JPH03151477A - Spreading mast - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the rigidity of a mast structure by forming batten members working as cross sash members longeron members working as longitudinal members, and diagonal members arranged diagonally between joints of these members. CONSTITUTION:An expansive/contractive mast is formed from a plurality of approx. triangular batten members 1, a plurality of longeron members 2 which are to couple together the crests of members 1, and diagonal members 3 each stretching along the quadrangular diagonal line constituted from the members 1 and 2. Then rotary members 21, 22 of each longeron member 2 and turned to be arranged in a straight line form, and the members 2 are spread straightly to elongate the mast, while the members 3 are also elongated fully so as to work as diagonal members. Thus the rigidity of the mast is increased. Then, the pivoting centers of pins 23, 24 of the member 2 overshoot the center in the amount Oc and are locked. This can increase the rigidity of the mast structure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an extendable mast that can be extended and shortened for use in space stations and other structures.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an extendable mast that is lightweight, occupies a small volume in the retracted state, and is stiff in the extended state.

[Conventional technology] Traditionally, as structural members of space stations and other
It is planned to use an extendable mast. This extendable mast is a beam-shaped structure that can be extended and shortened.
The mast is shortened to take up less space and launched into outer space by being mounted on a rocket or space shuttle, and the mast is extended in space to form a beam-shaped structure.

An example of such an extendable mast is an extendable mast with a structure in which a longitudinal member is made of a long rod-shaped member that is elastically deformable, and a plurality of longitudinal members are interconnected by an elastically deformable horizontal member. be. This thing shortens the longitudinal member by elastically deforming it into a coil shape, and when the mast is extended, the mechanism that maintains the mast in the shortened state is released, and the longitudinal member expands into a straight line due to elastic force, forming a straight beam mast. Although this type of device has a simple structure, it has the disadvantage that the rigidity in the unfolded state cannot be increased very much. In particular, when a structure such as a space station becomes large, if the rigidity of the mast used in this structure is low, the period of vibration of the entire structure becomes long, making it difficult to damp and control this vibration. This may cause problems such as

In addition, as an example of another type of extension mast, the rigid members constituting the truss are rotatably connected by pins, etc., and these members are rotated and folded into a shortened state. There are articulated masts that can be expanded into a beam-like mast. Although it is possible to increase the rigidity of this type of extendable mast, the structure is complicated, and as the structure becomes more complicated, mIl
There is a problem that l also becomes large.

Another type of extension mast is the American N
ASA Contractor Report 172461 (198
6th year) r Batten Augmenttvd
There is an extendable mast disclosed in Triangular BaataJ. This has a triangular truss shape in which the vertices of a plurality of triangular batten members are connected by three longilon members. These longelong members are pivotally mounted by a pin in the center between adjacent batten members, and the mast is shortened by pivoting and folding the longelong members. In addition, the above-mentioned batten member is composed of three beams that can be elastically bent and deformed, and a cord is stretched diagonally between the adjacent batten member and the adjacent longitudinal member. There is. When the mast is in an extended state, the beams constituting the batten member bend elastically under the compressive load, and the elastic force of these beams tensions the cord. It is configured as follows. However, this kind of mast has the problem that the rigidity of the entire mast cannot be increased very much because the longelong member is composed of a rigid member, but the batten member is composed of an elastically deformable beam. Ta.

As mentioned above, conventional masts all have simplified structures,
Light weight, storage efficiency, etc. and rigidity during extension were contradictory.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an articulated extension mast that has high rigidity, has a simple structure, and can be constructed to be lightweight. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention connects a plurality of horizontal members, that is, batten members, with a plurality of longitudinal members, that is, longelong members, and forms a structure formed by adjacent batten members and adjacent longelong members. Diagonal members are arranged diagonally in a rectangular area. The diagonal member described above is composed of a plurality of sliding members, and these sliding members are configured to be able to slide freely relative to each other in the axial direction. It is configured not to. Further, the longelong member is composed of two rotating members, one end of which is rotatably connected to each other, and the other end is rotatably connected to the batten member. . Further, these rotating members are configured so that they are deployed linearly and are overcentered and locked when the diagonal member is fully extended.

[Function] In the present invention, the two rotating members constituting each longilon member are rotated and folded, the diagonal member is shortened, the batten members are overlapped with each other, and this extension mast is in the shortened state. Become.

Further, the rotary members of the longilon members described above are unfolded so as to be linearly arranged with respect to each other, and each diagonal member is extended, so that the extensible mast is in an extended state.

In this case, when the diagonal member is fully extended, the rotating members constituting the longelong member are overcentered with respect to each other, and the overcenter locks the longelon members in a linearly expanded state.

