A self-guiding space truss with high fold-to-deploy ratio
By designing a self-guided space support unit, and utilizing a combination of zigzag grooves, triangular grooves, and ribs, a high folding-to-expansion ratio, simple driving, and stable and reliable expansion and contraction of the space support structure is achieved, solving the problems of complex driving and low reliability in existing technologies.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUHAN UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing space-expandable structures are complex and have low reliability, while commonly used structures are unstable and costly.
Multiple rectangular support plates are used, with zigzag grooves and triangular grooves on the support plates. Combined with the rib design, the self-guided spatial support unit can be extended and retracted by rope drive. The cooperation of the zigzag grooves and triangular grooves eliminates the need for pre-folding. Combined with the ribs to enhance the rigidity of the support plates, stable, reliable and quick extension and retraction can be achieved.
A simple driving method for a space support structure with a high folding-to-expansion ratio was achieved, which improved the stability and reliability of the structure, ensured the orderly compression and expansion of the space support units, and reduced costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN117864423B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of expandable spatial structures, and in particular to a self-guiding spatial support structure with a high deflection-to-expansion ratio. Background Technology
[0002] Space deployable support structures are widely used in the aerospace field, often serving as support structures for space equipment such as satellites and space antennas. These structures require the highest possible fold-out ratio to accommodate the limited storage space and long-distance deployment requirements during launch.
[0003] Currently, deployable spatial structures often employ complex mechanisms to form spatial trusses. These solutions typically require numerous spatial links and hinge points, leading to instability, complex actuation, and high costs. Another approach involves inflatable origami structures, but this method suffers from low reliability due to the significant impact of air leakage. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the issues of complex driving mechanisms and low reliability in current space deployable structures, this application provides a self-guided space support unit and support structure with a high unfolding ratio.
[0005] The high folding ratio self-guided space support unit provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A high folding-to-width ratio self-guided space support unit, comprising:
[0007] Multiple support plates, which are rectangular and elastic, are connected end to end to form a thin-walled structure with a closed cross section; the support plates can be folded along their own centerline, so that the thin-walled structure can be compressed along its own axis;
[0008] Two sets of zigzag grooves are provided on each of the support plates. The zigzag groove sets extend obliquely from the apex of the support plate toward the center line. The two sets of zigzag groove sets are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the center line of the support plate. Each set of zigzag groove sets includes two parallel rows of zigzag grooves. Each row of zigzag grooves includes multiple zigzag grooves arranged at intervals along its own length.
[0009] Multiple ribs are fixedly disposed on the inner side of the support plate, and the positions of the ribs and the folded grooves correspond one-to-one. The ribs are located on the side of the corresponding folded grooves.
[0010] A triangular groove is formed on the edge of the support plate, and one vertex of the triangular groove is located on the center line of the support plate.
[0011] The zigzag groove weakens the rigidity of the support plate. When axial pressure is applied to the spatial support unit, the support plate folds inward along the zigzag groove. At the same time, the triangular groove reduces the reaction force when the support plate deforms at its centerline, making it easier for the support plate to fold inward along its own centerline under external force. Through the cooperation of the zigzag groove and the triangular groove, the spatial support unit can be compressed along its own axis without pre-folding.
[0012] Ribs enhance the stiffness of the support plate along the fold lines, helping to prevent the fold lines from collapsing due to the weakening of the support plate's stiffness during folding, thus improving the stability of the spatial support unit's expansion and contraction. On the other hand, ribs guide the folding of the support plate: because the ribs are located on the inside of the support plate, when the support plate is folded along the fold lines, the center lines of the two rows of fold lines will always protrude in the direction pointed by the ribs. This is because the "initial strain energy" of the deformation is less than the "initial strain energy" of folding in the opposite direction, which conforms to the principle of minimum energy. At the same time, it also ensures that when the support plate is folded along its own centerline, the folding direction remains inward.
[0013] When the external force is removed, the support plate springs open under its own elasticity, thereby allowing the space support unit to extend along its own axis. This application features a simple structure that enables rapid extension and retraction of the space support unit, ensuring stability and reliability.
[0014] Furthermore, the support plate has multiple folding seams, and the rib is formed by folding the support plate inward along the folding seams. The hole formed on the support plate after folding is the folded groove.
