Intelligent composite material based bidirectional deployable sunshade, method of operation and spacecraft

Abstract

The application provides a bidirectional deployment and folding sunshade based on smart composite material and a working method and a spacecraft, and relates to the technical field of space devices.The bidirectional deployment and folding sunshade based on smart composite material utilizes the characteristics of smart composite material and shape memory alloy, sets a sunshade film, a deployment driving part and a folding driving part, and through the cooperation of the deployment driving part with smart composite material and the folding driving part with shape memory alloy, the bidirectional deployment and folding process of the sunshade film can be realized, the impact on the sunshade film is small, the deployment and folding process does not need complex driving structure, the deployment and folding stability can be effectively improved, meanwhile, the high rigidity of the smart composite material under no external excitation is beneficial, the support stability of the sunshade film can be effectively improved, and then the working stability of the bidirectional deployment and folding sunshade based on smart composite material is effectively improved, and the structure of the whole sunshade is simple, the structural quality is small, and the carrying capacity of the carrying work can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace device technology, and more specifically, to a bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on intelligent composite materials, its working method, and a spacecraft. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing size of spacecraft and the continuous development of optical instruments, more stringent requirements have been placed on the suppression of stray light in optical systems. Generally, it is necessary to install light-shielding devices such as light shields to suppress external stray light and improve imaging quality.

[0003] Currently, the sunshade structures used on spacecraft such as satellites are generally rigid structures. The sunshade is usually deployed and retracted through mechanical structures. However, the rigid drive method of mechanical structures is prone to impacting the deployment and retraction process of the sunshade, resulting in poor deployment and retraction stability, which in turn adversely affects the reliability of the sunshade. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem addressed by this invention is how to improve the stability of the deployment and retraction process of a spacecraft's sunshade, thereby enhancing the reliability of the sunshade's use.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a bidirectional expandable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials, comprising a light shielding film, an expandable driving component, and a retractable driving component. The expandable driving component is driven to the light shielding film, and the retractable driving component is driven to the expandable driving component. The light-shielding film is used for unfolding and retracting. The unfolding drive is made of raw materials including smart composite materials and has an initial shape and a temporary shape. The retracting drive is made of raw materials including shape memory alloys and has a stretched state and a contracted state. The deformation direction of the retracting drive is the same as the unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film. When the light-shielding film is unfolded, the retracting drive is in the stretched state, the unfolding drive is in the initial shape, and the retracting drive is used to switch to the contracted state under external excitation, so as to drive the unfolding drive under external excitation to deform along the retracting direction of the light-shielding film to the temporary shape, so that the unfolding drive can drive the light-shielding film to retract. When the light-shielding film is retracted, the unfolding drive member in the temporary shape is used to deform to the initial shape along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film under external excitation, so as to drive the light-shielding film to unfold and drive the retracting drive member to switch to the stretched state.

[0006] Compared to existing technologies, the beneficial effects of the bidirectional expandable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials of the present invention include: Based on the characteristics of intelligent composite materials and shape memory alloys, a light shield, an expansion drive, and a retraction drive are configured to form a bidirectional expandable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials. The expansion drive is driven to connect with the light shield, and the expansion drive is made of raw materials including intelligent composite materials and has an initial shape and a temporary shape. When the expansion drive is in the temporary shape, the light shield is in a retracted state. If it is necessary to expand the light shield at this time, an external stimulus, such as thermal stimulation, can be applied to the expansion drive in the temporary shape. This transforms the light-shielding film into a low-stiffness form. At this point, the unfolding drive component can deform along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film to its initial shape, thereby driving the light-shielding film to unfold. This achieves the unfolding of the light-shielding film without motor drive. The entire process is driven by the self-deformation of the unfolding drive component, which makes the light-shielding film unfold slowly and has less impact on the light-shielding film. This can effectively improve the stability of the bidirectional unfolding and retracting light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials during the unfolding process. Moreover, after the external excitation is eliminated, the unfolding drive component can have a high elastic modulus and stiffness, thereby providing stable support for the unfolded shape of the light-shielding film and improving the reliability of the bidirectional unfolding and retracting light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials.Based on this, a drive connection is established between the retracting drive and the unfolding drive. When the unfolding drive is in its initial shape, the retracting drive is in a stretched state, while the retracting drive is in its initial contracted state. When an external stimulus, such as thermal stimulation, is applied to the retracting drive, it can transition from a stretched state to a contracted state. Since the deformation direction of the retracting drive is the same as the unfolding and contracting direction of the light-shielding film, if an external stimulus, such as thermal stimulation, is applied to cause the unfolding drive to be in a low-stiffness state, the retracting drive, while contracting along the deformation direction, can drive the film to retract from its initial shape. The unfolding drive component deforms to a temporary shape along the retraction direction of the light-shielding film, thereby causing the light-shielding film to retract. The entire retraction process is completed under the contraction action of the shape memory alloy, resulting in a slow retraction of the light-shielding film with minimal impact. This effectively improves the stability of the bidirectional unfolding and retracting light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials during the retraction process. Furthermore, after the external excitation of the unfolding drive component is eliminated, the unfolding drive component exhibits high elastic modulus and stiffness. When the external excitation of the retraction drive component is then eliminated, the deformation of the retraction drive component slowly stops and remains in a contracted state. By releasing the external force exerted by the retracting drive on the unfolding drive, the unfolding drive can maintain its temporary shape. This not only limits the retracted light-shielding film, ensuring the stability of the bidirectional unfolding and retracting space light-shielding cover of the intelligent composite material, but also confines the retracting drive to a contracted state. Thus, when the light-shielding film needs to be unfolded again, the restoring force generated by the unfolding drive returning to its initial shape causes the retracting drive to switch to a stretched state, facilitating subsequent retraction of the light-shielding film. This allows the light-shielding film to achieve [the desired effect] through the cooperation of the unfolding and retracting drive. The bidirectional deployment and retraction process, requiring only external excitation to the deployment and retraction drive components, effectively improves the ease of deployment and retraction of the bidirectional deployment and retraction sunshade based on intelligent composite materials. Furthermore, the entire deployment and retraction drive structure and the post-deployment support structure of the sunshade film in the bidirectional deployment and retraction sunshade based on intelligent composite materials consist only of the deployment and retraction drive components, resulting in a simple structure. The lightweight nature of the intelligent composite material effectively reduces the structural mass of the bidirectional deployment and retraction sunshade based on intelligent composite materials, thereby improving the carrying capacity of the vehicle.

