A flexible solar wing deployment and stowage device integrated with a structural panel

Abstract

The application discloses a flexible solar wing unfolding and folding device integrated with a structure plate, which comprises a structure plate for mounting flexible solar wings on a cabin body; a containing slide path arranged in the structure plate; a traction body fixed at the outer end of the flexible solar wing; a transmission chain with the outer end connected with the traction body and the inner end located in the containing slide path; a driver arranged at the outlet of the containing slide path and acting on the transmission chain; two transmission chains are used for each flexible solar wing, and the transmission chain has an interlocking structure for interlocking with the other transmission chain into a rigid rod body; when the transmission chain exists alone, it can be curled in only one plane; when the flexible solar wing is unfolded, the driver pushes the two transmission chains to stretch out from the outlet of the containing slide path, so that the two transmission chains are interlocked into the rigid rod body by being buckled towards each other to push the traction body at the outer end of the flexible solar wing outward, and the flexible solar wing is stretched outward; when the flexible solar wing is retracted, the driver pushes the two transmission chains to retract towards the containing slide path and separate into the curlable single chains.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with a structural plate, belonging to the field of spacecraft solar panel deployment and retraction technology. Background Technology

[0002] Spacecraft rely on energy to function properly in space, primarily from solar panels. Traditional solar panels often employ rigid plate structures, relying on explosive bolts to deploy in a single operation. This approach suffers from drawbacks such as inability to retract in orbit, complex mechanical structures, large space requirements, and high costs. Furthermore, the instantaneous impact of the explosive bolts can easily damage the solar panels and other spacecraft components. During satellite launches, to save space, solar panels are often retracted and locked in place with explosives, but this often results in a single deployment that is inconvenient to retract. Consequently, a flexible solar panel design has been developed.

[0003] Existing flexible solar array technologies include several approaches: some employ a combination of linkage mechanisms and reel mechanisms, requiring additional clamping and release mechanisms, resulting in structural redundancy and complex operation; others rely on rope-driven scissor-arm assemblies, necessitating multi-path rope routing, making assembly difficult and occupying a portion of the satellite's external structural space; still others involve complex scissor-arm linkages with numerous components, large folding volume, and stringent assembly precision requirements, further encroaching on satellite structural space; some use coil spring structures solely for power transmission, lacking solar array deployment and retraction capabilities; and some flexible solar arrays rely on traditional transmission mechanisms such as gear and rack engagement or belt drives for deployment, adding numerous auxiliary structural components like sliders and guide blocks; still others use separate retraction devices, specifically added or removed as a box or shell, which not only occupies space but also increases the overall satellite weight, complicating the structure and reducing space utilization. Solving these problems necessitates changes to the transmission mechanism and its arrangement.

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of existing technologies, this patent aims to design a flexible solar wing deployment and retraction device that is simple in structure, saves space, has strong synchronous deployment and retraction of the two wings, and meets the stiffness requirements after deployment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a flexible solar array deployment and retraction device that overcomes the problems of existing similar devices being easy to deploy but difficult to retract, and having redundant structures and large space occupation.

[0006] To address the above problems, the technical solution proposed by this invention is as follows: A flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with a structural plate includes: a structural plate on which the flexible solar panel is mounted; a receiving slide within the structural plate; a traction body fixed to the outer end of the flexible solar panel; a transmission chain with its outer end connected to the traction body and its inner end located within the receiving slide; a driver located at the outlet of the receiving slide and acting on the transmission chain; and a control module controlling the driver. Each flexible solar panel uses two transmission chains, each transmission chain having an interlocking structure that interlocks with the other transmission chain as a rigid rod. When the transmission chain exists alone, it can be curled in one plane only. When deploying the flexible solar panel, the driver pushes the two transmission chains out of the receiving slide outlet, causing the two transmission chains to interlock and push the traction body at the outer end of the flexible solar panel outward, thus extending the flexible solar panel outward. When retracting the flexible solar panel, the driver pushes the two transmission chains back towards the receiving slide and separate them into a curlable single chain.

[0007] The transmission chain is formed by multiple hinge blocks and an interlocking block, which are hinged together by hinge pins.

