JPH11293776A - Spreading type framed structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote lightening in addition to improvement in rigidity while enhancing reliability of motion control. SOLUTION: First and second rib members 17, 18 and tension cables 20 are bridged and frame-connected among the connecting sections of an approximately hexagonal truncated pyramidal frame body 15 and a central rod 16, each other end of the first rib members 17 and the tension cables 20 is frame- connected to the central rod 16, and other ends of the second rib members 17 are mounted in a freely contacting-separating manner in the axial direction to the central rod 16 through contacting-separating members 19. The frame body 15, the first and second rib members 17, 18 and the tension cables 20 are shorn and deformed centering around each connecting section and folded and housed in an approximately cylindrical shape centering around the central rod 16 when the contacting-separating members 19 are controlled so as to be separated from the central rod 16, and the frame body 15 is constituted so as to be spread in an approximately hexagonal truncated pyramidal shape centering around the central rod 16 when the contacting-separating members 19 are controlled so as to be brought into contact with the central rod 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a deployable skeleton structure suitable for use in, for example, various structures constituting a space base, a mirror support structure of an antenna system constructed in outer space, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of space development, the development of a space base concept is in progress. In this Space Station concept, various deployable frame structures including the Space Station's skeleton and antenna support structure are assembled on the ground in advance, folded, housed, and transported to outer space. A method of deploying in space has been considered and is being developed. In such an expandable frame structure, a frame member is combined with a frame structure such as a truss structure having a polygonal prism shape such as a cube (quadrangle prism) or a triangular prism, and rotatably coupled between its ends. There has been proposed a method of forming a foldable and foldable framework, and combining a plurality of the frameworks to form a desired shape.

For example, as a deployable frame structure, a frame member is frame-connected in a cubic shape, and driving means, for example, a telescopic member (or an intermediate portion can be bent freely) on a diagonal line of its quadrilateral surface. 2. Description of the Related Art There is a frame structure in which a plurality of frame members are folded and deployed by arranging and arranging a plurality of frame members by driving and controlling the expansion and contraction members (or bending members).

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned expandable frame structure, any of the frame structures is provided with a large number of constituent members such as a telescopic member (or a bent member) as a fold-deployment driving means for performing the fold-deployment. Must be so complicated that the configuration is
There is a problem that the reliability of the folding and unfolding operation is low, the rigidity thereof is low, and it is difficult to increase the size.

In order to stabilize the rigidity of the frame structure, the number of components must be increased.
There is a problem that when the size is promoted, the weight becomes very heavy.

[0006] The problem of such deployable frame structures has been studied in the field of space development due to recent diversification of communications.
When constructing a large antenna reflector exceeding m, this is a serious problem.

[0007]

As described above, the conventional expandable skeleton structure has a complicated structure, inferior reliability of the folding and unfolding operation, low rigidity and heavy weight. There is a problem that it is difficult to increase the size.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been developed to improve the rigidity, promote the reduction of the weight, and realize the improvement of the reliability of the operation control. It is an object to provide a mold frame structure.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a ring-shaped annular body in which frame members are combined into an even-numbered rectangular shape having a square shape or more, and ends thereof are rotatably connected to each other.
A substantially even prism-shaped skeleton body in which the connecting rods are erected between the connecting parts by opposing each other at predetermined intervals, and the ends of the connecting rods are rotatably connected to the connecting parts. A center rod disposed substantially at the center of the annular body of the skeleton body and substantially in parallel with the connecting rod, and a connecting rod provided corresponding to every other connecting rod provided between coupling portions of the annular body. A plurality of first rods each of which is connected between one end of the connecting rod and one end of the center rod, and the other end of the connecting rod and the other end of the center rod and whose ends are rotatably connected. And the other of the connecting rods, wherein the first rib member is not provided and is provided correspondingly to the other, and is provided between one end of the connecting rod and one end of the center rod. One end is rotatably connected to the connecting rod, and the other end is supported movably in the axial direction with respect to the center rod. A number of second rib members, and the first rib member is stretched between the other end of the other connecting rod not provided and the other end of the center rod, and one end is supported by the connecting rod. A plurality of cable members, the other ends of which are supported by the center rod; and the other end of the second rib member, which is controlled to move in the axial direction of the center rod, to fold the frame around the center rod. The deployable frame structure was provided with the deploying drive means.