[0007] Optionally, the unfolding drive component includes a deformation drive piece and a first connecting rod. There are multiple first connecting rods, which are arranged sequentially along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film. Adjacent first connecting rods intersect each other. The deformation drive piece is disposed between two adjacent first connecting rods and is connected to the ends of the two adjacent first connecting rods respectively. The deformable driving piece is made of raw materials including smart composite materials. The first connecting rod is driven to be connected to the retracting driving member and the light-shielding film respectively. When the light-shielding film is unfolded, the retracting driving member, which is in the contracted state under external excitation, is used to drive the deformable driving piece under external excitation to deform along the retracting direction of the light-shielding film so that the two adjacent first connecting rods move closer to each other. When the light-shielding film is retracted, the deformable driving piece under external excitation is used to deform along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film so that the two adjacent first connecting rods move away from each other.

[0008] Optionally, the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material further includes a connecting base. There are two connecting bases, which are parallel to each other and spaced apart along the retractable direction of the light shielding film. The retractable drive and the first connecting rod are both located between the two connecting bases. Two of the first connecting rods located at both ends along the retractable direction of the light shielding film are rotatably connected to the two connecting bases respectively. Both ends of the retractable drive are connected to the two connecting bases respectively.

[0009] Optionally, the unfolding drive component further includes a second connecting rod. Multiple second connecting rods are located between the two connecting bases. The multiple second connecting rods are sequentially arranged along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film and are rotatably connected end-to-end. Two of the multiple second connecting rods located at both ends along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film are slidably connected to the two connecting bases respectively, and the sliding direction is parallel to the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod onto the connecting base. Adjacent second connecting rods intersect each other. The second connecting rods and the first connecting rods are arranged in parallel, corresponding one-to-one. The first connecting rods and second connecting rods arranged at the same position along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film intersect, and the middle sections of the first connecting rods and the second connecting rods are rotatably connected.

[0010] Optionally, the connecting base is provided with a hinge seat and a sliding groove. The hinge seat is rotatably connected to the end of the first connecting rod. A round shaft is slidably installed in the sliding groove. The round shaft is used to reciprocate in the sliding groove along the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod on the connecting base and is rotatably connected to the end of the second connecting rod.

[0011] Optionally, the retraction drive component is a spring, and the connecting base is further provided with a connecting post, with the end of the spring sleeved on the connecting post; And / or, the deformation drive plate is configured in two layers, with the ends of the two layers of the deformation drive plate clamping the end of the first connecting rod and connecting to the first connecting rod.

[0012] Optionally, the light-shielding film is a hollow cylindrical structure with openings at both ends, and is used for folding or extending along the axial direction. The unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film is parallel to the axial direction. The unfolding drive is located inside the light-shielding film and is driven to connect with the inner wall of the light-shielding film.

[0013] Optionally, the bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on intelligent composite materials also includes a structural base, on which an open end of the sunshade film and the deployment drive are both mounted. The structural base is used to be mounted on the satellite body of the spacecraft.

[0014] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a method for operating a bidirectional deployable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials. Based on the bidirectional deployable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials as described above, the method for operating the bidirectional deployable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials includes: The retraction drive of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material is driven by external excitation to change from a stretched state to a contracted state. The unfolding drive of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material under external excitation is driven to deform from the initial shape to a temporary shape along the retraction direction of the light shielding film of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material, and the light shielding film retracts. The external excitation drives the unfolding drive member, which is in the temporary shape, to deform along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film to the initial shape, and the closing drive member changes from the contracted state to the stretched state, thus unfolding the light-shielding film.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the working method of the bidirectional expansion and contraction light shield based on intelligent composite material of the present invention are the same as those of the bidirectional expansion and contraction light shield based on intelligent composite material as described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a spacecraft, including a satellite body and a bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on smart composite materials as described above.