[0008] The interlocking structure includes interlocking teeth and interlocking grooves that can engage interlocking teeth on another transmission chain. The interlocking block is provided with two interlocking teeth, and interlocking grooves are formed between two adjacent interlocking teeth on the same interlocking block and between two adjacent interlocking teeth of two adjacent interlocking blocks.

[0009] The interlocking groove includes a groove opening and an arc-shaped receiving portion. The interlocking tooth includes a tooth root and an arc-shaped tooth head. The diameter of the receiving portion is equal to the diameter of the tooth head. The width of the groove opening is equal to the width of the tooth root. The width of the groove opening is slightly smaller than the diameter of the tooth head.

[0010] The interlocking block has horizontal through slots at both ends, dividing the interlocking teeth at both ends into parallel upper and lower half teeth. The front end of the hinge block is hinged to the front interlocking block in the horizontal through slot at the rear end of the front interlocking block through a vertical hinge pin. The rear end of the hinge block is hinged to the rear interlocking block in the horizontal through slot at the front end of the rear interlocking block through a vertical hinge pin. When the two transmission chains are interlocked, the interlocking teeth at one end of the interlocking block are always inserted into the interlocking groove between the interlocking teeth of the adjacent interlocking blocks, and the upper and lower half teeth of the interlocking teeth located in the interlocking groove are respectively clamped on the upper and lower sides of the hinge block.

[0011] The receiving slide consists of slide one and slide two, which respectively receive two transmission chains. Slide one and slide two converge at the outlet of the receiving slide to form a clamping section that forces the two transmission chains to engage with each other. The inner end of the clamping section has a bifurcated section that forces the two transmission chains to extend outward to converge and to retract inward to separate.

[0012] The slides 1 and 2, which split inward from the bifurcation section, extend in arc-shaped turns within the structural slab.

[0013] The slides 1 and 2, which separate inward from the bifurcation section, each form an M shape within the structural slab.

[0014] The slides 1 and 2, which separate inward from the bifurcation section, are each spiral-shaped within the structural slab.

[0015] The driver includes a motor and a gear driven by the motor, the gear being located on one side of the clamping section and meshing with one of two interlocking transmission chains.

[0016] Beneficial effects: Only two drive chains are needed to form a rigid push rod to push the flexible solar array outward and deploy it. When retracting, it can be curled up and stored in the structural plate like a cable, making the device very simple. There are no redundant parts or structures, and the operation is very simple. Moreover, the entire device is integrated inside and outside a structural plate, achieving integrated assembly with the structural plate. It occupies very little space, and the deployment and retraction of the flexible solar array will not interfere with other devices. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is the scenario where the flexible solar array of the spacecraft described in Example 1 is deployed; Figure 2 This describes the situation when the flexible solar array of the spacecraft described in Example 1 is retracted; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial schematic diagram; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the driving relationship between the driving structure and the transmission chain described in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the transmission chain and its interlocking structure described in Embodiment 1; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal solution of the structural plate described in Embodiment 1. The diagram mainly shows the receiving slide structure. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal cross-section of the receiving slide within the structural plate in Embodiment 1; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal cross-section of the transmission chain retraction and return slide described in Embodiment 1; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal cross-section of the receiving slide within the structural plate in Embodiment 2.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Structural plate; 2. Receiving slide; 21. Slide 1; 22. Slide 2; 23. Clamping section; 24. Bifurcation section; 3. Traction body; 4. Transmission chain; 41. Hinge block; 42. Interlock block; 420. Horizontal through slot; 421. Interlock tooth; 4211. Upper half tooth; 4212. Lower half tooth; 4213. Tooth root; 4214. Tooth head; 422. Interlock groove; 4221. Groove opening; 4222. Receiving part; 43. Hinge pin; 44. Guide pulley; 401. Rigid rod; 5. Driver; 51. Motor; 52. Gear; 6. Drum; 61. Shaft; 62. Support; 101. Flexible solar panel; 100. Cabin. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The spacecraft involved in this application includes a cabin 100 and a flexible solar array 101. The cabin 100 is generally a rectangular cabin formed by six structural plates 1. The flexible solar array 101 consists of two pieces, symmetrically arranged at both ends of a structural plate 1 on one side of the cabin 100, and can extend outwards at both ends. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible solar panels 101 on both sides of the spacecraft in their deployed state. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the retracted state of the flexible solar panels 101 on both sides of the spacecraft. For ease of description and understanding, the structure and application principle of the deployment and retraction device of one flexible solar panel 101 will be explained below. The structure and application principle of the deployment and retraction device of the other flexible solar panel 101 are the same.