The extendable mast of the present invention is of an articulated type in which rigid members are rotatably connected, and has high rigidity.

In addition, since the longitudinal member is locked in a straight line by the overcenter of the rotating member, the structure is simple and lightweight. Furthermore, when this mast is in an extended state, the longilon member is overcentered when the diagonal member is fully extended and a tensile load is applied as described above, and the load is applied to each member and their connections. Since the mast is under internal load from the beginning, the play between the various members is eliminated and the rigidity is further increased.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

This example is an extension truss used in the structure of a space station or a telescoping boom for accessing a space shuttle from a space station. A portion of this extension truss is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the upper half shown in an extended state and the lower half shown in a shortened state.

This extension mast includes a plurality of horizontal members or batten members 1 having a substantially triangular shape, a plurality of longitudinal members or longitudinal members 2 connecting the apexes of these batten members 1, and adjacent batten members 1. It is comprised of a plurality of oblique members, that is, diagonal members 3, arranged along the diagonal lines of a rectangle formed by a longilon member 2 and a plurality of oblique members, that is, diagonal members 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the above-mentioned batten members 1 is constructed by connecting the ends of three H-shaped cross-section members 11a made of aluminum alloy, composite material, etc. with a connecting member 11b, and is approximately straight. It has a triangular frame shape.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned diagonal member 3 is composed of a plurality of sliding members such as a sliding opening/rod 31 and a hollow sliding tube 32, and this sliding rod 31 is a sliding tube. The diagonal member 3 is slidably inserted into the interior of the slide rod 32, and is configured so that the diagonal member 3 expands and contracts when these members slide against each other.
Stoppers 43 and 44 are provided at the ends of the diagonal member 3, and the maximum extension length of the diagonal member 3 is restricted by their contact. Note that since only tension acts on this diagonal member 3, these diameters are formed to be small. And this diagonal member 3
Attachment portions 41 and 42 are formed at both ends of the batten member 1, and these attachment portions 41 and 42 are rotatably connected to the connecting member 11b at the apex portion of the adjacent batten member 1.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the longelong member 2 described above includes two rotating members 21, a first and a second rotating member.
It consists of 22. These rotating members 21.22
is made of aluminum alloy, composite material, etc., and has a web portion 25 and flange portions 26 integrally formed on both side edges of this web portion, and has a beam shape with an H-shaped cross section.

Both end surfaces of these web portions 25 are stopper surfaces 30.
a, 30b. One ends of these rotating members 21 and 22 are pivotally connected to each other by a pin 23. In addition, these rotating members 21 and 22
The other end portions are rotatably connected to the apex portions of adjacent batten members 1 via pins 24, respectively. Therefore, these rotating members 21 and 22 rotate within a plane that includes the central axis of the extending mast, and the longron member 2 made up of these rotating members is configured to be foldable and unfoldable.

These rotating members 21 and 22 are rotated so as to be arranged in a straight line, and the longelong member 2 is deployed in a straight line, thereby extending the extending mast.

In this case, the diagonal members 3 mentioned above are also fully extended, and these diagonal members 3 act as bracing members and increase the rigidity of the mast. Also, in this case,
When the diagonal member 3 is fully extended, the pivot centers of the pins 23 and 24, which rotatably connect the rotating members 21 and 22, are moved by a predetermined amount as shown in FIG. The web portions 25 are overcentered by an amount Oc, and the stopper surfaces 30a of the web portions 25 abut each other and are locked in this state.

In this over-centered state, the rotating members 21, 22
The end surfaces of the web portions 24 of the two abut against each other and act as a stopper. In this state, the diagonal member 3
are fully extended and a predetermined tension is applied, and the elasticity of these diagonal members 2 maintains the rotating members 21 and 22 in an overcentered state. Therefore, in this state, a tensile load acts on each of these diagonal members 3, and the rotating members 21 and 22 of the longelong member 2 and the batten member 1
Compressive loads act on each of the sections 11, and these loads preliminarily generate an internal load in the extensible mast. Therefore, play in the connecting portions of each member is removed by this internal load, so that the rigidity of the extensible mast can be further increased.

Further, the width of the second rotating member 22 is wider than the width of the first rotating member 21 by the thick bone of the flange 26,
The flange portion 26 of the first rotating member 21 is configured to overlap the inside of the flange portion 26 of the second co-moving member 22. The web portion 25 is formed to be inclined with respect to the center line of the flange portions 26, and when the rotating members 21 and 22 are folded and stacked one on top of the other, as shown in the lower part of FIG. The flange portion 26 overlapped with the web portion 25 does not interfere with the web portion 25, so that storage efficiency is improved.

