JP3078559B2 - Expandable ring - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a deployable annular body provided for a deployable antenna or the like mounted on a satellite.

(Prior Art) As a deployable antenna to which this type of deployable annular body is applied, there is a conventional deployable antenna as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-91019. There is.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a stored state of the deployed parabolic antenna. As shown in this figure, a plurality of partial mirror surfaces 101 are folded in the radial direction and simultaneously stored by being twisted around the radial axis by 90 ° and rotatably supported by a frame 103. Also, this deployed parabolic antenna has
Gear device 105 that unfolds 101 while rotating two axes simultaneously
And a universal joint 107, a synchronization shaft 109, a cable 111 with an explosion tube for holding, and the like.

When the satellite is launched into a predetermined orbit by a rocket or the like, the deployable parabolic antenna mounted inside the satellite is deployed. That is, first, the cable is cut by operating the holding explosion tube-attached cable 111, and each partial mirror surface 101 starts to be deployed by a driving device (not shown) such as an electric motor via the synchronization shaft 109. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, each partial mirror surface 101 expands in the radial direction around the gear device 105 and rotates around the orthogonal axis at the same time, and finally reaches the developed state shown in FIG.

As described above, the conventional deployable antenna folds the divided mirror surface 101 divided into a plurality of pieces, and has high strength, high rigidity, and high mirror surface accuracy.

However, the divided mirror surface 101 divided into a plurality of
Because it folds as shown in Fig. 1, it was not something that could dramatically improve storage efficiency. Therefore, considering the limited storage space, it has been difficult to realize a large-diameter antenna.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the conventional deployed antenna, since the split mirror surface is sandwiched between the antennas, a dramatic improvement in storage efficiency cannot be expected, and it is difficult to realize a large-diameter antenna. there were.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a deployable annular body capable of realizing a deployable antenna or the like excellent in storage efficiency.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention relates to a method in which a plurality of hoop members and ends of adjacent hoop members are relatively rotatably connected to each other. The same number of joints as the hoop members constituting the annular body, and deployment drive means for synchronously deploying and driving the hoop members arranged at the joints and connected to both sides of each joint at an equal deployment angle, Synchronous deployment means provided in the joint and the hoop member, wherein all the hoop members connected between the joints are deployed synchronously at an equal deployment angle.

(Operation) According to the present invention, at the time of storage, all the hoop members are folded and stored along the same direction, so that the storage efficiency is high.

In addition, at the time of deployment, by operating the deployment drive means, the hoop members connected to both sides of the joint are deployed in synchronization, and all the hoop members are deployed completely synchronously by the synchronous deployment means. To form an annular body.

(Examples) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a deployable annular body according to one embodiment of the present invention is deployed, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the deployable annular body is being developed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the deployable annular body is folded.

The deployable annular body 1 according to the present embodiment has a plurality (6 in the figure).
A cylindrical hoop member 2 having the same length,
It has the same number of joints 3 for connecting each hoop member 2 respectively, and both ends of the hoop member 2 are respectively attached to two rotating shafts 5 rotatably supported on both sides of the joint 3 via bearings 4. Each is fixed (see FIG. 4). That is, on both sides of one joint 3, the rotating shafts 5 that respectively fix and connect the adjacent hoop members 2 are provided,
Each joint 3 is formed at an appropriate angle so as to form a regular hexagonal ring when each hoop member 2 is deployed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first pulley (hereinafter, referred to as a first pulley) 6 is provided on the rotation shaft 5 of each joint 3.
And a second pulley having a smaller diameter than the first pulley 6 (hereinafter referred to as a second pulley).
A pulley 7 is provided. The first pulley 6 is firmly fixed to the rotating shaft 5, and the second pulley 7 is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 5 via a bearing 8 and is fixed to the joint 3 by a fixing member 9 fixed to the side surface. Have been. The positions of the first and second pulleys 6, 7 provided on one rotating shaft 5 of each joint 3 and the first and second pulleys 6, 7 provided on the other rotating shaft 5 are opposite. Therefore, a first pulley 6 and a second pulley 7 are disposed on one side of each rotating shaft 5.

A guide rod 11 is provided between the rotary shafts 5 at a substantially central portion of each joint 3 so as to be vertically movable by a bearing 10 in the figure. Each guide rod 11 has a compression coil spring as a driving means for moving the guide rod 11 upward or downward.
12 is disposed around the guide rod 11 located between one of the fixed plates 13 provided at both ends of the guide rod 11 and the joint 3,
When the hoop member 2 is stored (see FIG. 3), the compression coil spring 12 is held in a compressed state by a holding device (not shown). The coil springs 12 disposed around the guide rods 11 are arranged so that the guide rods 11 of the adjacent joints 3 move in opposite directions (vertical direction in the figure).
11 are alternately arranged on one side (upper side or lower side in the figure).

