DE2947656A1 - FOLDABLE FRAMEWORK COMPONENT - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a framework component for space stations with longitudinal struts and cross struts connecting the corner points of the outer sides.

When building large space stations, it can be assumed that these will usually consist of truss structures prefabricated on earth and assembled in space. Such truss structures must therefore be limited to relatively small dimensions for transport and cost reasons for flight with a space transporter or a rocket. However, truss structures are components with a relatively large space requirement and thus do not meet the requirement for relatively small dimensions. In order to use half-timbered structures as prefabricated building However, to be able to use parts for space stations, it would be desirable to reduce such components to a space suitable for transport, e.g. by folding them up.

For the construction of large truss structures, collapsible truss components have already been proposed. For example, from US Pat. No. 2,144,215 a component known under the term "STEM" (storable tubular extendible member = / ^ up and unwindable tubular rod member) emerges, but which has only low loads in terms of its strength and rigidity can be exposed. Another truss construction element is the construction element known under the term "ASTRO mast", which can be unfolded manually as well as automatically extended. This ASTRO mast consists of longitudinal struts and transverse struts which are connected to one another via elastically deformable individual elements, and which must also have a relatively high degree of elasticity in order to be able to be folded up. Such a requirement could indeed be met with so-called spring materials, but not with the materials required today in space travel, such as carbon fiber or boron fiber composite materials. Since such materials, briefly referred to as plastics, cannot be dispensed with for reasons of high dimensional stability and low degree of thermal deformation for space applications, it is not possible to build truss structures according to the "ASTRO mast" principle with such materials, because of the insufficient elasticity .

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a framework component for space stations which can be collapsed into a space that is greatly reduced for transport into space. According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the longitudinal and transverse struts are foldably connected to one another and that the transverse struts have a foldable central section.

The measure according to the invention enables the construction of half-timbered components which can be folded up to extremely small volumes for transport. The foldable sections of the cross struts and the connections of the cross struts to the longitudinal struts can be designed as a joint or as an elastic flexible joint, e.g. leaf springs. In addition, it makes sense to provide the cross struts with locking devices for locking the unfolded state. To increase the load-bearing capacity and rigidity, diagonal struts, e.g. diagonal ropes or extendable diagonal struts, can also be provided. In addition, according to this principle, large components can be assembled and folded into the small space required for transport.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show it:

Figure 1 is a framework component in the unfolded and folded state,

Figure 2 to Figure 4 different cross-sections for foldable truss components,

Figure 5 is a framework component with a diagonal reinforcement,

Figure 6 and Figure 7 each have a framework component with diagonal struts,

FIG. 8 a framework component with a locking device,

FIG. 9 a framework component with an elastic flexible joint,

FIG. 10 shows a large framework component combined from several individual framework components,

Figure 11 shows a foldable side panel and

FIG. 12 shows a rollable side surface.

The framework component shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b consists of three longitudinal struts 1, which are connected to one another at regular intervals by cross struts 2. The longitudinal struts 1 have the shape of an angle profile, as shown, or a tube and form the corner points of a triangular cross-section. Each of the cross struts 2 is coupled to the longitudinal struts 1 via a joint 3 provided at both ends and each cross strut 2 also has a further joint 4 in its central section. For this purpose, the cross struts 2 are folded in their joints 3 and 4, as indicated by arrows 5, so that the framework component assumes the folded state shown in FIG. 1b. In this state it takes up considerably less space compared to the state shown in FIG. 1a and is therefore excellently suited for transport into space.

The truss components can also have other cross-sections than triangular cross-sections according to FIG. As Figure 2 to Figure 4 show, it is possible to build truss components with two-sided cross-sections, square cross-sections, hexagonal or any cross-sections. The representations labeled a show the unfolded and b the folded state.

To increase the load-bearing capacity, the truss components can also be provided with diagonal struts. FIG. 5 shows such a component in which cables 6 are used as diagonal struts. In addition, tension springs 8 are inserted between the longitudinal struts 1 and the transverse struts 2, specifically in an extension piece 7, which allow automatic unfolding, for example after a lock has been released. As FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show, rods 9 of variable length can also be used for the diagonal struts. In the representation after
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rods 9 are provided for this purpose, which on

Joint 3 of a cross strut 2 is invariable in length and coupled in a length-changeable manner at a diagonally opposite point. In addition, a stop 10 is provided at the variable-length ends of the rod 9, which stop rests against the associated joint 3 in the unfolded state. In the illustration according to FIG. 7, the length-adjustable rods 9 used as diagonal struts are coupled to the joints 3 so that they cannot be changed in length and are provided with an extension member 11 in their central area for this purpose. The folding or unfolding of a framework component provided with diagonal struts is not impaired in any way.