[0015] Furthermore, the fold seam includes a long seam and short seams respectively connected to both ends of the long seam, the long seam being parallel to the fold groove, and the short seams being orthogonal to the long seam.
[0016] Fold the support plate inward along the fold seam to form the ribs and folded grooves; the processing steps are relatively simple.
[0017] Furthermore, in each column of the zigzag grooves, the inward folding direction of the ribs faces the adjacent column of zigzag grooves.
[0018] In this way, the distance between the two rows of ribs is closer, which has a better effect on strengthening the stiffness of the support plate folds.
[0019] Furthermore, in each group of the broken grooves, the two columns of broken grooves are arranged in an alternating pattern.
[0020] In this way, the two rows of folded grooves are arranged alternately, and the corresponding two rows of ribs are also arranged alternately. The two rows of interlaced ribs are coupled to each other, which has a better effect on strengthening the stiffness of the support plate folds.
[0021] Furthermore, the angle between the zigzag groove array and the centerline of the support plate is 30° to 75°.
[0022] Within this angle range, the support plate can be folded smoothly.
[0023] This application provides a high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guided space support structure, including multiple high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guided space support units, which are connected sequentially along their own extension and contraction directions; it also includes a driving member for compressing the multiple space support units.
[0024] The space support unit is compressed by the driving component, thereby flattening the entire space support structure; when the external force of the driving component is removed, the space support unit springs open along its own axis under the elastic action of the support plate, thereby extending the entire space support structure into a column shape.
[0025] Furthermore, the two open ends of the high folding ratio self-guided space support structure are respectively fixed to a top plate and a bottom plate, and the driving component includes a rope fixed to the top plate, the rope passing through multiple space support units and penetrating the bottom plate.
[0026] Pulling the ropes causes the top plate to move closer to the bottom plate, compressing each spatial support unit along its own axis, thus flattening the entire spatial support structure along its axis. Releasing the ropes allows the spatial support units to spring open along their own axes under the elasticity of the support plate, thereby extending the entire spatial support structure into a column shape with a high folding-to-expansion ratio.
[0027] The driving method of this application is simple; the compression or extension of the space support structure can be achieved simply by operating the ropes. This application can be applied to the aerospace field, where space equipment such as antennas and solar panels can be installed on the space support unit. After the space support unit is flattened, it can be transported into space, and then the ropes can be released to unfold the space support unit, which facilitates the normal operation of the space equipment.
[0028] Furthermore, a partition is provided between two adjacent space support units, and the rope passes through multiple partitions in sequence.
[0029] The partition is used to separate two adjacent spatial support units from each other, so as to reduce the deformation coupling effect between two adjacent spatial support units, so that the deformation of each spatial support unit is independent of each other. Under the drive of the rope, multiple spatial support units can deform one by one, realizing the orderly compression or extension of the spatial support structure.
[0030] Furthermore, the dimensions of the triangular grooves in the plurality of spatial support units are gradually varied, with the dimensions of the triangular grooves decreasing sequentially from the top plate to the bottom plate.
[0031] The larger the size of the triangular groove, the smaller the deformation stiffness of the spatial support unit. In spatial support units near the top plate, the triangular groove is larger, resulting in lower deformation stiffness; in spatial support units near the bottom plate, the triangular groove is smaller, resulting in higher deformation stiffness. That is, from the top plate to the bottom plate, the deformation stiffness of the spatial support units increases sequentially. Thus, when the spatial support structure is compressed via ropes, the spatial support units near the top plate will be compressed first, followed by multiple spatial support units compressed sequentially along the direction from the top plate to the bottom plate, helping to ensure the orderly and stable compression of the overall spatial support structure.
[0032] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:
[0033] 1. By using a combination of zigzag grooves and triangular grooves, the spatial support unit can expand and contract along its own axis without pre-folding;
[0034] 2. Ribs can enhance the rigidity of the support plate along the fold groove, which helps to prevent the fold groove from collapsing due to the weakening of the rigidity of the support plate during folding, thereby improving the stability of the expansion and contraction of the space support unit.
