A solar cell array driving mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar cell array drive mechanism, one end of which is connected to the solar cell array and the other end is connected to the energy storage system and the control system. The mechanism comprises: a rotating component and a fixed component, wherein the fixed component is sleeved on the outside of the rotating component, and a gap space is reserved between the fixed component and the rotating component; the fixed component is provided with a rotating end electrical connector at one end of the solar cell array and a fixed end electrical connector at the other end; a flexible printed circuit board is provided in the gap space between the rotating component and the fixed component, and the two ends of the flexible printed circuit board are respectively connected to the rotating end electrical connector and the fixed end electrical connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of solar power generation technology, and in particular to the field of a solar cell array driving mechanism. Background Art

[0002] The solar array drive mechanism is an important component of the spacecraft energy system. As a connecting device between the spacecraft body and the solar array, on the one hand, it needs to transmit the converted current and electrical signals generated by the solar array into the spacecraft to realize the electrical transmission function; on the other hand, it needs to drive the solar array to rotate according to control instructions to realize the solar orientation function.

[0003] my country's space industry has made rapid progress in recent years, particularly in commercial spaceflight, with spacecraft increasingly moving toward lighter weight and smaller dimensions. As a key component of a spacecraft platform, the solar array drive mechanism is a crucial hub in the spacecraft's energy system. With the development of spacecraft platforms, the drive mechanism is also facing increasing demands for lighter weight, smaller size, and lower cost.

[0004] Currently, drive mechanisms can be primarily categorized into three types based on the form of electrical transmission: conductive slip rings, conductive roller rings, and cable swing mechanisms. Most spacecraft currently use slip rings. Both types, due to the limitations of the electrical conductivity principle, are heavy, large, and costly, making them difficult to meet the demands of lightweighting and miniaturization. Cable swing mechanisms, on the other hand, have a limited range of rotation, impacting the solar array's absorption and utilization of solar energy, and are susceptible to fatigue wear on the cable insulation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the defects in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a solar cell array drive mechanism to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in that the conductive slip rings and conductive rolling rings are limited by the conductive principle, are heavy and have large dimensions, and are difficult to lightweight and miniaturize; and the cable swing limits the rotation range of the drive mechanism, affecting the absorption and utilization rate of solar energy.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present application provides a solar cell array drive mechanism, one end of which is connected to the solar cell array, and the other end of which is connected to the energy storage system and the control system. The drive mechanism includes: a rotating component and a fixed component, wherein the fixed component is sleeved on the outside of the rotating component, and a gap space is reserved between the fixed component and the rotating component;

[0007] The fixing component is provided with a rotating end electrical connector at one end of the solar cell array and a fixed end electrical connector at the other end;

[0008] A flexible printed circuit board is arranged in the gap space between the rotating component and the fixed component, and two ends of the flexible printed circuit board are respectively connected to the rotating end electrical connector and the fixed end electrical connector.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the rotating component includes a transmission shaft, and an outer ring of one end of the transmission shaft connected to the solar cell array is provided with: a fixed component drive mechanism output flange, and a rotating end electrical connector is fixedly provided on the drive mechanism output flange;

[0010] The outer ring at one end of the transmission shaft connected to the energy storage system and the control system is provided with: a motor mounting end cover, and a fixed end electrical connector is provided on the motor mounting end cover. The output flange of the fixed component drive mechanism and the motor mounting end cover are connected through the drive mechanism housing and are sleeved on the outside of the transmission shaft.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the drive mechanism further includes a motor connected to one end of the transmission shaft, and the other end of the transmission shaft is connected to a drive mechanism output flange for driving the solar cell array to achieve solar orientation.

[0012] In a possible implementation, a reduction mechanism is provided between the motor and the transmission shaft, and the transmission mechanism is used to convert the rotation of the motor into the rotation of the transmission shaft.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the flexible printed circuit board includes a fixed-end mechanical connection interface and a rotating-end mechanical connection interface, which are respectively used to be fixedly connected to the fixed component and the rotating component of the driving mechanism.

[0014] In a possible implementation, electrical connection interfaces are provided at both ends of the flexible printed circuit board, respectively, for electrically connecting to the fixed-end electrical connector and the rotating-end electrical connector, respectively.

[0015] In a possible implementation, a plurality of electrical connection paths are distributed on the middle flexible coiled portion of the flexible printed circuit board, which is wound in the gap space between the rotating component and the fixed component by relying on its own flexibility.