[0017] Compared to existing technologies, the beneficial effects of the spacecraft of the present invention are the same as those of the bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on smart composite materials as described above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the bidirectional expansion and contraction light shield based on intelligent composite materials in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an unfolded view of the bidirectional expandable and contractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the unfolding drive component in its initial shape in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the unfolding drive member in a stretched shape in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the working method of the bidirectional expansion and contraction light shield based on intelligent composite materials in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1-Light-blocking film; 2-Expansion drive component; 21-Deformation drive piece; 22-First connecting rod; 23-Second connecting rod; 3-Retraction drive component; 4-Connecting base; 41-Hinge seat; 42-Slide groove; 421-Round shaft; 43-Connecting column; 5-Structural base. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] It should be noted that in the XYZ coordinate system provided herein, the positive direction of the X-axis represents the right, and the negative direction of the X-axis represents the left; the positive direction of the Y-axis represents the front, and the negative direction of the Y-axis represents the back; the positive direction of the Z-axis represents the top, and the negative direction of the Z-axis represents the bottom. Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0022] On one hand, one embodiment of the present invention provides a bidirectional expandable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials, including a light shielding film 1, an expandable driving component 2, and a retractable driving component 3. The expandable driving component 2 is drivenly connected to the light shielding film 1, and the retractable driving component 3 is drivenly connected to the expandable driving component 2. The light shielding film 1 is used for expanding and retracting. The expandable driving component 2 is made of raw materials including intelligent composite materials and has an initial shape and a temporary shape. The retractable driving component 3 is made of raw materials including shape memory alloys and has a stretched state and a contracted state. The deformation direction of the retractable driving component 3 is the same as the expansion and retraction direction of the light shielding film 1. The same direction applies; when the light-shielding film 1 is unfolded, the retracting drive 3 is in a stretched state, and the unfolding drive 2 is in an initial shape. The retracting drive 3 is used to turn into a contracted state under external excitation, so as to drive the unfolding drive 2 under external excitation to deform into a temporary shape along the retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1, so as to drive the light-shielding film 1 to retract; when the light-shielding film 1 is retracted, the unfolding drive 2 in a temporary shape is used to deform into an initial shape along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film 1 under external excitation, so as to drive the light-shielding film 1 to unfold, and drive the retracting drive 3 to turn into a stretched state.

[0023] It should be noted that in this invention, the intelligent composite material is a novel intelligent material made of intelligent polymer and its composite materials. The intelligent polymer is made of epoxy resin, cyanate ester resin, etc., and can actively deform and return to a preset initial shape under external stimulation such as heat, light or magnetism and maintain high stiffness, thus possessing shape memory function. The composite material is made of raw materials including carbon fiber, glass fiber or aramid fiber, which can increase the driving force of deformation when the intelligent polymer deforms, ensure the stability of the structure made of intelligent composite material, and enhance its fracture toughness. For example, under thermal excitation, the prepared smart composite material is in its initial state, at which temperature is low, and the composite material has a large elastic modulus and high stiffness. During shaping, thermal excitation is applied to the smart composite material. When the temperature reaches above its glass transition temperature, the composite material softens and can be shaped into a temporary shape under external force. While maintaining the external force, the temperature is reduced. When the temperature is below the glass transition temperature of the material, the external force is removed, and the smart composite material can then maintain its temporary shape. When thermal excitation is applied to the smart composite material again to reach above the glass transition temperature, the material can automatically return to its initial state, thus exhibiting a memory function for the initial shape.

[0024] It should be noted that, in this invention, shape memory alloy is a material composed of two or more metallic elements that has a shape memory effect through thermoelasticity and martensitic phase transformation and its inverse transformation, such as copper-nickel alloys, copper-aluminum alloys, nickel-titanium alloys, copper-zinc alloys, or iron alloys, which can exhibit the function of remembering the shape it initially possesses under external stimuli such as thermal excitation.

[0025] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film 1 is the Z-axis direction.

