Multifunctional off-orbit sail with large folding ratio and spacecraft

By designing a multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding and spreading ratio and adopting a rotary drive and folding and spreading drive device, the multi-stage expansion and contraction of the off-orbit sail film is achieved, which solves the problem of low folding and spreading ratio of existing off-orbit sails, improves the structural stability and applicability, and supports multifunctional applications.

CN119218442BActive Publication Date: 2025-10-21NAT UNIV OF DEFENSE TECH
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202410269242.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-11
Publication Date
2025-10-21
Estimated Expiration
2044-03-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing deorbit sails have a low aspect ratio, complex structure and are not reusable. They have poor applicability and cannot meet multifunctional requirements.

Method used

A multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding and unfolding ratio is designed. The off-orbit sail film is square in structure, combined with a rotation drive device and a folding and unfolding drive device. It is folded into a windmill or bud shape through a "卍"-shaped crease, achieving multi-stage expansion and contraction. It has its own flexible thin-film solar cells and antenna patches.

Benefits of technology

The folding and unfolding ratio is improved, the stability of the unfolding process is ensured, the structure is simplified, multiple controllable folding and unfolding are achieved, the applicability is enhanced, and multi-functional applications are supported.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The application discloses a multifunctional large-folding-ratio deorbit sail and a spacecraft, wherein the multifunctional large-folding-ratio deorbit sail comprises a deorbit sail film, a rotating driving device and a folding driving device; the surface of the deorbit sail film is provided with a square structure, and a square fixed area is arranged at the center of the deorbit sail film; four edges of the fixed area extend outward to form four L-shaped folding areas respectively, and the four L-shaped folding areas form a "swastika" type fold line at the outer periphery of the fixed area; the rotating driving device is used for driving the deorbit sail film to rotate; and the folding driving device is used for driving four vertexes of the deorbit sail film to move synchronously in the direction of approaching or moving away from the fixed area. The multifunctional large-folding-ratio deorbit sail provided by the application can effectively improve the folding ratio, has a simple and efficient structure, and can realize multiple controllable folding of the deorbit sail film on an orbit.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of spacecrafts, and particularly to a multi-functional deorbit sail with a large folding ratio and a spacecraft using the multi-functional deorbit sail with a large folding ratio. Background Art

[0002] A deorbit sail is a thin film structure configured on a spacecraft and capable of autonomous deployment in space. When the lifespan of a spacecraft such as a satellite is coming to an end, the thin film sail surface of the deorbit sail can be deployed according to an instruction, increasing the windward area of the satellite. Thereby, the aerodynamic drag formed by the thin atmosphere in the low-earth orbit environment is utilized to push the deorbit sail, driving the satellite to slowly decelerate and gradually脱离 the original orbit, achieving the active deorbit of the satellite, and then yielding the orbit resources to avoid the spacecraft becoming space debris.

[0003] However, limited by the deployment form of the deorbit sail, the payload capacity of the launcher, and the requirements of the carrier envelope, etc., the folding configuration of the traditional deorbit sail is simple, the folding ratio is limited, complex limiting structures need to be set, limiting unlocking is required during the deployment process, and it can only be deployed once and cannot be used for other functions. The structure is complex, occupies a large space, and has poor applicability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional deorbit sail with a large folding ratio to solve the technical problems of the existing deorbit sail having a low folding ratio, a complex structure, and being unable to be reused.

[0005] The present invention also provides a spacecraft using the above multi-functional deorbit sail with a large folding ratio.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a multi-functional deorbit sail with a large folding ratio is provided, including a deorbit sail thin film, a rotation driving device, and a folding and unfolding driving device;

[0007] The surface of the deorbit sail thin film is set as a square structure, a square fixing area is provided at the center position of the deorbit sail thin film, the fixing area is concentrically arranged relative to the outer edge of the deorbit sail thin film, four sides of the fixing area respectively extend outward to form an "L" - shaped folding area, and a "卍" - shaped crease is formed on the outer periphery of the fixing area through the four "L" - shaped folding areas, so that the deorbit sail thin film can be folded through the "卍" - shaped crease to form a first folding state in the shape of a windmill with four blades, and the deorbit sail thin film can synchronously contract multiple blades through a rotation action in the first folding state to form a second folding state in the shape of a flower bud;

[0008] The rotation driving device is connected to the fixing area and is used for driving the deorbit sail thin film to rotate;

[0009] The folding and unfolding driving device is respectively connected to the four vertices of the off-track sail film and is used to drive the four vertices of the off-track sail film to move synchronously in a direction close to or away from the fixed area;

[0010] When the off-orbit sail film is in the second folded state, the folding and unfolding drive device is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film to move synchronously in the direction away from the fixed area, and the rotation drive device synchronously drives the off-orbit sail film to rotate so that the off-orbit sail film is rotated to the first folded state; when the off-orbit sail film is in the first folded state, the folding and unfolding drive device is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film to move synchronously in the direction away from the fixed area so that the off-orbit sail film is stretched and flattened into a square structure.

