A high-precision rope transmission synchronous joint device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism

Abstract

The application discloses a high-precision rope transmission synchronous joint device for a planar antenna unfolding mechanism, characterized by comprising a base, a main shaft, a locking nut, an inclined rod assembly, a middle rod assembly, a rope head fixing assembly and a rope; the inclined rod joint assembly and the two sets of middle rod joint assemblies are connected with the base through the main shaft and locked by the locking nut, and the inclined rod joint assembly and the middle rod joint assembly can freely rotate around the main shaft; the rope is connected with the inclined rod joint through the rope head fixing assembly, the rope is wound in the rope groove of each inclined rod joint in an "8" shape, and the rope transmission of the inclined rod joint assembly is realized; the taper sleeve in the rope head fixing assembly is connected with the inclined rod joint through screw threads, and the pre-tightening force of the rope can be adjusted by adjusting the screw thread length. The application can assist the satellite antenna board to more stably and synchronously reach the unfolded state from the folded state, guarantee the high rigidity and high precision of the antenna, and meet the requirements of high transmission efficiency and light weight of the space equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace deployment mechanisms, and more specifically to a high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Planar active phased array antennas are a rapidly developing new technology in recent years and have been widely used. Because planar active phased array antennas need to meet the requirements of high precision and high rigidity during operation, and because they are in retracted and deployed states during transmission and operation respectively, most employ deployment mechanisms for support. To enhance the overall stability and reliability of the deployment mechanism, a synchronous connector device is added between adjacent antenna panels to achieve synchronous deployment of the connector's two ends, thereby assisting in the synchronous transition of the antenna panels from the retracted state to the flattened state.

[0003] If a traditional rigid structure is used for transmission in a synchronization connector device, gaps will exist during actual transmission due to limitations in manufacturing precision. These gaps accumulate after multiple rigid connections, significantly impacting the accuracy of the synchronization transmission, resulting in very low transmission efficiency and even wobbling and instability. Furthermore, rigid mechanisms suffer from force loss during transmission. As force passes through multiple rigid structures, this loss accumulates, ultimately leading to extremely low force transmission efficiency and preventing the synchronous deployment of objects at both ends of the synchronization connector device. To address these issues, this invention proposes a high-precision rope-driven synchronization connector device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main technical problem solved by this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of traditional rigid transmission, such as large gaps, poor accuracy, low efficiency, and inability to guarantee the synchronous unfolding of objects at both ends of the synchronous joint device due to the limitation of processing precision. This invention proposes a high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for planar antenna unfolding mechanisms. It can reduce transmission gaps by pre-tightening the rope, ensuring transmission accuracy and efficiency, which is beneficial for the synchronous unfolding of antenna panels and reduces the overall weight of the device.

[0005] The high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for the planar antenna deployment mechanism connects the inclined rod joint assembly and two sets of middle rod joint assemblies to the base via a main shaft and locks them with locking nuts. The inclined rod joint assembly and the middle rod joint assembly can rotate freely around the main shaft. The rope is connected to the inclined rod joint via a rope end fixing assembly. The rope is wound in a figure-eight loop in the rope groove of each inclined rod joint to realize the rope drive of the synchronous joint. The conical sleeve in the rope end fixing assembly is threaded to the inclined rod joint. The preload of the rope can be adjusted by adjusting the thread length.

[0006] The aforementioned diagonal joint assembly uses a U-shaped connector to connect two diagonal joints to enhance their rigidity. A spherical bearing is installed in the diagonal joint and pressed by an end cap to reduce rotational friction and clearance with the spindle. The diagonal joint is designed with a rope groove and a threaded hole for fixing the rope end.

[0007] In the aforementioned middle rod joint assembly, a spherical bearing is installed in the diagonal rod joint and pressed by an end cap to reduce friction and clearance with the main shaft.

[0008] In the aforementioned synchronous joint rope drive, the rope material is para-aramid fiber, specifically Kevlar, which is two-dimensionally braided and hollow tubular. Two ropes are connected to two sets of diagonal joint assemblies via rope end fixing components, and are wound within the rope grooves of the diagonal joints, forming an "8" shape. The rope end fixing components and diagonal joints are connected by threads. By rotating the outer hexagon of the rope end fixing component with a wrench, the length of the connecting thread can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the rope preload.