[0026] Therefore, based on the properties of smart composite materials and shape memory alloys, such as Figure 1 As shown, a bidirectional expandable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials is constructed by setting up a light-shielding film 1, an expansion drive 2, and a retraction drive 3. The expansion drive 2 is driven to connect with the light-shielding film 1. The expansion drive 2 is made of materials including intelligent composite materials and has an initial shape and a temporary shape. When the expansion drive 2 is in the temporary shape, the light-shielding film 1 is in a retracted state. If it is necessary to expand the light-shielding film 1, an external stimulus, such as thermal stimulation, can be applied to the expansion drive 2 in its temporary shape to transform it into a low-stiffness form. Figure 2As shown, at this time, the unfolding drive component 2 can deform to its initial shape along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film 1, thereby driving the light-shielding film 1 to unfold, realizing the unfolding of the light-shielding film 1 without motor drive. The entire process is driven by the self-deformation of the unfolding drive component 2, which makes the light-shielding film unfold slowly, with less impact on the light-shielding film 1. This can effectively improve the stability of the bidirectional unfolding and retracting light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials during the unfolding process. Moreover, after the external excitation is eliminated, the unfolding drive component 2 can have a high elastic modulus and stiffness, thereby providing stable support for the unfolded shape of the light-shielding film 1, and thus improving the reliability of the bidirectional unfolding and retracting light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials. On this basis, a retraction drive component 3 is set to drive the unfolding drive component 2. When the unfolding drive component 2 is in its initial shape, The retracting drive component 3 is in a stretched state, while its contracted state is its initial state. When an external stimulus, such as thermal stimulation, is applied to the retracting drive component 3, it can transition from a stretched state to a contracted state. The deformation direction of the retracting drive component 3 is the same as the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film 1. Therefore, if an external stimulus, such as thermal stimulation, is applied to cause the expansion drive component 2 to be in a low-stiffness state, the retracting drive component 3, while contracting along the deformation direction, can simultaneously drive the expansion drive component 2, in its initial shape, to deform along the retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1 to a temporary shape, thereby causing the light-shielding film 1 to retract. The entire retracting process is completed under the contraction action of the shape memory alloy, resulting in a slow retracting of the light-shielding film 1 with minimal impact, effectively improving the base... Regarding the stability of the bidirectional expandable and retractable light shield of the intelligent composite material during the retraction process, after the external excitation of the expandable drive 2 is eliminated, the expandable drive 2 can have a high elastic modulus and stiffness. At this time, when the external excitation of the retractable drive 3 is eliminated, the deformation of the retractable drive 3 slowly stops and remains in the contracted state. That is, the external force given to the expandable drive 2 by the retractable drive 3 is released, and the expandable drive 2 can maintain its temporary shape. This not only limits the retracted light shield 1, ensuring the stability of the bidirectional expandable and retractable space light shield of the intelligent composite material, but also limits the retractable drive 3 to the contracted state. Thus, when the light shield 1 needs to be expanded again, the retractable drive 2 is driven by the restoring force generated by the expansion drive 2 transforming into its initial shape. Component 3 can be converted to a stretched state, which facilitates the subsequent retraction of the light-shielding film 1. This allows the light-shielding film 1 to achieve a bidirectional unfolding and retraction process with the cooperation of the unfolding drive component 2 and the retraction drive component 3. The entire process only requires applying external excitation to the unfolding drive component 2 and the retraction drive component 3, effectively improving the ease of unfolding and retraction of the bidirectional unfolding and retraction light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials. In addition, the unfolding and retraction drive structure and the support structure after unfolding and retraction of the light-shielding film 1 in the entire bidirectional unfolding and retraction light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials are composed only of the unfolding drive component 2 and the retraction drive component 3. The structure is simple, and the intelligent composite material has the characteristics of lightweight, which can effectively reduce the structural mass of the bidirectional unfolding and retraction light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials, thereby improving the carrying capacity of the vehicle.

[0027] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present invention, the external excitation applied to the unfolding drive 2 can be thermal excitation, magnetic excitation, or electrical excitation, or any combination of the above external excitation methods can be used. The external excitation applied to the closing drive 3 is thermal excitation. Specifically, when thermal excitation is used, the heating element can be an embedded resistance wire, an embedded electric heating film, an externally attached electric heating film, etc. When magnetic excitation is used, ferromagnetic materials, such as iron oxide particles, can be filled into the system of the intelligent composite material used to make the unfolding drive 2. When electrical excitation is used, single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon black, carbon nanopaper, carbon nanofibers, or mixed particles can be doped into the intelligent composite material system. If a combined drive method is adopted, the particles doped into the intelligent composite material system should be two or more of the above combinations.

[0028] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present invention, the reinforcing phase of the intelligent composite material can be glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, etc., and the resin used includes shape memory resins such as epoxy and cyanate ester, which can be selected and combined according to different usage conditions.

[0029] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present invention, the smart composite material used to prepare the deployment drive component 2 can be prepared by traditional vacuum hot pressing or by additive manufacturing technology.

[0030] It should be noted that the light-shielding film 1 can be made of cyanate ester-based or epoxy-based carbon fiber composite materials, or other materials with functions of suppressing stray light and heat protection, such as other resin-based composite materials or polyimide films.

