Winding flexible solar wing substrate lateral tensioning device and method

Abstract

The application provides a winding type flexible solar wing substrate lateral tensioning device and method, which comprises main tensioning ropes, from tensioning ropes, a tensioning motor and a guide rod wheel; when the flexible solar wing is wound, two main tensioning ropes are wound on the stretching end winding cylinder together with the stretching rods and the substrate of the flexible solar wing on both sides, one end of the multiple from tensioning ropes is connected with the flexible substrate, and the other end is connected with the main tensioning ropes after passing through the limiting holes on the stretching rods; after the flexible solar wing is unfolded into a plane, the tensioning motor installed on the root mounting plate drives the main tensioning ropes to stretch towards the root mounting plate by winding around the guide rod wheel, one end of the multiple from tensioning ropes moves with the main tensioning ropes, and the other end pulls the substrate to be laterally tensioned after turning through the limiting holes on the stretching rods. The application makes full use of the structural characteristics of the winding type flexible wing, realizes the lateral tensioning of the winding type flexible solar wing substrate, improves the rigidity of the whole flexible solar wing, and has the characteristics of simple structure, small additional mass and adjustable lateral tensioning force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of flexible space solar arrays, specifically relating to a lateral tensioning device and method for a roll-up flexible solar array substrate. Background Technology

[0002] Solar panels are the primary power supply devices for spacecraft. Flexible solar panels, especially rollable flexible solar panels, are characterized by their small folded volume, large unfolded area, and high power-to-weight ratio, making them suitable for use in constellation-stacking satellites and high-power spacecraft.

[0003] The rollable flexible solar array uses a rollable open carbon fiber extension rod as the drive deployment device, and a fiberglass mesh covered with a polyimide film as the flexible substrate. Due to its large size after deployment, it generally has a low fundamental frequency.

[0004] US Patent No. US9604737B2 discloses a directional deployable flexible rollable solar panel and proposes to set a spring assembly between the flexible substrate and the root mounting plate to achieve uniform tension in the stretching direction of the flexible substrate after the flexible wing is fully deployed.

[0005] Chinese patent application CN116853522A discloses a flexible solar array constant force tensioning mechanism, including a tensioning assembly and a tensioning rope fixed to a satellite module. The first end of the tensioning rope is connected and fixed to the satellite module via the tensioning assembly, and the second end passes through the end of the solar array's extendable arm furthest from the satellite module and is also fixed to the satellite module. The tensioning rope can be tensioned as the solar array deploys. The tensioning assembly is configured to provide a constant tension force to the tensioning rope. The tensioning assembly includes a bracket fixed to the satellite module, a pull rod mounted on the bracket, and a constant force spring connecting the bracket and the pull rod. The first end of the tensioning rope is connected to the middle of the pull rod. The pull rod can reciprocate relative to the bracket along a first direction as the tensioning rope extends or shortens, thereby causing the constant force spring to stretch and deform along the first direction.

[0006] However, the above-mentioned existing technologies only connect and tension the flexible substrate at both ends. The extension rod and the flexible substrate are relatively independent. The fundamental frequency, especially the fundamental frequency of the flexible substrate, is low, which may be coupled with the attitude control fundamental frequency, thus limiting the application of the flexible wing. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a lateral tensioning device and method for a wound flexible solar panel substrate.

[0008] A lateral tensioning device for a wound flexible solar panel substrate provided by the present invention includes: a primary tensioning rope 1, a secondary tensioning rope 2, a tensioning motor 3, and a guide wheel 9; The tensioning rope 1, which is connected to the tensioning motor 3 at one end, passes around the guide rod wheel 9 and extends inside the extension rod 4 of the coiled flexible solar panel; The tensioning rope 1 is connected to one end of the tensioning rope 2 through a limiting hole on the extension rod 4 of the coiled flexible solar panel, and the other end of the tensioning rope 2 is connected to the flexible substrate 5 of the coiled flexible solar panel. The tensioning motor 3 is mounted on the root mounting plate 7 of the roll-up flexible solar panel.