Also, between the fixing plates 13 provided at both ends of each guide rod 11, two
A first wire (hereinafter, referred to as a first wire) 14 is provided, and each first wire 14 is provided with a first pulley 6.
Is wound so as to make one turn, and both ends thereof are fixed to the fixing plate 13. In the vicinity of the center of the first wire 14, a projection 14a is formed to engage with a recess (not shown) formed in the first pulley 6 (see FIG. 6). By engaging with the concave portion of one pulley 6,
The first pulley 6 rotates in accordance with the movement of the first wire 14 without any deviation or the like between the first wire 14 and the first pulley 6. The first wires 14 wound around the two first pulleys 6 of the respective joints 3 are wound in opposite directions so that the two first pulleys 6 rotate in the opposite directions.

Further, a second wire (hereinafter, referred to as a second wire) 15 is hung in parallel through the hoop member 2 between the second pulleys 7 rotatably supported by the rotation shafts 5 of the respective adjacent joints 3. I have. The second wire 15 has a projection 15a that engages with a recess (not shown) formed in the second pulley 7 (see FIG. 7). By engaging, the second wire 15 and the second wire 15
There is no slippage between the pulleys 7.

Thus, all the first pulleys 6 of each joint 3 have the first
While the wire 14 is wound, a second wire 15 is hung between all the second pulleys 7 of the adjacent joints 3 in parallel.

As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), each joint 3 is provided with a locking means 16 for fixing the hoop member 2 to the joint 3 when the hoop member 2 is deployed. The locking means 16 includes a coil spring 18 and a lock pin 19 provided in the cylindrical member 17 on the joint 3 side, and a lock pin 19 at an appropriate position on the hoop member 2 when the hoop member 2 is deployed. And a concave portion 20 to be combined. The urging force of the lock pin 19 always acts on the hoop member 2 side (the lower side in the figure) by the coil spring 18. Further, the surface of the hoop member 2 on the distal end side where the lock pin 19 abuts is an inclined surface 2a so that the lock pin 19 can move while being pushed up.

Next, the deployment operation of the above-described deployment type annular body 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the expanded annular body is in a housed state as shown in FIG. In this stored state, all the hoop members 2 are folded in the same direction, and the joints 3 adjacent to each other with the hoop member 2 therebetween face each other, and have a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. It is in a very compact storage state.

Next, the compression coil spring 12 provided on the guide rod 11 of each joint 3 as the driving means is released from the compressed state by releasing the holding device (not shown). Compression coil spring 12
Is released from the compressed state, the guide rod 11
Moves (moves upward or downward in the figure). And
When the guide rod 11 moves, the two first wires 14 attached to the fixed plates 13 at both ends of the guide rod 11 move while rotating the first pulleys 6 in opposite directions.
The hoop member 2 fixed to the first pulley 6 expands with the rotation of the first pulley 6 (see FIG. 9). At this time, the two hoop members 2 connected to both sides of each joint 3, respectively,
In synchronization with the rotation of the first pulley 6 rotated by the movement of the guide rod 11, that is, the movement of each first wire 14, the unfolding is performed at an equal unfolding angle (α ₁ = α ₂ ).

When each hoop member 2 is deployed, the second pulley 7 rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 5 fixed to each joint 3 by the fixing member 9 rotates relative to the rotation shaft 5. Will be done. Since the second pulleys 7 provided at both ends of each hoop member 2 are connected by the second wire 15, the hoop members 2 provided at the adjacent joints 3 are synchronized with the rotation of the first pulley 6. And the same development angle (α ₁ = α ₂
= Α = ₃ ). (See FIGS. 2 and 9).
Therefore, all the hoop members 2 connected to the respective joints 3 are completely developed in synchronization with each other to form a substantially regular hexagonal annular body 1 (see FIG. 1).

As described above, the synchronous deploying mechanism that deploys the annular body 1 in synchronization is only the guide rod 11 that moves the first and second pulleys 6 and 7, the first and second wires 14, 15 and the first wire 14. With this configuration, the number of parts is small, the assembly is simple, lightweight, and highly reliable.

At this time, the inclined surface 2a at the tip of each hoop member 2
Is moved so as to push up a lock pin 19 provided on the joint 3, and when the hoop member 2 has been deployed, the lock pin 19 is engaged with the concave portion 20 of the hoop member 2. The joint 3 is securely held in the deployed state. In this manner, the hoop member 2 and the joint 3 are securely held by the locking means 16 when fully deployed, so that the rigid annular body 1 can be obtained.

