JPH0245300A - Unfolding structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible for a panel to unfold even when its surface is flat or curve by forming trusses with vertical and horizontal truss frames and joint members in an unfolding structure usable in a space construction such as solar heat condenser, etc., connecting the trusses to each other with intermediate joint members and connecting members to make it possible to fold and unfold. CONSTITUTION:A first truss T1 is formed by connecting three vertical truss frames 1a to 1c to horizontal truss frames 4 and 6 with pivoting joint members 3a to 3c and 5a to 5c. A second truss T2 is formed in the same way and both the trusses T1 and T2 are connected to each other with connecting frames 13 to 18, intermediate joint members 19a to 19c, 20a and 20b (20c not shown), and each intermediate joint member is connected to each other with connecting rod 25a, fixing parts 22 and 23, and connecting joint member to intermediate joint member with diagonal frames 28a to 28 and 29a and folding and unfolding of the structure is made possible. Thus, the structure can be unfolded even when the surface of a panel P is flat or curve.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention has a deployable structure that can be used for medium to large space structures such as orbiting parabolic antennas, solar collectors, and houses for emergency medical treatment in disaster areas. relating to things.

(Prior art) In order to build a structure with panels in outer space,
They require assistance, such as the space shuttle's robotic arm and astronauts working outside the space, but these are expensive. Furthermore, since there is a limit to the length of time the space shuttle can stay in space, there is a limit to the size of structures that can be constructed, which increases the period required to construct the structures.

Therefore, there is a need for a deployable structure that can be deployed automatically without external help. Examples of such deployable structures include Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 57-172900 and 1987-172900.
244800 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-33399.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The above-mentioned known deployable structures are limited to flat panel deployable structures, or only the deployment of the panel surface is considered, and support structures such as trusses that support the panel surface are not considered. Without consideration of I7, it is not possible to realize a practically advantageous curved surface development structure such as a parabolic surface and its support structure.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a deployable structure that enables the deployment of not only flat panels but also curved panels having curvature in one direction or two directions, and that also has a truss structure for supporting the same.

(Means for solving the problem) The deployable structure according to the present invention connects one ends of three vertical truss aggregates arranged in parallel at intervals with horizontal truss aggregates via node members. , the other ends are also connected by other horizontal truss aggregates via other node members to form a first truss in the form of two adjacent quadrilaterals, which are similarly arranged in parallel at intervals. One ends of the three vertical truss aggregates are connected to each other by a horizontal truss aggregate via a node member, and the other ends are also connected to each other by another horizontal truss aggregate via another node member. A second truss in the form of two adjacent quadrilaterals is formed, the first and second trusses are spaced apart from each other, and the truss is connected to three longitudinal truss aggregates. The vertical truss aggregate in the middle of the two truss can be bent in the same direction in a figure 7 shape when viewed from the direction of the truss surface, and the corresponding nodal members of the first and second truss are , are connected by a first truss side connecting aggregate and a second truss side connecting aggregate connected by an intermediate node member in the middle, and all the intermediate node members are connected to each other by a pair of connecting aggregates related to the first truss side connecting aggregate, The connecting aggregates are pivoted so as to be rotatably displaced within a virtual plane containing the corresponding longitudinal truss aggregates of the second truss, and the intermediate node members connected to one end of the longitudinal truss aggregates are connected to each other by connecting materials. The intermediate node members connected to the other ends of the longitudinal truss aggregates are also interconnected by other connecting aggregates, and the intermediate node members at one end of the longitudinal truss aggregates and the intermediate node members at the other end of the longitudinal truss aggregates are connected to each other. The corresponding pieces are connected to each other by connecting rods, and the panel is attached to a section surrounded by the horizontal truss aggregate, the connecting aggregate, and the bonding aggregate on the one end side.