[0011] Preferably, the folding and unfolding drive device includes a driving mechanism and four telescopic mechanisms, the telescopic mechanism including a housing, a reel, and a telescopic rod. The housing is provided with a receiving chamber, the reel is rotatably mounted in the receiving chamber and connected to the driving mechanism, a first end of the telescopic rod is connected to the reel, and a second end of the telescopic rod extends out of the housing and is connected to the apex of the off-track sail film, and the telescopic rods of the four telescopic mechanisms are connected to the four apexes of the off-track sail film in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0012] The driving mechanism is used to drive the reel to rotate and drive the telescopic rod to rotate and be wound around the reel or released from the reel, thereby adjusting the length of the telescopic rod extending relative to the shell, and then driving the four vertices of the off-track sail film to move synchronously in a direction close to or away from the fixed area.

[0013] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes a driving seat and two first motors installed in the driving seat, the four telescopic mechanisms are grouped in pairs, the two telescopic mechanisms in a single group are stacked along the axial direction of the reel, the two groups of telescopic mechanisms are plugged side by side in the driving seat, and the two groups of telescopic mechanisms are connected to the two first motors in a one-to-one correspondence;

[0014] The reel is provided with a limiting tenon along its first axial end, and a limiting hole along its second axial end. The limiting tenon on the reel is used to be inserted into the limiting hole of the other reel to fix the two reels circumferentially, and a limiting seat adapted to the limiting hole is provided on the output shaft of the first motor.

[0015] Preferably, a card slot and a card hook are provided side by side on the first side wall of the shell. In the two telescopic mechanisms arranged side by side, the card slot is used to embed the card hook of the shell of the other telescopic mechanism, and the card hook is used to insert into the card slot of the shell of the other telescopic mechanism, so that the two telescopic mechanisms arranged side by side are connected and fixed.

[0016] Preferably, the telescopic mechanism also includes a cover plate and a collimator, the shell is configured as a quadrangular prism structure, and the two second side walls of the shell that are perpendicular to the first side wall are each provided with a guide hole for passing the telescopic rod. Among the two second side walls of the shell, the cover plate is provided on one of the second side walls and blocks the corresponding guide hole, and the collimator is installed on the other second side wall and is used to comb the telescopic rod.

[0017] Preferably, the telescopic mechanism further comprises a limiting sleeve, which is coaxially sleeved on the outer circumference of the reel relative to the reel, the limiting sleeve being fixedly installed in the receiving cavity and used to wrap the telescopic rod wound on the reel, and the limiting sleeve is provided with avoidance channels for passing the telescopic rod on the four side walls corresponding to the housing;

[0018] The shell has a bottom wall in the accommodating cavity that is provided with a connecting hole and an annular boss arranged around the connecting hole, as well as a circumferential limit block arranged on the outer periphery of the annular boss. The inner ring of the annular boss is used to insert the reel, and the connecting hole is used for the limiting tenon or the limiting seat to pass through and be inserted into the limiting hole of the reel. The limiting sleeve includes a connecting ring and a circumferential limiting notch provided on the connecting ring. The connecting ring is sleeved on the outer ring of the annular boss. The circumferential limiting notch clamps the circumferential limit block and fixes the connecting ring circumferentially relative to the annular boss.

[0019] Preferably, the telescopic mechanism further comprises a traction rod, the first end of the traction rod is connected to the second end of the telescopic rod, the second end of the traction rod is connected to the apex of the off-track sail film, and the second ends of the traction rods in the four telescopic mechanisms are in the same plane;

[0020] The two telescopic mechanisms arranged side by side are connected to the two vertices on the diagonal line of the off-track sail film in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0021] Preferably, the rotation drive device includes a mounting seat, a second motor disposed in the mounting seat, and a support seat connected to an output shaft of the second motor, the support seat being connected to the fixed area, and the second motor being used to drive the support seat to rotate and drive the off-orbit sail film to rotate;

[0022] The mounting seat is arranged on a side of the telescopic mechanism away from the driving mechanism, and the two sets of telescopic mechanisms are plugged into the mounting seat side by side.

[0023] Preferably, the multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio further comprises a flexible thin-film solar cell patch and / or a flexible thin-film antenna patch covered on the surface of the off-orbit sail film.

[0024] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a spacecraft is further provided, which includes the above-mentioned multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding ratio.

[0025] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] In the multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding ratio provided by the present invention, the surface of the off-orbit sail film is set as a square structure with good stability and high strength. A fixed area concentric with the outer edge of the off-orbit sail film is provided at the center position of the off-orbit sail film, and "L"-shaped folding areas are respectively extended outward along the four sides of the fixed area. Four "L"-shaped folding areas form a "卍"-shaped crease on the outer periphery of the fixed area, so that the off-orbit sail film can be folded through the "卍"-shaped crease to form a first folding state in the shape of a windmill with four blades, and the off-orbit sail film can synchronously contract multiple blades through a rotating action to form a second folding state in the shape of a flower bud in the first folding state. When the off-orbit sail film is in the second folding state, the outer edge of the off-orbit sail film can be driven by a folding and unfolding driving device to move and unfold in a direction away from the fixed area, and the off-orbit sail film can be synchronously driven to rotate by a rotation driving device so that the off-orbit sail film is rotated and unfolded into the first folding state; when the off-orbit sail film is in the first folding state, the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film can be driven by the folding and unfolding driving device to synchronously move in a direction away from the fixed area, so that the off-orbit sail film is stretched and flattened into a square structure. In summary, by optimizing the folding configuration of the off-orbit sail film, the multi-stage unfolding action of the off-orbit sail film can be realized under the cooperation of the rotation driving device and the folding and unfolding driving device. First, the flower bud-shaped sail surface wrapped around the center is stretched and straightened outward, and then the off-orbit sail film is completely unfolded and flattened along the circumferential direction, effectively increasing the folding ratio, ensuring the stability of the sail surface folding and unfolding process, without the need to configure a limiter, with a simple and efficient structure, high reliability, and it can also realize the contraction and folding of the off-orbit sail film through the reverse actions of the rotation driving device and the folding and unfolding driving device, thereby realizing the multiple controllable folding and unfolding of the off-orbit sail film in orbit, meeting more application scenarios, and realizing more functions. Secondly, because the multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding ratio自带旋转驱动装置和折展驱动装置,能够装配在任意卫星平台上使用,适用性强。

