Solar self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of solar devices of aviation aircrafts, in particular to a solar self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration, which comprises an outer shell, an openable side wall is arranged on the outer shell, a middle shaft is arranged in the outer shell, a ferromagnetic metal plate is fixedly connected onto the middle shaft, and an annular regulation and control plate is sleeved on the middle shaft. An elastic part is fixedly connected between the annular regulation and control plate and the ferromagnetic metal plate, a plurality of electromagnets are evenly distributed on the annular regulation and control plate in the circumferential direction, a paper folding type solar panel is fixedly connected to the outer side of the annular regulation and control plate, and the paper folding type solar panel is provided with a driving part used for driving the paper folding type solar panel to be unfolded. A plurality of thermistors are evenly distributed on the paper folding type solar panel in the circumferential direction, and the electromagnets and the thermistors in the same direction are electrically connected with the center shaft as the center. According to the technical scheme of the invention, the posture of the paper folding type solar panel is adjusted through the temperature difference of each side of the paper folding type solar panel, so that the collection rate of sunlight is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of solar energy devices for aerospace vehicles, and particularly to a solar energy self - adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep - space exploration. Background Art

[0002] With the development of aerospace industries such as manned spaceflight and deep - space exploration, folding and unfolding mechanisms with small folded volume and light weight are widely used in space structures such as satellite antennas, solar panels, and thermal shields. This makes the research on folding and unfolding mechanisms one of the hot research topics in mechanism science and has very important practical significance for the development and progress of aerospace technology. There are various types of folding and unfolding mechanisms, such as thin - walled tubular folding and unfolding mechanisms, inflatable deployable mechanisms, and origami folding and unfolding mechanisms. Among them, new origami - based folding and unfolding mechanisms have developed rapidly in recent years, and various origami - based structures have begun to be widely used in fields such as machinery, architecture, and aerospace, such as the Flasher origami mechanism, the Miura folding mechanism, etc.

[0003] As the detector moves continuously, the irradiation angle of sunlight on the solar panel of the detector will change with the movement of the detector. Therefore, a solar energy self - adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep - space exploration that can change its orientation according to the change of sunlight is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a solar energy self - adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep - space exploration, which adjusts the attitude of the origami - type solar panel through the temperature difference on each side of the origami - type solar panel to improve the sunlight collection rate.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A solar energy self - adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep - space exploration includes an outer shell, the outer shell is provided with an openable side wall, a central axis is arranged inside the outer shell, a ferromagnetic metal plate is fixedly connected to the central axis, an annular control plate is sleeved on the central axis, an elastic member is fixedly connected between the annular control plate and the ferromagnetic metal plate, a gap is provided between the central axis and the annular control plate, a plurality of electromagnets are circumferentially and evenly distributed on the annular control plate, an origami - type solar panel is fixedly connected to the outside of the annular control plate, the origami - type solar panel is provided with a driving member for driving the origami - type solar panel to unfold, and a plurality of thermistors are circumferentially and evenly distributed on the origami - type solar panel. Taking the central axis as the center, the electromagnets and the thermistors in the same direction are electrically connected.

[0006] The above - mentioned solution has the following beneficial effects:

[0007] 1. In this solution, the origami - type solar panel can be folded like the creases of origami, so as to maintain a compact folded state during the launch phase to adapt to the limited space and load - bearing capacity of the detector. After entering the predetermined orbit, through remote control instructions or automatic program control, the solar panel can be automatically unfolded, fully exposed to sunlight, and maximize the reception of solar energy.

[0008] 2. In this solution, as the detector moves continuously, the incident angle of sunlight it receives will also change. After the incident angle of sunlight changes, since the sunlight radiation carries heat, there will be a temperature difference in the unfolded origami - type solar panel, that is, the temperature in the concentrated irradiation area is higher and lower in other areas, which will cause the resistance value of the thermistor in the concentrated irradiation area to change. The resistance of the thermistor in the concentrated irradiation area increases, causing the power of the electromagnet to decrease, and thus the magnetic suction force to drop. The elastic member will overcome the magnetic suction force and elongate, causing the origami - type solar panel to deflect towards the concentrated irradiation area, so as to receive more sunlight and obtain more energy.

[0009] Furthermore, the driving member of the origami - type solar panel is a number of elastic ribs, which are evenly distributed in the origami - type solar panel and are used to expand after the side wall of the outer casing is opened.

