A trussing structure, a truss antenna and a method of erecting an antenna

Abstract

A truss type folding structure, a truss type antenna and an antenna building method belong to the field of spaceflight. In order to solve the problem of how to meet the demand of large aperture and fold the antenna in limited space, the present application comprises a ring truss, a central driving mechanism and a cable. The ring truss is provided with an energy storage element for supporting the ring truss to be opened. The central driving mechanism is provided with two symmetrical take-up and pay-off assemblies arranged on the upper and lower sides of the ring truss. The cable is provided with a plurality of cables. Each hinge joint of the ring truss corresponds to a cable and is connected with the corresponding cable. The cables at adjacent two hinge joints are alternately arranged on the upper and lower sides of the ring truss. The two cables are connected with the upper and lower take-up and pay-off assemblies, so that the ring truss is folded and tightened. When the truss type folding structure is in the contracted state, the two take-up and pay-off assemblies release the cables synchronously, and the energy storage element releases the stored energy to support the ring truss to be unfolded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the aerospace field, and particularly relates to a truss-type retractable structure, a truss antenna, and an antenna assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] With the deepening of space exploration and the rapid development of communication technology, especially the increasing demands for satellite communication and space observation missions, the need for large-aperture antennas is becoming increasingly urgent. The aperture and gain of an antenna directly determine the accuracy of space communication and observation. Therefore, the application of large-aperture antennas in space missions is particularly important. However, due to the limited launch space and payload constraints of spacecraft, designing an antenna that can meet the requirements for a large aperture while also being housed within a limited space has become a key issue in technological development. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a truss-type retractable structure, a truss-type antenna, and an antenna assembly method, which can be folded and tightened during transportation and unfolded upon arrival at the target location to form a large-aperture antenna.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A truss-type retractable structure includes:

[0006] A ring truss, equipped with energy storage elements to support the opening of the ring truss;

[0007] The central drive mechanism is equipped with two wire take-up and give-up assemblies, which are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the center of the annular truss.

[0008] The cable is provided in multiple ways. Each hinge point of the ring truss corresponds to one cable. The cables at two adjacent hinge points are alternately arranged on the upper and lower sides of the ring truss. The two adjacent cables correspond to the upper and lower take-up and release assemblies respectively. One end of each cable is connected to the corresponding hinge point of the ring truss, and the other end is taken to the corresponding take-up and release assembly so that the ring truss can be folded and tightened.

[0009] When the truss-type retractable structure is in the retracted state, the two cable retraction and extension components release the cables simultaneously, and the energy storage element releases the stored energy to support the deployment of the ring truss.

[0010] Furthermore, the ring truss includes 2N supporting rods connected end to end and a hinged connector connecting two adjacent supporting rods, where N≥2. The supporting rods are rotatably connected to the hinged connectors via pins.

[0011] Furthermore, the energy storage element is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on a pin. One leg of the torsion spring is connected to a hinge connector, and the other leg is connected to the end of a support rod.

[0012] Furthermore, each cable reel assembly includes a fixed base plate, a sliding plate, a first pulley, and a second pulley. The fixed base plate and the sliding plate are coaxially arranged on the side of the annular truss. The sliding plate is located between the fixed base plate and the annular truss and can move along the axis of the annular truss. There are N first pulleys and N second pulleys. The N first pulleys are evenly arranged on the fixed base plate along the circumference of the fixed base plate, and the N second pulleys are evenly arranged on the sliding plate along the circumference of the sliding plate. One end of the cable is fixed to the fixed base plate, and the other end passes through the second pulley and the first pulley in sequence and is connected to the hinge point of the annular truss.

[0013] Furthermore, the central drive mechanism also includes a synchronous drive component that can drive the two slides to move synchronously and symmetrically.