The extendable mast of the present invention configured in this manner is mounted on a rocket or space shuttle in a shortened state, and is extended after being launched into outer space. During this expansion, the longilon member 2 is sequentially expanded by an appropriate expansion device (not shown). In addition, when using this extendable mast as a telescopic boom, it is necessary to
A shortening device sequentially unfolds or folds the longilon members to extend or contract the mast.

Further, the above-mentioned longilon member is not limited to that of the above-mentioned first embodiment. For example, FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a longilon member 2'.

In this case, the first co-moving member 21' is composed of a round rod or a circular tubular member, and the second rotating member 22'
' is composed of two round rods or cylindrical members. The upper end portions of the second co-moveable members 22' are disposed on both sides of the lower end portions of the first rotary member 21', and these are pivotally connected by pins 23 so as to be freely rotatable. Further, a stopper member 3 is provided at the upper end of the second rotating member 22'.
3 are attached, and the lower end of the first rotating member 21' comes into contact with this stopper member 33, and these rotating members 2
1'22' is locked in an over-center state. Similar to the longelong member 2 described above, this second longelong member 2', when these rotary members 21' and 22' are folded, connects the first rotary member 21' and the second rotary member 2.
2' can be stacked without interfering with each other, improving storage efficiency.

Further, FIG. 6 shows a longilon member 2' of a third embodiment. In this device, the first rotating member 21' is composed of one square rod or square tubular member, and the second rotating member 21'
2' is constructed from two square rods or square tubular members. Note that, except for the above-mentioned fish gear, this third embodiment has the same structure as that of the above-mentioned second embodiment.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the batten member does not necessarily have to be triangular, but may be square or other shape. In addition, the longelong members placed between the batten members are 3
It's not limited to books, it can be four or more.

Further, the structures of the longilon member and the diagonal member are not limited to those described above. Furthermore, another locking mechanism may be added to the pivoting portion of the rotating member constituting the longelong member to assist in over-center locking. Furthermore, these rotating members do not need to rotate within a plane that includes the central axis of the extensible mast, but may rotate within a plane that includes the profile of the batten member, for example.゛Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to the structure of a space station, but also to
Of course, it can also be used as other structures.

[Effects] As described above, the present invention has a structure in which rigid members are connected, and the longitudinal member is overcentered and locked when tension is applied to the diagonal member, so that no load is applied to the inside of the extension mast. This mast is extremely rigid. In addition, the structure is simpler,
Furthermore, the weight can be reduced, which has great effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a side view, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a longelon member, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of a diagonal member. It is a diagram. Moreover, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the longelong member of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the longelon member of the third embodiment. 1...batten member, 2...longilon member, 3.
... Diagonal member, 21.22 ... Rotating member, 3
1.32...Extensible member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) A plurality of batten members arranged in the horizontal direction and acting as horizontal members, and a plurality of longitudinal members arranged in the longitudinal direction between these batten members and acting as longitudinal members, In a mast structure that can be freely shortened and extended, the mast structure is composed of a plurality of diagonal members arranged diagonally between the adjacent longilon members and the adjacent batten member. The diagonal member is composed of a plurality of telescopic members that are slidable relative to each other, and when the diagonal member is extended to a predetermined length, it cannot be extended any further. It is composed of two rotating members, a first and a second rotating member, the other ends of these rotating members are rotatably connected to the batten member, and these rotating members are deployed while rotating. When the diagonal members are fully extended, the centers of pivoting between these rotating members and the centers of pivoting between these rotating members and the batten member are overcentered, and these longilon members are expanded. Extension mast characterized by being fixed in position. (2) The batten members have a triangular shape, and three longelong members are arranged between adjacent batten members, and these longelon members are pivoted at each vertex of the triangular batten members. The extendable mast according to claim 1, characterized in that: (3) The extensible mast according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member constituting the longilon member is unfolded and folded by rotating within a plane that includes the central axis of the mast. (4) The rotating member constituting the longilon member has a web and a pair of flanges integrally formed on both side edges of the web, and its cross-sectional shape is H-shaped;
When these rotating members are rotated and folded, the flange portion of the first rotating member overlaps the inside of the flange portion of the second rotating member, and the web portion is configured to overlap the flange portion of the second rotating member. The web portion is inclined with respect to the center line of the flange portion, and is configured so that the web portion does not interfere with the flange portion when these flange portions overlap.
Extension mast as described in . (5) The first rotating member constituting the longelong member is composed of one elongated member, and the second rotary member is composed of two elongated members, and the second rotary member is composed of two elongated members. 2. The extendable mast of claim 1, wherein the ends of the movable member are disposed on opposite sides of the end of the first pivot member and are pivotably coupled to each other.