[0010] Beneficial effects: The detector hardly needs to consider recovery, so only the origami - type solar panel needs to be driven to unfold. The elastic ribs are curled during the launch phase of the detector, so that the origami - type solar panel maintains a compact folded state, and after the side wall of the outer casing is opened, it unfolds under the elastic action, so as to carry out the unfolding of the origami - type solar panel.

[0011] Furthermore, a hollow pipeline is provided inside the elastic rib, a traction rope is provided inside the hollow pipeline, one end of the traction rope is fixedly connected to the end of the elastic rib, the other end of the traction rope extends outside the elastic rib along the hollow pipeline, and a winch for pulling the traction rope is fixedly connected to the central axis.

[0012] Beneficial effects: Since the elastic rib has elasticity, a traction rope is arranged inside the elastic rib, and the elastic rib is pulled by the winch, so that the elastic rib is bent to finely adjust the origami - type solar panel.

[0013] Furthermore, a controller is also included. The controller is used to obtain the resistance values of each thermistor. When the resistance value of the thermistor is higher than the preset resistance value, it controls the winch to pull the traction rope in the direction of the thermistor with a resistance value higher than the preset resistance value.

[0014] Beneficial effects: In space, it is a vacuum environment, and heat can only be dissipated through radiation. After too much sunlight is collected, the temperature of the origami - type solar panel will be too high. By pulling the traction rope with the winch, the sunlight collection area of the origami - type solar panel can be reduced, so as to reduce heat accumulation.

[0015] Furthermore, the origami-type solar panel includes a thin film made of a flexible material, and a number of solar panels are provided on the thin film.

[0016] Beneficial effects: The flexible material enables the deployed solar panel to have higher stability and durability, and can withstand various challenges under the extreme environmental conditions in deep space.

[0017] Furthermore, the origami-type solar panel is a Miura origami type.

[0018] Beneficial effects: Miura folding is a rigid origami. During the smooth unfolding of the origami, each parallelogram therein never bends and remains completely flat. This property enables the folding surface to be made of rigid materials, which is also required for solar panels.

[0019] Furthermore, solar panels are embedded on both the front and back surfaces of the origami-type solar panel.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The detector moves along an elliptical orbit, so there is a problem that sunlight only shines on the back of the detector. By embedding solar panels on both the front and back surfaces, it can adapt to the situation where sunlight only shines on the back of the detector, thereby fully obtaining energy from sunlight.

[0021] Furthermore, both the ferromagnetic metal plate and the annular regulation plate are circular.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The circular shape can evenly arrange electromagnets in all directions, thereby ensuring the stability of regulation.

[0023] Furthermore, an opening is provided on the side wall of the outer casing, a sliding door is provided on the side wall of the outer casing, the sliding door covers the opening, the sliding door is sleeved on the outside of the outer casing, and the sliding door is provided with an electric rod for driving the sliding door to slide along the outer casing.

[0024] Beneficial effects: When the outer casing is opened, the sliding door is started, and the sliding door will move under the drive of the electric rod, so that the opening is exposed. The origami-type solar panel loses the restraint of the sliding door and will pop out from the opening to complete the unfolding work of the origami-type solar panel.

[0025] Furthermore, the elastic member is a spring made of a non-metallic material, and heat insulation layers are provided on the electromagnets.

[0026] Beneficial effects: The elastic member made of a non-metallic material can reduce the influence of the change in the magnetic suction force of the electromagnet on it, and improve the stability during the control process. The heat insulation layer can reduce the conduction of temperature, thereby slowing down the aging speed of the electromagnet and improving the service life.

[0027] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, become apparent in part from the following description, or be learned through the practice of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0028] Figure 1 Is an axonometric schematic diagram of an embodiment of the solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 Is a front view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 Is a schematic diagram of a thermistor of an embodiment of the solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 Is Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A of.

[0032] Reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the specification include: 1, outer casing; 2, central axis; 3, ferromagnetic metal plate; 4, annular control plate; 5, elastic member; 6, electromagnet; 7, origami-type solar panel; 8, thermistor; 9, elastic rib; 10, towing rope; 11, winch; 12, solar panel; 13, sliding door; 14, electric rod. Detailed Embodiment

[0033] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installation", "connection", and "coupling" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0036] The following is a further detailed description through specific embodiments:

[0037] Embodiment 1:

[0038] As shown in the Figures 1-4 accompanying drawings: A solar self - adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep - space exploration, including an outer housing 1. The outer housing 1 is cylindrical, with an annular opening provided thereon. A sliding door 13 is slidably connected to the side wall of the outer housing 1. The sliding door 13 covers outside the opening, is sleeved outside the outer housing 1, and an electric rod 14 for driving the sliding door 13 to slide along the outer housing 1 is installed on the sliding door 13.

