Visual synthesis of uniaxial synchronous deployment mechanisms for solid-surface deployable antennas

• Published in: Mechanism and machine theory 2022-12, Vol.178, p.105073, Article 105073
• Main Authors: Tan, Guodong, Duan, Xuechao, Niu, Dingchao, Ma, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Euler’s rotation theorem; Interference analysis; Mechanism-synthesis model; Modified Grübler–Kutzbach formula; Screw-dependency chart; Solid-surface deployable antenna
• ISSN: 0094-114X; 1873-3999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2022.105073

A systematic method is proposed to deal with the structure design of solid-surface deployable antennas with the emphasis on mechanism synthesis and interference analysis. The geometric model of the antenna in deployed and folded states is first established, and based on it the expressions of division parameters are derived. Then the stowing scheme is formulated and its corresponding algorithm for finding the precise axis is thus proposed by employing Euler’s rotation theorem plus rigid-body registration. For more efficient synthesis of deployment mechanisms, the mechanism-synthesis model composed of topological models, synchronous modes, modified Grübler–Kutzbach formula, and screw-dependency chart is established, and on this basis several desired mechanisms are obtained. Moreover, the interference during deployment is totally formulated and thus the measures for avoiding interference are given. Finally, the CAD models of three antennas possessing the preferable mechanisms are established, and their kinematic simulations are performed. The simulated results validate the antennas deploy smoothly without interference, and can form precise parabolic reflective surfaces once fully deployed. Consequently, the approach is effective and has advantages of intuition, conciseness and efficiency. [Display omitted] •An intuitive mechanism-synthesis model for solid-surface deployable antennas.•An efficient algorithm for precise position of rotation axis.•Three preferable deployment mechanisms with minimum links or joints.