[0035] 3. The spatial support structure provided in this application has a high folding-to-expansion ratio and a simple driving method, which can achieve compression or extension of the spatial support structure simply by operating the ropes;
[0036] 4. By setting up partitions and triangular grooves with gradually varying sizes, it helps to ensure the orderliness and stability of the overall compression of the spatial support structure. Attached Figure Description
[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the space support unit in Embodiment 1 of this application;
[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support plate in Embodiment 1 of this application;
[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram used in Embodiment 1 of this application to mainly illustrate the compressed state of the space support unit;
[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the space support structure in Embodiment 2 of this application;
[0041] Figure 5 This is a partial exploded structural diagram of the space support structure in Embodiment 2 of this application;
[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram used in Embodiment 2 of this application to mainly demonstrate the compressed state of the space support structure.
[0043] Reference numerals: 1. Spatial support unit; 11. Support plate; 111. Centerline; 12. Folded groove; 13. Rib plate; 14. Triangular groove; 15. Fold joint; 151. Long joint; 152. Short joint; 2. Top plate; 3. Bottom plate; 4. Partition plate; 5. Rope. Detailed Implementation
[0044] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 This application will be described in further detail.
[0045] Example 1
[0046] This application discloses a high aspect ratio self-guided space support unit 1. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guided spatial support unit 1 includes multiple rectangular support plates 11, which are connected end-to-end to form a thin-walled structure with a closed cross-section. In this embodiment, four support plates 11 are used, and the four support plates 11 together form a columnar thin-walled structure with a square cross-section. The support plates 11 are elastic and can be made of rubber-like materials, such as TPU rubber. The support plates 11 can be folded along their own centerline 111, allowing the thin-walled structure to be compressed along its own axial direction.
[0047] Reference Figure 1 Each support plate 11 is provided with two sets of zigzag grooves, which extend obliquely from the apex of the support plate 11 towards the centerline 111. The two sets of zigzag grooves are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the centerline 111 of the support plate 11. Each set of zigzag grooves includes two parallel rows of zigzag grooves, and each row of zigzag grooves includes multiple zigzag grooves 12 arranged at intervals along its own length. Multiple ribs 13 are fixedly provided on the inner side of the support plate 11. The positions of the ribs 13 correspond one-to-one with the zigzag grooves 12, and the ribs 13 are located on the side of the corresponding zigzag grooves 12.
[0048] The zigzag groove 12 and the rib plate 13 are manufactured using the following methods:
[0049] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The support plate 11 has multiple C-shaped folding seams 15. Each folding seam 15 includes a long seam 151 and two short seams 152 connected to the two ends of the long seam 151. The short seams 152 are orthogonal to the long seam 151. The long seam 151 and the two short seams 152 together form a rectangular folding area. The folding area is folded inward along the folding seam 15 to form a rib 13. After folding, the holes formed on the support plate 11 are folded grooves 12. Thus, the positions of the ribs 13 and the folded grooves 12 correspond one-to-one, and the ribs 13 are located on the side of the corresponding folded grooves 12.
[0050] To reduce interference during the folding process of rib 13, the width of the folding seam 15 is approximately 1 / 4 of the thickness of the support plate 11. To reduce springback after folding, the folded rib 13 can be heated and then cooled to set its shape.
[0051] Furthermore, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The edge of the support plate 11 is provided with a triangular groove 14, and one vertex of the triangular groove 14 is located on the center line 111 of the support plate 11.
[0052] The zigzag groove 12 weakens the rigidity of the support plate 11. When axial pressure is applied to the thin-walled structure of the spatial support unit 1, the support plate 11 folds inward along the zigzag groove 12. The smaller the distance between two adjacent rows of zigzag grooves, the stronger the mechanical coupling between the two rows of zigzag grooves, and the better the folding effect. In order to achieve smooth folding of the support plate 11, the angle between the zigzag groove row and the centerline 111 of the support plate 11 is 30° to 75°.
[0053] Meanwhile, the triangular groove 14 can reduce the reaction force when the support plate 11 deforms at the centerline 111, making the support plate 11 easier to fold inward along its own centerline 111 under the action of external force. By cooperating with the folded groove 12 and the triangular groove 14, the spatial support unit 1 can be compressed along its own axis without pre-folding.
[0054] The rib 13 enhances the rigidity of the support plate 11 along the fold groove 12, helping to prevent the fold from collapsing due to the weakening of the rigidity of the support plate 11 by the fold groove 12 during folding, thereby improving the stability of the expansion and contraction of the space support unit 1. To enhance the reinforcing effect of the rib 13, the width of the rib 13 is approximately four times the thickness of the support plate 11.
