JPH03189296A - Developed structure for space - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a developing mechanism by providing a flexible air bag within developing members, enclosing gas in the bag, and developing a developed structure through developing force in proportion to pressure difference between the gas in the air bag and the space. CONSTITUTION:In the receiving condition of a developed structure, developing members are arranged concentric circle likely so that a member 1a is on the innermost side, another members are in order of 1b-1d, and respective members are held with guides 9 at regular intervals. Such receiving condition is held by contacting a holding and releasing mechanism 4 with a receiving part 5 on the developing members. When the developed structure in the receiving condition is loaded on an artificial satellite and the like and launched into the space with a rocket and the like, the holding and releasing mechanism 4 is released, and the developed structure is developed by the developing force in proportion to the difference between the enclosed gas 3 pressure (atmospheric pressure) in the air bag 6 and open air pressure, while being guided with guides 9 along guide rails 10.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] This invention is applicable to deployable structures deployed in outer space, such as support structures for sub-reflectors of large antennas installed in artificial satellites and space bases. It is related to.

[Conventional technology]

Structures such as antennas used in artificial satellites and space bases are becoming larger due to the increasing sophistication of their mission requirements. On the other hand, rockets that launch satellites and other satellites are also becoming larger, but this progress is slower than the increase in the size of structures such as antennas.

When launching an artificial satellite carrying a structure such as a large antenna, it is necessary to fold the structure such as the antenna and store it in a rocket. moreover.

In space, it is necessary to unfold structures such as folded antennas and maintain them in desired shapes and dimensions.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional deployable structure for space use. The airtight seal installed in (3) is the deployment member (1a) ~
(1d) and the gas sealed inside the deployable member by the airtight seal (2); (4) is a holding/release mechanism for controlling the deployment timing of the deployable structure; (5) is fixed to and retained by the deployable member. A receiving part of the holding and releasing mechanism that is in contact with the releasing mechanism, b
, (e+ is a guide attached radially to keep the interval between adjacent deployable members constant and smooth the deploying movement, αG is a guide (9) attached in the direction of deployment of the deployable member. It is a guide rail that guides the unfolding movement of <fc.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained as follows:
Let's take the case where the pressure in the stowed state is equal to the atmospheric pressure on the ground.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the space deployable structure according to the present invention in a stored state, in which the deployable members are arranged concentrically in the order of (1b) to (Icl), with (1a) being the innermost part. The distance between the two is kept constant by the guide (91), and the storage state is maintained by the holding/releasing mechanism (4).
is held in place by contacting the receiving portion (5) on the deploying member.

When the deployable structure is on the ground, the pressure of the sealed gas (3) inside the deployable member is equal to atmospheric pressure, so no deployment force is applied. As the pressure increases, the external pressure decreases, so a deployment force proportional to the difference between the pressure of the gas (3) enclosed within the deployment member and the outside pressure acts on the entire deployment member. Even if the deployment force acts on the deployment member, it is not the time to deploy the deployment structure.

By keeping the holding and releasing mechanism (4) in contact with the receiving portion (5) on the deployable member, the deployable structure can be maintained in the stored state.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the space deployable structure according to the present invention in the deployed state. When released, the guide (9) is guided to the guide rail (11) by a deployment force proportional to the difference between the pressure of the sealed gas (3) in the deployment member and the outside air pressure, and the deployment structure is deployed. Because outer space is almost a vacuum.

Since there is a large pressure difference with the pressure of the sealed gas (3) in the deployable member, the deploying force is large, and there is no gravity, the deployable structure can be deployed very easily.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventional space deployable structures are configured as described above, and therefore require a seal to seal gas inside the deployable member, but this seal is generally made by pressing and deforming a material such as rubber. Since it maintains airtightness, it creates frictional force when unfolding.

The problem was that it did not unfold smoothly.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it does not generate large frictional force when deploying the structure.
The purpose is to obtain a device that can be smoothly deployed.

[Means to solve the problem]

The space deployable structure according to the present invention has a bag made of an expandable material inside the deployable member, seals gas inside the bag, and has a holding and releasing mechanism that allows deployment when necessary. It has the following.

[Effect]

The deployable structure in this invention has nine bags made of a stretchable material inside the deployable member, and by sealing gas inside the bag, it is possible to connect the inside of the deployable member to the outer space in a vacuum state. Deployment is made possible by the pressure difference between the

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a practical example according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, (1a) to (1b) are deployable members with different diameters (J), (61 is a nine-bag (hereinafter referred to as an air bag) consisting of an expandable material installed inside the deployable member, +31 is the gas sealed inside the air bag (6), (4) is a holding/release mechanism for controlling the deployment timing of the deployment structure, and f5) is a holding fixed to the deployment member and in contact with the holding/release mechanism (4). The receiving part of the release mechanism, (9) is a guide installed radially in order to keep the interval between adjacent deployable members constant and smooth the deployment movement, and αG is a guide installed in the direction of deployment of the deployable member. This is a guide rail for guiding the unfolding movement of the guide (9).