(Function) When the deployable structure of the present invention is deployed, the surface of the aggregate skeleton is covered with a panel. In the process of folding the unfolded structure, the opposing first and second trusses approach each other while being folded in two in the same direction along the intermediate longitudinal truss aggregate. Along with this, the connecting aggregates connected to one end and the other end of both trusses are bent in an inverted V shape and folded in half in the same direction as the truss, while remaining connected to each other by the connecting aggregates. In the end, the structure is folded into a compact board shape with the panels still attached. In the case of expansion, the opposite effect is performed.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 1, TI is the first truss, and this truss consists of three vertical truss aggregates 1a arranged in parallel at intervals.
, lb, lc. Although these longitudinal truss aggregates are referred to as longitudinal truss aggregates because they are oriented longitudinally in the figure, this does not mean that the longitudinal truss aggregates are oriented longitudinally with respect to the direction of gravity. Vertical truss aggregate 1a,
lb.

One end of 1c (upper end in the figure) is connected to a joint member 3 for pivoting.
They are connected by horizontal truss aggregates 44 via a, 3b, and 3c. In addition, the other ends (lower ends in the figure) of the vertical truss aggregates la, Ib, and lc are connected to each other by connecting node members 5a, 5b, and
5c, and are laterally connected by lath aggregates 6, 6. As described above, vertical truss aggregates 1 a and 1 b
, l c-, horizontal truss aggregate 4, 4.6, 6. and nodal member 3a.

3b, 3c, 5a, 5b, and 5c form a first truss T in the form of two adjacent quadrilaterals. The first truss T1 constitutes a truss unit, which is usually connected laterally in large numbers.

The nodal members 3a to 3c and 5a to 5c are members for rotatably connecting the ends of various aggregates with each other with a bottle, and in the illustrated example, they have protrusions corresponding to the number of aggregates to be connected. The aggregate is pivotally attached to the tip of each protrusion.

Note that the form of the nodal member is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

A second truss T2 is arranged to face the first truss T1 at a distance. In the illustrated example, the second truss T2 has the same shape and size as the first truss Ti, and is parallel to it. The second truss T2 has the same configuration as the first truss T1, and one end (upper end) of the three vertical truss aggregates 7a, 7b, 7c is connected to the horizontal truss aggregate 10 through the nodal members 9a, 9b, 9e. .10, and the other end (lower end) is connected by horizontal truss aggregates 12, 1.2 via node members 11a, 11b, 11c. Note that the nodal members 11b, llc and one horizontal truss aggregate 12 are not visible in FIG. The second truss T2 is also a unit, and is usually connected in large numbers in the lateral direction.

Corresponding node members 3a and 9a, 3b and 9b, 3c and 9c, 5a and l of the first and second trusses T1, T2
la, 5b and llb, and 5c and llc are connected by connecting aggregates 13.1.4, 15, 16°17.18, respectively. These connected aggregates consist of aggregates on the first truss T1 side and aggregates on the second truss T2 side, and these aggregates 1
3.1B.

14.14.15, 15.16, 16, 1.7°17.
18. 18 is an intermediate node member 19a on the way.

19b, 19c, 20a, 20b, 20c (not visible in the figure). Intermediate node member 19a~
19 cs 20 a to 20 c, when it is displaced upwardly in the figure with respect to the first and second trusses T, , T2 as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second trusses T i ,
Connected aggregates 13, 14, and 15 are located at their intermediate nodes within a virtual plane (virtual plane in the vertical direction in Fig. 2) containing the corresponding longitudinal truss aggregates 1a and 7a, lb and 7b, and lc and 7c of T2. The associated connecting aggregates are pivotally supported for rotational displacement relative to the members 19a-19C120a-20C.

An intermediate node member 19a is connected to one end (upper end in the figure) of the vertical truss aggregates 1a to lc and 7a to 7C.

19b and 19c are connected to each other by connecting aggregate 22.22, and the other end of the vertical truss aggregate (lower end in the figure)
An intermediate node member 20a that is continuous with.

20b, 20c are interconnected by bonding aggregates 23, 23, as best shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the intermediate node member 1 on one end (upper end) side of the vertical truss aggregate
9a, 19b, 19c and the other end (lower end) of the vertical truss aggregate
side intermediate node members 20a, 20b.

20c refers to the vertical connecting rods 25a, 2 in the figure.
5b and 25c.

Slide members 26a, 26b, 26c are fitted in the connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c so as to be slidable along them. Each slide member has a cylindrical shape as shown in principle in FIG. 2a, and has a pivoting protrusion 27 on its side surface. These projecting pieces allow the slide member 26a,
26b.

