Deployable Spacecraft Reflector With Rib Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna apparatus for spacecraft require complex deployment mechanisms, such as expansion tubes and gas supply devices, making them difficult to deploy efficiently from a stored state.
Innovation Solution
An antenna apparatus with a deployable main-reflection unit featuring a plurality of ribs that can be folded and stored, and a restriction member that is released using a separate mechanism to allow for easy deployment, eliminating the need for complex deployment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If expansion tubes and gas supply devices are used for deployment, then the antenna can be deployed from storage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex expansion tubes and gas supply devices from the deployment mechanism. Instead, it uses a simple restriction member that can be released by a separate operation mechanism, extracting only the essential function of deployment while eliminating unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The main-reflection unit is designed to deploy automatically once the restriction member is released. The ribs and sheet body self-organize into the operational configuration without requiring complex control systems, allowing the structure to serve itself during deployment.
2Ease of operation
If expansion tubes and gas supply devices are used for deployment, then the antenna can be deployed from storage, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the heavy expansion tubes and gas supply devices from the system. The replacement deployment mechanism uses minimal components (restriction member and operation mechanism), dramatically reducing the weight of the deployment system while maintaining functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If ribs are folded in stored state, then the antenna can be compactly stored, but the deployment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the ribs are folded and stored within the space defined by other antenna components. The main-reflection unit ribs are arranged in a compact folded state during storage, nesting within the overall antenna structure, and automatically expand to their functional configuration when deployed.
4Device complexity
If a separate operation mechanism is used to release the restriction, then the deployment complexity is reduced, but the operation steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a restriction member as an intermediary element that simplifies the overall deployment mechanism. This restriction member acts as a mediator between the stored and deployed states, providing a clear and simple release point that can be operated separately from the main-reflection unit, making the deployment process more straightforward despite requiring an additional operational step.
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
Enables easier and more compact deployment of the antenna apparatus from a stored state, reducing the complexity and weight of deployment mechanisms, and allowing for more efficient use of space in spacecraft.
Implementation Method 1
a main-reflection unit including a plurality of ribs formed to be deployable in a stored state in which the ribs are folded and a sheet body provided between a plurality of the ribs and configured to be capable of reflecting a radio wave radiated from a radiator and emitting the radio wave outside
Data Source
AI summary
Spacecraft and antenna apparatus that can be more easily deployed from a stored state can include: a main-reflection unit including a plurality of ribs formed to be deployable in a stored state in which the ribs are folded and a sheet body provided between a plurality of the ribs and configured to be capable of reflecting a radio wave radiated from a radiator and emitting the radio wave outside, and a restriction member configured to restrict deployment of the plurality of ribs in the stored state, and release the restriction by operation of a restriction release member different from the main-reflection unit.