According to the above construction, the first and second rib members and the cable member are bridged between the connecting portion of the polygonal column-shaped skeleton and the center rod, and each end is skeleton-connected to the connecting portion. The other end of each of the first rib member and the cable member is frame-coupled to the center rod, and the other end of the second rib member is attached to the center rod so as to be movable in the axial direction. By controlling the movement of the other end with respect to the center bar,
The rib member and the cable member are rotated about the joint thereof as a rotation center, and the connection rod is sheared into a mountain, a valley, a mountain, a valley shape around the center rod and folded and stored in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the When the second rib member is reversely moved with respect to the center rod, the skeleton is developed into a polygonal pillar shape centered on the center rod.

Thus, the frame member, the connecting rod, the center rod,
Folding and unfolding are possible without bending or extending the middle part of the first and second rib members,
Since high rigidity can be achieved while ensuring light weight, it is possible to promote a large size and to perform a highly reliable folding and unfolding operation.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a module 10 constituting a deployable skeleton structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, 19 modules are combined to form an antenna support structure having an opening diameter of, for example, 16 m or more. (See FIG. 2, only one module is shaded). In this case, on one surface of the module 10, an antenna mesh 50 constituting a well-known antenna mirror surface is stretched via a mesh support mechanism 60 including, for example, a stretching cable and a support post.

As shown in FIG. 3, the module 10 has ring-shaped first and second annular bodies 11 and 12 opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and has two types of connecting rods 13 between the vertices. , 14 are selectively installed to connect the connecting rods 13, 14.
Are skeleton-connected to the apex to form a frame 15 having a truncated polygonal pyramid shape, for example, a substantially hexagonal pyramid shape.

That is, the ring-shaped first and second annular bodies 1
For example, the pipes 1 and 12 are formed to have different diameters by combining, for example, two kinds of six pipe-shaped frame members 11a and 12a having different length dimensions into a hexagonal shape. Each of the first and second annular bodies 11 and 12 has, for example, two types of six pipe-shaped connecting rods 13 having different lengths.
14 are alternately provided, and the ends of the frame members 11a, 12a are rotatably connected in the axial direction to hinges 13a, 14a (see FIG. 4) formed radially at both ends of the connecting rods 13, 14. The frame 15 having a substantially hexagonal truncated pyramid shape is connected to the frame.

The first and second annular bodies 11 and 12 are
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the lengths of the frame members 11a and 12a are defined as l and L (l <L) corresponding to the mirror shape.
Assuming that the lengths of the connecting rods 13 and 14 constituting the substantially quadrilateral side surfaces are H and h (h <H), the lengths are set so as to satisfy the following relationship: 1 + H = L + h. Thereby, the first
One of the second annular members 11 and 12 can form an antenna mirror surface having a desired curvature. In other words, the skeleton 15 connects the first and second annular bodies 11 and 12 skeleton-connected by the two types of skeleton members 13 and 14 to the two types of connecting rods 13 and 14 whose lengths are H and h. It is formed by connecting three skeletons at predetermined intervals.

The frame 15 has, for example, a pipe-shaped center rod 16 disposed substantially parallel to the connecting rod corresponding to the centers of the first and second annular bodies 11 and 12. A first rib member 17 is radially provided every other portion between the connecting member 16 and the connecting portion of the first and second annular bodies 11 and 12. One end of the first rib member 17 is rotatably connected to the hinge portion 14a (see FIG. 4) of the connection rod 14 in the axial direction, and the other end is connected to both ends of the center rod 16 by hinge portions (in the figure, (Not shown for the sake of convenience in the drawing).

