A curved elastic expansion rod type membrane structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure, which includes: a mounting body, a mounting plate provided on the end surface of the mounting body, a rotating shaft provided at the center of the mounting plate; a guide mechanism, which forms a preset track with the rotating shaft; a curved rod, one end of which is connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end of which extends radially outward from the center of the mounting plate or winds and contracts inward from the edge of the mounting plate along the preset track during the rotation of the rotating shaft; a film, which is connected to the curved rod, and when the curved rod extends radially outward from the center of the mounting plate, the film gradually unfolds to a curved state; when the curved rod winds and contracts inward from the edge of the mounting plate, the film gradually contracts to a folded state; and a limiting mechanism, which includes a fixing column, an extrusion member, and an elastic member. Compared with conventional planar deployable film structures at the current stage, the present invention not only improves its flexibility of use, but also improves the directional reflectivity, communication quality, signal transmission efficiency, rigidity, and stability of the film after deployment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of expandable films, and in particular to a curved elastic expandable rod-type film structure. Background Art

[0002] Conventional deployment mechanisms primarily employ folding or truss-type structures, which typically form only a two-dimensional planar structure during deployment. This design is limited by the heavy and bulky structure after deployment, resulting in low overall portability and usability. Furthermore, the low deployment-to-stow ratio (the ratio of volume between the deployed and stowed states) of these mechanisms limits their practicality in space applications, particularly weight- and volume-sensitive applications such as satellites, space telescopes, and solar sails.

[0003] In order to improve the above problems, the industry is currently trying to use a linear elastic expansion rod structure to replace the traditional folding or truss structure. Although its mass is lighter than the traditional mechanism and it can form a planar structure, its expansion method still cannot meet the needs of complex curved surfaces. For example: in the field of satellite antennas, flat film structures cannot be applied to high-efficiency parabolic antennas. This is because parabolic antennas need to use their curved surface characteristics to optimize signal reception and transmission efficiency. In the application of space telescope sunshades, the flat structure cannot completely cover the telescope's lens barrel, affecting the shading effect. In the field of solar sails, flat film structures cannot provide sufficient system rigidity to support the operation of large-scale solar sails, which limits the effective power output of solar sails. Therefore, the current use scenarios of film expansion mechanisms are still subject to significant restrictions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the problem that the film structure in the prior art cannot meet the requirements of complex curved surfaces, and to provide a curved elastic expansion rod type film structure.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a curved elastic deployable rod-type membrane structure, comprising: a mounting body, a mounting plate provided on the end surface of the mounting body, a rotating shaft provided at the center of the mounting plate, and a plurality of movable grooves provided thereon, the movable grooves extending from the edge of the mounting plate toward the center;

[0006] A plurality of guide mechanisms, each of which is connected to an edge of the mounting plate and forms a plurality of preset tracks with the rotating shaft;

[0007] A plurality of arc rods, one end of each of the arc rods being connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end of each of the arc rods extending radially outward from the center of the mounting plate or winding inward from the edge of the mounting plate along the preset track during the rotation of the rotating shaft;

[0008] The guide mechanism includes a first abutment member and a second abutment member, one side of the arc rod abuts against the first abutment member, and the other side abuts against the second abutment member, so that the arc rod extends in an arc shape through the first abutment member and the second abutment member and moves spirally upward;

[0009] A film connected to the plurality of arc rods, wherein when the arc rods extend radially outward from the center of the mounting plate, the film gradually unfolds to a curved state; when the arc rods are rolled inward from the edge of the mounting plate, the film gradually contracts to a folded state;

[0010] The limiting mechanism includes a fixed column, multiple extrusions and multiple elastic parts. The fixed column is arranged at the center of the mounting plate. The multiple extrusions and the multiple elastic parts are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. The multiple extrusions are respectively inserted into the multiple movable grooves and move along the movable grooves through the elastic parts. The elastic parts are connected between the fixed column and the corresponding extrusions and are in a stretched state. The multiple arc rods wound on the rotating shaft are clamped between the rotating shaft and the extrusions. The base material of the arc rod is a carbon fiber composite material, which includes a matrix, a functional layer fiber and an intermediate layer fiber. The functional layer fiber and the intermediate layer fiber are bonded to each other and are all arranged inside the matrix. The arc rod optimizes the laying angle of the functional layer fiber, the laying angle of the intermediate layer fiber and the volume fraction of the matrix material based on the classical laminate theory, so that the arc rod has a specified three-dimensional unfolding shape.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a signal transmission mechanism, and the signal transmission mechanism is connected to the rotating shaft.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the signal transmission mechanism includes a helical rod and a feed source, one end of the helical rod is connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end is connected to the feed source, and the helical rod moves spirally up and down during the rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the guide mechanisms are evenly spaced and arranged on the mounting plate.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the extrusion members and a plurality of the elastic members are evenly spaced around the fixing column.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, a rotary driver is provided inside the mounting body, and the rotating shaft is connected to a working end of the rotary driver.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further comprises a control system, wherein the control system is connected to the rotation drive.