26c is the first and second truss T1. Node members 5a, lla, 5b at the other end of the longitudinal truss aggregate of T2.

1.1b, 5c, llc and diagonal pipe members 28a, 29a.

They are connected by 28b, 29b, 28c, and 29c.

A panel P is installed in a section surrounded by the horizontal truss aggregate 4, the connecting aggregates 13, 14, and the connecting aggregates 22 on the one end side. The panel P is attached, for example, to the connecting aggregates 13, 14 via fittings 31. Similar panels P are installed in other similarly formed compartments. These panels P are flat panels in the illustrated example. These panels are used as the antenna itself, or as a mounting board for other components, etc.

The deployable structure described above is a unit structure, and although it can of course function by itself, it is usually used by connecting a number of similar unit structures.

The deployable structure described above is in the state shown in FIG. 1 when deployed, and as is clear from FIG. 4, which shows the right end surface of FIG. 1, the slide member 26a (26b) is in the state shown in FIG.

26c) are intermediate node members 19a (19b, 19
c) is located adjacent to.

To fold the unfolded structure shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG.
It is displaced upwards in the figure in a direction parallel to the planes of the second trusses T1, T2. As a result, the connecting aggregates 13 on both sides
, 14.15 is vertical truss aggregate 1a and 78% lb and 7
It rotates in an inverted V-shape in each virtual plane including b, lc, and 70, and the panels P on both sides take the shape of a roof. On the other hand, slide members 26a and 26b.

26c is relatively displaced downward in the figure along the connecting rods 25a, 25b, 25c. Also, intermediate node members 20a and 20b on the lower side in the figure.

20c and the connecting aggregates 16.17, 1.8 also undergo the same displacement as the upper intermediate node member and connecting aggregate in the figure. In reality, the above displacement is, for example, the slide member 2
This can be done by first applying a driving force for displacement to 6a, 26b, and 26c. An example of how to apply a driving force to the slide member will be described in detail below.

As the above displacement progresses, the slopes of the panels P on both sides become steeper and steeper, causing the first and second trusses T1. T2 gradually approaches.

Simultaneously with the above-mentioned displacement, both trusses T t and T 2 undergo the following deformation. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical truss aggregates 1b and 7b in the middle of both trusses T i and T 2 are combined with the vertical truss aggregates la, lc, and on both sides thereof.
It is displaced to the right in the figure with respect to 7a and 7e. As a result, both trusses Ti and T2 are bent in a V-shape when viewed in the direction of the truss surface (as viewed from above in FIG. 3) so that the intermediate vertical truss aggregates 1b and 7b are at the bending tips. Along with this, the connecting aggregates 14.14 connected to one end (upper end) of the intermediate vertical truss aggregates 1b, 7b via the nodal members 3b, 9b are also displaced to the right in the figure.

Such bending displacement occurs when the first and second trusses T1. When T2 gets closer and the entire structure becomes almost flat, consider folding the flat structure into two along the intermediate longitudinal truss aggregates 1b, 7b and the connecting aggregates 14 and 14. This makes it easier to understand. However, in reality, the first and second trusses T1. The approach displacement and the folding displacement of T2 proceed simultaneously.

In order to automatically transform from the folded state to the unfolded state as described above, as shown in FIG.
Torsion spring 33 that provides rotational force as shown by arrows A and B
can be installed.

These torsion springs 33 are node members 3a, 3b.

3c, 5a, 5b, 5c and horizontal truss aggregate 4,4°6.6
The first truss T1 is mounted around the pivot shaft of the fifth truss T1.
It provides a force that constantly tries to unfold from the folded state shown in the figure to the flat state shown in Fig. 1.

A torsion spring 33 is similarly provided on the second truss T2. Note that this type of spring is the node member 1 in FIG.
9a, I9b, 19c, 20a.

20b, 20c, 9a, 9b, 9c, lla.

11b, IIC can also be provided.

A similar deployment force can be provided by using a flexible rod 34 shown in FIG. 6 instead of the torsion spring 33. This flexible rod 34 has a tendency to straighten from the bent state shown in FIG.