A second rib member 18 is radially provided between the connecting portion of the first annular body 11 of the frame body 15 and one end of the center rod 16 and between the first rib members 17. And one end thereof is similarly rotatably coupled to the hinge portion 13a (see FIG. 4) of the connecting rod 13 in the axial direction. The other end of the second rib member 18 is rotatably connected to a hinge portion 19a of a contact / separation member 19 which is disposed so as to be able to contact / separate a center rod 16 described later so as to be rotatable in an axial direction (directions of arrows A and B). (See FIG. 6).

Then, corresponding to the second rib member 18, the second annular body 12 of the skeleton body 15 has a:
3 between the hinge portion 13a) and the hinge portion at the other end of the center rod 16 (not shown in the figure for convenience of illustration).
The tension cable 20 is stretched and connected. The tension cable 20 has a spring structure (not shown) for urging a constant tension in the direction of arrow C (folding direction). As this spring structure, for example, a coil spring is provided at the base end of the tension cable 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, one end of a drive cable 21 for deployment driving is attached to the contact / separation member 19 (see FIG. 7). The drive cable 20 has an intermediate portion movably inserted into the center rod 16 and the other end connected to the winding mechanism 2.
2 is attached so that it can be wound up.

The winding mechanism 22 has a cable winding portion 22a rotatably provided via a drive motor 22b, and the other end of the drive cable 21 is wound around the cable winding portion 22a. As a result, the winding mechanism 22 is driven by the drive cable 2 as shown in FIG.
1 is sent out in the direction of arrow A, and the contact / separation member 19 is moved most in the direction of arrow A with respect to the center rod 16, and the frame 15 including the first and second rib members 17, 18 and the tension cable 20. Are connected to each other, and the connecting rods 13 and 14 are subjected to a so-called shearing deformation around the central rod 16 and the connecting rods 13 and 14 as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it is allowed to be folded and housed in a substantially cylindrical shape in a mountain, valley, mountain, or valley shape.

The winding mechanism 22 winds the drive cable 21 at the cable winding section 22a, and
Is moved most in the direction of arrow B with respect to the center rod 16, and the frame body 15 including the folded and accommodated first and second rib members 17, 18 and the tension cable 20 is used with each joint as a pivot point. It is turned upside down and developed into a substantially hexagonal truncated pyramid shape (see FIG. 3). The first and second rib members 17, 1
8. When the frame 15 including the tension cable 20 is deployed, the tension cable 20 acts in the direction of arrow C to cooperate with the drive cable 21 and the winding mechanism 22 to perform a reliable and stable deployment operation. Is achieved.

Here, the first and second rib members 1
For example, a wire cable 23 is stretched over the truss structure and connected to the connecting portion (see FIG. 3, shown by a broken line in the drawing) on the skeleton body 15 including the members 7 and 18. With this wire cable 23, the first and second rib members 17, 1
The rigidity of the joined frame body 15 in the deployed state is increased.

In the above configuration, in the folded storage state,
The drive cable 21 is sent out by the winding mechanism 22,
The contact / separation member 19 is moved most in the direction of arrow A with respect to the center rod 16. Here, the first and second rib members 17,
18, the frame 15 including the tension cable 20 is rotated about each joint as a pivot point, and the connecting rod 13 is
, The connecting rod 14 is moved in the direction of arrow A to be moved in the form of a valley, a mountain, a valley, a mountain, a valley, a mountain, and is sheared around the center rod 16 to be folded and housed in a substantially cylindrical shape. (See FIG. 8A). As described above, the frame 15 including the first and second rib members 17 and 18 and the tension cable 20 has a desired rigidity by being folded and stored in a substantially cylindrical shape. It is housed in a vehicle and transported to outer space.

In the case of unfolding from the folded and stored state, first, the winding mechanism 22 is driven, and the drive cable 21 is wound. Then, the contact / separation member 19 is turned to the arrow B.
And is moved to one end of the center rod 16 (see FIGS. 8B and 8C). At this time, the tension cable 20 regulates the deployment force applied to the entire skeleton via the connecting rod 13 and the second rib member 18 with the movement of the contact / separation member 19 due to the tension.

