother rod 42. Two hinge seats 43 are respectively fixed at the ends of the sub-rod and the mother rod. The shape memory alloy 5 is placed inside the sub-rod and the mother rod and is respectively connected to the corresponding hinge seat 43 at each end.

[0029] To facilitate better light transmission through the telescopic rod 4 and heating of the shape memory alloy 5, both the sub-rod 41 and the mother rod 42 are made of light-transmitting materials (such as transparent diamond, transparent COP material, etc.).

[0030] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown in, to hinge the telescopic rod 4 to the lens holder 1, a number of first ball head seats 11 are fixed on the lower end surface of the lens holder 1 and in the circumferential direction of the lens 2. The ball head of the hinge seat 43 on the mother rod 42 is hinged to the first ball head seat 11.

[0031] To facilitate the assembly and fixation of the first ball head seat 11 on the lens holder 1, a number of mounting holes are provided on the lower end surface of the lens holder 1. The first ball head seat 11 is formed by splicing two semi-circular seats with semi-circular holes. The spliced first ball head seat 11 is fixed in the mounting hole. The ball head of the hinge seat 43 is placed between the semi-circular holes of the two semi-circular seats and forms a ball head hinge structure.

[0032] A second ball head seat 31 is fixed on the base 3. The second ball head seat 31 is formed by splicing a number of mounting pieces with semi-circular holes. A circular hole is formed between adjacent mounting pieces. The ball head of the hinge seat 43 in the sub-rod 41 is hinged in the circular hole.

[0033] As Figure 7 shown in, the present invention provides a bracket to make the assembly between the lens holder 1 and the base 3 more stable. The bracket 6 is a triangular support leg. The top angle of the bracket 6 is hinged to the circular part of the second ball head seat 31 by a ball head structure, and the three bottom angles are fixedly connected to the lens holder 1.

[0034] In the initial state, the shape memory alloy is in a stretched state and placed inside each telescopic rod, with its two ends respectively connected to the two free ends of the telescopic rod. At this time, the retraction tensile force of the shape memory alloy acts on the telescopic rod, and then the lens holder connected to the telescopic rod is subjected to a tensile force towards the base direction. Under the action of this tensile force, a mechanical balance is formed between the lens holder and the base, ensuring that the lens holder always remains parallel to the base, maintaining the initial geometric configuration and stable attitude of the device.

[0035] When the satellite is moving in orbit, the incident direction of sunlight changes relative to the satellite body. At this time, the lens focuses the sunlight and precisely guides it to the corresponding telescopic rod. As the shape memory alloy absorbs the heat of sunlight, its temperature gradually rises. According to the two-way memory effect of the shape memory alloy, when the temperature reaches its phase transition temperature, the shape memory alloy in the stretched state will produce a retraction deformation. This retraction deformation is converted into a change in the tensile force on the telescopic rod, specifically manifested as the telescopic rod shortening along its axis under the drive of the retraction of the shape memory alloy.

[0036] The shortening of the telescopic rod changes the geometric relationship between the lens holder and the base, breaking the original mechanical balance state. Under the continuous retraction tensile force of the shape memory alloy, the lens holder is forced to adjust its angle around the hinge point connected to the bracket. This adjustment process is precise and controllable, aiming to make the lens holder realign with the sun direction to ensure that the solar panel can always face the sun directly, achieving the maximum solar energy collection efficiency.

[0037] During the process of the lens holder adjusting its angle, the bracket plays a key role in support and positioning. One end of the bracket is fixedly connected to the lens holder, and the other end is hinged to the base using a ball head structure. This ball head hinge method allows the lens holder to rotate slightly in three degrees of freedom, thus ensuring that the lens holder can flexibly adjust its attitude in space to adapt to the solar incidence angles in different directions. At the same time, the triangular structure design of the bracket enhances the structural stiffness and stability of the entire device, ensuring that the overall device will not undergo excessive deformation or vibration when the lens holder adjusts its attitude, guaranteeing the smoothness and accuracy of the solar panel's sun-facing process.