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings: Example 1

[0021] like Figure 1-8As shown, a flexible solar array deployment and retraction device integrated with a structural plate includes: a structural plate 1 on a hull 100 on which a flexible solar array 101 is mounted; a receiving slide 2 disposed within the structural plate 1; a traction body 3 fixed to the outer end of the flexible solar array 101; a transmission chain 4 whose outer end is connected to the traction body 3 and whose inner end is located within the receiving slide 2; a driver 5 disposed at the outlet of the receiving slide 2 and acting on the transmission chain 4; and a control module for controlling the driver 5; each flexible solar array 101 uses two transmission chains 4, each transmission chain 4 having a connection with another transmission chain 4. The interlocking mechanism of the drive chain 4 is a rigid rod 401. When the drive chain 4 exists alone, it can be curled in one plane only. When the flexible solar panel 101 is deployed, the actuator 5 pushes the two drive chains 4 out from the outlet of the receiving slide 2, so that the two drive chains 4 interlock with each other and the rigid rod 401 pushes the traction body 3 at the outer end of the flexible solar panel 101 outward, causing the flexible solar panel 101 to extend outward. When the flexible solar panel 101 is retracted, the actuator 5 pushes the two drive chains 4 back into the receiving slide 2 and separates them into a curlable single chain. When the drive chain 4 exists alone, it can be curled in one plane only. It can be pushed or pulled into the curved receiving slide 2, and it ensures that the two drive chains 4 cannot bend in any direction after they are interlocked with each other, forming a rigid rod. In this way, only two transmission chains 4 can be combined into a rigid push rod to push the flexible solar panel 101 outward and to unfold it. When it is retracted, it can be curled up and stored in the structural plate 1 like a cable, making the device very simple, without redundant parts and structures, and the operation is very simple. Moreover, the entire device is integrated inside and outside the structural plate 1, realizing integrated assembly with the structural plate, occupying very little space. The unfolding and retraction of the flexible solar panel 101 will not interfere with other devices.

[0022] like Figure 4 , 5 As shown in Figure 6, the transmission chain 4 is formed by multiple hinge blocks 41 and an interlocking block 42, which are hinged alternately by hinge pins 43. The interlocking structure includes interlocking teeth 421 and interlocking grooves 422 that can engage the interlocking teeth 421 on another transmission chain 4. The interlocking block 42 is provided with two interlocking teeth 421. Interlocking grooves 422 are formed between two adjacent interlocking teeth 421 on the same interlocking block 42 and between two adjacent interlocking teeth 421 on two adjacent interlocking blocks 42. In application, the interlocking teeth 421 on the first transmission chain 4 are inserted into the interlocking grooves 422 of the second transmission chain 4, and the interlocking teeth 421 on the second transmission chain 4 are inserted into the interlocking grooves 422 of the first transmission chain 4. The interlocking teeth 421 and interlocking grooves 422 of the two transmission chains 4 interlock with each other to form a rigid rod 401.

[0023] Furthermore, the interlocking groove 422 includes a groove opening 4221 and an arc-shaped receiving portion 4222, and the interlocking tooth 421 includes a tooth root 4213 and an arc-shaped tooth head 4214. The diameter of the receiving portion 4222 is equal to the diameter of the tooth head 4214, the width of the groove opening 4221 is equal to the width of the tooth root 4213, and the width of the groove opening 4221 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the tooth head 4214. This achieves a gapless and tight locking between the interlocking tooth 421 and the interlocking groove 422, ensuring the strength and stability of the rigid rod 401 structure.