[0016] Compared with the existing technology, the present invention includes at least the following beneficial effects: the present invention adopts the above-mentioned technical solution, which not only has the advantages of compact structure and light weight, but also can realize the function of the driving mechanism to transmit electricity within an angle range of more than ±360°. It can be applied to spacecraft platforms with strict requirements on external dimensions and weight, and has obvious advantages compared with traditional driving mechanisms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the following drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a solar cell array driving mechanism in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the flexible printed circuit board in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The following examples will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several changes and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment, the device includes: a drive mechanism output flange 01 connected to the solar array and securing the rotating electrical connector 02. A flexible printed circuit board 03, one end of which is connected to the rotating electrical connector 02 and wound in the annular space between the drive mechanism housing 04 and the drive shaft 09, is connected to the fixed electrical connector 08 at its other end. The fixed electrical connector 08 is connected to the energy storage system within the spacecraft. As a key component for power transmission, the flexible printed circuit board 03 serves as a vital connection hub, transmitting power from the solar array at the rotating end of the spacecraft to the internal energy storage system, thereby powering various systems within the spacecraft. The motor component 06 is the power source of the drive mechanism. This power is transmitted through the reduction gear 05 to the drive shaft 09 and the drive mechanism output flange 01, thereby driving the solar array to achieve solar orientation. A motor mounting end cap 07 covers the exterior of the motor component 06. The drive mechanism mounting flange surface 10 is used to secure the entire drive mechanism.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of a flexible printed circuit board: 11 is the mechanical connection interface of the fixed end of the flexible printed circuit board, 12 is the electrical connection interface of the fixed end of the flexible printed circuit board, 13 is the flexible coiled part in the middle of the flexible printed circuit board, which is distributed with multiple electrical connection paths, 14 is the electrical connection interface of the rotating end of the flexible printed circuit board, and 15 is the mechanical connection interface of the rotating end of the flexible printed circuit board.

[0023] The FPCB's fixed-end mechanical connection interface 11 and rotating-end mechanical connection interface 15 are used to establish fixed connections with the drive mechanism's fixed and rotating components, respectively. The FPCB's fixed-end electrical connection interface 12 and rotating-end electrical connection interface 14 are used to electrically connect to the fixed-end electrical connector 08 and rotating-end electrical connector 02, respectively. These connections establish an electrical pathway between the solar array and the spacecraft's energy storage and control systems, enabling the transmission of electrical power and signals. Multiple electrical connection pathways are distributed throughout the flexible coiled portion 13 in the center of the FPCB. These pathways, flexibly wrapped around the annular space between the drive mechanism housing 04 and the transmission shaft 09, adapt to relative displacement between the rotating and fixed components during the drive mechanism's rotation by tightening and loosening.

[0024] As a key component for achieving electrical transmission, the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) is connected to the solar cell array at one end through components such as electrical connectors or wires, and structurally connected to the rotating component at the output end of the drive mechanism. The other end is connected to the energy storage and control system within the spacecraft through components such as electrical connectors or wires, and structurally connected to the fixed component at the fixed end of the drive mechanism. By establishing an electrical pathway from the solar cell array to the energy storage and control system within the spacecraft, the transmission of electrical power and signals is achieved. Structurally, the FPCB, relying on its own flexibility, wraps around the rotating and fixed components within the drive mechanism, adapting to the relative displacement between the rotating and fixed components during the drive mechanism's rotation by tightening and releasing them.

[0025] The flexible printed circuit board is installed inside the driving mechanism and relies on its own flexibility to be wrapped between the rotating parts and the fixed parts inside the driving mechanism. It is tightened and released according to the rotation direction of the driving mechanism. There is enough space in the driving mechanism to allow the flexible printed circuit board to be fully tightened and released without getting stuck or wrinkling. The flexible printed circuit board relies on its own soft and flexible characteristics to realize the function of electrical transmission between the moving parts.

[0026] The above describes specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. The embodiments of this application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other in any manner unless there is a conflict.

Claims

1. A solar cell array drive mechanism, one end of which is connected to the solar cell array and the other end is connected to the energy storage system and control system, characterized in that: include: a rotating component and a fixed component, wherein the fixed component is sleeved on the outside of the rotating component, and a gap space is reserved between the fixed component and the rotating component; The fixing component is provided with a rotating end electrical connector at one end of the solar cell array and a fixed end electrical connector at the other end; A flexible printed circuit board is provided in the gap space between the rotating component and the fixed component, and two ends of the flexible printed circuit board are respectively connected to the rotating end electrical connector and the fixed end electrical connector; The rotating component includes a transmission shaft, and the outer ring of one end of the transmission shaft connected to the solar cell array is provided with: a fixed component drive mechanism output flange, and the drive mechanism output flange is fixedly provided with a rotating end electrical connector; The outer ring of one end of the transmission shaft connected to the energy storage system and the control system is provided with: a motor mounting end cover, the motor mounting end cover is provided with a fixed end electrical connector, the fixed component drive mechanism output flange and the motor mounting end cover are connected through the drive mechanism housing and are sleeved outside the transmission shaft; The drive mechanism further includes a motor connected to one end of the transmission shaft, and the other end of the transmission shaft is connected to a drive mechanism output flange for driving the solar cell array to achieve solar orientation; A speed reduction mechanism is provided between the motor and the transmission shaft, and the speed reduction mechanism is used to convert the rotation of the motor into the rotation of the transmission shaft.

2. A solar cell array driving mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible printed circuit board comprises a fixed end mechanical connection interface and a rotating end mechanical connection interface, which are respectively used for fixed connection with the fixed component and the rotating component of the driving mechanism.

3. A solar cell array driving mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both ends of the flexible printed circuit board are provided with electrical connection interfaces, which are used to electrically connect to the fixed end electrical connector and the rotating end electrical connector respectively.

4. A solar cell array driving mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of electrical connection paths are distributed on the middle flexible coiled portion of the flexible printed circuit board, which is wound in the gap space between the rotating component and the fixed component by relying on its own flexibility.

Images