JP2001097290A - Inflatable tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inflatable tube capable of being smoothly expanded without a risk of preventing an inflating operation that the tube is bent at the time of expansion and a risk of rupture of the tube. SOLUTION: An inflator tube stored folded or rounded, and inflated by allowing gas to be flown from one end of the tube 1 so as to expand by the pressure and form a cylindrical bar, comprises a tube 1 formed in a cylindrical shape in expanded condition, a cylindrical films 2 (allowing gas to pass with a specified resistance) located in the tube 1, sharing an axis with the tube 1, and having different radii, and a cylinder 3 installed to one end of the tube 1 and having a blowing port provided in a film 21 with minimum radius. A gas flows from the cylinder 3 to the film 21 with minimum radius and, when spaces 4 partitioned by the films 2 are pressurized to a specified pressure or more, then the gas flows into a space partitioned by the film with minimum radius. Thus, the expansion of the tube in radial direction is performed after its expansion in axial direction is generally completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inflatable tube which forms a rod-like structure when a small one is expanded by the pressure of gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an inflatable tube of this type, for example, a boom that supports an antenna reflector mounted on an artificial satellite is known. FIG. 11 shows an antenna reflector 13 and an inflatable tube 12 having a conventional configuration.
In the artificial satellite equipped with the antenna, the state transition from the state where the inflatable tube (boom) 12 supporting the antenna reflecting mirror 13 is stored in the artificial satellite structure 14 to the time when these are deployed outside the satellite structure 14 is shown. FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the inflatable tube (boom) 12 and the antenna reflecting mirror 13 are stored in the satellite structure 14 by folding it small in the launched state (state), and after the upper door of the satellite structure 14 is opened. (State) is a structure (state) in which a gas is introduced into the outer space to be deployed on an antenna reflector 13 having an inflatable structure and an inflatable tube 12 supporting the same. Note that “state” indicates a state where the antenna reflecting mirror 13 is completely expanded.

[0003]

In the stored state, the conventional inflatable tube is flattened and folded perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. At the time of deployment, gas and the like are injected into the inflatable tube in the housed state, and the tube is deployed by expanding it into a rod-like or column-like shape. However, regarding the gas injection into the inflatable tube, no control mechanism is provided for the gas inflow amount and the gas inflow speed, and therefore, there is a possibility that the tube may be bent during deployment and other obstacles may occur. If an obstacle occurs, an excessive amount of gas is injected into only a part of the tube, and the tube may be broken, for example, the part may be ruptured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inflatable tube which can be smoothly deployed without obstructing a deployment operation such as bending at the time of deployment and without breaking the tube. Is to do.

[0005]

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the container is folded or rolled up in a stowed state,
An inflatable tube that forms a rod in an unfolded state, comprising a cylindrical side wall, two ends sealing both ends of the side wall, and a gas supply port provided at one of the ends. A tube 1 which becomes a rod-shaped body in a deployed state, at least one cylindrical membrane provided in the tube 1 coaxially with a central axis of the tube, and a gas connected to a gas supply port of the tube Gas supply means 3 having an outlet
Wherein the gas supply port is the cylindrical membrane 2 having the smallest radius among the cylindrical membranes 2.
Within ₁ provided so as to flow gas directly, the internal gas pressure of the minimum radius of the tubular film 2 ₁ exceeds a predetermined pressure, the space formed by the tube and the other of the tubular film An inflatable tube is provided in which the gas flows sequentially through each cylindrical membrane, whereby the tube 1 is first developed in the axial direction and then developed in the radial direction.

[0006] In the first embodiment, the at least one cylindrical membrane 2 may be formed of a membrane through which gas can pass with a certain resistance, or gas can pass through the cylindrical membrane 2. It is also possible to form a plurality of holes 11 made of a material not to be used and to allow gas to pass through the cylindrical membrane at an arbitrary position.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an inflatable tube which is folded or rolled up in a stored state and forms a rod-shaped body in an expanded state, comprising: a tubular side wall; A tube 1 which comprises two ends for sealing both ends of the tube, a gas supply port provided on one of the ends, and which becomes a rod-like body in a deployed state; a gas supply port for the tube 1 and a gas for the tube. The gas supply means 3 having a gas outlet connected to one end of the supply path, and at least one partition film 6 which is disposed so as to intersect the central axis of the tube and is disposed in parallel with each other at intervals. a inflatable tube comprising, gas the partition wall film ₆₁ and a small space ₇₁ which is defined by an end portion provided with the gas supply port of the tube located the shortest distance from the gas supply means flows , The sky When the gas pressure in the inside becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the gas sequentially flows into another small space defined by the adjacent partition membrane, whereby the inflatable tube is characterized in that the tube is sequentially developed in the axial direction. Provided.

In the second embodiment, the at least one partition film 6 may be formed of a film through which a gas can pass with a certain resistance, or a material through which the gas does not pass through the partition film 6. And a plurality of holes 11 for allowing gas to pass therethrough may be provided at any position of the partition film 6.

Further, in the inflatable tubes according to the first and second embodiments, the shape of the tube 1 may be a cylindrical shape or a polygonal column having an arbitrary polygonal cross section. .