[0024] Here, the width of the groove portion 4221 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the tooth head 4214. This means that the difference between the diameter of the tooth head 4214 and the width of the groove portion 4221 is very small, which can be at the micrometer level. By utilizing the material's own recoverable deformation elasticity, the tooth head 4214 is forcefully pressed into the groove portion 4221 and then reaches the receiving portion 4222, thereby absolutely ensuring that the tooth head 4214 will not come out through the groove portion 4221.

[0025] Furthermore, the interlock block 42 has horizontal through slots 420 at both ends, dividing the interlock teeth 421 at both ends into parallel upper half teeth 4211 and lower half teeth 4212. The front end of the hinge block 41 is hinged to the front interlock block 42 in the horizontal through slot 420 at the rear end of the front interlock block 42 via a vertical hinge pin 43. The rear end of the hinge block 41 is hinged to the rear interlock block 42 in the horizontal through slot 420 at the front end of the rear interlock block 42 via a vertical hinge pin 43. When the two transmission chains 4 When interlocked, the interlocking teeth 421 at one end of the interlocking block 42 are always inserted into the interlocking groove 422 between the interlocking teeth 421 of the adjacent interlocking blocks 42. The upper half tooth 4211 and the lower half tooth 4212 of the interlocking teeth 421 located in the interlocking groove 422 are respectively clamped on the upper and lower sides of the hinge block 41. In this way, the interlocking teeth 421 cannot slide out from the upper and lower sides of the interlocking groove 422, and further ensure the strength and stability of the rigid rod 401 formed by the interlocking of the two transmission chains 4.

[0026] To facilitate the sliding of the transmission chain 4 within the receiving slide 2, a guide pulley 44 is provided on the back of the interlock block 42.

[0027] like Figure 6-8 As shown, the receiving slide 2 consists of slide 1 21 and slide 22, which respectively receive two transmission chains 4. Slide 1 21 and slide 22 converge at the outlet of receiving slide 2 to form a clamping section 23 that forces the two transmission chains 4 to engage with each other. At the inner end of the clamping section 23, there is a bifurcation section 24 that forces the two transmission chains 4 to extend outward to converge and to retract inward to separate.

[0028] Slide 1 21 and slide 2 22, which separate inward through the bifurcation section 24, each extend in an arc shape within the structural plate 1. Specifically, slide 1 21 and slide 2 22, which separate inward through the bifurcation section 24, each form an M-shape within the structural plate 1. In this way, the lengths of slide 1 21 and slide 2 22 can be extended as much as possible within the limited area of ​​the structural plate 1.

[0029] The driver 5 includes a motor 51 and a gear 52 driven by the motor 51. The gear 52 is located on one side of the clamping section 23 and meshes with one of the two interlocking transmission chains 4. Since the two transmission chains 4 are interlocked, both transmission chains 4 can be driven as long as one of them is driven.

[0030] The motor 51 is flat and can still be installed in the body of the structural plate 1 after being stacked with the gear 52.

[0031] like Figure 1-3 As shown, a reel 6 for winding up the flexible solar array 101 is provided on the structural plate 1 outside the outlet of the receiving slide 2. The reel 6 is mounted on the support 62 via a shaft 61 inside the reel 6. The flexible solar array deployment and retraction device, which is integrally assembled with the structural plate, also includes a coil spring (existing technology, not shown in the figure) located between the reel 6 and the shaft 61 for automatically rotating the reel 6. That is, when the flexible solar array retracts, the coil spring causes the reel 6 to rotate, thereby winding the flexible solar array 101 onto the reel 6, rather than relying on the transmission chain 4 to pull the outer end of the flexible solar array 101 back. Example 2

[0032] like Figure 9 As shown, the difference between it and Embodiment 1 is that the slide rail 1 21 and slide rail 22, which are separated inward by the bifurcation section 24, are each spiral in the structure plate 1. The advantage is that the curvature of slide rail 1 21 is more uniform, which is conducive to pushing or pulling the transmission chain 4.

