JPH051697U - Deployment mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Modified) [Constitution] In the deployment mechanism of the deployment type solar cell paddle having a plurality of panels deployable in outer space, the first fixed to the first panel as the outer end. Hinge clevis metal fittings, second hinge clevis metal fittings fixed to the second panel, hinge pins that are rotatably connected to the two hinge clevis metal fittings, attached coaxially to the hinge pins and acting in the direction of expanding the first panel A shape memory alloy spring and a heater for heating and deforming the shape memory alloy spring, and a shape memory that is similarly fixed at a position symmetrical to the shape memory alloy spring and acts in the direction of housing the first panel. An alloy spring and a heater for heating and deforming the shape memory alloy spring are provided. [Effect] The first panel is expanded and stored only by making a simple repair by providing a shape memory alloy spring that operates in the direction of storing the shape memory alloy spring that operates in the direction of expansion and a heater that operates in the direction of storage. Can be made.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a deploying mechanism of a deployable solar cell paddle that can be deployed in space, for example.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 5 to 8 are views showing a conventional expansion mechanism, which has a hinge structure in which the clevis metal fittings 3 and 4 to which the panels 1 and 2 are attached are rotatably connected via a hinge pin 5. A winding coil spring 6 is fixed to the hinge pin 5 at the center and to the clevis fitting 3 at the outer end.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 5 shows the state in which the panels 1 and 2 are stored before being expanded, and FIG. 6 shows the state in which the panels 1 and 2 have been expanded, but when the restraint of the panel is released, the vine that has been retracted beforehand is released. The clevis fitting 3 and the panel 1 rotate around the hinge pin 5 by the action of the winding coil spring 6. When the clevis metal fitting 3 has rotated 180 degrees, it hits the clevis metal fitting 4 and stops rotating to maintain the expanded state. The spiral coil spring 6 is set in a rolled-in state even when the panel is deployed, and gives a sufficient deployment holding torque.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In the conventional deployment mechanism as described above, the deployment is performed only in one direction by the action of the spiral coil spring 6. However, as shown in FIG. 9 in recent years, after the hygiene 9 flew in orbit, the hygiene 9 is collected and reused by the space shuttle 10 for repair of the hygiene 9, replacement of mounted equipment, refueling, etc. Things are planned. In order to collect the hygiene 9, it has been necessary to fold the solar cell paddle 11 again and store it. However, in the conventional deployment mechanism, it is not possible to fold the solar cell paddle 11 and store it again. It was structurally impossible.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and obtains a deployment mechanism that can deploy and hold the solar cell paddle 11 on the orbit and then put the panel back into the retracted state. The purpose is to

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 A deploying mechanism according to the present invention comprises a first hinge clevis fitting fixed to a first panel as an outer end, a second hinge clevis fitting paired with the first hinge clevis fitting, and a second panel adjacent to the first panel. Fixed to the second hinge clevis metal fitting, a hinge pin that rotatably connects the first hinge clevis metal fitting and the second hinge clevis metal fitting, and the first hinge clevis metal fitting coaxially attached to the hinge pin And a shape memory alloy spring that acts in a direction to expand the first hinge crevasse fitting and the first panel around the rotation axis of the hinge pin, and a heater for heating and deforming the shape memory alloy spring. , A shape mark that is similarly fixed at a position symmetrical to the shape memory alloy spring and acts in the direction in which the first hinge clevis fitting and the first panel are housed. And alloy spring, is obtained by including a heater for causing thermal deformation of the shape alloy spring.

[0007]

[Action]

 In the deployment mechanism of the present invention, the heating heater mounted on the shape memory alloy spring acting in the deployment direction is energized, and the heating heater mounted on the shape memory alloy spring acting in the storage direction is not energized. Since torque is generated when the temperature of the shape memory alloy spring acting in the expansion direction exceeds the transformation point, the rotational torque of the shape memory alloy spring acting in the expansion direction causes the expansion of the panel and the 180 ° expansion state. Although the panel is held in the storage state, the shape memory alloy spring acting in the storage direction is energized to the heating heater and the shape memory alloy spring heating heater acting in the deployment direction is released in the storage direction. When the temperature of the acting shape memory alloy spring exceeds the transformation point, torque is generated at the roller, and the shape memory alloy spring acting in the developing direction loses the torque. Around the rolling axis for accommodating the panel while rolling a shape memory alloy spring acting initially deploy direction and rotation from the expanded state to the accommodated state.