[0055] To further improve the reinforcing effect of rib 13, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In each group of folded grooves, the open ends of the two rows of folded seams 15 "C-shaped" are arranged opposite each other, so that in each row of folded grooves, the inward folding direction of the rib plate 13 faces the adjacent row of folded grooves. In this way, the distance between the two rows of rib plates 13 is closer, which has a better effect on strengthening the stiffness of the folds of the support plate 11.
[0056] Furthermore, referring to Figure 1 In each group of zigzag grooves, the two columns of zigzag grooves are arranged in an alternating manner. That is, the zigzag grooves 12 are not arranged in a one-to-one correspondence between two adjacent columns of zigzag grooves, but are arranged alternately. In this way, the corresponding two columns of ribs 13 are also arranged alternately, and the two columns of alternating ribs 13 are coupled with each other, which has a better effect on strengthening the stiffness of the folds of the support plate 11.
[0057] On the other hand, the rib 13 has a guiding effect on the folding of the support plate 11: since the rib 13 is located inside the support plate 11, when the support plate 11 is folded along the fold groove 12, the center line of the two rows of fold grooves 12 will always protrude in the direction pointed by the rib 13, because the "initial strain energy" of such deformation is less than the "initial strain energy" of folding in the opposite direction, which conforms to the principle of minimum energy; at the same time, when the support plate 11 is folded along its own center line 111, the folding direction remains inward.
[0058] Guided by the rib 13, the centerlines 111 of all the support plates 11 protrude into the interior of the thin-walled structure, forming a "negative Poisson's ratio" effect; with continuous compression, they will exhibit regular folding until flattened, as... Figure 3 As shown.
[0059] When the external force is removed, the support plate 11 springs open under its own elasticity, thereby allowing the space support unit 1 to extend along its own axis. The structure of this application is simple, enabling the space support unit 1 to extend and retract quickly, and it is stable, reliable, and has a high folding-to-expansion ratio.
[0060] The implementation principle of a high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guided space support unit 1 according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: When axial pressure is applied to the thin-walled structure of the space support unit 1, the support plate 11 folds inward along the folded groove 12; simultaneously, the triangular groove 14 reduces the reaction force when the support plate 11 deforms at its centerline 111, making it easier for the support plate 11 to fold inward along its own centerline 111 under external force; through the cooperation of the folded groove 12 and the triangular groove 14, the space support unit 1 can be compressed along its own axial direction without pre-folding. The rib plate 13 can enhance the stiffness of the support plate 11 along the folded groove 12, thereby improving the stability of the expansion and contraction of the space support unit 1. When the external force is removed, the support plate 11 springs open under its own elasticity, thereby allowing the space support unit 1 to extend along its own axial direction. The space support unit 1 provided by this application has a simple structure, can realize the quick expansion and contraction of the space support unit 1, and is stable and reliable.
[0061] Example 2
[0062] This application discloses a high folding-to-width ratio self-guided spatial support structure. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guided space support structure includes multiple high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guided space support units 1, which are connected sequentially along their own extension and contraction directions; it also includes a driving component for compressing the multiple space support units 1.
[0063] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The two open ends of the high-folding-ratio self-guided space support structure are respectively fixed to a top plate 2 and a bottom plate 3. The driving component includes a rope 5 fixed to the top plate 2. The rope 5 passes through multiple space support units 1 and through the bottom plate 3.
[0064] Pulling rope 5 causes the top plate 2 to move closer to the bottom plate 3, compressing each spatial support unit 1 along its own axis, thereby flattening the entire spatial support structure axially. Figure 6 As shown. When the rope 5 is released, the space support unit 1 springs open along its own axis under the elastic action of the support plate 11, thereby extending the entire space support structure into a column shape with a high folding-to-expansion ratio.
[0065] To achieve the orderly expansion and contraction of multiple spatial support units 1, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 A partition 4 is provided between two adjacent space support units 1, and ropes 5 pass through multiple partitions 4 in sequence.
[0066] The partition 4 is used to separate two adjacent spatial support units 1 from each other, so as to reduce the deformation coupling effect between the two adjacent spatial support units 1 and make the deformation of each spatial support unit 1 independent of each other. Driven by the rope 5, multiple spatial support units 1 can deform one by one, realizing the orderly compression or extension of the spatial support structure.
