Spacecraft Docking Ring With Regenerative Resistance Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing docking device for space vehicles requires complex electrical control of linear actuators to correct misalignment and attenuate inertia forces, leading to increased system scale and cost.

Innovation Solution

A docking device with resistance generation mechanisms in linear actuators that generate regenerative current to produce resistance force during contact, simplifying electrical control and reducing system complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical control of linear actuators is used to correct misalignment and attenuate inertia force, then docking accuracy and stability are improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking accuracyVSAvoidelectrical control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electrical control systems with a passive mechanical resistance generation mechanism. The resistance generation mechanism uses the motor's own electromagnetic properties to generate resistive force during compression, eliminating the need for complex electrical control logic while maintaining docking accuracy and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance generation mechanism enables the linear actuator to automatically generate resistance force during compression without external control signals. The mechanism uses the motor's electromagnetic induction to self-generate counteracting force, making the system self-regulating and eliminating complex control electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If electrical control of linear actuators is implemented, then misalignment correction and inertia force attenuation are achieved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking stabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive electrical control systems with a passive mechanical resistance generation mechanism that utilizes the motor's inherent electromagnetic properties. This dramatically reduces system cost while maintaining docking stability through automatic resistance generation during compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance generation mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components including diodes and resistors that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, significantly reducing the overall system cost compared to complex electrical control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If regenerative current is generated in the motor, then resistance force is produced without electrical control, but energy is dissipated as heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical control simplificationVSAvoidenergy dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of energy dissipation into a beneficial resistance force. The regenerative current that would normally represent energy loss is deliberately generated to create the resistive force needed for docking stability, transforming energy dissipation from a drawback into a functional advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 allows for effective correction of misalignment and attenuation of inertia forces without complex electrical control, resulting in a simplified and cost-reduced electrical system.

Implementation Method 1

resistance generation mechanisms, each of which generates a regenerative current in the motor of the linear actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

generates a regenerative current in the motor of the linear actuator to produce resistance force with respect to at least a compressive load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS11845575B2Docking device

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 IHI AEROSPACE CO LTD

AI summary

A docking device including: a base ring disposed in a first space vehicle; a first-side capturing ring for coming into contact with the second space vehicle; six links that constitute a parallel link mechanism for coupling the base ring to the first-side capturing ring; and linear actuators, each of which extends and contracts the link by using a motor as a driving source, wherein resistance generation mechanisms, each of which generates a regenerative current in the motor of the linear actuator to produce resistance force when the second space vehicle comes into contact with the first-side capturing ring and the link receives a compressive load, are provided. Correction of misalignment with the second space vehicle, and attenuation of inertia force that the second space vehicle has can be performed without requiring complicated electrical control, and simplification and cost reduction of an electrical system can be implemented.