Here, the first and second rib members 17, 1
8, the frame 15 including the tension cable 20 is provided with a desired deployment force, and the first and second frame members 11
a, 12a, the connecting rods 13, 14, and the first and second rib members 17, 18 are turned around each coupling portion as a pivot point and are developed into a substantially truncated hexagonal pyramid shape (FIGS. 1, 3, and FIG. 8
(D)). As a result, the antenna mesh 50 is stretched on the first annular body 11 of the skeleton 15 via the mesh support mechanism 60, and the antenna mesh 50 is spread to a predetermined mirror surface shape, and a desired antenna mirror surface is constructed.

As described above, the deployable frame structure comprises the first and second rib members 17 and 18 and the tension cable 20 between the joint of the substantially hexagonal pyramid-shaped frame 15 and the center rod 16. And the first rib member 17
The other end of the tension cable is frame-coupled to the center rod 16, and the other end of the second rib member 17 is provided via a contact / separation member 19 so as to be freely movable in and out of the center rod 16 in the axial direction. When the release member 19 is controlled to move toward and away from the center rod 16, the frame 15, the first and second rib members 17, 18 and the tension cable 20 are rotated about the joint thereof as a rotation center, and the center rod is rotated. When the second rib member 18 is folded and housed in a substantially cylindrical shape by being sheared and deformed into a mountain, a valley, a mountain, or a valley around the center 16, and the second rib member 18 is turned over with respect to the center rod 16, the frame 15 is centered. It was configured to be developed in a substantially hexagonal truncated pyramid shape centered on the rod 16.

According to this, the skeleton 15, the first and the second
The rib members 17, 18 and the tension cable 20 are sheared around the center rod 16 to be entirely folded and unfolded. In addition, the frame 15, the center rod 16, the first and second members are provided.
Of the rib members 17 and 18 can be folded and unfolded without being bent or extended, so that high rigidity can be achieved with a minimum number of components and weight can be easily reduced. And a stable folding and unfolding operation is realized. As a result, a reliable and stable folding and unfolding operation can be realized while achieving a large size required in the field of recent space development.

According to this, when the antenna system is constructed by folding and unfolding the whole around a center rod 16 arranged at the center of a substantially hexagonal truncated pyramid-shaped frame 15, the antenna mirror surface is formed. Since the mesh support mechanism 60 for supporting the central portion of the antenna mesh 50 can be provided, there is an effect that highly accurate adjustment of the antenna mirror surface can be easily realized.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the frame structure is formed in a substantially hexagonal truncated pyramid shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be expected in any prismatic frame structure. In this case, a polygonal pillar-shaped framework is formed by using two similar annular bodies.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the drive cable 21 and the winding mechanism 22 are used to drive the contact / separation member 19 to be wound and set from the folded state to the expanded state. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be configured using various deployment driving means such as a spring mechanism.

For example, in the case where the folding and unfolding drive is performed using a spring mechanism, the spring mechanism is configured to apply a biasing force in the unfolding direction, and in the folded state, the unfolding and unfolding is performed. A locking means for regulating the force is provided, and in conjunction with the unlocking of the locking means, the spring mechanism applies a developing force to the second rib member 18 to thereby provide the frame 15
Is configured to be deployed.

In the above-described embodiment, in the folded state, the contact / separation member 19 is separated from the center rod 16 via the drive cable 21 to realize folding storage, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the center rod 16 may be constructed so as to be extendable and contractible in the axial direction via a telescopic member or the like, and controlled to expand and contract with respect to the center rod to realize folding and unfolding.