The above-described folding of the deployable structure progresses further than the state shown in FIG. 3, and the deployable structure becomes substantially plate-shaped and compactly assembled. The panel P is also incorporated into the folded structure as shown in FIG.

As previously mentioned, the structure is deployed and folded into the stowed state by the sliding members 26a, 26b.

This can be done by applying a driving force for displacement to the slide member 26c, and the details will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11 for the case of the slide member 26a.

The slide member 26a shown in FIG.
A ring body 35 is slidably fitted on the outside of the ring body, and projecting pieces 27 and 27 are integrally provided on the outside of the ring body for pivotally connecting the tips of the diagonal aggregates 28a and 29a with the pins 36. . Further, a pair of wire fittings 38, 38 are attached to one end of the ring body 35, to which wires 39, 39 are fixed. A wire 39.39 is also attached to the other end of the ring body 35 by a pair of wire fittings 40.40.

As shown in FIG. 8, one end (upper end) of the connecting rod 25a
The intermediate node member 19a is connected to the intermediate node member 19a. A pair of parallel shafts 43° 44 are rotatably supported on the intermediate node member 19a, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
The spur gears 45, 46 at the ends of these shafts mesh with each other. Further, pulleys 47 and 48 are fixed to the shafts 43 and 44. A bevel gear 50 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 43, as shown in FIG. 8, and this bevel gear 50 is driven by a reversible motor M via a bevel gear 51. Therefore, by operating the motor M, the pulleys 47 and 48 are rotated in opposite directions.

As shown in FIG. 11, at the other end of the connecting rod 25a,
A pair of pulleys 51 and 52 (pulley 52 is not visible in the figure) is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, wires 39.39 from the wire fittings 40.40 of the slide member 26a are wound around these pulleys 51, 52, and these wires 39, 3.9 are connected to the connecting rod 25a. passing through the interior and being wound around the pulleys 47 and 48 at the one end;
Connected to wire fittings 38.38. Therefore, when the motor M is operated in either direction, the slide member 26a will slide along the connecting rod 25a.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a modification of the present invention. In this example, the slide member 26 as in the example shown in FIG.
The lower ends of the diagonal rib members 28A and 29A in the drawing are connected to the node member 5a without providing a portion such as a.

11a, and the upper end is pivotally connected to the intermediate node member 19a. And oblique bone member 28A.

29A is configured to be extendable and retractable in the shape of a cylinder/piston. Inside the piston is a spring (or rubber) that provides an extension force.
55 is accommodated, and a bin 56 is provided which determines the shrinkage limit of the diagonal members 28A, 29A. It is clear that the modified examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 also have the same effect as the previous embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, a panel Pl having a curvature in one direction is used in place of the planar panel P in the previous embodiment.

The aggregate structure supporting panel P1 is the same as shown in FIG. However, when using a panel P1 with a curvature, if the panel P1 is folded in the same way as in the case of FIG. It is difficult to do this, and the storage efficiency when folding becomes poor. In order to solve this problem, the first
As can be seen from Figure 5, the first and second trusses T1゜T2 can be installed without installing panels in each section of the aggregate structure.
Panels Pl are attached alternately to one of two adjacent compartments spanning the area. As a result, when the panels are inserted as shown in FIG. 16, the adjacent panels P have convex and concave surfaces facing each other, improving storage efficiency. In this embodiment, when the aggregate structure is developed, it is given a shape that corresponds to a curved surface formed by combining a large number of panels P1, as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment with a panel P2 having curvature in two directions. This embodiment is suitable for forming parabolic surfaces, which is particularly advantageous for antenna and solar collector applications.

In Fig. 17, (0) is panel P2 when unfolded.
(1) (II
) (III) shows the states at the time of expansion, initial convolution, and semi-convolution as seen in the X-axis direction, and (I)'
(U)'(IIIr)' shows the state at the time of expansion and at the time of half-convolution at the initial stage of convolution, respectively, as viewed in the Y-axis direction. In the figure, 60 indicates an extensible aggregate like the diagonal rib members 28A and 29A in FIG. 12, and 61 indicates an inflexible aggregate. The basic structure of the frame made of these aggregates is the same as in the previous example, except that it has a shape that fits the curved surface made of a set of panels with two curvatures. .