[0027] In addition to the purposes, features and advantages described above, the present invention has other purposes, features and advantages. The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The drawings constituting a part of this application are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 It should be noted that the part "自带旋转驱动装置和折展驱动装置,能够装配在任意卫星平台上使用,适用性强。" in the original text seems to be incomplete or unclear in expression. I have translated it as accurately as possible based on the context, but it may need to be further adjusted according to the complete and accurate content.A three-dimensional diagram of a multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio provided by an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding-aspect ratio in a second folding state;

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the multifunctional deorbiting sail with a large folding / aspect ratio with the deorbiting sail film removed;

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A diagram showing a folded configuration of an off-orbit sail membrane in a multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large fold-to-aspect ratio;

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram of the unfolding process of the deorbiting sail membrane is shown;

[0034] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the assembly structure on the off-orbit sail membrane shown;

[0035] Figure 7 for Figure 3 An exploded view of the multifunctional deorbiting sail with a large aspect ratio is shown;

[0036] Figure 8 for Figure 7 An exploded view of the four telescopic mechanisms in the multifunctional deorbiting sail with a large folding / aspect ratio is shown;

[0037] Figure 9 for Figure 8 An exploded view of the telescopic mechanism shown;

[0038] Figure 10 for Figure 8 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the telescopic mechanism shown.

[0039] Legend:

[0040] 1000. Multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / expansion ratio; 1. Off-orbit sail film; 11. Fixing area; 2. Rotation drive device; 21. Mounting seat; 22. Second motor; 23. Support seat; 3. Folding / expansion drive device; 31. Drive mechanism; 311. Drive seat; 312. First motor; 32. Telescopic mechanism; 321. Housing; 3211. Slot; 3212. Hook; 3213. Guide hole; 3214. Connecting hole; 3215, annular boss; 322, scroll; 3221, limiting tenon; 3222, limiting hole; 3223, mounting slot; 323, telescopic rod; 324, cover plate; 325, beam expander; 326, limiting sleeve; 3261, avoidance channel; 3262, connecting ring; 3263, circumferential limiting notch; 327, traction rod; 4, control box; 5, flexible thin-film solar cell patch; 6, flexible thin-film antenna patch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different ways as defined and covered below.

[0042] Figures 1 to 10 The multifunctional deorbit sail with a large folding and aspect ratio provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown together. It is used to be installed on spacecraft such as satellites and can be autonomously deployed in space. When the life of the spacecraft is about to end, the deorbit sail film is deployed to increase the windward area of ​​the spacecraft, thereby utilizing the aerodynamic resistance formed by the thin atmosphere of the low-orbit environment to push the deorbit sail, driving the spacecraft to slowly decelerate and gradually leave the original orbit, realizing the active deorbit of the spacecraft, and then giving up orbital resources to prevent the spacecraft from becoming space junk.

[0043] Please combine Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 The multifunctional off-orbit sail 1000 with a large folding and unfolding ratio includes an off-orbit sail film 1, a rotation drive device 2, and an folding and unfolding drive device 3. The surface of the off-orbit sail film 1 is configured as a square structure. A fixing area 11 is provided at the center of the off-orbit sail film 1. The fixing area 11 is also configured as a square structure and is concentrically arranged relative to the outer edge of the off-orbit sail film 1, so that the fixing area 11 forms a concentric square with the outer edge of the off-orbit sail film 1. The shape of the fixing area 11 remains unchanged during the folding and unfolding process of the off-orbit sail film 1, that is, the fixing area 11 does not participate in folding.

[0044] Further, four sides of the fixing area 11 respectively extend outward to form four "L"-shaped folding areas, and a "卍"-shaped crease is formed on the outer periphery of the fixing area 11 through the four "L"-shaped folding areas. The "L"-shaped folding areas are alternately arranged with mountain folds and valley folds from outside to inside, and creases are also provided in the extension directions of the four sides of the fixing area 11. "L"-shaped creases at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the "L"-shaped folding areas are respectively provided at the four vertices of the fixing area 11, so that the off-orbital sail film 1 can be folded through the "卍"-shaped crease to form a first folding state in the shape of a windmill with four blades, and the off-orbital sail film 1 can synchronously contract multiple blades through a rotating action to form a second folding state in the shape of a flower bud in the first folding state.