[0039] A central shaft 2 is bolt - fixed inside the outer housing 1. A ferromagnetic metal plate 3 is bolt - fixed on the central shaft 2. An annular regulating plate 4 is sleeved on the central shaft 2. An elastic member 5 is welded and fixed between the annular regulating plate 4 and the ferromagnetic metal plate 3. There is a gap between the central shaft 2 and the annular regulating plate 4. A plurality of electromagnets 6 are circumferentially and uniformly distributed on the annular regulating plate 4. Both the ferromagnetic metal plate 3 and the annular regulating plate 4 are circular rings.

[0040] An origami - type solar panel 7 is bolt - fixed outside the annular regulating plate 4. The origami - type solar panel 7 is provided with a driving member for driving the origami - type solar panel 7 to unfold. The driving member of the origami - type solar panel 7 is a plurality of elastic ribs 9. The elastic ribs 9 are uniformly distributed in the origami - type solar panel 7 and are used to expand after the side wall of the outer housing 1 is opened. A plurality of thermistors 8 are circumferentially and uniformly distributed on the origami - type solar panel 7. Taking the central shaft 2 as the center, the electromagnets 6 and the thermistors 8 in the same direction are electrically connected.

[0041] The origami - type solar panel 7 includes a thin film made of a flexible material, and a plurality of solar panels 12 are provided on the thin film. The origami - type solar panel 7 is of the Miura - origami type. Solar panels 12 are embedded on both the front and back surfaces of the origami - type solar panel 7.

[0042] The origami - type solar panel 7 can be folded like the creases of origami, thus remaining in a compact folded state during the launch phase to adapt to the limited space and load - bearing capacity of the detector. The Miura fold is a rigid origami configuration. During the smooth unfolding of the origami, each parallelogram therein never bends and remains completely flat. This property enables the folding surface to be made of rigid materials, which is also required for the solar panel 12. After entering the predetermined orbit, when the outer shell 1 is opened through remote control instructions or automatic program control, the sliding door 13 is activated. The sliding door 13 will move under the drive of the electric rod 14, thereby exposing the opening. The origami - type solar panel 7, losing the restraint of the sliding door 13, will pop out from the opening to complete the unfolding of the origami - type solar panel 7 and be fully exposed to the sun's rays, maximizing the absorption of solar energy. The flexible texture material can make the unfolded solar panel have higher stability and durability, capable of withstanding various challenges under the extreme environmental conditions of deep space.

[0043] As the detector moves continuously, the incident angle of sunlight it receives will also change. After the incident angle of sunlight changes, since the sunlight radiation carries heat, there will be a temperature difference between different regions of the unfolded origami - type solar panel 7, that is, the temperature of the concentrated irradiation area is higher, and the temperature of other regions is lower. This will cause the resistance value of the thermistor 8 in the concentrated irradiation area to change. The resistance of the thermistor 8 in the concentrated irradiation area increases, causing the power of the electromagnet 6 to decrease, and thus the magnetic suction force to drop. The elastic member 5 will overcome the magnetic suction force and elongate, causing the origami - type solar panel 7 to deflect towards the concentrated irradiation area, receiving more sunlight and obtaining more energy.

[0044] The detector moves along an elliptical orbit, so there is a problem that sunlight only shines on the back of the detector. By embedding solar panels 12 on both the front and back surfaces, it can adapt to the situation where sunlight only shines on the back of the detector, thus fully obtaining energy from sunlight.

[0045] The detector hardly needs to consider recovery, so only the origami - type solar panel 7 needs to be driven to unfold. The elastic tendon 9 is curled during the launch phase of the detector, thus keeping the origami - type solar panel 7 in a compact folded state. After the side wall of the outer shell 1 is opened, it unfolds under the elastic action, thus realizing the unfolding of the origami - type solar panel 7.

[0046] Embodiment 2:

[0047] The difference from the above - mentioned embodiment is that: a hollow pipeline is provided inside the elastic tendon 9, and a traction rope 10 is provided inside the hollow pipeline. One end of the traction rope 10 is fixedly connected to the end of the elastic tendon 9, and the other end of the traction rope 10 extends along the hollow pipeline to the outside of the elastic tendon 9. A winch 11 for pulling the traction rope 10 is fixedly connected to the central axis 2.