[0031] Optionally, the unfolding drive component 2 includes a deformable drive piece 21 and a first connecting rod 22. Multiple first connecting rods 22 are arranged sequentially along the unfolding / retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1, with adjacent first connecting rods 22 intersecting each other. The deformable drive piece 21 is disposed between adjacent first connecting rods 22 and connected to the ends of adjacent first connecting rods 22 respectively. The deformable drive piece 21 is made of a material including intelligent composite material. The first connecting rods 22 are drivenly connected to the retracting drive component 3 and the light-shielding film 1 respectively. When the light-shielding film 1 unfolds, the retracting drive component 3, under external excitation, transforms into a contracted state to drive the deformable drive piece 21 under external excitation to deform along the retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1, so that adjacent first connecting rods 22 move closer to each other. When the light-shielding film 1 retracts, the deformable drive piece 21 under external excitation deforms along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film 1, so that adjacent first connecting rods 22 move away from each other.

[0032] In this embodiment, in order to improve the unfolding-to-folding ratio of the light-shielding film 1 and reduce the volume of the bidirectional unfolding-to-folding light-shielding cover based on smart composite materials in the folded state, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a deformation driving plate 21 and first connecting rods 22 are arranged to form an unfolding driving component 2. The deformation driving plate 21 is made of raw materials including smart composite materials. Multiple first connecting rods 22 are arranged sequentially along the unfolding / retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1, with adjacent first connecting rods 22 intersecting each other. The deformation driving plate 21 is positioned between adjacent first connecting rods 22 and connected to the ends of each adjacent first connecting rod 22. This utilizes the deformation capability of the deformation driving plate 21 to form a telescopic hinge along the unfolding / retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1. This telescopic hinge is driven by the light-shielding film 1. Driven by the deformation of the deformation driving plate 21 between its initial and temporary shapes, the telescopic hinge can extend and retract along the unfolding / retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1, thereby achieving stable directional unfolding and retracting of the light-shielding film 1 and controlling the unfolding / retracting path of the light-shielding film 1. This design improves the stability of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials. Furthermore, because adjacent first connecting rods 22 are intersecting, when they approach each other, their positional relationship changes from intersecting to parallel, allowing the light shielding film 1 to retract as much as possible in the retracting direction. Similarly, when adjacent first connecting rods 22 move away from each other, their positional relationship changes from approximately parallel to intersecting to parallel along the same straight line, allowing the light shielding film 1 to expand as much as possible in the retracting direction. This effectively improves the retraction ratio of the light shielding film 1, resulting in a reduced volume of the entire bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials when the film is retracted. This reduces the space required during transport and enhances the carrying capacity of the transport vehicle.

[0033] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown, the end of the first connecting rod 22 is connected to the deformation driving plate 21 by bolts. The thickness of the end of the first connecting rod 22 is less than the thickness of the other parts of the first connecting rod 22, so as to keep the overall thickness of its end after being connected to the deformation driving plate 21 consistent with the thickness of the other parts.

[0034] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the deformable drive plate 21 is rectangular or C-shaped. When two adjacent first connecting rods 22 move closer or further apart, the deformable drive plate 21 acts as a hinge shaft and a drive component. In other embodiments of the present invention, a metal sheet can be covered on the surface of the deformable drive plate 21. The elastic force generated by the metal sheet after deformation is used to increase the driving force of the deformable drive plate 21 when it drives the two adjacent first connecting rods 22 to move further apart, thereby improving the deployment efficiency of the bidirectional unfolding and retracting light shield based on intelligent composite materials.

[0035] Optionally, the bidirectional expansion and contraction light shield based on intelligent composite material also includes a connecting base 4. There are two connecting bases 4, which are parallel to each other and spaced apart along the expansion and contraction direction of the light shielding film 1. The retraction drive 3 and the first connecting rod 22 are both located between the two connecting bases 4. Two of the multiple first connecting rods 22 located at both ends along the expansion and contraction direction of the light shielding film 1 are rotatably connected to the two connecting bases 4 respectively. The two ends of the retraction drive 3 are respectively connected to the two connecting bases 4.

[0036] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, two connecting bases 4 are spaced apart along the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film 1, and the two connecting bases 4 are arranged parallel to each other. The retraction drive 3 and the first connecting rod 22 are both located between the two connecting bases 4. Two of the first connecting rods 22 located at both ends along the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film 1 are rotatably connected to the two connecting bases 4, thereby effectively improving the expansion and contraction stability of the telescopic hinge composed of the first connecting rod 22 and the deformation drive piece 21. The two ends of the retraction drive 3 are connected to the two connecting bases 4, thereby ensuring the stability of the retraction drive 3 when it changes between the stretched state and the contracted state, and thus improving the expansion and contraction stability of the bidirectional expansion and contraction light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite materials.

[0037] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the invention, the connecting base 4 may be made of metal materials, fiber-reinforced materials, or other rigid materials.