[0014] Furthermore, the synchronous drive assembly includes a double helical screw, a screw nut, and a guide rod. The double helical screw is coaxially rotatably connected to two fixed base plates, and the guide rod is connected to the two fixed base plates. There are two screw nuts, with each slide corresponding to one screw nut and fixedly connected to the corresponding screw nut. The two slides are respectively screwed to the two studs of the double helical screw via the corresponding screw nuts, and each slide is slidably connected to the guide rod.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the ring truss after unfolding is greater than 1m.

[0016] Furthermore, the annular truss is a hexagonal truss.

[0017] Another technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0018] A truss antenna includes an antenna and a truss-type retractable structure, with one end of the antenna connected to a ring truss and the other end connected to a fixed base plate.

[0019] Another technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0020] A method for constructing a truss antenna, utilizing a truss antenna, is described below:

[0021] S1, the rocket transports the retracted truss antenna structure to the target location;

[0022] S2, the double helix screw rotates, and the two screw nuts drive their respective connected slides to move towards the fixed base plate, and the cable is gradually released;

[0023] S3, the torsion springs at the ends of each support link release the stored elastic force, and the torsion springs drive the support links to rotate from vertical to horizontal, the ring truss unfolds, and the antenna is straightened;

[0024] S4, the double helix screw stops rotating, and the antenna structure is now complete.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0026] 1. The cables of this invention are divided into two groups, one group located above the annular truss and the other group located below the annular truss. Each group of cables is driven by a take-up / release assembly to take up or release the cable. When the cable is taken up by the take-up / release assembly, the two groups of cables exert an upward-sloping tension on some alternating hinge points of the annular truss, and a downward-sloping tension on others. Under these two tensions, the annular truss can fold and converge inward, thereby achieving the folding and tightening of the annular truss. When the truss-type retractable structure needs to be deployed, the two take-up / release assemblies release the cables simultaneously, the annular truss is no longer constrained, the energy storage element releases stored energy and drives the annular truss to open, thereby achieving the deployment of the truss-type retractable structure. The annular truss can be folded and tightened with the cooperation of the cables and the take-up / release assembly, reducing the overall volume. The inner diameter of the annular truss after deployment can be greater than 1m, therefore, this truss-type retractable structure can be used to manufacture large-diameter antennas. During the transportation of the antenna to space by rocket, the antenna can be tightened, reducing the transportation size. When the antenna is transported to the target location, it can be deployed to achieve the function of a high-aperture, high-gain antenna.

[0027] 2. The supporting rods of the present invention are made of lightweight and high-strength carbon fiber rods. This not only reduces the weight of the entire truss-type retractable structure and facilitates spatial transportation, but also has high strength and rigidity, increasing the load-bearing capacity of the truss-type retractable structure.

[0028] 3. The annular truss of this invention is supported by three upper cables, and the double helix screw and nut have a self-locking function. Under normal conditions, the annular truss can support the antenna and maintain balance, exhibiting strong stability. Furthermore, the design of the double helix screw, screw nut, fixed base plate, and sliding plate not only allows for simultaneous synchronous winding or unwinding of the upper and lower sets of cables, but also enables simultaneous winding or unwinding of multiple cables within each set, ensuring the synchronicity of all cables. Moreover, the drive motor is solely for driving the double helix screw, resulting in a simple overall structure, convenient operation, and guaranteed operational precision. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are provided to further illustrate the invention.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a truss-type retractable structure according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0032] Figure 3This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the take-up and unwinding assembly.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a side view of the wire take-up and give-down assembly.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0035] 1-Base;

[0036] 2-Circular truss, 21-Energy storage element, 22-Supporting link, 221-First hinge connector, 23-Hinge connector, 231-Hook, 232-Second hinge connector;

[0037] 3-Cable winding and unwinding assembly, 31-Fixed base plate, 32-Slide plate, 33-First pulley, 34-Second pulley;

[0038] 4-Synchronous drive assembly, 41-Double helical screw, 42-Screw nut, 43-Guide rod;

[0039] 5-Lasso. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0041] Example 1:

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a truss-type retractable structure according to this embodiment is shown. (Combined with...) Figure 1 This embodiment of a truss-type retractable structure includes a base 1, a ring truss 2, a central drive mechanism, and cables 5. The base 1 provides support, the central drive mechanism is mounted on the base 1, and the ring truss 2 is fitted around the central drive mechanism. The ring truss 2 is equipped with an energy storage element 21 for supporting the opening of the ring truss 2. The central drive mechanism has two cable retraction assemblies 3, which are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the center of the ring truss 2. Multiple cables 5 are provided, with each hinge point of the ring truss 2 corresponding to one cable 5. Cables 5 at adjacent hinge points are alternately arranged on the upper and lower sides of the ring truss 2, and these adjacent cables 5 correspond to the upper and lower cable retraction assemblies 3 respectively. One end of each cable 5 connects to the corresponding hinge point of the ring truss 2, and the other end extends obliquely to the corresponding cable retraction assembly 3, where it is retracted. Figure 1 It can be seen that the cable 5 is actually divided into two groups, one group is above the ring truss 2 and the other group is below the ring truss 2. When the cable 5 is retracted to the cable retraction assembly 3, the two groups of cables 5 exert an upward tension on some of the alternately arranged hinge points of the ring truss 2, and a downward tension on other alternately arranged hinge points. Under these two tensions, the ring truss 2 can fold and converge inward, thereby realizing the folding and tightening of the ring truss 2.

[0043] When the truss-type retractable structure needs to be deployed, the two cable retraction assemblies 3 simultaneously release the cables 5, the annular truss 2 is no longer constrained, the energy storage element 21 releases its stored energy and drives the annular truss 2 to open, thus realizing the deployment of the truss-type retractable structure. When the truss-type retractable structure needs to be folded and tightened, the multiple cables 5 are wound up by the two cable retraction assemblies 3. Under the tension of the cables 5, the annular truss 2 overcomes the driving force of the energy storage element 21 and is in a contracted and folded state. The energy storage element 21 stores energy, and at the same time, the truss-type retractable structure folds and contracts. It can be clearly seen that the annular truss 2 can be folded and tightened with the cooperation of the cables 5 and the cable retraction assemblies 3, reducing the overall volume. The inner diameter of the annular truss 2 after deployment can be greater than 1m, so this truss-type retractable structure can be used to manufacture large-aperture antennas. During the transportation to space by rocket, the antenna can be tightened to reduce the transportation size. When the antenna is transported to the target location, it can be deployed, thus realizing the function of a high-aperture, high-gain antenna.

[0044] Combination Figure 1 The annular truss 2 in this embodiment also includes 2N supporting rods 22 connected end to end, and hinged connectors 23 connecting adjacent supporting rods 22. The annular truss 2 is preferably a hexagonal truss, meaning that there are preferably six supporting rods 22. The supporting rods 22 are made of lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber, which not only reduces the overall weight of the truss-type retractable structure, facilitating spatial transportation, but also provides high strength and rigidity, increasing the load-bearing capacity of the truss-type retractable structure. Combined with... Figure 2 Each end of the supporting link 22 is provided with a first hinge connector 221 for connecting the hinge connector 23. Figure 1 and Figure 2 There are six hinge connectors 23, each with a hook 231. A cable 5 is connected to the hook 231 of each hinge connector 23. Each hinge connector 23 has a second hinge seat 232 at both ends. The support rod 22 and the hinge connector 23 are rotatably connected through the cooperation of the first hinge seat 221, the second hinge seat 232, and a pin. It should be noted that the pin is horizontally inserted into the first hinge seat 221 and the second hinge seat 232. This allows the support rod 22 to rotate vertically around the pin, meaning that both ends of the support rod 22 have vertical rotational freedom. Under the tension of the cable 5, the support rod 22 can rotate from a horizontal to a vertical position, and the six support rods 22 can be tightened and closed, thereby reducing the overall volume of the annular truss 2. Specifically, combined with... Figure 1When both take-up and release assemblies 3 take up the line simultaneously, a set of cables 5 above the annular truss 2 generates an upward tension along the length of the cable 5 on each connected hinge joint 23, while a set of cables 5 below the annular truss 2 generates a downward tension along the length of the cable 5 on each connected hinge joint 23. Figure 4 The tension F of the cable 5 is decomposed into a horizontal inward tension F1 and a vertical downward / vertical upward tension F2. This tension F is transmitted to the ends of the two adjacent support rods 22 via the hinge connector 23. Since the two adjacent cables 5 are alternately arranged vertically, the vertical forces on the two adjacent hinge connectors 23 are exactly opposite. The two ends of each support rod 22 are subjected to vertical upward and vertical downward tensions respectively. The support rod 22 is unbalanced in force and rotates relative to the hinge connector 23 it is connected to. At the same time, the two ends of each support rod 22 are also subjected to inward tension. Therefore, the support rod 22 moves inward while rotating. Furthermore, the ends of two adjacent support rods 22 are connected by a hinge connector 23. When the cable 5 exerts tension on the two adjacent support rods 22, the ends of the two support rods 22 are simultaneously moving upward or downward, thereby achieving bending between the two adjacent support rods 22. The maximum bending angle between the support rod 22 and the hinge connector is 90°. In this way, the two adjacent support rods 22 are parallel when bent to the maximum angle, which can ensure that the volume of the ring truss 2 is minimized when it is fully closed.