[0017] The above technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0018] The curved elastic deployable rod-type membrane structure described in the present invention uses multiple curved rods to drive the connected membrane to move, allowing the membrane to unfold in an arc shape when in use and fold and contract when stored. During this process, multiple guide mechanisms can guide the movement direction of the curved rods, and the limiting mechanism can squeeze and regularize the wound curved rods, thereby ensuring the smooth movement of the curved rods. Compared to the current conventional flat deployable membrane structure, this application not only allows the membrane to flexibly expand and contract, improving its flexibility of use, but also expands the application range of the membrane deployment structure to the curved surface field, improving the directional reflectivity, communication quality, signal transmission efficiency, rigidity, and stability of the membrane after unfolding, and provides support for the design of new spacecraft structures such as parabolic satellite antenna mechanisms, curved space telescope sunshades, and curved solar sails. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to make the contents of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below based on specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the film in the folded state in the curved elastic expansion rod-type film structure shown in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the curved elastic unfolding rod-type film structure during the process of the film transforming from a folded state to a curved state;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the curved elastic unfolding rod-type film structure during the process of the film further transforming from a folded state to a curved state;

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the curved elastic expansion rod type membrane structure when the membrane is in a curved state;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A top view of the curved elastic deployable rod-type membrane structure shown.

[0025] Explanation of the reference numerals in the specification: 100, mounting body; 110, mounting plate; 111, rotating shaft; 112, movable groove; 200, guiding mechanism; 210, first abutting member; 220, second abutting member; 300, arc rod; 400, film; 500, limiting mechanism; 510, fixing column; 520, extrusion member; 530, elastic member; 600, signal transmission mechanism; 610, spiral rod; 620, feed source. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and implement it. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] See also Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this embodiment provides a curved elastic unfolding rod-type film structure, which includes: a mounting body 100, wherein the end surface of the mounting body 100 is provided with a mounting plate 110, and the center of the mounting plate 110 is provided with a rotating shaft 111; a plurality of guide mechanisms 200, wherein the plurality of guide mechanisms 200 are respectively connected to the edge of the mounting plate 110, and respectively construct a plurality of preset tracks with the rotating shaft 111; a plurality of arc rods 300, wherein one end of the plurality of arc rods 300 is respectively connected to the rotating shaft 111, and the other end thereof radiates outward from the center of the mounting plate 110 along the preset track during the rotation of the rotating shaft 111, or is wound inward and contracted from the edge of the mounting plate 110; a film 400, wherein the film 400 is connected to the plurality of arc rods 300, and when the arc rods 300 radiate outward from the center of the mounting plate 110, the film 400 gradually unfolds to Figure 4 When the arc rod 300 is wound inwardly from the edge of the mounting plate 110, the film 400 gradually shrinks to Figure 1 The folded state shown; the limiting mechanism 500, the limiting mechanism 500 includes a fixed column 510, at least one extrusion member 520 and at least one elastic member 530, the fixed column 510 is arranged at the center of the mounting plate 110, at least one elastic member 530 is connected between the fixed column 510 and at least one extrusion member 520, and is in a stretched state, the arc rod 300 wound on the rotating shaft 111 is clamped between the rotating shaft 111 and the extrusion member 520.

[0029] The curved elastic deployable rod-type membrane structure described in this embodiment uses multiple curved rods 300 to drive the attached membrane 400 to move, allowing the membrane 400 to unfold in an arc shape during use and fold and contract when stored. During this process, multiple guide mechanisms 200 can guide the movement direction of the curved rods 300, and the limiting mechanism 500 can squeeze and regularize the wound curved rods 300, thereby ensuring the smooth movement of the curved rods 300. Compared to the current conventional flat deployable membrane 400 structure, this application not only allows the membrane 400 to flexibly expand and contract, improving its flexibility of use, but also expands the application range of the deployed membrane 400 structure to the curved surface field, improving the directional reflectivity, communication quality, signal transmission efficiency, rigidity, and stability of the deployed membrane 400, providing support for the design of new spacecraft structures such as parabolic satellite antenna mechanisms, curved space telescope sunshades, and curved solar sails.