[0045] Further, the rotation driving device 2 is connected to the fixing area 11 and is used to drive the off-orbital sail film 1 to rotate as a whole. The folding and unfolding driving device 3 is respectively connected to the four vertices of the off-orbital sail film 1. The folding and unfolding driving device 3 is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbital sail film 1 to move synchronously in a direction close to or away from the fixing area 11, so as to drive the outer edge of the off-orbital sail film 1 to be stretched and unfolded or folded and retracted relative to the fixing area 11.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 5 , in the appendix Figure 5 Six states of the off-orbital sail film 1 are shown. According to the order indicated by the arrow, the first state is the second folding state, the third state is the first folding state, and the sixth state is the fully unfolded state. Among them, the second state is the change process of the off-orbital sail film 1 being rotated from the second folding state to the first folding state, and the fourth and fifth states are the change processes of the off-orbital sail film 1 being unfolded from the first folding state to the fully unfolded state. When the off-orbital sail film 1 is in the second folding state, the folding and unfolding driving device 3 is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbital sail film 1 to move synchronously in a direction away from the fixing area 11, and the rotation driving device 2 synchronously drives the off-orbital sail film 1 to rotate so that the off-orbital sail film 1 is gradually rotated into the first folding state; when the off-orbital sail film 1 is in the first folding state, the folding and unfolding driving device 3 is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbital sail film 1 to move synchronously in a direction away from the fixing area 11, so that the off-orbital sail film 1 is gradually stretched and flattened into a square structure, that is, the fully unfolded state.

[0047] In the multi-functional off-orbit sail 1000 with a large folding ratio, the surface of the off-orbit sail film 1 is set as a square structure with good stability and high strength. A fixed area 11 concentric with the outer edge of the off-orbit sail film 1 is provided at the center position of the off-orbit sail film 1, and "L"-shaped folding areas are respectively extended outward along the four sides of the fixed area 11. A "卍"-shaped crease is formed on the outer periphery of the fixed area through the four "L"-shaped folding areas, so that the off-orbit sail film 1 can be folded through the "卍"-shaped crease to form a first folding state in the shape of a windmill with four blades, and the off-orbit sail film 1 can synchronously contract multiple blades through a rotating action in the first folding state to form a second folding state in the shape of a flower bud. Therefore, when the off-orbit sail film 1 is in the second folding state, the outer edge of the off-orbit sail film 1 can be driven by the folding and unfolding driving device 3 to move and unfold in a direction away from the fixed area 11, and the off-orbit sail film 1 can be synchronously driven to rotate by the rotation driving device 2 so that the off-orbit sail film 1 is unwound into the first folding state; when the off-orbit sail film 1 is in the first folding state, the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film 3 can be continuously driven by the folding and unfolding driving device 3 to move in a direction away from the fixed area 11 synchronously, so that the off-orbit sail film 1 is stretched and flattened into a square structure. In summary, by optimizing the folding configuration of the off-orbit sail film 1, the multi-stage unfolding action of the off-orbit sail film 1 can be realized under the cooperation of the rotation driving device 2 and the folding and unfolding driving device 3. First, the flower bud-shaped sail surface wrapped around the center is stretched and straightened outward, and then the off-orbit sail film 1 is completely unfolded and flattened along the circumferential direction, effectively increasing the folding ratio, ensuring the stability of the sail surface folding and unfolding process, without the need to configure a limiter, with a simple and efficient structure, high reliability, and it can also realize the contraction and folding of the off-orbit sail film 1 through the reverse actions of the rotation driving device 2 and the folding and unfolding driving device 3, thereby realizing the multiple controllable folding and unfolding of the off-orbit sail film 1 in orbit, meeting more application scenarios, realizing more functions. Secondly, since the multi-functional off-orbit sail 1000 with a large folding ratio自带 the rotation driving device 2 and the folding and unfolding driving device 3, it can be assembled and used on any satellite platform, with strong applicability.

[0048] Please combine Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the folding and unfolding driving device 3 includes a driving mechanism 31 and four telescopic mechanisms 32. The telescopic mechanism 32 includes a housing 321, a reel 322 and a telescopic rod 323. A receiving cavity is provided in the housing 321. The reel 322 is rotatably installed in the receiving cavity and connected to the driving mechanism 31. The first end of the telescopic rod 323 is connected to the reel 322, and the second end of the telescopic rod 323 passes out of the housing 321 and is connected to the vertex of the off-orbit sail film 1. And the telescopic rods 323 of the four telescopic mechanisms 32 are respectively and correspondingly connected to the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film 1.

[0049] Specifically, the telescopic rod 323 is made of a carbon fiber composite material with shape memory function. It can be bent and wound around the reel 322, and can also remain straight and extend relative to the shell 321 after being detached from the reel 322. The driving mechanism 31 is used to drive the reel 322 to rotate and drive the telescopic rod 323 to rotate and wind around the reel 322 or be released from the reel 322, thereby adjusting the length of the telescopic rod 323 extending relative to the shell 321, and then driving the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film 1 to move synchronously in the direction of approaching or moving away from the fixed area 11.