[0038] Optionally, the unfolding drive component 2 further includes a second connecting rod 23. There are multiple second connecting rods 23, which are located between two connecting bases 4. The multiple second connecting rods 23 are arranged sequentially along the unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1, and are rotatably connected end to end. Two of the multiple second connecting rods 23 located at both ends along the unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1 are slidably connected to the two connecting bases 4 respectively, and the sliding direction is parallel to the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod 23 on the connecting base 4. Adjacent two second connecting rods 23 intersect each other. The second connecting rods 23 and the first connecting rods 22 are arranged side by side in a one-to-one correspondence. The first connecting rods 22 and the second connecting rods 23 arranged side by side at the same position along the unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1 are intersected, and the middle section of the first connecting rod 22 and the middle section of the second connecting rod 23 are rotatably connected.

[0039] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, to improve the expansion and contraction stability of the light-shielding film 1, the expansion drive component 2 is also equipped with a second connecting rod 23. Similar to the arrangement of the first connecting rod 22, there are multiple second connecting rods 23, located between the two connecting bases 4. The multiple second connecting rods 23 are arranged sequentially along the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film 1, and their ends are connected in a sequential rotational manner, thereby forming a rigid telescopic hinge between the two connecting bases 4. Two of the multiple second connecting rods 23 located at both ends along the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film 1 are slidably connected to the two connecting bases 4 respectively, and the sliding direction is parallel to the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod 23 on the connecting base 4. Thus, the support of the connecting base 4 ensures the telescopic stability of the rigid telescopic hinge, and at the same time, the second connecting rod 23 is connected to the connecting base 4. The mutual sliding of seat 4 enhances the limit value of the rigid telescopic hinge during extension and retraction. Based on this, two adjacent second connecting rods 23 intersect each other, and the second connecting rods 23 and the first connecting rods 22 are arranged side by side in a one-to-one correspondence. The first connecting rods 22 and the second connecting rods 23, which are arranged side by side at the same position along the extension and retraction direction of the light-shielding film 1, are intersected. The middle section of the first connecting rod 22 and the middle section of the second connecting rod 23 are rotatably connected, thereby forming a rigid telescopic hinge on one side of the telescopic hinge formed by the first connecting rod 22 and the deformation drive piece 21. At the same time, through the rotation of the second connecting rod 23 and the first connecting rod 22 around their middle sections, the rigid telescopic hinge provides stable support for the telescopic hinge, thereby improving the control stability of the extension and retraction path of the light-shielding film 1, and thus improving the extension and retraction stability of the light-shielding film 1.

[0040] It should be noted that the thickness of the two ends of the second connecting rod 23 is less than the thickness of other parts, and the ends are bent toward the second connecting rod 23 with which they are hinged. This makes the overall thickness of the rigid telescopic hinge consistent after the ends of the two adjacent second connecting rods 23 are hinged. The ends of the two adjacent second connecting rods 23 are hinged by a pivot and secured by a buckle. On this basis, the middle section of the first connecting rod 22 and the middle section of the second connecting rod 23 are rotatably connected by a connecting shaft and secured by a buckle. The connecting shaft is connected to the light-shielding film 1, thereby realizing the driving connection between the unfolding drive 2 and the light-shielding film 1.

[0041] Optionally, the connecting base 4 is provided with a hinge seat 41 and a slide groove 42. The hinge seat 41 is rotatably connected to the end of the first connecting rod 22. A round shaft 421 is slidably installed in the slide groove 42. The round shaft 421 is used to reciprocate in the slide groove 42 along the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod 23 on the connecting base 4, and is rotatably connected to the end of the second connecting rod 23.

[0042] It should be noted that, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the circular shaft 421 is used to project along the second connecting rod 23 onto the connecting base 4, which is its projection on the XY plane.

[0043] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a hinge seat 41 and a slide groove 42 are provided on the connecting base 4. The hinge seat 41 is rotatably connected to the end of the first connecting rod 22, thereby realizing the stable support of the connecting base 4 for the first connecting rod 22. A round shaft 421 is slidably installed in the slide groove 42. The round shaft 421 is used to reciprocate in the slide groove 42 along the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod 23 on the connecting base 4, and is rotatably connected to the end of the second connecting rod 23, so that the connecting base 4 can stably support the second connecting rod 23 through the slide groove 42 and the round shaft 421.

[0044] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, two support plates are vertically mounted on the connecting base 4, with the two support plates spaced apart. Two sliding grooves 42 are respectively set on the opposite side walls of the two support plates. A round shaft 421 is located between the two support plates, and both ends of the round shaft 421 are respectively embedded in the two sliding grooves 42.

[0045] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the hinge seat 41 is connected to the connecting base 4 by bolts and is hinged to the end of the second connecting rod 23 by a connecting shaft. In other embodiments of the present invention, it can also be integrally formed.

[0046] Optionally, the retracting drive component 3 is a spring, and the connecting base 4 is also provided with a connecting post 43, with the end of the spring sleeved on the connecting post 43; and / or, the deformation drive piece 21 is double-layered, with the ends of the double-layered deformation drive piece 21 cooperating to clamp the end of the first connecting rod 22 and connecting to the first connecting rod 22.