[0030] See also Figure 1 As shown, the mounting body 100 in this embodiment is preferably a cylindrical satellite body, with a mounting plate 110 having the same diameter as its end face fixed to its top surface. A rotating shaft 111 is provided at the center of the mounting plate 110. A rotary drive is provided within the mounting body 100, and the rotating shaft 111 is connected to the working end of the rotary drive so that the rotating shaft 111 rotates about its central axis. Furthermore, this embodiment also includes a control system connected to the rotary drive. During actual use, the operator can control the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 111 through the control system to increase the flexibility of the application. The operator can also preset parameters in the control system to provide a higher degree of automation for the application.

[0031] See also Figure 1As shown, in this embodiment, six guide mechanisms 200 are provided, and the six guide mechanisms 200 are evenly spaced along the edge of the mounting plate 110. Furthermore, any of the guide mechanisms 200 includes at least two abutments, and the arc rod 300 is disposed between at least two of the abutments. Specifically, in this embodiment, the guide mechanism 200 includes a first abutment 210 and a second abutment 220. One side of the arc rod 300 abuts against the first abutment 210, and the other side abuts against the second abutment 220. As a result, the arc rod 300 changes its extension direction through the limiting action of the first abutment 210 and the second abutment 220, so that it extends in an arc shape and moves in a spiral upward. In actual use, the preset track can be adjusted by changing the spacing distance, relative position, angle, and other parameters of the first abutment 210 and the second abutment 220. In this embodiment, the geometric deformation mode and stress change law of the cross-sectional microelement during the folding and unfolding of the curved elastic arc rod 300 are studied, and the above-mentioned preset track is established based on the virtual displacement principle and the minimum complementary energy principle, thereby ensuring that the arc rod 300 is smooth and uniformly stressed during the unfolding process, and further ensuring that the film 400 thereon maintains uniform tension during the unfolding process, thereby improving the unfolding uniformity of the film 400.

[0032] In this embodiment, six curved rods 300 are provided corresponding to the six guide mechanisms 200. The base material of each curved rod 300 is a carbon fiber composite material. Each curved rod 300 comprises a matrix, functional layer fibers, and intermediate layer fibers. The functional layer fibers and intermediate layer fibers are bonded together and disposed within the matrix. Furthermore, the parameters of the layer structure (including the functional layer fiber placement angle, the intermediate layer fiber placement angle, and the matrix material volume fraction) of the curved rod 300 in this embodiment are optimized based on classical laminate theory to achieve a specific three-dimensional unfolded shape.

[0033] See also Figures 1 to 4As shown, the limiting mechanism 500 in this embodiment is used to clamp and regularize the portion of the curved rod 300 wound on the rotating shaft 111 to prevent the curved rod 300 from crossing and tangling during movement. Furthermore, the limiting mechanism 500 includes a plurality of extrusion members 520 and a plurality of elastic members 530. The plurality of extrusion members 520 and the plurality of elastic members 530 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and the plurality of extrusion members 520 and the plurality of elastic members 530 are evenly spaced around the fixed column 510. Specifically, in this embodiment, six extrusion members 520 and six elastic members 530 are provided corresponding to six curved rods 300. At the same time, six movable grooves 112 are provided on the mounting plate 110. The movable grooves 112 all extend from the edge of the mounting plate 110 toward the center. The extrusion members 520 are inserted into the movable grooves 112 and move along the movable grooves 112 through the elastic members 530. As the curved rod 300 rotates and is released along with the rotating shaft 111, the diameter of the curved rod 300 wound around the rotating shaft 111 gradually decreases. At this time, the elastic member 530, in a stretched state, can continuously press the extrusion member 520, ensuring that the extrusion member 520 remains in contact with the curved rod 300, preventing the curved rod 300 from becoming scattered or tangled. Specifically, the fixed post 510 in this embodiment is connected to the center of the rotating shaft 111 and does not move with the rotating shaft 111. The elastic member 530 is preferably a stretched spring, and the extrusion member 520 is preferably an elastic element, thereby preventing compression damage to the curved rod 300.