[0045] In addition, combined Figure 2 Each hinge connector 23 is a bent integral piece with a bending angle of 120°. Thus, when the annular truss 2 is unfolded, the included angle between two adjacent supporting rods 22 in the horizontal direction is 120°.

[0046] In this embodiment, the energy storage element 21 is preferably a torsion spring, which is sleeved on a pin. One leg of the torsion spring is connected to the hinge connector 23, and the other leg is connected to the end of the support rod 22. When the annular truss 2 is in a retracted or folded state, the two adjacent support rods 22 are in a parallel state, and the torsion spring is bent to store elastic potential energy. When the cable 5 releases the annular truss 2, the support rod 22 is no longer constrained by the hinge connector, the torsion spring releases its elastic potential energy and drives the support rod 22 and the hinge connector 23 to reset, thereby realizing the unfolding of the annular truss 2.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the central drive mechanism is shown. (Combined with...) Figure 1The central drive mechanism in this embodiment includes a synchronous drive component 4 and two take-up and release components 3. The synchronous drive component 4 is coaxially inserted through the annular truss 2, and the two take-up and release components 3 are symmetrically installed on the synchronous drive component 4 and are driven by the synchronous drive component 4 to synchronously take up or release the wire.

[0048] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 Each take-up and release assembly 3 in this embodiment includes a fixed base plate 31, a sliding plate 32, a first pulley 33, and a second pulley 34. The fixed base plate 31 and the sliding plate 32 are coaxially arranged on the side of the annular truss 2 and supported by the synchronous drive assembly 4. The fixed base plate 31 in the lower take-up and release assembly 3 is fixedly mounted on the base 1 and remains stationary. The sliding plate 32 is located between the fixed base plate 31 and the annular truss 2 and can move along the axis of the annular truss 2. The first pulley 33 and the second pulley 34 are both... There are three pulleys: three first pulleys 33 are evenly installed on the fixed base plate 31 along its circumference, and three second pulleys 34 are evenly installed on the slide plate 32 along its circumference. One end of each cable 5 is fixed to the fixed base plate 31, and the other end extends towards the slide plate 32, passes over the second pulley 34, then extends towards the fixed base plate 31, passes over the first pulley 33, and finally extends towards the hinge connector 23 of the annular truss 2 and connects to the hook 231 of the hinge connector 23. It can be seen that a portion of the cable 5 is retracted between the first pulleys 33 and the second pulleys 34, and the length of the cable 5 retracted can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first pulleys 33 and the second pulleys 34.