The locking means 16 may be provided for all the joints 3 or may be provided only for some of the joints 3. Further, the position of the locking means 16 provided between the hoop member 2 and the joint 3 is not particularly limited.

In the above-described embodiment, the annular body 1 is formed in a regular hexagon, but is not necessarily limited to a hexagon. However, it cannot be completely folded unless it is a regular polygon.

FIG. 10 shows a deployable antenna using the deployable annular body 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a deployed state when 30 is configured. The deployable antenna 30 includes an extendable column 31 corresponding to a center pole thereof, and the deployable annular body 1 installed on the outer peripheral side of the column 31. The column 31 is fixed to a satellite main body 32. . The support wires 33 are used to position the column 31 and the deployable annular body 1. Are connected to a power source (not shown) disposed on the satellite main body 32 through the inside of the column 31 via guide flanges 34 and 35 having the same number of pulleys (not shown).

Further, the deployable antenna 30 includes a mast 38 having a mesh antenna 36 and a primary radiator 37 at a distal end. The periphery of the mesh antenna 36 whose center is foldably supported by the column 31 is rotatably supported by the respective joints 3 of the annular body 1 and substantially the center of the hoop member 2.
Note that the mesh antenna 36 is supported at the joints 3
Only the hoop member 2 may be used, but the antenna surface can be formed with higher accuracy by providing more support points.

In the deployment operation of the deployment antenna 30, first, the annular body 1 is deployed as in the above-described embodiment. At this time, the ring 1
The mesh antenna 36 housed inside each hoop member 2 is also unfolded with the unfolding. After that, the column 31 is extended in the vertical direction in the figure, the annular body 1 is supported by the support wire 33, and the mast 38 is extended to form the deployable antenna 30 as shown in FIG.

As described above, the deployable annular body according to the present invention is excellent in storage efficiency because it is folded compactly when stored, and by using this annular body for the deployable antenna as described above, a large-diameter excellent in storage efficiency is obtained. Antenna can be provided.

Further, the deployable annular body according to the present invention can be applied to an emergency mat or the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the deployment driving unit and the synchronous deployment unit for synchronously deploying the annular body include the first and second pulleys. 1. Since only the guide bar for moving the second wire and the first wire is used, the number of parts can be reduced, the weight can be reduced, and the assembly can be easily performed. It will be very expensive.

Further, at the time of storage, the plurality of hoop members connected by the joints are all in the same direction, so that it is possible to provide an extremely compact annular body having excellent storage efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a deployed state of a deployable annular body according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the deployable annular body in the middle of deployment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling portion between the hoop member and the joint, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the hoop member and the joint at the time of storage, and FIG. Perspective view showing a first wire,
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the second wire, and FIG.
(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the locking means, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the hoop member and the joint during deployment,
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a deployed state when the deployable annular body according to the present invention is applied to a deployable antenna, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a storage state of a conventional deployable antenna, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the deployed antenna while it is being deployed, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the deployed state of the deployed antenna. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Deployment type | mold annular body, 2 ... Hoop member 3 ... Joint, 5 ... Rotary shaft 6 ... 1st pulley, 7 ... 2nd pulley 11 ... Guide rod, 12 ... Compression coil spring 13 ... Fixing plate, 14 First wire 15 Second wire 16, Lock means 18 Coil spring 19 Lock pin 20 Concave part 30 Deployable antenna

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01Q 15/20 B64G 1/22 B64G 1/66 E04B 1/344

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of hoop members, the same number of joints as the hoop members forming an annular body by connecting the ends of the adjacent hoop members to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other; Deployment drive means for synchronously deploying and driving the hoop members connected to both sides of the joint at the same deployment angle, and all the hoop members arranged in the joint and the hoop member and connected between the joints And a synchronous deploying means for synchronously deploying at an equal deployment angle. 2. The unfolding drive means includes: a guide rod linearly moved by the drive means so as to penetrate the joint; and two rotatable rotation shafts provided at each of the joints together with one end of the hoop member. A fixed first pulley;
Two first wires wound around each of the first pulleys and fixed at both ends to the both ends of the guide rod, wherein the hoop members respectively connected to both sides of each joint are provided. The first rod rotated by the linear motion of the guide rod.
The deployed annular body according to claim 1, wherein the deployed annular body is deployed at an equal deployment angle in synchronization with the pulley. A second pulley fixed to the joint and rotatably supported by two rotatable rotation shafts provided on each joint; and a synchronous pulley extending through the hoop member. A second wire connected to each of the second pulleys provided at each of the adjacent joints, wherein the hoop members respectively connected to the adjacent joints are synchronized with a deployment drive by the deployment drive unit. The deployed annular body according to claim 1, wherein the deployed annular body is deployed at an equal deployment angle.