[0034] See also Figures 1 to 5 As shown, it also includes a signal transmission mechanism 600, and the signal transmission mechanism 600 is connected to the rotating shaft 111. Furthermore, the signal transmission mechanism 600 includes a helical rod 610 and a feed source 620. One end of the helical rod 610 is connected to the rotating shaft 111, and the other end is connected to the feed source 620. The helical rod 610 moves up and down in a spiral manner during the rotation of the rotating shaft 111. The curved elastic expansion rod-type film structure in this embodiment is provided on the satellite body, which requires signal receiver transmission. In other embodiments, when the film 400 structure is used for structures that do not require signal transmission, such as sunshades and solar sails, the helical rod 610 and the mass unit may not be provided.

[0035] In summary, the curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure described in the present invention drives the film 400 connected thereto to move through multiple curved rods 300, so that the film 400 can be deployed in an arc shape when in use and can be folded and retracted when stored. During this process, multiple guide mechanisms 200 can guide the movement direction of the curved rods 300, and the limiting mechanism 500 can squeeze and regularize the wound curved rods 300, thereby ensuring the smooth movement of the curved rods 300. Compared with the conventional flat deployable film 400 structure at this stage, the present application not only enables the film 400 to be flexibly contracted and deployed, thereby improving its flexibility of use, but also expands the application scope of the deployed film 400 structure to the curved surface field, improving the directional reflectivity, communication quality, signal transmission efficiency, rigidity and stability of the deployed film 400, and providing support for the design of new spacecraft structures such as parabolic satellite antenna mechanisms, curved space telescope sunshades, and curved solar sails.

[0036] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation methods here. Obvious variations or modifications arising therefrom remain within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure, characterized in that: include: A mounting body, wherein the end surface of the mounting body is provided with a mounting plate, the center of the mounting plate is provided with a rotating shaft, and a plurality of movable grooves are provided on the mounting plate, and the movable grooves all extend from the edge of the mounting plate toward the center; A plurality of guide mechanisms, each of which is connected to an edge of the mounting plate and forms a plurality of preset tracks with the rotating shaft; A plurality of arc rods, one end of each of the arc rods being connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end of each of the arc rods extending radially outward from the center of the mounting plate or winding inward from the edge of the mounting plate along the preset track during the rotation of the rotating shaft; The guide mechanism includes a first abutment member and a second abutment member, one side of the arc rod abuts against the first abutment member, and the other side abuts against the second abutment member, so that the arc rod extends in an arc shape through the first abutment member and the second abutment member and moves spirally upward; A film connected to the plurality of arc rods, wherein when the arc rods extend radially outward from the center of the mounting plate, the film gradually unfolds to a curved state; when the arc rods are wound inward from the edge of the mounting plate, the film gradually contracts to a folded state; The limiting mechanism includes a fixed column, multiple extrusions and multiple elastic parts. The fixed column is arranged at the center of the mounting plate. The multiple extrusions and the multiple elastic parts are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. The multiple extrusions are respectively inserted into the multiple movable grooves and move along the movable grooves through the elastic parts. The elastic parts are connected between the fixed column and the corresponding extrusions and are in a stretched state. The multiple arc rods wound on the rotating shaft are clamped between the rotating shaft and the extrusions. The base material of the arc rod is a carbon fiber composite material, which includes a matrix, a functional layer fiber and an intermediate layer fiber. The functional layer fiber and the intermediate layer fiber are bonded to each other and are all arranged inside the matrix. The arc rod optimizes the laying angle of the functional layer fiber, the laying angle of the intermediate layer fiber and the volume fraction of the matrix material based on the classical laminate theory, so that the arc rod has a specified three-dimensional unfolding shape.

2. The curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a signal transmission mechanism, which is connected to the rotating shaft.

3. The curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The signal transmission mechanism includes a spiral rod and a feed source. One end of the spiral rod is connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end is connected to the feed source. The spiral rod moves up and down in a spiral manner during the rotation of the rotating shaft.

4. The curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of guide mechanisms are evenly spaced and arranged on the mounting plate.

5. The curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of extrusion members and the plurality of elastic members are evenly spaced around the fixing column.

6. The curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotary driver is provided inside the mounting body, and the rotating shaft is connected to the working end of the rotary driver.

7. The curved elastic deployable rod-type film structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a control system connected to the rotary drive.

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