Further, in the above embodiment, the skeleton 1
5, a center rod 16, first and second rib members 17, 18,
A frame structure is formed using the tension cable 20,
Although the description has been given of the case where the wire cable 23 is erected in the truss structure between the connecting portions of the frame body 15, the center rod 16, and the first and second rib members 17, 18, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the wire cable 23, a beam (not shown) is frame-bonded to the truss structure, or both the wire cable 23 and the beam (not shown) are used, or the wire cable 23 and the beam (not shown) are used. Are not connected, and are applicable to various frame structures.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the support structure of the antenna reflector constituting the antenna system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the applicable range includes the skeleton of the space base. The present invention can be applied to various structures and various buildings constructed on the ground. Therefore, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0035]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the rigidity can be improved, the weight can be reduced, and the reliability of operation control can be improved. An expandable skeleton structure can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a deployable skeleton structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an antenna support structure to which the deployable skeleton structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the frame structure of FIG. 1 taken out;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the connecting rod of FIG. 1 taken out;

FIG. 5 is a view shown for explaining a connection relationship between first and second annular bodies of the skeleton body of FIG. 1 and a connecting rod;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the take-out mechanism of FIG. 1 taken out.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in the course of development of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the folding and unfolding operation of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Module. 50 ... mesh antenna. 60 ... mesh support mechanism. 11, 12: First and second annular bodies. 11a, 12a ... frame members. 13, 14 ... connecting rods. 13a, 14a ... hinge part. 15 ... Framed body. 16 ... Center rod. 17, 18: First and second rib members. 19: sliding member. 20 ... tension cable. 21 ... Drive cable. 22 ... winding mechanism. 22a ... cable winding section. 22b ... Drive motor. 23 ... Wire cable.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenichi Takahara 1 Toshiba, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Inside Toshiba R & D Center

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A ring-shaped annular body in which frame members are combined into an even-numbered rectangular shape of a quadrangle or more and their ends are rotatably connected to each other. Connecting rods are erected between the connecting parts, and the ends of the connecting rods are rotatably connected to the connecting parts. A center rod disposed substantially parallel to the connecting rod at the center, and a connecting rod provided for every other connecting rod provided between the coupling portions of the annular body, A plurality of first rib members which are provided between one end and one end of the center rod, and between the other end of the connection rod and the other end of the center rod, and whose ends are rotatably connected; The rod is provided correspondingly to a part other than the first rib member not being bridged, and the connecting rod is provided. A plurality of second members which are installed between one end and one end of the center rod, one end of which is rotatably connected to the connecting rod, and the other end of which is movably supported in the axial direction with respect to the center rod. The first rib member is stretched between the other end of the other connecting rod on which the first rib member is not installed and the other end of the center rod, one end is supported by the connecting rod, and the other end is A plurality of cable members supported by the center rod; and the other end of the second rib member is controlled to move in the axial direction of the center rod, and the frame, the first and second frames are centered on the center rod. And a driving means for folding and deploying the rib member. 2. A pyramidal pyramid or more pyramidal pyramid comprising two types of annular bodies formed of framing members having different lengths and two types of connecting rods having different lengths. The deployable skeleton structure according to claim 1, wherein the skeleton structure is formed in a shape. 3. The sum of the lengths of the frame members and the connecting rods located on both sides of a diagonal line connecting the vertices of a quadrilateral formed by the frame members and the connecting rods is set to the same length. 3. The deployable skeleton structure according to claim 1, wherein the skeleton structure is formed. 4. The deployable frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the cable member is formed of a tension cable having a tension in a folding direction. 5. The drive means comprises a drive cable coupled to the second rib member, and a winding mechanism for supporting a base end of the drive cable so as to be freely wound. The expandable skeleton structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The deployed skeleton structure according to claim 1, wherein the drive cable realizes folding in a state where the drive cable is sent out, and realizes deployment in a state where the drive cable is wound. body. 7. The frame, first and second rib members,
The deployable skeleton structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a wire cable is laid in a truss structure between connection portions of the cable members. 8. The deployable skeleton structure according to claim 1, wherein a mesh member constituting an antenna mirror surface is stretched on one annular body of the skeleton body.