Mechanics analysis and structural design of a truss deployable antenna mechanism based on 3RR-3URU tetrahedral unit. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Jinwei; Zhao, Yongsheng; Xu, Yundou; Zhang, Guoxing
• Is Part Of: Mechanism and machine theory. Volume 171(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Tetrahedral unit -- Deployable antenna mechanism -- Force analysis -- Vibration simulation -- Structural design; Machine theory -- Periodicals; Machinery -- Periodicals; Machines -- Périodiques; Génie mécanique -- Périodiques; Machine theory; Machinery; Periodicals; 621.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2022.104749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-114X

Abstract

Highlights: The force analysis of the 3RR-3URU tetrahedral deployable unit is carried out. The vibration and harmonic response of the tetrahedral combined unit are analyzed. The structure design, prototype development and experiments are accomplished. The results are beneficial to structural optimization and engineering application. Abstract: The truss deployable antenna mechanism based on tetrahedral unit belongs to spatial multi closed-loop coupled overconstrained mechanism, which has the advantages of high stiffness, strong expansibility and high folding rate. The mechanical and vibration characteristics of a tetrahedral deployable unit and its combined unit mechanism based on 3RR-3URU are studied. Firstly, the idea of equivalent stiffness is applied to the force analysis of the motion process of tetrahedral unit mechanism, and the relationship among motion, actuation stiffness and actuation force is revealed by using Lagrange method and displacement coordination relationship. Secondly, the vibration simulation analysis of the combined unit based on tetrahedral unit is carried out by using ADAMS vibration analysis module, the first 20 modes and natural frequencies are solved. In addition, the harmonic response is analyzed to obtain the sensitive frequency that the mechanism should avoid. Finally, the program modeling and detailed structure design of tetrahedral truss deployable antenna mechanism are investigated. Furthermore, experiments are carried out based on the developed combined unit prototype and one circle deployable mechanism prototype. The research results provide a reference for the structural optimization and engineering application of this kind of deployable antenna mechanism.