[0048] Since the elastic rib 9 is elastic, a towing rope 10 is arranged inside the elastic rib 9, and the winch 11 is towed by the winch 11, so that the elastic rib 9 is bent to finely adjust the origami solar panel 7.

[0049] Embodiment 3:

[0050] The difference from the above embodiment is that: it further includes a controller, which is used to obtain the resistance values of the thermistors 8. When the resistance value of the thermistor 8 is higher than the preset resistance value, the controller controls the winch 11 to tow the towing rope 10 in the direction of the thermistor 8 with a resistance value higher than the preset resistance value.

[0051] The space is a vacuum environment, and heat can only be dissipated through radiation. After too much sunlight is collected, the temperature of the origami solar panel 7 will be too high. By pulling the towing rope 10 with the winch 11, the sunlight collection area of the origami solar panel 7 can be reduced, thereby reducing heat accumulation.

[0052] Embodiment 4:

[0053] The difference from the above embodiment is that: the elastic member 5 is a spring made of a non-metallic material, and heat insulation layers are provided on the electromagnets 6.

[0054] The elastic member 5 made of a non-metallic material can reduce the influence of the change in the magnetic attraction force of the electromagnet 6 on it, and improve the stability during the control process. The heat insulation layer can reduce the conduction of temperature, thereby slowing down the aging speed of the electromagnet 6 and improving the service life.

[0055] Obviously, the above embodiments are only examples given for clear illustration, and are not limitations on the implementation manners. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation manners here. And the obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solar adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration, characterized in that, It includes an outer casing (1). The outer casing (1) is provided with an openable side wall. Inside the outer casing (1), there is a central axis (2). A ferromagnetic metal plate (3) is fixedly connected to the central axis (2). An annular control plate (4) is sleeved on the central axis (2). An elastic member (5) is fixedly connected between the annular control plate (4) and the ferromagnetic metal plate (3). There is a gap between the central axis (2) and the annular control plate (4). A number of electromagnets (6) are circumferentially and evenly distributed on the annular control plate (4). An outer side of the annular control plate (4) is fixedly connected with a foldable solar panel (7). The foldable solar panel (7) is provided with a driving member for driving the foldable solar panel (7) to unfold. A number of thermistors (8) are circumferentially and evenly distributed on the foldable solar panel (7). Centered on the central axis (2), the electromagnets (6) and the thermistors (8) in the same direction are electrically connected.

2. The solar energy adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 1, wherein The driving member of the foldable solar panel (7) is a number of elastic ribs (9). The elastic ribs (9) are evenly distributed in the foldable solar panel (7) and are used to expand after the side wall of the outer casing (1) is opened.

3. The solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 2, wherein A hollow pipeline is provided inside the elastic rib (9). A traction rope (10) is provided inside the hollow pipeline. One end of the traction rope (10) is fixedly connected to the end of the elastic rib (9). The other end of the traction rope (10) extends outside the elastic rib (9) along the hollow pipeline. A winch (11) for pulling the traction rope (10) is fixedly connected to the central axis (2).

4. The solar energy adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 3, wherein It further includes a controller which is used to obtain the resistance values of the thermistors (8). When the resistance value of a thermistor (8) is higher than a preset resistance value, the controller controls the winch (11) to pull the traction rope (10) in the direction of the thermistor (8) with a resistance value higher than the preset resistance value.

5. The solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 4, wherein The foldable solar panel (7) includes a film made of a flexible material, and a number of solar panels (12) are provided on the film.

6. The solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 5, characterized in that, The foldable solar panel (7) is of the Miura fold type.

7. The solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 6, characterized in that, Solar panels (12) are embedded on both the front and back surfaces of the foldable solar panel (7).

8. The solar energy adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the ferromagnetic metal plate (3) and the annular control plate (4) are circular rings.

9. The solar energy self-adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 8, characterized in that, An opening is provided on the side wall of the outer casing (1). A sliding door (13) is provided on the side wall of the outer casing (1). The sliding door (13) covers the opening. The sliding door (13) is sleeved on the outside of the outer casing (1). The sliding door (13) is provided with an electric rod (14) for driving the sliding door (13) to slide along the outer casing (1).

10. The solar energy adaptive folding and unfolding structure for deep space exploration according to claim 9, characterized in that, The elastic member (5) is a spring made of a non-metallic material. Heat insulation layers are provided on the electromagnets (6).

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