[0033] The above embodiments are only used to describe the present invention more clearly, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection covered by the present invention. Any equivalent modifications should be regarded as falling within the scope of protection covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with a structural panel, characterized in that: include: A structural plate (1) on which a flexible solar panel (101) is mounted on a cabin (100); a receiving slide (2) provided within the structural plate (1); a traction body (3) fixed to the outer end of the flexible solar panel (101); a transmission chain (4) with its outer end connected to the traction body (3) and its inner end located within the receiving slide (2); a driver (5) located at the outlet of the receiving slide (2) acting on the transmission chain (4); a control module controlling the driver (5); each flexible solar panel (101) uses two transmission chains (4), each transmission chain (4) having a rigid rod (4) interlocked with another transmission chain (4). The interlocking structure of 01) allows the transmission chain (4) to be curled on one plane when it exists alone; when the flexible solar wing (101) is deployed, the actuator (5) pushes the two transmission chains (4) to extend from the outlet of the receiving slide (2), so that the two transmission chains (4) are interlocked and locked together to form a rigid rod (401) that pushes the traction body (3) at the outer end of the flexible solar wing (101) outward, so that the flexible solar wing (101) extends outward; when the flexible solar wing (101) is retracted, the actuator (5) pushes the two transmission chains (4) back to the receiving slide (2) and separates them into a single, curlable chain.

2. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission chain (4) is formed by multiple hinge blocks (41) and an interlocking block (42) hinged together by hinge pins (43).

3. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The interlocking structure includes interlocking teeth (421) and interlocking grooves (422) that can engage interlocking teeth (421) on another transmission chain (4). The interlocking block (42) is provided with two interlocking teeth (421). Interlocking grooves (422) are formed between two adjacent interlocking teeth (421) on the same interlocking block (42) and between two adjacent interlocking teeth (421) on two adjacent interlocking blocks (42).

4. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The interlocking groove (422) includes a groove opening (4221) and an arc-shaped receiving portion (4222). The interlocking tooth (421) includes a tooth root (4213) and an arc-shaped tooth head (4214). The diameter of the receiving portion (4222) is equal to the diameter of the tooth head (4214). The width of the groove opening (4221) is equal to the width of the tooth root (4213). The width of the groove opening (4221) is slightly smaller than the diameter of the tooth head (4214).

5. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The interlocking block (42) has horizontal through slots (420) at both ends, dividing the interlocking teeth (421) at both ends into upper half teeth (4211) and lower half teeth (4212) side by side. The front end of the hinge block (41) is hinged to the front interlocking block (42) in the horizontal through slot (420) at the rear end of the front interlocking block (42) by a vertical hinge pin (43). The rear end of the hinge block (41) is in the horizontal through slot (420) at the front end of the rear interlocking block (42). The inner interlock block (42) is hinged to the rear interlock block (43) by a vertical hinge pin (43). When the two transmission chains (4) are interlocked, the interlocking tooth (421) at one end of the interlock block (42) is always inserted into the interlocking groove (422) between the interlocking teeth (421) of the adjacent interlock blocks (42). The upper half tooth (4211) and the lower half tooth (4212) of the interlocking tooth (421) located in the interlocking groove (422) are respectively clamped on the upper and lower sides of the hinge block (41).

6. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving slide (2) consists of slide one (21) and slide two (22) that respectively receive two transmission chains (4). Slide one (21) and slide two (22) converge at the outlet of the receiving slide (2) to form a clamping section (23) that forces the two transmission chains (4) to engage with each other. The inner end of the clamping section (23) has a bifurcation section (24) that forces the two transmission chains (4) to extend outward to meet and to retract inward to separate.

7. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 6, characterized in that: The slides 1 (21) and 2 (22) that separate inward from the bifurcation section (24) extend in an arc shape within the structural plate (1).

8. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: The slides 1 (21) and 2 (22) that separate inward from the bifurcation section (24) each form an M shape within the structural plate (1).

9. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: The slides 1 (21) and 2 (22) that separate inward from the bifurcation section (24) are each spiral-shaped within the structural plate (1).

10. The flexible solar panel deployment and retraction device integrated with the structural plate according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driver (5) includes a motor (51) and a gear (52) driven by the motor (51), the gear (52) being located on one side of the clamping section (23) and meshing with one of the two interlocking transmission chains (4).

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