[0067] Furthermore, referring to Figure 4 The dimensions of the triangular grooves 14 in the multiple spatial support units 1 are gradually set, and the dimensions of the triangular grooves 14 decrease sequentially from the top plate 2 to the bottom plate 3.
[0068] The larger the size of the triangular groove 14, the smaller the deformation stiffness of the spatial support unit 1. In the spatial support unit 1 near the top plate 2, the size of the triangular groove 14 is larger, and the deformation stiffness of the spatial support unit 1 is smaller; in the spatial support unit 1 near the bottom plate 3, the size of the triangular groove 14 is smaller, and the deformation stiffness of the spatial support unit 1 is larger; that is, from the top plate 2 to the bottom plate 3, the deformation stiffness of the spatial support unit 1 increases sequentially.
[0069] Thus, when the spatial support structure is compressed by the rope 5, the spatial support unit 1 near the top plate 2 will be compressed first, and then multiple spatial support units 1 will be compressed in sequence along the direction from the top plate 2 to the bottom plate 3, which helps to ensure the orderliness and stability of the overall compression of the spatial support structure.
[0070] The space support structure provided in this application has a simple driving method, which only requires operating rope 5 to achieve the compression or extension of the space support structure. It is low in cost and highly stable. This application can be applied in the aerospace field, where space equipment such as antennas and solar panels are installed on space support units 1. After multiple space support units 1 are flattened and transported into space, rope 5 is released, allowing multiple space support units 1 to unfold sequentially, facilitating the normal operation of the space equipment.
[0071] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A self-guided spatial support unit with a high folding-to-width ratio, characterized in that: include: Multiple support plates, the support plates are rectangular and elastic, and the multiple support plates are connected end to end to form a thin-walled structure with a closed cross section; The support plate can be folded along its own centerline, so that the thin-walled structure can be compressed along its own axis; Two sets of zigzag grooves are provided on each of the support plates. The zigzag groove sets extend obliquely from the apex of the support plate toward the center line. The two sets of zigzag groove sets are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the center line of the support plate. Each set of zigzag groove sets includes two parallel rows of zigzag grooves. Each row of zigzag grooves includes multiple zigzag grooves arranged at intervals along its own length. Multiple ribs are fixedly disposed on the inner side of the support plate, and the positions of the ribs and the folded grooves correspond one-to-one. The ribs are located on the side of the corresponding folded grooves. A triangular groove is formed on the edge of the support plate, and one vertex of the triangular groove is located on the center line of the support plate.
2. The self-guiding spatial support unit with high folding-to-expansion ratio according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support plate has multiple folding seams, and the rib is formed by folding the support plate inward along the folding seams. The hole formed on the support plate after folding is the folded groove.
3. The high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guiding spatial support unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The folded seam includes a long seam and short seams connected to both ends of the long seam. The long seam is parallel to the folded groove, and the short seams are orthogonal to the long seam.
4. A high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guiding spatial support unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: In each column of the zigzag grooves, the inward folding direction of the ribs faces the adjacent column of zigzag grooves.
5. A high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guiding spatial support unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: In each group of the broken grooves, the two columns of broken grooves are arranged in an alternating manner.
6. A high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guiding spatial support unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle between the zigzag groove array and the centerline of the support plate is 30°~75°.
7. A self-guiding spatial support structure with a high folding-to-expansion ratio, characterized in that: It includes a plurality of self-guided space support units with high folding-to-expansion ratio as described in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the plurality of space support units are connected sequentially along their own extension and contraction directions; it also includes a drive member for driving the plurality of space support units to compress.
8. A high folding-to-width ratio self-guiding spatial support structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The two open ends of the high folding ratio self-guided space support structure are respectively fixed to a top plate and a bottom plate. The driving component includes a rope fixed to the top plate, which passes through multiple space support units and through the bottom plate.
9. A high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guiding spatial support structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: A partition is provided between two adjacent spatial support units, and the rope passes through multiple partitions in sequence.
10. A high folding-to-expansion ratio self-guiding spatial support structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The dimensions of the triangular grooves in the multiple spatial support units are gradually varied, decreasing sequentially from the top plate to the bottom plate.