[0050] The folding and unfolding drive device 3 adjusts the folding and unfolding states of the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film 1 through four telescopic mechanisms 32, so that the four telescopic rods 323 are wound around the four reels 322 in a one-to-one correspondence. A single reel 322 only needs to be wound around a single telescopic rod 323, that is, a single receiving chamber only needs to accommodate a single telescopic rod 323. This is more conducive to the miniaturization and modularization design of the telescopic mechanism 32, and the housing 321 of the telescopic mechanism 32 can be set to a smaller state, effectively reducing the occupied space, and can be flexibly assembled according to the actual installation space. For example, the four telescopic mechanisms 32 can be arranged side by side along a straight line, or in a rectangular array in the horizontal direction, or in a rectangular array in the vertical direction, or in a ring arrangement, or in an irregular arrangement, etc., and it is only necessary to arrange the four telescopic rods 323 in the four telescopic mechanisms 32 along the diagonals of the off-orbit sail film 1. The telescopic mechanism 32 can be adapted for installation on different spacecraft and has strong applicability.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, preferably, the driving mechanism 31 includes a driving seat 311 and two first motors 312 installed side by side in the driving seat 311, and the four telescopic mechanisms 32 form a group in pairs. The two telescopic mechanisms 32 in a single group of telescopic mechanisms 32 are stacked along the axial direction of the scroll 322, and the two groups of telescopic mechanisms 32 are inserted side by side in the driving seat 32. The two groups of telescopic mechanisms 32 are connected to the two first motors 312 one by one, and the two groups of telescopic mechanisms 32 are respectively driven to move by the two first motors 312. More importantly, the two groups of telescopic mechanisms 32 can also be limited and fixed by the driving seat 311, without the need for additional limiting structures such as clamps, which can simplify the structure, reduce the volume and reduce the weight.

[0052] Please combine Figure 9 and Figure 10Specifically, the reel 322 is provided with a limiting tenon 3221 along the first end thereof in the axial direction, and the reel 322 is provided with a limiting hole 3222 matched with the limiting tenon 3221 along the second end thereof in the axial direction. The limiting tenon 3221 on the reel 322 is used to be inserted into the limiting hole 3222 of the other reel 322 and to fix the two reels 322 circumferentially, thereby connecting the two reels 322 in series into a whole, so that the two reels 322 can rotate synchronously under the drive of the first motor 312, without the need for an additional transmission structure, further simplifying the structure, reducing the volume and reducing the weight.

[0053] Furthermore, a limiting seat (not shown in the figure, the same below) that is compatible with the limiting hole 3222 is provided on the output shaft of the first motor 312. The first motor 312 is connected to one of the reels 322 through the limiting seat and is fixed circumferentially relative to the reel 322, so that the two reels 322 can be driven to rotate synchronously.

[0054] Furthermore, the limiting seat includes a limiting structure having the same structure as the limiting tenon 3221 and a mounting flange connected to the limiting structure, and the limiting seat is mounted on the output shaft of the first motor 312 through the mounting flange.

[0055] Furthermore, a mounting groove 3223 is provided on the outer periphery of the reel 322 , and the mounting groove 3223 is used to embed and install the telescopic rod 323 so that the mounting structure of the telescopic rod 323 on the reel 322 is flush with the outer peripheral wall of the reel 322 .

[0056] Please combine Figure 8 and Figure 9 Preferably, a card slot 3211 and a card hook 3212 are provided side by side on the first side wall of the shell 321. In the two telescopic mechanisms 32 arranged side by side, the card slot 3211 is used to embed the card hook 3212 of the shell 321 of the other telescopic mechanism 32, and the card hook 3212 is used to be inserted into the card slot 3211 of the shell 321 of the other telescopic mechanism 32, so that the two telescopic mechanisms 32 arranged side by side are connected and fixed. Through the cooperation of the card slot 3211 and the card hook 3212, the two adjacent shells 321 can be flexibly disassembled and assembled, the assembly structure is simple and efficient, and the disassembly and assembly are convenient and quick.

[0057] like Figure 9As shown, the telescopic mechanism 32 also includes a cover plate 324 and a beam expander 325. The shell 321 is configured as a quadrangular prism structure. The two second side walls of the shell 321 that are perpendicular to the first side wall are each provided with a guide hole 3213 for passing the telescopic rod 323. Among the two second side walls of the shell 321, the cover plate 324 is covered on one of the second side walls and blocks the corresponding guide hole 3213. The beam expander 325 is installed on the other second side wall and is used to comb the telescopic rod 323.

[0058] Specifically, guide holes 3213 for passing the telescopic rod 323 are provided on the two second side walls opposite to each other of the shell 321, so that the telescopic rod 323 in the shell 321 can pass through any side of the opposite sides of the shell 321, thereby ensuring that the shell 321 can meet the requirements of the insertion direction of the telescopic rod 323 when it is arranged along different assembly directions. The cover plate 324 is covered on one of the second side walls and blocks the corresponding guide hole 3213. The beam expander 325 is installed on the other second side wall and is used to comb the telescopic rod 323, so that the shell 321 can be sealed and the telescopic rod 323 can be better guided. That is, the shell 321 adopts a modular design, and can achieve actual assembly of two adjacent shells 321 when installed along different directions and meet the requirements of the insertion direction of the telescopic rod 323. There is no need to design different structures for shells in different positions. This not only reduces production costs, but also effectively ensures the consistency of specifications such as size and weight, and meets the high precision requirements of spacecraft for spare parts.

