JPH01285498A - Panel expanding device for space - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a compact and light expanding device by providing a shape memory alloy for expanding and driving a panel structure body by heating, an electric heater for heating it and a lock mechanism for locking an expanded state. CONSTITUTION:When a panel structure body 1 is expanded in a space, a current is caused to flow to a power source 5 and a shape memory alloy 3 is heated by a heater 4. At this time, since the shape memory alloy 3 is extended and amounted on the internal part of the panel structure body 1 the panel structure body 1 is driven according to the shape of the shape memory alloy 3 and the panel structure body 1 is expanded according to the extension by the operation of a joint part 2. When the expansion is completed, a lock mechanism 6 constituted of a pin and a spring operates to fix the expanded state of the panel structure body 1 and thereafter stop the energization to the heater 4. Accordingly, even when the temperature of the shape memory alloy 3 is lowered thereafter, the expanded state of the panel structure body can be maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a space panel deployment device used for deploying large panels in space.

[Conventional technology]

Figures 5 and 6 show perspective views of the prior art. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a panel structure to which large panel products such as solar cell panels and radiators are attached, which are deployed from an artificial satellite to the outside in space, and 7 is a conventional deployment device for deploying the same panel structure. This deployment device 7 is driven by an actuator (not shown).

The actuator is typically powered by electrical power or gas pressure. FIG. 5 shows the panel structure in its folded state, and FIG. 6 shows its unfolded state.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventionally used deployment devices and actuators are heavy, and it is not desirable to mount such heavy devices on an artificial satellite because it increases the launch cost.

The present invention seeks to provide a small and lightweight panel expansion device that can be incorporated into a panel structure without using electric or gas pressure driven actuators, which tend to increase weight.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems, and includes a shape memory alloy that is incorporated into a joint part of a panel structure having a joint part and is heated to drive a nollel structure to unfold. The present invention relates to a space panel deployment device characterized by comprising an electric heater for heating, and a locking mechanism provided at the joint portion to fix the deployed state of the panel structure.

[Effect]

The present invention develops a panel structure using the property of a shape memory alloy that changes shape depending on whether the temperature is low or high after a certain set temperature. The panel structure is expanded using a shape memory alloy that changes shape when heated by the heat generated by the heater when energized. After being deployed, the deployed state is fixed by a locking mechanism. Even when the electricity is turned off and the temperature of the shape memory alloy drops, the panel remains in its unfolded state.

〔Example〕

1 and 2 show perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a panel structure. FIG. 1 shows the structure in a folded state, and FIG. 2 shows the structure in an unfolded state. In this embodiment, the large-sized deployment device used in the prior art is not used. That is, the unfolding device in this embodiment is incorporated inside the panel structure in the portion shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the part shown in FIG. This is an enlarged view of the part in Figure B, and is a sectional view of the panel unfolding device of this embodiment in a state where the panel structure is extended. 3 and 4, 1 is a panel structure, 2 is a joint part of the structure, 3 is a shape memory alloy, 4 is a heater for heating the shape memory alloy, 5 is an electric wire for supplying electricity to the heater,
6 is a locking mechanism for fixing the panel structure in that state after it is expanded.

In the above device, the shape memory alloy 3 is set to be in a bent state below a certain temperature and to be in an elongated state above a certain temperature. Until it reaches space, it is in a bent state as shown in Figure 3. When trying to deploy a panel structure in space, an electric current is passed through the a5,
The shape memory alloy 3 is heated by the heater 4.

At this time, the shape memory alloy expands as shown in FIG. The shape memory alloy 3 is mounted inside the panel structure 1, and the panel structure 1 is driven according to the shape of the shape memory alloy 3 and folded and unfolded by the action of the joint portion 2. Therefore, when the shape memory alloy 3 is expanded as shown in FIG. 4, the panel structure 1 is expanded as shown in FIG. When the panel structure completes expansion, a locking mechanism 6 consisting of a pin and a spring works to fix the expanded state of the panel structure 1. After that, the power supply to the heater 4 is stopped.

Thereafter, even if the temperature of the shape memory alloy falls, the expanded state of the panel structure 1 is maintained.

As mentioned above, there is no gravity and no wind in space, so there is no need to use large forces such as electricity or gas pressure.
The small force of the shape memory alloy can sufficiently deploy the panel structure, and the deployment device can be made smaller and lighter.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the present invention, since a shape memory alloy heated by a heater is used as a driving device for panel deployment, the space panel deployment device can be made smaller and lighter.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are perspective views of one embodiment of the present invention;
5 and 4 are partially enlarged sectional views of the above embodiment, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the prior art. 1... Panel structure, 2... Joint part, 3...
- Shape memory alloy, 4... Heater, 5... Electric wire, 6... Lock mechanism, 7... Conventional panel expansion device. Agent Patent Attorney Akatsuki Sakama Other 2 Famous Sweets 1 Zuman 4 Zuman 5 Sen 6th

Claims (1)

[Claims] A shape memory alloy that is incorporated in a joint part of a panel structure having a joint part and drives the panel structure to unfold by being heated; an electric heater that heats the shape memory alloy; and a panel provided in the joint part. A space panel deployment device characterized by being equipped with a locking mechanism that fixes the deployed state of the structure.