[0038] It should be particularly pointed out that the present invention adopts an arrangement in which the shape memory alloy is in a stretched state, which is significantly different from the traditional elastic conflict state. If the shape memory alloy is in an elastic conflict state, that is, the spiral spring-shaped shape memory alloy conflicts between the sub-rod and the mother rod, the elastic reaction force of the shape memory alloy will generate an axial thrust on the telescopic rod. This thrust will be transmitted to the lens seat and the base, which may cause the lens seat to be subjected to a circumferential rotational torque. During the movement of the satellite, this circumferential rotational torque may cause the lens seat to rotate, thereby affecting the accuracy and stability of the solar wing facing the sun. The present invention sets the shape memory alloy in a stretched state to ensure that the lens seat is only subjected to a pulling force toward the base, thereby avoiding the generation of a circumferential rotational torque, thereby effectively preventing the lens seat from rotating and ensuring the high accuracy and stability of the solar wing facing the sun.

[0039] When the satellite continues to move along the orbit and the incident direction of sunlight changes again, the lens will refocus the sunlight onto another set of telescopic rods. Correspondingly, the shape memory alloy in this set of telescopic rods shrinks due to heat, driving the telescopic rods to shorten and triggering the angle adjustment of the lens seat again. In this way, the SADA-driven solar wing facing the sun device described in the present invention can respond to changes in the incident direction of sunlight in real time, and accurately adjust the posture of the lens seat through the driving action of the shape memory alloy to ensure that the solar wing is always facing the sun, providing reliable energy guarantee for the continuous and stable operation of the satellite.

[0040] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that a person skilled in the art can make several improvements without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements should also be regarded as within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A SADA-driven solar wing sun-facing device, characterized in that: It includes a lens holder (1), a lens (2), a base (3), a telescopic rod (4), a bracket (6), and a shape memory alloy (5) that expands when heated. The lens (2) is fixed within the lens holder (1). One end of the bracket (6) is fixed to the lens holder (1), and the other end is hinged to the base (3). A number of telescopic rods (4) are arranged circumferentially around the lens (2), and both ends of the telescopic rod (4) are respectively hinged to the lens holder (1) and the base (3). The shape memory alloy (5) is wound into a helical spring shape, and both ends of the shape memory alloy (5) are respectively connected to the two free ends of the telescopic rod, such that the shape memory alloy (5) is in a stretched state and placed within each telescopic rod (4). The lens holder (1) is made parallel to the base (3) by the pulling force of the retraction of the shape memory alloy (5).

2. The SADA-driven solar wing sun-facing device according to claim 1, wherein: The telescopic rod (4) includes a sub-rod (41), a mother rod (42), and a hinge seat (43) with a ball head. Both the sub-rod (41) and the mother rod (42) are hollow rod structures. The sub-rod (41) is inserted into the mother rod (42). Two hinge seats (43) are respectively fixed to the ends of the sub-rod and the mother rod. The shape memory alloy (5) is placed within the sub-rod and the mother rod, and each end is respectively connected to the corresponding hinge seat (43).

3. The SADA-driven solar wing sun-facing device according to claim 2, wherein: Both the sub-rod (41) and the mother rod (42) are made of a light-transmitting material.

4. The SADA-driven solar wing sun-pointing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: On the lower end surface of the lens holder (1) and in the circumferential direction of the lens (2), a number of first ball head seats (11) are fixed. The ball head of the hinge seat (43) on one side of the telescopic rod (4) is hinged to the first ball head seat (11).

5. The SADA-driven solar wing sun-facing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower end surface of the lens holder (1) is provided with a number of mounting holes. The first ball head seat (11) is formed by splicing two semi-circular seats with semi-circular holes. The spliced first ball head seat (11) is fixed within the mounting hole.

6. The SADA driven solar wing facing sun device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: A second ball head seat (31) is fixed on the base (3). The second ball head seat (31) is formed by splicing a number of mounting pieces with semi-circular holes. A circular hole is formed between adjacent mounting pieces. The ball head of the hinge seat (43) on the telescopic rod (4) is hinged within the circular hole.

7. The SADA-driven solar wing sun-facing device according to claim 1, wherein: The bracket (6) is a triangular support leg. The apex angle of the bracket (6) is hinged to the base (3) using a ball head structure, and the three base angles are fixedly connected to the lens holder (1).

8. The SADA-driven solar wing sun-pointing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lens holder (1) is a circular seat with a hole in the middle. The lens (2) is coaxially fixed within the middle hole of the lens holder (1).

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