[0059] Furthermore, the telescopic rod 323 adopts a pod rod, one end of which is double-Ω-shaped, has high support strength, and is not easy to bend and deform, and the other end of the pod rod is flat and strip-shaped, which can be bent and wound around the reel 322.

[0060] Furthermore, the beam expander 325 includes a first opening disposed in a direction away from the reel 322 and a second opening disposed toward the reel 322, as well as a beam expansion channel connecting the first and second openings and smoothly transitioning between the first and second openings. The first opening is adapted to the double-Ω shape of the pod stem, and the second opening is adapted to the flat-ribbon shape of the pod stem. The beam expander 325 is configured to compress the segment of the pod stem passing through the beam expander 325 from the double-Ω shape to the flat-ribbon shape as the pod stem enters the receiving cavity, and further to expand the segment of the pod stem passing through the beam expander 325 from the flat-ribbon shape to the double-Ω shape as the pod stem exits the receiving cavity.

[0061] like Figure 9As shown, the telescopic mechanism 32 preferably further includes a limiting sleeve 326, which is coaxially sleeved around the outer circumference of the reel 322 relative to the reel 322. The limiting sleeve 326 is fixedly mounted within the receiving cavity and is used to wrap around the telescopic rod 323 wound around the reel 322. The limiting sleeve 326 is provided with avoidance channels 3261 for the telescopic rod 323 to pass through on the four side walls corresponding to the housing 321, so that the limiting sleeve 326 can adapt to different insertion directions of the telescopic rod 323. The limiting sleeve 326 compresses and secures the telescopic rod 323 on the reel 322, thereby preventing the telescopic rod 323 wound around the reel 322 from becoming loose or bulging, and preventing the telescopic rod 323 from getting stuck or expanding during the retraction or expansion process.

[0062] Please combine Figure 9 and Figure 10 The shell 321 is provided with a connecting hole 3214 and an annular boss 3215 arranged around the connecting hole 3214 on the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity, as well as a circumferential limit block (not shown in the figure, the same below) provided on the outer periphery of the annular boss 3215. The inner ring of the annular boss 3215 is used to insert the reel 322. The connecting hole 3214 is used for allowing the limiting tenon 3221 or the limiting seat to pass through and be inserted into the limiting hole 3222 of the reel 322. The limiting sleeve 326 includes a connecting ring 3262 and a circumferential limit notch 3263 provided on the connecting ring 3262. The connecting ring 3262 is sleeved on the outer ring of the annular boss 3215. The circumferential limit notch 3263 clamps the circumferential limit block and fixes the connecting ring 3262 circumferentially relative to the annular boss 3215. The housing 321 can position and fix the reel 322 and the limiting sleeve 326 respectively through the inner and outer rings of the annular boss 3215, and keep a certain gap between the limiting sleeve 326 and the reel 322. The positioning structure is simple and efficient.

[0063] like Figure 8As shown, the telescopic mechanism 32 also includes a traction rod 327 arranged perpendicularly relative to the surface of the off-track sail film 1. The first end of the traction rod 327 is connected to the second end of the telescopic rod 323, and the second end of the traction rod 327 is connected to the apex of the off-track sail film 1. The second ends of the traction rods 327 in the four telescopic mechanisms 32 are located in the same plane. The telescopic rod 323 is connected to the off-track sail film 1 via the traction rod 327, allowing the folding and unfolding drive device 3 to be entirely located on the back of the off-track sail film 1, avoiding occupying the front space of the off-track sail film 1. Furthermore, the second ends of the traction rods 327 in the four telescopic mechanisms 32 are located in the same plane, ensuring that the two stacked telescopic mechanisms 32 have the same support height, ensuring the full deployment of the off-track sail film 1.

[0064] Preferably, the two telescopic mechanisms 32 arranged side by side are connected one-to-one with the two vertices on the diagonal of the off-track sail film 1, that is, among the four telescopic mechanisms 32, the traction rods 327 on the two telescopic mechanisms 32 located on the lower layer are arranged along one diagonal of the off-track sail film 1, and the traction rods 327 on the two telescopic mechanisms 32 located on the upper layer are arranged along the other diagonal of the off-track sail film 1, so that the force of the two groups of telescopic mechanisms 32 is uniform and stable, and the transmission effect is better.

[0065] More preferably, the driving mechanism 31 is arranged at the end of the single telescopic mechanism 32 away from the off-track sail film 1, that is, in the two telescopic mechanisms 32 arranged in a stacked manner, the first motor 312 is connected to the telescopic mechanism 32 away from the off-track sail film 1. Since the telescopic mechanism 32 away from the off-track sail film 1 needs to be equipped with a longer traction rod 327, it requires more sufficient driving force, while the telescopic mechanism 32 close to the off-track sail film 1 only needs to be equipped with a shorter traction rod 327 and has a smaller demand for driving force, the driving mechanism 31 is arranged at the end of the single telescopic mechanism 32 away from the off-track sail film 1, so that the first motor 312 can more stably drive the two scrolls 322 to rotate synchronously, and the driving effect is better.