As can be seen from FIG. 8, the cross struts 2 can also be provided with a locking device 12 in order to lock the unfolded state. In the illustrated embodiment, a locking tab 13 is attached to one of the cross struts 2, into which an extension part 14 from the other cross strut part can be locked. The transverse struts 2 can also be coupled to the longitudinal strut 1 with elastic flexural joints 15 and also have an elastic flexural joint 15 in their central section. Leaf springs, for example, can be used for this, which can also make a contribution to automatic unfolding.

The framework components explained in the representations according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 can also be built up by combining several components to form a large framework component. The advantage of folding or unfolding is retained, as FIG. 10 shows, so that such large components can also be prefabricated for use in space on earth and can be folded up for transport to a suitable small space. The respective cross-sections of the truss components have no influence on this structure.

The previously explained truss components can also be completely or partially covered on their side surfaces by foldable or rollable surfaces. FIG. 11 shows the cross section of a framework component covered on its side surface with a foldable surface 16, the foldable sections 17 of which are foldably connected to one another by joints 18. Another embodiment for covering the side surfaces is shown in FIG. 12. Here these side surfaces 19 consist of rollable materials, e.g. foils, wire nets or individual wires. These foldable or rollable surfaces can either be used directly as an antenna surface or as a support structure for solar cells or other pieces of equipment.

The framework construction according to the invention can be manufactured as a statically highly loadable component with a very high degree of rigidity and can be folded in an extremely space-saving manner for transport to space. No restrictions are to be expected with regard to the use of modern materials, e.g. carbon fiber, boron fiber or glass fiber composite materials. In addition to being used in space travel or in space, such foldable truss components can of course also be used anywhere on earth where truss structures with great strength or rigidity have to be folded into a very small volume for transport or storage while maintaining the structural properties almost completely.

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Summary of the reference numbers

1 longitudinal strut

2 cross struts

3 joints

4 "-"

5 arrow

6 rope

7 extension piece

8 mainspring

9 rod

10 stop

11 extension link

12 locking device

13 latch tab

14 extension piece

15 elastic flexible joint

16 area

17 folding section

18 joint

19 side face

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Claims (17)

1.) Truss component for space stations with longitudinal struts and cross struts connecting the corner points of the outer sides, characterized in that the longitudinal and cross struts (1, 2) are foldably connected to one another and that the cross struts (2) have a foldable central section (4, 15) . 2.) Truss component according to claim 1, characterized in that the foldable sections of the cross struts (2) and the connection of the cross struts (2) to the longitudinal struts (1) are designed as a joint (3, 4). 3.) Truss component according to claim 1, characterized in that the foldable portion of the cross struts (2) and the connection of the cross struts (2) to the longitudinal struts (1) is designed as an elastic flexible joint (15). 4.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cross struts (2) have a locking device (12) for locking the unfolded state. 5.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cross struts (2) are assigned springs (8) for the automatic deployment of the truss components. 6.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the truss component is provided with diagonal struts (6, 9) to increase the load-bearing capacity and / or the rigidity. 7.) Framework component according to claim 6, characterized in that ropes (6) are used for the diagonal struts. 8.) Framework component according to claim 6, characterized in that longitudinally displaceable rods (9) are provided for the diagonal struts. 9.) Framework component according to claim 8, characterized in that the longitudinally displaceable rods (9) is assigned a stop (10). 10.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cross section of the truss component has a triangular shape. 11.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cross section of the truss component has a square shape. 12.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cross section of the truss component has a hexagonal shape. 13.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that one or more side surfaces are partially and / or completely additionally covered by foldable surfaces (16). 14.) Truss component according to claim 13, characterized in that the additional surfaces for absorbing forces and / or pieces of equipment are designed as rigid plates and, if necessary, are additionally locked at individual joints (18). 15.) Truss component according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a side surface is completely and / or partially covered by elastic films, wire nets or individual wires (19). 16.) Truss component according to claim 15, characterized in that the cover materials (19) are rolled up in the folded state of the component. 17.) Truss component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the truss component is assembled with further truss components to form a large truss component while maintaining the foldability or expandability.