[0009] Preferably, the rollable flexible solar array is capable of changing between a rolled-up state and a unfolded state; When the wound flexible solar array is in the wound state, the main tensioning rope 1 is wound together with the two side extension rods 4 and the flexible substrate 5 on the winding cylinder 6 of the wound flexible solar array. Multiple secondary tensioning ropes 2 are connected to the flexible substrate 5 at one end and pass through the upper limit hole of the extension rod 4 to connect to the main tensioning rope 1 at the other end. Both the main tensioning rope 1 and the secondary tensioning ropes 2 are taut but without tension. When the roll-up flexible solar panel is in the unfolded state, the tensioning motor 3 rotates, thereby driving the main tensioning rope 1 to pass around the guide rod wheel 9 and be stretched and tensioned towards the root mounting plate 7. Multiple tensioning ropes 2 move from one end with the main tensioning rope 1, and after turning through the limiting hole, the other end pulls the flexible substrate 5 to be stretched laterally. The extension rod 4 is a C-shaped open carbon fiber round rod that can deform and be wound in the opposite direction onto the winding cylinder 6 of the winding flexible solar panel. When it needs to be unfolded, it can be extended by relying on its stored elastic potential energy, pushing the winding cylinder 6 to move the flexible substrate 5 away from the root mounting plate 7.

[0010] The main tensioning rope 1 consists of N ropes, where N≥2, and is arranged close to the middle position of the inner side of the extension rod 4 with C-shaped openings on both sides of the flexible substrate 5; wherein, the middle position refers to the position on the line of symmetry of the extension rod 4, and both the main tensioning rope 1 and the secondary tensioning rope 2 extend in the plane of the unfolded flexible substrate 5.

[0011] Preferably, the tensioning rope (2) is provided in multiple sets according to the tensioning requirements and is symmetrically distributed relative to the flexible substrate (5).

[0012] Preferably, the tensioning motor 3 is connected to the main tensioning rope 1. The rotation of the tensioning motor 3 stretches the main tensioning rope 1 toward the root mounting plate 7, thereby driving the secondary tensioning rope 2 connected to the main tensioning rope 1 to move. The steering action of the upper limit hole of the extension rod 4 stretches and tensions the side of the flexible substrate 5 by the secondary tensioning rope 2.

[0013] Preferably, controlling the rotation angle of the tensioning motor 3 can adjust the amount of tension of the tensioning rope 1, thereby controlling the amount of tension from the tensioning rope 2 and adjusting the lateral tension of the flexible substrate 5.

[0014] Preferably, the guide wheel 9 allows the tension rope 1 to smoothly transition from the middle of the inner side of the extension rod 4 to the shaft of the motor 3. The tension rope 1 is tensioned along the axial direction of the extension rod 4. The guide wheel 9 has a grooved structure to restrict the lateral movement of the tension rope 1. The limiting hole on the extension rod 4 is a smooth circular opening.

[0015] The present invention provides a method for lateral tensioning of a roll-up flexible solar panel substrate, which includes using the roll-up flexible solar panel substrate lateral tensioning device as described above to laterally tension the roll-up flexible solar panel substrate.

[0016] Preferably, the present invention also provides a roll-up flexible solar panel system, including a flexible substrate 5 and a roll-up flexible solar panel substrate lateral tensioning device as described above capable of tensioning the flexible substrate 5.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention fully utilizes the structural characteristics of the wound flexible wing, sets up master and slave tensioning ropes to achieve lateral tensioning of the flexible substrate, and improves the overall stiffness of the flexible solar wing.

[0018] 2. By rationally configuring the master and slave tensioning ropes, the present invention can achieve lateral multi-point tensioning of the flexible substrate using only two tensioning motors as control points, and the tension force can be adjusted by rotating the tensioning motors.

[0019] 3. As a tensioning structure for a coiled flexible wing, the present invention has a simple structure, small added mass, and does not affect the coiling and extension of the original flexible wing. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the wound flexible wing with substrate lateral tensioning device of the present invention; Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure after omitting the extension rod and the root mounting plate; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the tensioning motor, guide rod, and connection relationship of the tensioning rope in this invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a typical unfolding / winding stage of a telescopic rod; Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of the extension rod limiting hole and the tension rope position.

[0021] The diagram shows: Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0023] This invention provides a method for lateral tensioning of a wound flexible solar panel substrate, with reference to... Figures 1-5 It includes the main tensioning rope 1, the secondary tensioning rope 2, the tensioning motor 3, and the guide rod wheel 9; When the flexible solar panel is in the winding state, the main tension rope 1 is wound together with the two side extension rods 4 and the flexible substrate 5 on the winding drum 6. One end of the multiple secondary tension ropes 2 is connected to the flexible substrate 5, and the other end passes through the limiting hole on the extension rod 4 and is connected to the main tension rope 1. Both the main tension rope 1 and the secondary tension ropes 2 are taut but without tension; wherein, the limiting hole also constitutes a guide hole.

