Deployable Mast Spontaneous Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployable masts for space equipment require motors for deployment, are heavy, and occupy significant space when stored, limiting their compactness and reliability, especially in satellite applications where space is constrained.
Innovation Solution
A deployable mast with autonomous spontaneous deployment using identical flexible longitudinal measuring tapes and platforms, which fold compactly and deploy passively due to elastic energy, eliminating the need for motors and joints, and allowing for adjustable length by stacking structural blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional motorized deployable masts with rigid beams and hinges are used, then the mast can achieve sufficient rigidity and stability when deployed, but it requires motors for deployment, presents significant mass, and occupies large space when stored
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can be stacked compactly when stored and extended when deployed. Each segment contains flexible measuring tapes that can be independently managed, allowing the mast to achieve both compact storage and sufficient deployed length without requiring complex motorized joints between segments
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional motorized deployment mechanism with hinges and bolts is replaced by a passive elastic deployment system. The flexible measuring tapes utilize elastic recovery to automatically extend the mast segments outward from the central axis, eliminating the need for motors and complex mechanical joints while reducing overall mass and deployment mechanism complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid beams are used to ensure mast rigidity when deployed, then the mast maintains structural stability, but it occupies large space when stored under the fairing
Solution Approach 1:
The mast structure transitions from a static rigid configuration to a dynamic telescopic configuration. When stored, the flexible measuring tapes are wound around the central axis in a compact arrangement. When deployed, the tapes elastically recover and extend outward, forming a stable rigid-like structure. This dynamic transformation allows the mast to achieve both compact storage volume and deployed stability
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible measuring tapes serve as thin film elements that can be tightly wound around the central axis during storage, minimizing the volume occupied under the fairing. When deployed, these same flexible tapes extend outward and, through their elastic recovery and geometric arrangement, provide the necessary structural stability and rigidity for the mast function
3Length of stationary object
If the mast is designed to achieve high extended length/stacked volume ratio, then it optimizes storage space and deployment efficiency, but it becomes more difficult to ensure stability and rigidity in deployed position
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can be stacked compactly when stored and extended when deployed. Each segment contains flexible measuring tapes that can be independently managed, allowing the mast to achieve both compact storage and sufficient deployed length without requiring complex motorized joints between segments
Solution Approach 2:
The mast structure utilizes radial extension from a central axis to achieve length. The flexible measuring tapes extend radially outward from the central axis, creating a stable structure through their geometric arrangement and elastic recovery, rather than relying solely on increasing the number of stacked segments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact, lightweight, and reliable mast with high extended length-to-stacked volume ratio, ensuring stability and rigidity in deployed position without the use of motors or joints, optimizing storage space and deployment efficiency in space applications.
Implementation Method 1
N stages stacked one above the other parallel to the longitudinal axis of deployment X... two contiguous lower and upper floors being angularly offset relative to each other by rotation around the deployment axis X, the measuring tapes of the lower floor being interposed between the measuring tapes of the upper floor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The self-deploying, self-deploying deployable mast comprises at least one elementary structural block (10) having a longitudinal deployment axis X and two platforms parallel to a plane YZ orthogonal to the X axis. The elementary structural block comprises N stages (E1,..., Ei, Ei+1,..., EN) stacked one above the other parallel to the longitudinal deployment axis X, where N is greater than 1 and where i is between 1 and N-1. Each stage (Ei) comprises at least three flexible longitudinal tape meters (11), the N stages being fixed together in pairs by means of connecting platforms (15) parallel to the YZ plane and two contiguous lower and upper stages (Ei, Ei+1) being angularly offset from each other by a rotation around the deployment axis X, the tape meters of the lower stage (Ei) being intercalated between the tape meters of the upper stage (Ei+1).