[0049] Combination Figure 1 The synchronous drive assembly 4 in this embodiment includes a double helical screw 41, a screw nut 42, and guide rods 43. The double helical screw 41 has two threaded sections with opposite helical directions. One end of the double helical screw 41 is rotatably mounted on one of the fixed base plates 31, and the other end coaxially passes through the annular truss 2 and is rotatably mounted on the other fixed base plate 31. There are three guide rods 43, which are evenly arranged around the double helical screw 41. The two ends of each guide rod 43 are fixedly mounted on the two fixed base plates 31 respectively. There are two screw nuts 42. Each slide plate 32 corresponds to one screw nut 42 and is fixedly connected to the corresponding screw nut 42. The two slide plates 32 are screwed to the two threaded sections of the double helical screw 41 via the corresponding screw nuts 42, and each slide plate 32 is slidably connected to the guide rod 43.

[0050] When the annular truss 2 is in the folded and retracted state, the distance between the slide plates 32 in the upper and lower cable retraction assemblies 3 is at its minimum. The double helix screw 41 can be driven to rotate by a motor. The screw nut 42 moves along the axis of the double helix screw 41 towards the fixed base plate 31. At this time, the distance between the slide plate 32 and the fixed base plate 31 decreases. At the same time, the cable 5 between them loosens, that is, the cable 5 no longer exerts tension on the hinge connector 23 and the support link 22. The cable 5 is pulled out under the restoring force of the torsion spring, and the support link 22 and the hinge connector 23 gradually return to their original positions. Since the screw is a double helix screw 41, the two slide plates 32 move in opposite directions at the same time. This allows the alternately set upper and lower cables 5 to be released synchronously. The two ends of each support link 22 are subjected to the same force, and the direction of the rotational force is opposite. The support link 22 gradually rotates from a vertical state to a horizontal state, thereby realizing the unfolding of the annular truss 2. When the annular truss 2 needs to be folded and tightened, the double helix screw 41 rotates in reverse, and the screw nut 42 moves away from the fixed base plate 31 along the axis of the double helix screw 41. At this time, the distance between the sliding plate 32 and the fixed base plate 31 gradually increases, and the cable 5 is pulled between the sliding plate 32 and the fixed base plate 31. The cable 5 generates a pulling force on the hinge connector 23, thereby realizing the folding and tightening of the annular truss 2.

[0051] It should be noted that after the ring truss 2 is deployed, it is supported by the three upper cables 5. The double helix screw 41 and the nut have a self-locking function. Under no external force, the ring truss 2 can support the antenna and maintain balance, exhibiting strong stability. In addition, the design of the double helix screw 41, screw nut 42, fixed base plate 31, and sliding plate 32 can not only achieve simultaneous synchronous winding or unwinding of the upper and lower sets of cables 5, but also simultaneously winding or unwinding of multiple cables 5 in each set, ensuring the synchronicity of all cables 5. Moreover, the drive motor is only for driving the double helix screw 41, resulting in a simple overall structure, convenient operation, and guaranteed operational precision.

[0052] Example 2:

[0053] This embodiment of a truss antenna includes an antenna and a truss retractable structure as described above. Multiple antennas are arranged along the circumference of the annular truss 2. One end of each antenna is connected to the annular truss 2, and the other end is connected to the fixed base plate 31 above.

[0054] Example 3:

[0055] This embodiment describes a method for constructing a truss antenna, which utilizes the truss antenna as described above. The construction process is as follows:

[0056] S1, the rocket transports the retracted truss antenna structure to the target location;

[0057] S2, when the target position is reached, the motor drives the double helical screw 41 to rotate, and the two screw nuts 42 respectively drive the connected slide plate 32 to move towards the fixed base plate 31. The distance between the slide plate 32 and the fixed base plate 31 gradually decreases. At the same time, the cable 5 between the two is relaxed, that is, the cable 5 no longer exerts tension on the hinge connector 23 and the support rod 22.