[0009] In the rope end fixing assembly, the conical sleeve has a conical hole inside and threads and an external hexagonal head on its outer surface for threaded connection with the diagonal bar connector. When fixing the rope end, the rope end is passed through the conical sleeve, glue is injected inside, the wedge is inserted into the conical sleeve and pressed tightly, and the pressure cap is used to prevent the wedge from loosening. It is connected to the conical sleeve by threads.

[0010] The beneficial effects and innovative aspects of this invention are, but are not limited to:

[0011] (1) The present invention uses rope transmission as the transmission method. By pre-tightening, the transmission gap is reduced, and the transmission accuracy and transmission efficiency are guaranteed. This can help the satellite antenna plate to reach the unfolded state more stably and synchronously from the folded state.

[0012] (2) The present invention uses Kevlar as the rope transmission material, which reduces the overall weight of the device and is conducive to the lightweighting of aerospace equipment;

[0013] (3) The rope end fixing method adopted in this invention is firmly fixed and has the function of adjusting the pretension force;

[0014] (4) The present invention employs multiple pre-tightening to reduce the influence of rope creep on the pre-tightening force. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the deployment and retraction of a planar antenna deployment mechanism based on a high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a diagonal joint assembly;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the center rod joint assembly;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the rope transmission method of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the rope fixing method of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the rope end fixing component.

[0023] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0024] 101—Base

[0025] 102—Spindle

[0026] 103—Locking Nut

[0027] 2—Diagonal brace joint assembly

[0028] 201—Diagonal Joint

[0029] 202—U-shaped connector

[0030] 203—Spherical plain bearing

[0031] 204—End Cap

[0032] 3—Middle Rod Joint Assembly

[0033] 301—Middle Rod Joint

[0034] 302—Spherical plain bearing

[0035] 303—End Cap

[0036] 4—Rope end fixing components

[0037] 401—Conical Sleeve

[0038] 402—Wedge

[0039] 403—Cap

[0040] 501—Rope Detailed Implementation

[0041] The solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] A high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism includes: a base 101, a main shaft 102, a locking nut 103, a diagonal rod assembly 2, a central rod assembly 3, a rope end fixing assembly 4, and a rope 501, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown.

[0043] The planar antenna deployment mechanism is composed of multiple sets of rods. Each rod consists of a round rod and two joints, with both ends of the round rod fixedly connected to the joints. The joints are connected to each other via revolute joints. Under the action of an external driving force, each rod rotates around the revolute joints, allowing it to transition from a fully retracted state to an deployed state. Figure 2 As shown.

[0044] The aforementioned diagonal joint assembly 2 consists of a diagonal joint 201, a U-shaped connector 202, a spherical bearing 203, and an end cap 204, as follows: Figure 3 As shown;

[0045] The aforementioned middle rod joint assembly 3 consists of a middle rod joint 301, a spherical bearing 302, and an end cap 303, as follows: Figure 4 As shown;

[0046] The rope end fixing assembly 4 consists of a conical sleeve 401, a wedge block 402, and a pressure cap 403, as shown below. Figure 7 As shown.

[0047] The diagonal joint assembly 2 and the two sets of middle rod joint assemblies 3 are connected to the base 101 via the main shaft 102 and locked with the locking nut 103. The diagonal joint assembly 2 and the middle rod joint assembly 3 can rotate freely around the main shaft. The rope 501 is connected to the diagonal joint 201 via the rope end fixing assembly 4. The rope 501 is wound in the rope groove of each diagonal joint 201 in a figure-eight loop to realize the rope transmission of the synchronous joint. The cone sleeve in the rope end fixing assembly 4 is threaded to the diagonal joint 201. The preload of the rope 501 can be adjusted by adjusting the thread length.

[0048] The aforementioned diagonal joint assembly 2 uses a U-shaped connector 202 to connect two diagonal joints 201, enhancing their rigidity. A spherical bearing 203 is installed in the diagonal joint 201 and pressed tightly by an end cap 204 to reduce rotational friction and clearance with the main shaft 102. The diagonal joint 201 is designed with rope grooves and threaded holes for fixing the rope ends. Figure 3 As shown.