[0008]

【Example】

 Example 1. FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are views showing an example of execution of this invention. In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, 1 is a first panel, 2 is a second panel adjacent to the first panel 1, 3 and 4 are the first and second panels 1 and 2. The first and second hinge clevis fittings to be connected, 5 are hinge pins that serve as the center of rotation of the first and second hinge clevis fittings 3, 4, and 7 is coaxially attached to the hinge pin 5, and the first hinge A shape memory alloy spring which is connected to the rotary clevis metal fitting 3 and acts in the direction of developing the first hinge clepas metal fitting 3 and the first panel 1 around the rotation axis of the hinge pin 5, 8 is the shape memory alloy spring 7 A heating heater 12 for heating and deforming the same is fixed in a position symmetrical to the shape memory alloy spring 7, and a direction in which the first hinge clevis 3 and the first panel 1 are housed. Shape that acts on A storage alloy spring 13 is a heating heater for heating and deforming the shape memory alloy spring 12.

Next, the operation will be described. 1 and 2 show a state before expansion. When the restraint of the first panel 1 is released and the heating heater 8 is energized, the temperature of the shape memory alloy spring 7 rises and a torque is generated when the temperature exceeds the transformation point. 1 rotates about hinge pin 5. 3 and 4 show the state after the expansion. When the clevis metal fitting 3 has rotated 180 degrees, it comes into contact with the clevis metal fitting 4 and stops rotating to maintain the expanded state. The shape memory alloy spring 7 is set in a rolled-up state even when the panel is deployed, and provides a sufficient deployment holding torque. Next, in the storage process, the temperature of the shape memory alloy spring 12 rises due to the energization of the heater 13, and torque is generated when the temperature exceeds the transformation point. Therefore, the clevis fitting 3 and the panel 1 move around the hinge pin 5. While rotating, the shape-memory alloy spring 7 is rolled up, and the state before deployment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is reached. As described above, the hygiene 9 containing the solar cell paddle 11 is collected by the space shuttle 10, brought back to the ground again, and reused for repair and refueling.

[0010]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, this invention is simpler than the conventional hinge in that the shape memory alloy spring acting in the developing direction and the shape memory alloy spring acting in the opposite direction and the heater are provided. There is an effect that the first panel can be expanded and stored by simply performing the renovation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a storage state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the storage state of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention and is a front view in a state after being developed.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in a developed state.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a conventional deployment mechanism and is a front view of a retracted state.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a conventional unfolding mechanism in a stored state.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a conventional deployment mechanism and is a front view of the state after deployment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a conventional deployment mechanism and is a side view after deployment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a space shuttle collecting satellites in orbit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 1st panel 2 2nd panel 3 1st hinge clevis metal fittings 4 2nd hinge clevis metal fittings 5 Hinge pins 6 Whirlpool coil springs 7 Shape memory alloy springs 8 heating heaters 9 Hygiene 10 Space shuttle 11 Sun Battery paddle 12 Spring made of shape memory alloy that acts in the housing direction 13 Heater

Claims (1)

[Claims for utility model registration] 1. In a deployment mechanism of a deployment type solar cell paddle having a plurality of panels deployable in outer space, a first panel fixed to an outer end of a first panel. Second hinge clevis metal fitting, a second hinge clevis metal fitting that is paired with the first hinge clevis metal fitting, and is fixed to a second panel adjacent to the first panel, the first hinge clevis metal fitting, and the second hinge clevis metal fitting. 2. A hinge pin for rotatably connecting the hinge clevis metal fittings, a first hinge clevis metal fitting mounted coaxially to the hinge pin and connected to the first hinge clevis metal fitting, and the hinge pin having the first hinge clevis metal fitting and the first panel about a rotation axis. A shape memory alloy spring that acts in the direction in which the shape expands, a heater for heating and deforming the shape memory alloy spring, and a position symmetrical to the shape memory alloy spring. Similarly, a spring made of a shape memory alloy acting in a direction for housing the first hinge clevis fitting and the first pal and a heater for heating and deforming the shape memory alloy spring are provided. Characterizing deployment mechanism.