In each of the above embodiments, the gas supply means may be, for example, a cylinder 3 in which a gas, liquid, or solid gas material is stored.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the gas supply means is provided with a flow control mechanism (not shown) for controlling a gas inflow amount so that an amount of gas exceeding the durability of the tube 1 or the like does not flow. May be.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on embodiments with reference to FIGS. However, FIGS. 1 to 3 show the first embodiment, FIGS. 4 to 6 show the second embodiment, FIGS. 7 to 8 show the third embodiment, and FIGS. 9 to 10 show the fourth embodiment.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a stored state of the inflatable tube according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inflatable tube according to the first embodiment is being developed, and FIG. 3 is an inflatable tube according to the first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the deployment (completion) state of a tube. As shown in FIG. 3, the inflatable tube according to the present embodiment includes a side wall on a cylinder and an end wall sealing both ends of the side wall, and has a gas supply port (not shown) at one end. The tube 1 has a cylindrical shape in a deployed state. Provided in the tube 1 are a plurality of cylindrical membranes 2 (made of a material that can pass through a certain resistance) that are arranged coaxially with the axis of the tube 1 and have different radii. Note that the cylindrical film 2 only needs to have a cylindrical shape.
The shape is not limited to a cylinder and may be another shape, for example, a polygonal prism such as a quadrangular prism or a hexagonal prism. Here, a cylinder is used as an example. Both ends of the cylindrical membrane 2 are in air-tight contact with both ends of the tube. Further, a cylinder 3 is attached to one end of the tube 1, and the cylinder 3 has a blowout port (not shown) for blowing out a gas generated from a gas raw material stored therein. The cylinder 3 may be provided with a flow rate control mechanism (not shown) for controlling the gas inflow amount so that an amount of gas exceeding the durability of the tube 1 or the tubular membrane 2 does not flow. The outlet is attached to the end of the cylindrical film 2 having the smallest radius (located at the center) among the plurality of cylindrical films. The cylinder 3
An opening / closing means (not shown) connected to a separately provided control unit (not shown) is provided at the outlet of
When the opening / closing section is opened according to a signal from the control section,
Gas is sent from the cylinder 3 into the folded tube 1 in the housed state. The small space 4 defined by the cylinder 3 and the cylindrical membrane 2 having the minimum radius is connected via the outlet and the gas supply port. The gas injected from the cylinder 3 in the storage state of FIG. flows into the 4, inflate the cylindrical film 2 ₁ serving as the minimum radius. Next, when the gas pressure in the small space 4 is equal to or greater than the certain value, the gas passes through the membrane 2 _1, is defined by an adjacent cylindrical film 2 ₂ located outside the cylindrical film 2 ₁ and the cylindrical film 2 ₁ Small space 5
Begin to be injected into. At this time, the cylindrical film 2 ₁ is in a deployed state, the cylindrical film 2 ₂ and the tube 1 has been extended in the longitudinal direction, it is not extended in the radial direction. This state is shown in FIG.

[0014] passes through the gas film 2 ₂ in the same state, gas flows into the small space 5 'which is defined by a cylindrical film 2 ₂ and the tube 1, finally the tube 1 is cylindrical and expands It will be in a developed (completed) state as shown in FIG.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a stored state of the inflatable tube according to the second embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inflatable tube according to the embodiment is being developed, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inflatable tube according to the second embodiment is developed (completed).

As shown in FIG. 6, the inflatable tube is composed of a side wall on a cylinder and an end wall sealing both ends of the side wall, and has a gas inlet (not shown) at one end. The tube 1 has a cylindrical shape in a state. In the tube 1, one or a plurality of membranes 6 serving as partition walls for dividing the inner space of the tube into a plurality of small spaces 7 are provided. The membranes 6 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the tube 1 and are arranged so as to be parallel to each other. The membrane 6 is made of a material through which gas can pass through with a certain resistance, and a plurality of small spaces 7 defined by the membrane 6 and the tube end wall at the side wall and end of the tube. To form A cylinder 3 is attached to one end of the tube 1. The cylinder 3 has a gas outlet (not shown) connected to the gas inlet of the tube 1 and contains a gas, liquid or solid gas material therein. The outlet of the cylinder 3 is provided with opening / closing means (not shown) connected to a separately provided control unit (not shown). When the opening / closing unit is opened according to a signal from the control unit, Gas is sent from the cylinder 3 into the folded tube 1 in the housed state.
4 to the gas from the cylinder 3 in a housed state in the small space ₇₁ delimited by the tube ends are film 6 ₁ and cylinder 3 located provided in the shortest distance flows indicated, a small space ₇₁ of the gas pressure becomes a certain level or more, the gas passes through the membrane 6 ₁ subspace 7 ₁
Gas is injected into a small space 7 ₂ adjacent to, the development way the state shown in FIG. In the same state, the gas sequentially passes through the membranes 6 _{2 and} 6 ₃ , and the small spaces 7 ₂ , 7 ₃ and 7 ₄ are sequentially developed, whereby the tube eventually expands and becomes cylindrical. The state is the development (completion) state of FIG.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 corresponds to the embodiment applied to the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 corresponds to the embodiment provided to the second embodiment. However, components common to those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the tube 1 is not a cylinder but a polygonal pillar as shown in FIGS.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 corresponds to the first embodiment, and FIG.
Corresponds to the second embodiment. However, components common to those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. This fourth embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that a gas-impermeable membrane 9 is used instead of the membrane 2 of the first embodiment as shown in FIG. That is, a plurality of small holes 11 are opened at arbitrary positions. As shown in FIG. 10, a gas-impermeable film 10 is used in place of the partition film 6 of the second embodiment, and a plurality of small holes 11 are formed at arbitrary positions in the film 10. .