[0024] After the flexible solar panel substrate unfolds into a plane, the tension of the flexible substrate 5 in the extension direction is achieved by the end tensioning device 8. The tensioning motor 3, which is mounted on the back of the root mounting plate 7, rotates, thereby driving the main tensioning rope 1 to pass around the guide rod wheel 9 and stretch and tension it in the direction of the root mounting plate 7. Multiple tensioning ropes 2 move from one end with the main tensioning rope 1, and after turning through the limiting hole, the other end pulls the flexible substrate 5 to be laterally tensioned.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, there are two main tensioning ropes 1, which are arranged at the middle position inside the extension rods 4 with C-shaped openings on both sides of the flexible substrate 5. Multiple sets of secondary tensioning ropes 2 can be provided according to the tensioning requirements, symmetrically distributed relative to the flexible substrate 5. The middle position is located on the line of symmetry of the extension rods 4, and both the main tensioning ropes 1 and secondary tensioning ropes 2 extend within the plane of the unfolded flexible substrate 5.

[0026] like Figure 3As shown, the shaft of the tensioning motor 3 is connected to the main tensioning rope 1. The rotation of the tensioning motor 3 stretches the main tensioning rope 1 toward the root mounting plate 7, thereby driving the secondary tensioning rope 2 connected to the main tensioning rope 1 to move. The steering action of the upper limit hole of the extension rod 4 stretches and tensions the side of the flexible substrate 5 by the secondary tensioning rope 2. By controlling the rotation angle of the tensioning motor 3, the stretching amount of the main tensioning rope 1 can be adjusted, thereby controlling the stretching amount of the secondary tensioning rope 2, and realizing the adjustment of the lateral tension force on the flexible substrate 5. The guide wheel 9 smoothly transitions the main tensioning rope 1 from the middle of the inner side of the extension rod 4 to the shaft of the tensioning motor 3, ensuring that the main tensioning rope 1 applies tension force along the axial direction of the extension rod 4. The guide wheel 9 can be a grooved structure to restrict the lateral movement of the main tensioning rope 1. The tensioning motor 3 can be simplified to a single unit. The main tensioning ropes (1) on both sides can be turned around to the same tensioning motor (3) through pulleys, etc., so as to achieve synchronous tensioning on both sides.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, the extension rod 4 is a C-shaped open carbon fiber round rod that can undergo large deformation and be wound in the opposite direction onto the winding cylinder 6. When it needs to be unfolded, it can be extended by relying on its own stored elastic potential energy, pushing the winding cylinder 6 to move the flexible substrate 5 away from the root mounting plate 7.

[0028] like Figure 5 As shown, the extension rod 4 is equipped with corresponding limiting holes according to the number and position of the lateral tensioning points of the flexible substrate 5. The main tensioning rope 1 is arranged in the middle position inside the extension rod 4 and close to the rod wall (the middle position refers to the position on the line of symmetry of the extension rod 4, and both the main tensioning rope 1 and the secondary tensioning rope 2 extend in the plane of the unfolded flexible substrate 5). When the flexible wing is wound, it can be wound synchronously with the extension rod 4. Most of the secondary tensioning ropes 2 are located on the outside of the extension rod 4, one end is connected to the tensioning point of the flexible substrate 5, and the other end passes through the limiting hole on the extension rod 4 and is connected and fixed to the main tensioning rope 1. Under the steering action of the limiting hole on the extension rod 4, pulling the main tensioning rope 1 along the axial direction of the extension rod 4 can make the secondary tensioning rope 2 laterally tighten the flexible substrate 5. The limiting hole on the extension rod 4 is a smooth circular opening to ensure smooth sliding and steering of the secondary tensioning rope 2.

[0029] This invention fully utilizes the structural characteristics of a wound flexible wing, employing master and slave tensioning ropes to achieve lateral tensioning of the flexible substrate, thereby improving the overall stiffness of the flexible solar array. Through the rational configuration of the master and slave tensioning ropes, only two tensioning motors are needed as control points to achieve multi-point lateral tensioning of the flexible substrate. Furthermore, the tension force can be adjusted by rotating the tensioning motors, and the system can be simplified to a single tensioning motor by using pulleys for steering. Simultaneously, as a tensioning structure for a wound flexible wing, this invention features a simple structure, minimal added mass, and does not affect the original winding and extension of the flexible wing.