[0066] like Figure 7 As shown, the rotation drive device 2 includes a mounting seat 21, a second motor 22 arranged in the mounting seat 21, and a support seat 23 connected to the output shaft of the second motor 22. The support seat 23 is connected to the fixed area 11, and the second motor 22 is used to drive the support seat 23 to rotate and drive the off-orbit sail film 1 to rotate.

[0067] Preferably, the mounting seat 21 is arranged on a side of the telescopic mechanism 32 away from the driving mechanism 31, and two groups of telescopic mechanisms 32 are inserted side by side in the mounting seat 21. The two groups of telescopic mechanisms 32 are limited and fixed by the mounting seat 21, which can strengthen the fixation of the telescopic mechanism 32, so that the four telescopic mechanisms 32 are connected into a whole under the clamping and fixation of the mounting seat 21 and the driving seat 311, effectively improving the connection strength and stability.

[0068] Preferably, an angle sensor is provided on the support seat 23, and the angle sensor is used to detect the rotation angle of the support seat 23 to ensure that the off-track sail film 1 is rotated and folded into place, so as to avoid the off-track sail film 1 rotating too much or too little and causing wrinkles and inability to fully expand.

[0069] Furthermore, the multifunctional off-orbit sail 1000 with a large folding / expansion ratio further includes a control box 4, in which a control circuit is provided. The first motor 312, the second motor 22 and the angle sensor are respectively connected to the control circuit. The control circuit is used to adjust the rotational motion of the first motor 312 and the second motor 22 in real time according to the detection result of the angle sensor, thereby improving the rotational drive accuracy.

[0070] Preferably, the control box 4 is disposed at an end of the driving seat 311 away from the off-orbit sail film 1 , so that the control box 4 is disposed as far away from the off-orbit sail film 1 as possible to avoid signal interference.

[0071] like Figure 6 As shown, preferably, the multifunctional deorbit sail 1000 with a large folding and unfolding ratio further includes a flexible thin-film solar cell patch 5 and / or a flexible thin-film antenna patch 6 covered on the surface of the deorbit sail film 1. Since the deorbit sail film 1 can be controllably folded and unfolded multiple times on orbit, by installing the flexible thin-film solar cell patch 5 and / or the flexible thin-film antenna patch 6 on the surface of the deorbit sail film 1, the unfolding action of the deorbit sail film 1 can be utilized to achieve power replenishment or signal amplification, so that the function of the deorbit sail film 1 is not limited to active deorbiting at the end of the life of the spacecraft, and a multifunctional design is realized. This can further reduce other components on the spacecraft, realize the miniaturization and lightweight design of the spacecraft, and effectively improve the applicability.

[0072] As a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a spacecraft, comprising the above-mentioned multifunctional off-orbit sail 1000 with a large folding / expansion ratio. Since the folding configuration of the multifunctional off-orbit sail 1000 with a large folding / expansion ratio can effectively improve the folding / expansion ratio, the structure is simple and efficient, the reliability is high, and the off-orbit sail film 1 can be controlled to fold and expand multiple times on-orbit, thereby effectively improving the relevant performance of the spacecraft in a spacecraft with a limited space, so that the spacecraft can meet more application scenarios and has strong applicability.