[0047] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in order to reduce the volume of the entire bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material, the retraction drive 3 is set as a spring, and the connecting base 4 is also provided with a connecting post 43. The end of the spring is sleeved on the connecting post 43, thereby realizing a stable connection between the retraction drive 3 and the connecting base 4. Specifically, the connecting post 43 is provided with threads along the circumference, and the end of the spring is sleeved on the connecting post 43 and connected to the connecting post 43 through the threads.

[0048] In this embodiment or other embodiments of the present invention, in order to ensure a stable connection between the deformable driving plate 21 and the first connecting rod 22, the deformable driving plate 21 is configured as a double layer. The ends of the double-layer deformable driving plate 21 are fitted to clamp the ends of the first connecting rod 22 and are connected to the first connecting rod 22. Thus, after the ends of the double-layer deformable driving plate 21 and the first connecting rod 22 are connected by connecting structures such as screws, the connection stability can be improved by the clamping of the first connecting rod 22 by the double-layer deformable driving plate 21.

[0049] Optionally, the light-shielding film 1 is a hollow cylindrical structure with openings at both ends, and is used for folding or stretching along the axial direction. The unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1 is parallel to the axial direction. The unfolding drive 2 is located inside the light-shielding film 1 and is driven to connect with the inner wall of the light-shielding film 1.

[0050] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the light-shielding film 1 is configured as a hollow cylindrical structure with openings at both ends, and can be folded or extended along the axial direction. The unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film 1 is parallel to the axial direction. The unfolding drive 2 is located inside the light-shielding film 1 and is driven to connect with the inner wall of the light-shielding film 1. Thus, while maintaining the stable drive of the unfolding drive 2 to unfold and retract the light-shielding film 1, the space volume occupied by the entire bidirectional unfolding and retracting light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite material is the volume of the light-shielding film 1. This effectively reduces the space volume occupied by the bidirectional unfolding and retracting light-shielding cover based on intelligent composite material during transportation, and effectively solves the problem of insufficient space in the transport vehicle.

[0051] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, in order to ensure the stable expansion and contraction of the light-shielding film 1, multiple expansion drive components 2 are provided inside the light-shielding film 1. The multiple expansion drive components 2 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the light-shielding film 1. Specifically, there are four expansion drive components 2, and correspondingly, there are also four contraction drive components 3 that cooperate with the expansion drive components 2.

[0052] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the folds facing inward when the light-shielding film 1 is closed are the connection points between the light-shielding film 1 and the unfolding drive unit 2.

[0053] Optionally, the bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on smart composite materials also includes a structural base 5, with one open end of the sunshade film 1 and the deployment drive component 2 both mounted on the structural base 5. The structural base 5 is used to mount the satellite body of the spacecraft.

[0054] In this embodiment, as Figure 1As shown, in order to ensure the stable installation of the bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on intelligent composite materials on the spacecraft, a structural base 5 is also provided. The deployable drive component 2 is installed on the structural base 5 through a threaded connector, and one open end of the sunshade film 1 is glued to the structural base 5 through an adhesive material. The structural base 5 is stably installed on the satellite body of the spacecraft, such as a satellite, through a threaded connector.

[0055] On the other hand, one embodiment of the present invention provides a working method for a bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials. Based on the above-mentioned bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials, the working method includes: driving the retraction drive 3 of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials from a stretched state to a contracted state through external excitation; driving the unfolding drive 2 of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials under external excitation to deform from an initial shape to a temporary shape along the retraction direction of the light shielding film 1 of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials, thereby retracting the light shielding film 1; driving the unfolding drive 2, which is in a temporary shape, to deform from the unfolding direction of the light shielding film 1 to the initial shape through external excitation; driving the retraction drive 3 from a contracted state to a stretched state, thereby unfolding the light shielding film 1.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown in S1 and S2, the technical effect of the working method of the bidirectional expansion and contraction light shield based on intelligent composite material in this embodiment is similar to the technical effect of the bidirectional expansion and contraction light shield based on intelligent composite material described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0057] In another aspect, one embodiment of the present invention provides a spacecraft, including a satellite body and the aforementioned bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on smart composite materials.

[0058] The technical effects of the spacecraft in this embodiment are similar to those of the aforementioned bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on intelligent composite materials, and will not be repeated here.