[0030] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0031] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A lateral tensioning device for a wound flexible solar panel substrate, characterized in that, include: The main components are tension rope (1), tensioning rope (2), tensioning motor (3), and guide wheel (9); The main tensioning rope (1), which is connected to the tensioning motor (3) at one end, passes over the guide rod wheel (9) and extends inside the extension rod (4) of the coiled flexible solar panel; The tensioning rope (1) is connected from one end of the tensioning rope (2) through a limiting hole on the extension rod (4) of the coiled flexible solar panel, and from the other end of the tensioning rope (2) to the flexible substrate (5) of the coiled flexible solar panel. The tensioning motor (3) is mounted on the root mounting plate (7) of the coiled flexible solar panel. The rollable flexible solar array can change between a rolled-up state and a deployed state; When the coiled flexible solar panel is in the coiled state, the main tension rope (1) is coiled together with the two side extension rods (4) and the flexible substrate (5) of the coiled flexible solar panel on the winding cylinder (6) of the coiled flexible solar panel. Multiple tension ropes (2) are connected to the flexible substrate (5) at one end and pass through the upper limit hole of the extension rod (4) to connect to the main tension rope (1) at the other end. The main tension rope (1) and the tension ropes (2) are both taut but without tension. When the spiral flexible solar panel is in the unfolded state, the tensioning motor (3) rotates, thereby driving the main tensioning rope (1) to pass around the guide rod wheel (9) and be stretched and tensioned towards the root mounting plate (7). Multiple tensioning ropes (2) move from one end with the main tensioning rope (1), and after turning through the limiting hole, the other end pulls the flexible substrate (5) to be stretched laterally. Among them, the extension rod (4) is a carbon fiber round rod with a C-shaped opening, which can be deformed and wound in the opposite direction to the winding cylinder (6) of the winding flexible solar wing. When it needs to be unfolded, it can be extended by relying on its own stored elastic potential energy, pushing the winding cylinder (6) to move away from the root mounting plate (7) along with the flexible substrate (5). The main tension rope (1) consists of N ropes, N≥2, which are arranged close to the middle position of the inner side of the extension rod (4) with C-shaped opening on both sides of the flexible substrate (5); wherein, the middle position refers to the position on the symmetrical line of the extension rod (4), and the main tension rope (1) and the secondary tension rope (2) both extend in the plane of the unfolded flexible substrate (5).

2. The lateral tensioning device for the wound flexible solar panel substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tensioning rope (2) is set in multiple groups according to the tensioning requirements and is symmetrically distributed relative to the flexible substrate (5).

3. The lateral tensioning device for the wound flexible solar panel substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft of the tensioning motor (3) is connected to the main tensioning rope (1). The rotation of the tensioning motor (3) stretches the main tensioning rope (1) toward the root mounting plate (7), thereby driving the secondary tensioning rope (2) connected to the main tensioning rope (1) to move. The steering action of the upper limit hole of the extension rod (4) stretches and tensions the side of the flexible substrate (5) by the secondary tensioning rope (2).

4. The lateral tensioning device for the wound flexible solar panel substrate according to claim 3, characterized in that, Controlling the rotation angle of the tensioning motor (3) can adjust the amount of tension of the tensioning rope (1), thereby controlling the amount of tension from the tensioning rope (2) and adjusting the lateral tension of the flexible substrate (5).

5. The lateral tensioning device for the wound flexible solar panel substrate according to claim 3, characterized in that, The guide wheel (9) enables the tension rope (1) to smoothly transition from the middle of the inner side of the extension rod (4) to the shaft of the tension motor (3). The tension rope (1) applies tension along the axial direction of the extension rod (4). The guide wheel (9) has a grooved structure to restrict the lateral movement of the tension rope (1).

6. The lateral tensioning device for the wound flexible solar panel substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting hole on the extension rod (4) is a smooth circular opening.

7. A method for lateral tensioning of a wound flexible solar panel substrate, characterized in that, The lateral tensioning device for the wound flexible solar panel substrate as described in any one of claims 1-6 is used to laterally tension the wound flexible solar panel substrate.

8. A rollable flexible solar array system, characterized in that, The flexible solar panel substrate includes a flexible substrate (5) and a roll-up flexible solar panel substrate lateral tensioning device capable of tensioning the flexible substrate (5) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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