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained as follows:
An example will be explained in which the pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure on the ground in the stored state.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the space deployable structure according to the present invention in a stored state, in which the deployable members are arranged in concentric circles in the order of (1b) to (1a), with (1a) being the innermost part. The distance between the two is kept constant by the guide (9), and the stored state with two clothes is secured by the holding and releasing mechanism (4) coming into contact with the receiving part (5) on the deployment member. It's dripping.

When the deployment structure is on the ground, the pressure of the sealed gas (3) inside the airbag (6) is equal to atmospheric pressure, so there is no deployment force. As the airbag is blown ashore and the altitude increases, the external pressure decreases, so a deployment force proportional to the difference between the pressure of the sealed gas (3) inside the airbag (6) and the external pressure acts on the entire deployment member. Even if the deployment force acts on the deployment member, if it is not time to deploy the deployment structure, the holding and releasing mechanism (4)
By keeping it in contact with the receiving part (5) on the deployable member, the deployable structure can be maintained in its fully housed state.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the deployable space structure according to the present invention in the deployed state. When released, the guide (9) is guided to the guide rail aO by (6) a deployment force proportional to the difference between the pressure of the internal sealed gas (3) and the external pressure), and the deployable structure is deployed.

In particular, since outer space is almost in a vacuum state, there is a large pressure difference between the pressure of the sealed gas (3) inside the air bag (6) and the deployment force becomes large. is very easy. worn. In this invention, when the deployment member deploys, the air bag (6) inside the deployment member inflates and pushes up the deployment member, so the air bag (6) does not generate a large frictional force. , smooth development is possible.

In the above embodiment, the pressure of the gas (3) sealed in the airbag (6) is equal to the atmospheric pressure on the ground in the stored state, but the atmospheric pressure on the ground may also be higher. In that case, the deployment force of the deployable structure is the same as that of the enclosed gas (3
) is the same as the atmospheric pressure on the ground in the stowed state.

Further, in the above embodiment, four deployable members (1a) to (1d) are shown, but the number of deployable members may be any number as long as it is two or more, and the same effect as in the above fruitful example can be achieved. .

Further, the holding and releasing mechanism is not limited to the shape and form shown in the above embodiments, but is also provided with a holding and releasing mechanism (ill and a receiving part α2 of the holding and releasing mechanism), for example, as shown in FIG.
It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even if .

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, by having an expandable air bag inside the deployment member and sealing gas inside the air bag, the gas inside the air bag can be exchanged with the space in the vacuum state of outer space. Since the deployable structure is configured to deploy with a deploying force proportional to the pressure difference with the space, it has the effect of being able to deploy smoothly without generating a large frictional force.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a deployable space structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the space deployable structure in its stored state, FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional deployable structure for space; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view in the stored state; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view in its unfolded state. In the figure, (1a) to (1b) are deployable members with different diameters, and! l), +21 is an airtight seal installed on each deployment member, (3) is deployment member (1a) ~
(1b) and the gas sealed in the deployable member by the airtight seal (2); (4) is the holding and releasing mechanism for controlling the deployment timing of the deployable structure; (5) is the holding and releasing mechanism fixed to the deployable member; A receiving part of the holding and releasing mechanism in contact with the mechanism, (6) a bag made of an expandable material, (9) a guide for keeping the distance between adjacent deploying members constant and smoothing the deploying operation, 00 is a guide rail that is attached in the direction of deployment of the deployment member and guides the guide (9). Note that the same reference numerals in Figure 1 indicate the same or equivalent parts. Figure 1 Figure a d Figure Figure a Figure 5 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] a plurality of deployable members each having a different diameter and a hollow interior; a bag made of a stretchable material and enclosing a gas; a gas sealed inside the bag made of the stretchable material;
A guide placed between adjacent deployable members to maintain a constant interval between the deployable members, a guide rail installed in the direction of deployment of the deployable members to smooth the movement of the guide, and a guide rail to suppress the deployable movement of the deployable members. space use, which is equipped with a holding and releasing mechanism that guides the deployment movement of the deploying member when operated, and a receiving part that is installed on the deploying member and contacts the holding and releasing mechanism in the stored state to maintain the stored state. Deployment structure.