[0049] The aforementioned middle rod joint assembly 3, with the spherical bearing 302 installed in the diagonal rod joint 301 and pressed together by the end cap 303, is used to reduce friction and clearance with the main shaft 102, such as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0050] In the aforementioned synchronous joint rope drive, the rope 501 is made of para-aramid fiber, specifically Kevlar, using a two-dimensional braided, hollow tubular design. Two ropes 501 are connected to two sets of diagonal joint assemblies 2 via rope end fixing components 4, and are wound within the rope grooves of the diagonal joint 201, forming an "8" shape. The rope end fixing component 4 and the diagonal joint 201 are connected by threads. By rotating the outer hexagon of the rope end fixing component 4 with a wrench, the length of the connecting thread can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the preload of the rope 501. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown.

[0051] In the rope end fixing assembly 4, the conical sleeve 401 has a conical hole inside and threads and an external hexagonal head on its outer surface for threaded connection with the diagonal joint 201. When fixing the rope end of the rope 501, the rope end is passed through the conical sleeve 401, glue is injected inside, and the wedge 402 is inserted into the conical sleeve 401 and pressed tightly. The pressure cap 403 is used to prevent the wedge 402 from loosening and is threadedly connected to the conical sleeve 401. Figure 7 As shown.

[0052] Before assembly, rope 501 needs to be pre-tensioned. Every 3 minutes, rope 501 is pre-tensioned to the required pre-tension force, repeated 10 times. After 10 pre-tensioning cycles, the creep of rope 501 is significantly reduced. During assembly, the pre-tension force of rope 501 is adjusted by changing the threaded connection length of the rope end fixing assembly 4, while simultaneously ensuring the angles of the two sets of diagonal joint assemblies 2 meet the requirements. After 24 hours, rope 501 is retightened to the initial pre-tension force, again meeting the angle requirements of the diagonal joint assemblies.

[0053] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and the above examples are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions to the solutions of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and should be included within the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a base, a main shaft, a locking nut, a diagonal rod connector assembly, a middle rod connector assembly, a rope end fixing assembly, and a rope. The diagonal rod connector assembly and two sets of middle rod connector assemblies are connected to the base via the main shaft and locked with locking nuts. The diagonal rod connector assembly and the middle rod connector assembly can rotate freely around the main shaft. Each diagonal rod connector assembly includes two diagonal rod connectors, a U-shaped connector, a spherical bearing, and an end cap. The U-shaped connector connects the two diagonal rod connectors. The spherical bearing is installed in the diagonal rod connector and pressed by the end cap to reduce rotational friction and clearance with the main shaft. The diagonal rod connector has a rope groove and a threaded hole for fixing the rope end. The rope is connected to the diagonal rod connector through the rope end fixing assembly. The rope is wound in a figure-eight loop within the rope groove of each diagonal rod connector to achieve rope transmission in the diagonal rod connector assembly. The conical sleeve in the rope end fixing assembly is threadedly connected to the diagonal rod connector. Adjusting the thread length adjusts the preload of the rope.

2. The high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rope is made of para-aramid fiber, specifically Kevlar, and features a two-dimensional braided, hollow tubular design. Two ropes are connected to two sets of diagonal joint assemblies via rope end fixing components and are wound around the rope grooves of the diagonal joints, forming an "8" shape. The rope end fixing components and diagonal joints are connected by threads. By turning the outer hexagon of the rope end fixing components with a wrench, the length of the connecting threads can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the rope preload.

3. The high-precision rope-driven synchronous joint device for a planar antenna deployment mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rope end fixing assembly includes a conical sleeve, a wedge, and a pressure cap. The conical sleeve has a conical hole inside and threads and an external hexagon on its outer surface for threaded connection with the diagonal bar connector. When fixing the rope end, the rope end is passed through the conical sleeve, glue is injected inside, the wedge is inserted into the conical sleeve and pressed tightly, and the pressure cap is used to prevent the wedge from loosening. It is connected to the conical sleeve by threads.

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