Multifold Panel Array Stiffness via Biasing and Cables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Planar materials used in space applications, such as solar panels and antenna arrays, lose rigidity when completely flat, leading to wobbling or bending, which is undesirable for maintaining structural integrity and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A multifold panel array system comprising rotatable panels, biasing members (like torsion springs), and restraint cables that store strain energy to maintain stiffness, combined with reeling cables that control panel angles and deployment, eliminating the need for trusses or booms, allowing for self-deployment and retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If planar materials are made completely flat to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but rigidity is lost causing wobbling and bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin planar panels that are flexible when flat but gain rigidity through controlled deformation. The panels are designed to bend along specific fold lines while maintaining stiffness in the plane, resolving the contradiction between flatness and rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The structure transitions from a static flat configuration to a dynamic folded configuration. When folded along designated lines, the panels create a rigid three-dimensional structure that maintains structural integrity while reducing complexity compared to traditional truss-based designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If traditional trusses or booms are used to maintain rigidity, then rigidity is improved, but device complexity and mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverigidityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for traditional trusses, booms, and complex support structures by using the panels themselves to form the rigid structure through folding. This removes unnecessary components while maintaining rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The structure is segmented into multiple rigid panels connected by flexible fold lines. Each panel maintains its own rigidity, and the segmented configuration allows the structure to achieve overall stiffness without requiring continuous truss elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If traditional trusses or booms are used to maintain rigidity, then rigidity is improved, but mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverigidityVSAvoidmass

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy rigid trusses and booms with thin flexible panels that achieve rigidity through geometric folding rather than material mass. This dramatically reduces the mass required to maintain structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 system maintains structural stiffness, enables self-deployment, and reduces mass and complexity by using stored strain energy and reeling cables to control panel positions, effectively addressing the rigidity issues of planar materials in space applications.

Implementation Method 1

biasing members and cables... a first interior biasing member attached to the central member and the first interior panel, the first interior biasing member biasing the first interior panel to extend away from the central member toward a plane parallel to the central member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a first interior restraint cable attached to the central member and the first interior panel, the first interior restraint cable restraining the first interior panel from extending along the plane parallel to the central member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a method of controlling a shape of a multifold panel array can comprise increasing an angle of inclination between adjacent panels included in the multifold panel array by contracting a reeling cable, and decreasing the angle of inclination between the adjacent panels by expanding the reeling cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11533018B2Maintaining positions of panels with biasing members and cables

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIV

AI summary

An apparatus can include a central member comprising a first side, a second side, and a third side, a first interior panel rotatably attached to the first side, a second interior panel rotatably attached to the second side, a third interior panel rotatably attached to the third side, a first exterior panel rotatably attached to the first interior panel, a second exterior panel rotatably attached to the second interior panel, a third exterior panel rotatably attached to the third interior panel, a first interior biasing member attached to the central member and the first interior panel and biasing the first interior panel to extend away from the central member toward a plane parallel to the central member, and a first interior restraint cable attached to the central member and the first interior panel and restraining the first interior panel from extending along the plane parallel to the central member.