[0058] S3, the torsion springs at the ends of each support rod 22 release the stored elastic force, the two ends of each support rod 22 are subjected to the same force, and the rotational force is opposite in direction. The support rod 22 gradually rotates from a vertical state to a horizontal state. At the same time, the support rod 22 moves outward under the restoring force of the torsion spring, the annular truss 2 gradually unfolds, and the antenna is straightened.

[0059] S4, the double helix screw 41 stops rotating, and the antenna structure is now complete.

[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions created by the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions created by the present invention without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions created by the present invention.

Claims

1. A truss-type retractable structure, characterized in that, include: A ring truss, equipped with energy storage elements to support the opening of the ring truss; The central drive mechanism is equipped with two wire take-up and give-up assemblies, which are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the center of the annular truss. The cable is provided in multiple places. Each hinge point of the ring truss corresponds to one cable. The cables at two adjacent hinge points are alternately arranged on the upper and lower sides of the ring truss. The two adjacent cables correspond to the upper and lower take-up and release components respectively. One end of each cable is connected to the corresponding hinge point of the ring truss, and the other end is taken to the corresponding take-up and release component. When the truss-type retractable structure needs to be deployed, the two cable retraction and deployment assemblies release the cables simultaneously, and the energy storage element releases its stored energy and drives the ring truss to deploy; when the truss-type retractable structure needs to be folded and tightened, multiple cables are retracted by the two cable retraction and deployment assemblies, and the ring truss folds and contracts under the tension of the cables, overcoming the driving force of the energy storage element.

2. The truss-type retractable structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ring truss includes 2N supporting rods connected end to end and hinged connectors connecting adjacent supporting rods, where N≥2. The supporting rods are rotatably connected to the hinged connectors via pins.

3. The truss-type retractable structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The energy storage element is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on a pin. One leg of the torsion spring is connected to a hinge connector, and the other leg is connected to the end of a support rod.

4. The truss-type retractable structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each cable take-up and release assembly includes a fixed base plate, a sliding plate, a first pulley, and a second pulley. The fixed base plate and the sliding plate are coaxially arranged on the side of the annular truss. The sliding plate is located between the fixed base plate and the annular truss and can move along the axis of the annular truss. There are N first pulleys and N second pulleys. The N first pulleys are evenly arranged on the fixed base plate along the circumference of the fixed base plate, and the N second pulleys are evenly arranged on the sliding plate along the circumference of the sliding plate. One end of the cable is fixed to the fixed base plate, and the other end passes through the second pulley and the first pulley in sequence and is connected to the hinge point of the annular truss.

5. A truss-type retractable structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The central drive mechanism also includes a synchronous drive component that can drive the two slides to move synchronously and symmetrically.

6. A truss-type retractable structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The synchronous drive assembly includes a double helical screw, a screw nut, and a guide rod. The double helical screw is coaxially rotatably connected to two fixed base plates. The guide rod is connected to the two fixed base plates. There are two screw nuts, with each slide corresponding to one screw nut and fixedly connected to the corresponding screw nut. The two slides are screwed to the two studs of the double helical screw via the corresponding screw nuts. Each slide is slidably connected to the guide rod.

7. A truss-type retractable structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the ring truss after unfolding is greater than 1m.

8. A truss-type retractable structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ring truss is a hexagonal truss.

9. A truss antenna, characterized in that, It includes an antenna and a truss-type retractable structure as described in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein one end of the antenna is connected to a ring truss and the other end is connected to a fixed base plate.

10. A method for assembling a truss antenna, characterized in that, The truss antenna described in claim 9 is used, and the construction process is as follows: S1, the rocket transports the retracted truss antenna structure to the target location; S2, the double helix screw rotates, and the two screw nuts drive their respective connected slides to move towards the fixed base plate, and the cable is gradually released; S3, the torsion springs at the ends of each support link release the stored elastic force, and the torsion springs drive the support links to rotate from vertical to horizontal, the ring truss unfolds, and the antenna is straightened; S4, the double helix screw stops rotating, and the antenna structure is now complete.

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