[0019]

In the invention according to the first embodiment, the tube is expanded while maintaining the shape of the tube during the expansion process in the tube axial direction, so that the tube can be expanded without being bent during the expansion.

In the invention according to the second embodiment, since the tube is sequentially developed in each of the divided small spaces, the shape of the tube is completed at the end of the tube in order from the end of the tube. Can be deployed without.

In the invention according to the third embodiment, the tubes can be arranged without any gap in the expanded state.
This has the effect that structures of various shapes can be created.

In the invention according to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the inventions according to the first and second aspects can be obtained, and the range of choice of the film material can be widened. There is an effect that setting can be made more free.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a stored state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable tube shown as the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a state in which the inflatable tube is being developed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable tube shown as the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a stored state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a state where the inflatable tube is being developed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube shown as a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube corresponding to the first embodiment shown as a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing an expanded state.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube corresponding to a second embodiment shown as a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube corresponding to the first embodiment shown as a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing a deployed state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an inflatable tube corresponding to a second embodiment shown as a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing an expanded state.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a satellite using an inflatable tube shown as a conventional example, showing a deployed state from a stored state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inflatable tube 2 Cylindrical membrane 3 Cylinder 6 Partition membrane 4,5 Small space 7,8 Small space 11 Hole 12 Boom 13 Antenna reflector 14 Satellite structure

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Yoshinori Nakasuka, Inventor 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Akihiro Miyasaka 2-3-3, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroaki Tsunoda 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term (in reference) 2E163 DA01 FA01 FB06 FB09 FB23 FB31 FB34 FB41 FF21

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An inflatable tube which is folded or rolled in a stored state and forms a rod-shaped body in an expanded state, comprising: a cylindrical side wall; and two ends sealing both ends of the side wall. And a gas supply port provided at one of the ends, and a tube (1) which becomes a rod-shaped body in a deployed state, and is provided in the tube (1) coaxially with a central axis of the tube. An inflatable tube comprising: at least one cylindrical membrane; and gas supply means (3) having a gas outlet connected to a gas supply port of the tube, wherein the gas supply port is formed of the cylindrical shape. film (2) gas into the minimum radius of the tubular film (2 ₁₎ is provided so as to directly flow out of the pressure inside of the gas pressure is given the minimum radius of the tubular film (2 ₁₎ Above which the tube and other tubular membranes ( 2 ₂₎
The gas sequentially flows into the spaces (5, 5 ') formed through the respective cylindrical membranes, whereby the tube (1) is first developed in the axial direction and then in the radial direction. And inflatable tube. 2. The inflatable tube according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tubular membrane (2) comprises:
An inflatable tube formed of a film through which gas can pass through a certain resistance. 3. The inflatable tube according to claim 1, wherein the tubular membrane is formed of a material through which gas does not pass, and a plurality of holes through which gas passes through an arbitrary position of the tubular membrane. ) Is provided. 4. Folded or rolled up in a stored state
Inflatable tube that forms a rod
A cylindrical side wall, and two ends sealing both ends of the side wall.
And a gas supply port provided at one of the ends.
A tube (1) that becomes a rod when opened, a gas supply port of the tube (1) and a gas supply path of the tube
Gas supply having a gas outlet connected to one end of a gas supply
Step (3) is disposed so as to intersect with the center axis of the tube, and is spaced apart therefrom.
At least one partition film (6) arranged in parallel to each other
And an inflatable tube comprising: a tube located at the shortest distance from the gas supply port of the tube.
Wall film (6₁) And the end of the tube provided with the gas supply port
Small space (7₁Gas flows into the small
When the gas pressure in the space exceeds a predetermined pressure, the adjacent space
Wall film (6₂, 6 ₃) Other small space (7₂, 7
₃, 7₄)), The gas flows into the
Inflation characterized by the fact that
Portable tube. 5. The inflatable tube according to claim 4, wherein the at least one partition film (6) comprises:
An inflatable tube formed of a film through which gas can pass through a certain resistance. 6. The inflatable tube according to claim 4, wherein said partition wall film (6) is formed of a material through which gas does not pass, and a plurality of holes (11) through which gas passes through an arbitrary position of said partition wall film. An inflatable tube provided. 7. The inflatable tube according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the tube (1) is cylindrical. 8. The inflatable tube according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the tube (1) is a polygonal prism. 9. The inflatable tube according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply means includes a gas flow control mechanism.