[0073] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio, characterized in that: It includes an off-orbit sail film (1), a rotation drive device (2) and a folding and unfolding drive device (3); The surface of the off-orbit sail film (1) is set as a square structure. A square fixed area (11) is provided at the center position of the off-orbit sail film (1). The fixed area (11) is concentrically arranged relative to the outer edge of the off-orbit sail film (1). Four sides of the fixed area (11) extend outward to form "L"-shaped folding areas, and a "卍"-shaped crease is formed on the outer periphery of the fixed area (11) through the four "L"-shaped folding areas, so that the off-orbit sail film (1) can be folded through the "卍"-shaped crease to form a first folding state in the shape of a windmill with four blades, and the off-orbit sail film (1) can synchronously contract multiple blades through a rotation action in the first folding state to form a second folding state in the shape of a flower bud; The rotation drive device (2) is connected to the fixed area (11) and is used to drive the off-orbit sail film (1) to rotate; The folding and unfolding drive device (3) is respectively connected to the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film (1) and is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film (1) to synchronously move in a direction close to or away from the fixed area (11); When the off-orbit sail film (1) is in the second folding state, the folding and unfolding drive device (3) is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film (1) to synchronously move in a direction away from the fixed area (11), and the rotation drive device (2) synchronously drives the off-orbit sail film (1) to rotate so that the off-orbit sail film (1) is unwound into the first folding state; when the off-orbit sail film (1) is in the first folding state, the folding and unfolding drive device (3) is used to drive the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film (1) to synchronously move in a direction away from the fixed area (11), so that the off-orbit sail film (1) is stretched and flattened into a square structure; The folding and unfolding drive device (3) includes a drive mechanism (31) and four telescopic mechanisms (32). The telescopic mechanism (3) includes a housing (321), a reel (322) and a telescopic rod (323). A receiving cavity is provided in the housing (321). The reel (322) is rotatably installed in the receiving cavity and is connected to the drive mechanism (31). The first end of the telescopic rod (323) is connected to the reel (322), and the second end of the telescopic rod (323) passes out of the housing (321) and is connected to the vertex of the off-orbit sail film (1), and the telescopic rods (323) of the four telescopic mechanisms (32) are connected to the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film (1) in one-to-one correspondence; The drive mechanism (31) is used to drive the reel (322) to rotate and带动 the telescopic rod (323) to rotate and wind around the reel (322) or be released from the reel (322), so as to adjust the length of the telescopic rod (323) extending out of the housing (321), and further带动 the four vertices of the off-orbit sail film (1) to synchronously move in a direction close to or away from the fixed area (11); The driving mechanism (31) includes a driving seat (311) and two first motors (312) installed in the driving seat (311); four telescopic mechanisms (32) are grouped in pairs; two telescopic mechanisms (32) in a single group of telescopic mechanisms (32) are stacked along the axial direction of the reel (322); the two groups of telescopic mechanisms (32) are plugged into the driving seat (311) side by side; and the two groups of telescopic mechanisms (32) are connected to the two first motors (312) in a one-to-one correspondence; The reel (322) is provided with a limiting tenon (3221) along its first axial end, and a limiting hole (3222) is provided along its second axial end. The limiting tenon (3221) on the reel (322) is used to be inserted into the limiting hole (3222) of the other reel (322) and to circumferentially fix the two reels (322). The output shaft of the first motor (312) is provided with a limiting seat adapted to the limiting hole (3222). The telescopic mechanism (32) further includes a limiting sleeve (326), the limiting sleeve (326) being coaxially sleeved on the outer periphery of the reel (322) relative to the reel (322), the limiting sleeve (326) being fixedly mounted in the receiving cavity and used to wrap the telescopic rod (323) wound around the reel (322), and the limiting sleeve (326) is provided with avoidance channels for passing the telescopic rod (323) on four side walls corresponding to the housing (321); The shell (321) is provided with a connecting hole (3214) and an annular boss (3215) arranged around the connecting hole (3214) on the bottom wall in the receiving cavity, and a circumferential limiting block is provided on the outer periphery of the annular boss (3215). The inner ring of the annular boss (3215) is used to plug the reel (322), and the connecting hole (3214) is used for the limiting tenon (3221) or the limiting seat to pass through and be inserted into the reel. In the limiting hole (3222) of the shaft (322), the limiting sleeve (326) includes a connecting ring (3262) and a circumferential limiting notch (3263) provided on the connecting ring (3262); the connecting ring (3262) is sleeved on the outer ring of the annular boss (3215); the circumferential limiting notch (3263) engages with the circumferential limiting block and fixes the connecting ring (3262) circumferentially relative to the annular boss (3215).

2. The multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio according to claim 1, characterized in that: A card slot (3211) and a card hook (3212) are arranged side by side on the first side wall of the housing (321). In two telescopic mechanisms (32) arranged side by side, the card slot (3211) is used to embed into the card hook (3212) of the housing (321) of the other telescopic mechanism (32), and the card hook (3212) is used to insert into the card slot (3211) of the housing (321) of the other telescopic mechanism (32), so that the two telescopic mechanisms (32) arranged side by side are connected and fixed.

3. The multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio according to claim 2, characterized in that: The telescopic mechanism (32) further includes a cover plate (324) and a beam expander (325). The shell (321) is configured as a quadrangular prism structure. Two second side walls of the shell (321) perpendicular to the first side wall are each provided with a guide hole (3213) for passing the telescopic rod (323). Of the two second side walls of the shell (321), the cover plate (324) is provided on one of the second side walls and blocks the corresponding guide hole (3213). The beam expander (325) is installed on the other second side wall and is used to comb the telescopic rod (323).

4. The multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio according to claim 2, characterized in that: The telescopic mechanism (32) further includes a traction rod (327), a first end of the traction rod (327) being connected to a second end of the telescopic rod (323), a second end of the traction rod (327) being connected to a vertex of the off-orbit sail film (1), and the second ends of the traction rods (327) in the four telescopic mechanisms (32) being located on the same plane; The two telescopic mechanisms (32) arranged side by side are connected to the two vertices on the diagonal line of the off-track sail film (1) in a one-to-one correspondence.

5. The multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotation drive device (2) comprises a mounting seat (21), a second motor (22) disposed in the mounting seat (21), and a support seat (23) connected to an output shaft of the second motor (22), wherein the support seat (23) is connected to the fixing area (11), and the second motor (22) is used to drive the support seat (23) to rotate and drive the off-orbit sail film (1) to rotate; The mounting seat (21) is arranged on a side of the telescopic mechanism (32) away from the driving mechanism (31), and the two sets of telescopic mechanisms (32) are plugged into the mounting seat (21) side by side.

6. The multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large fold-to-stretch ratio further comprises a flexible thin-film solar cell patch (5) and / or a flexible thin-film antenna patch (6) covered on the surface of the off-orbit sail film (1).

7. A spacecraft, characterized in that: A multifunctional off-orbit sail with a large folding / stretching ratio comprising the sail as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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