[0059] While the present invention has been disclosed above, its scope of protection is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such changes and modifications will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bidirectional expandable / contractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials, characterized in that, It includes a light-shielding film (1), an unfolding drive (2) and a retracting drive (3), wherein the unfolding drive (2) is driven to the light-shielding film (1) and the retracting drive (3) is driven to the unfolding drive (2); The light-shielding film (1) is used for unfolding and retracting. The unfolding drive (2) is made of raw materials including smart composite materials and has an initial shape and a temporary shape. The retracting drive (3) is made of raw materials including shape memory alloys and has a stretched state and a contracted state. The deformation direction of the retracting drive (3) is the same as the unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film (1). When the light-shielding film (1) is unfolded, the retraction drive (3) is in the stretched state, the unfolding drive (2) is in the initial shape, and the retraction drive (3) is used to switch to the contracted state under external excitation, so as to drive the unfolding drive (2) under external excitation to deform to the temporary shape along the retraction direction of the light-shielding film (1), so that the unfolding drive (2) can drive the light-shielding film (1) to retract; When the light-shielding film (1) is retracted, the unfolding drive member (2) in the temporary shape is used to deform to the initial shape along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film (1) under external excitation, so as to drive the light-shielding film (1) to unfold and drive the retracting drive member (3) to switch to the stretched state. The unfolding drive component (2) includes a deformable drive piece (21) and a first connecting rod (22). There are multiple first connecting rods (22), and the multiple first connecting rods (22) are arranged sequentially along the unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film (1). Two adjacent first connecting rods (22) intersect each other. The deformable drive piece (21) is disposed between two adjacent first connecting rods (22) and is connected to the ends of two adjacent first connecting rods (22) respectively. The deformable drive piece (21) is made of raw materials including smart composite materials. The first connecting rod (22) is driven to connect with the retractable drive member (3) and the light-shielding film (1) respectively. When the light-shielding film (1) is unfolded, the retractable drive member (3) is turned into the contracted state under the external excitation and is used to drive the deformable drive piece (21) under the external excitation to deform along the retracting direction of the light-shielding film (1) so that the two adjacent first connecting rods (22) are close to each other. When the light-shielding film (1) is retracted, the deformable drive piece (21) under the external excitation is used to deform along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film (1) so that the two adjacent first connecting rods (22) are far away from each other. The deformation drive plate (21) is configured in two layers. The ends of the two-layer deformation drive plate (21) are fitted to clamp the ends of the first connecting rod (22) and are connected to the first connecting rod (22). The surface of the deformation drive piece (21) is covered with a metal sheet.

2. The bidirectional expandable / contractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a connecting base (4), which has two, and the two connecting bases (4) are parallel to each other and spaced apart along the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film (1). The retraction drive (3) and the first connecting rod (22) are both located between the two connecting bases (4). Two of the first connecting rods (22) located at both ends along the expansion and contraction direction of the light-shielding film (1) are rotatably connected to the two connecting bases (4) respectively. The two ends of the retraction drive (3) are respectively connected to the two connecting bases (4).

3. The bidirectional expandable / contractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unfolding drive component (2) further includes a second connecting rod (23). There are multiple second connecting rods (23) located between the two connecting bases (4). The multiple second connecting rods (23) are arranged sequentially along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film (1) and are connected to each other in turn. Two of the multiple second connecting rods (23) located at both ends along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film (1) are slidably connected to the two connecting bases (4) respectively, and the sliding direction is parallel to the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod (23) on the connecting base (4). Two adjacent second connecting rods (23) intersect each other. The second connecting rods (23) and the first connecting rods (22) are arranged side by side in a one-to-one correspondence. The first connecting rods (22) and the second connecting rods (23) arranged side by side at the same position along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film (1) are intersected, and the middle section of the first connecting rod (22) and the middle section of the second connecting rod (23) are rotatably connected.

4. The bidirectional expandable / contractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connecting base (4) is provided with a hinge seat (41) and a slide groove (42). The hinge seat (41) is rotatably connected to the end of the first connecting rod (22). A round shaft (421) is slidably installed in the slide groove (42). The round shaft (421) is used to reciprocate in the slide groove (42) along the extension direction of the projection of the second connecting rod (23) on the connecting base (4), and is rotatably connected to the end of the second connecting rod (23).

5. The bidirectional expandable / contractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, The retraction drive component (3) is a spring, and the connecting base (4) is also provided with a connecting post (43), with the end of the spring sleeved on the connecting post (43).

6. The bidirectional deployable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The light-shielding film (1) is a hollow cylindrical structure with openings at both ends, and is used for folding or stretching along the axial direction. The unfolding and retracting direction of the light-shielding film (1) is parallel to the axial direction. The unfolding drive (2) is located inside the light-shielding film (1) and is driven to connect with the inner wall of the light-shielding film (1).

7. The bidirectional expandable / contractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a structural base (5), on which an open end of the light-shielding film (1) and the deployment drive (2) are mounted. The structural base (5) is used to be mounted on the satellite body of the spacecraft.

8. A method for operating a bidirectional deployable and retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials, characterized in that, Based on the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the working method of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite materials includes: The external excitation drives the retraction drive (3) of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material to change from a stretched state to a contracted state, and drives the unfolding drive (2) of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material under external excitation to deform from the initial shape to a temporary shape along the retraction direction of the light shielding film (1) of the bidirectional retractable light shield based on intelligent composite material, and the light shielding film (1) retracts. The external excitation drives the unfolding drive member (2) in the temporary shape to deform along the unfolding direction of the light-shielding film (1) to the initial shape, and the closing drive member (3) changes from the contracted state to the stretched state, and the light-shielding film (1) unfolds.

9. A spacecraft, characterized in that, It includes the satellite body and a bidirectional deployable and retractable sunshade based on smart composite materials as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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