(1) (1)'→(II) (II)' - (m)
This structure, which is folded in the order of (■)', finally reaches a completely convoluted state (not shown). The unfolding operation from the completely convoluted state is caused by the action of the expanding and contracting aggregates, etc., trying to return to the original length of the state (1). At this time, the expansion is a fully convolutional state → (m) (III)
'-(n) (II) '→(1)(I)' These operations are not performed sequentially, but are performed simultaneously. Note that the expansion assisting mechanism using the aforementioned torsion spring or others can be used in this embodiment as well.

Although a parabolic surface is used in this embodiment, it is also possible to form a panel surface other than a parabolic surface, such as a spherical surface.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, a deployable structure having a panel support truss structure that enables folding and unfolding of a flat panel and a curved panel having curvature in one or two directions can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the deployable structure of the present invention when it is unfolded, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same initial stage of folding, and FIG.
The figure is a conceptual perspective view of the slide member, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same state just before completion of folding, FIG. 4 is an end view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a principle diagram showing an example of means for forcing expansion. , FIG. 6 is a principle diagram showing another means, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the drive mechanism of the slide member, FIG. 8 is a partially sectional front view of the drive section, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the same, 10 is a side view of FIG. 8 seen from the left side, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing part of the same drive mechanism, FIG. 12 is a diagram similar to FIG. 4 showing a modified embodiment, and FIG.
3 is a diagram showing a state in which folding has started from the state shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the deployable structure of the present invention having a panel having a curvature in one direction when it is deployed. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the state at the start of folding, Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the semi-folded state, and Fig. 17 is an embodiment of the deployable structure of the present invention having panels with curvature in two directions. FIG. T...first truss, T2...second truss, ■la, lb, 1cm...vertical truss aggregate, 7a, 7b
. 7C...Vertical truss aggregate, 4,6,10.12...Horizontal truss aggregate, 3 a to 3 c, 5 a to 5 c
, 9a-9c. 11a to 1lc-node member, 13, 14, 15° 16
．． 17.18...Connected aggregate, 19a, 19b. 19c, 20a, 20b, 20cm... intermediate node member,
22.23--Connecting member, 25a, 25b, 25c-
...Connecting rod, 26a, 26b, 26c...Slide member, 28a to 28c, 29a to 29c=Diagonal front member, P...Panel, 31...Mounting tool, 33...Torsion spring, 34 ...Flexible rod, 28A, 2
8B... Oblique bone member, Pl... Panel with curvature in one direction, P2... Panel with curvature in two directions. Applicant's agent: Sato

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. One ends of three vertical truss aggregates arranged in parallel at intervals are connected to each other by horizontal truss aggregates via node members, and the other ends are also connected to other node members. A first structure in which two quadrilaterals are adjacent to each other is connected by other horizontal truss aggregates through
A truss is formed, and one end of three longitudinal truss aggregates arranged in parallel at intervals is connected to each other by a horizontal truss aggregate via a nodal member, and the other ends are also connected to another nodal member. A second truss in the form of two adjacent quadrilaterals is formed by connecting with another horizontal truss aggregate through At the same time, these trusses are made to be able to bend freely in the same direction in a V-shape when viewed in the direction of the truss surface so that the middle vertical truss aggregate among the three longitudinal truss aggregates becomes the bending tip. , the corresponding nodal members of the first and second trusses are,
The first truss side connecting aggregate and the second truss side connecting aggregate are connected by intermediate node members in the middle, and all the intermediate node members are connected by the first and second truss side connecting aggregates. The connecting aggregates of the second truss are pivotally supported so as to be rotatably displaced within a virtual plane containing the corresponding longitudinal truss aggregates, and the intermediate node members connected to one end of the longitudinal truss aggregates are mutually connected by the connecting aggregates. The intermediate node members that are connected and connected to the other end of the vertical truss aggregate are also connected to each other by other connecting aggregate,
The intermediate node members on one end side of the vertical truss aggregate and the intermediate node members on the other end side that correspond to each other are connected by connecting rods, and the horizontal truss aggregates, connecting aggregates, and bonding aggregates on the one end side are connected to each other by connecting rods. A deployable structure characterized in that panels are attached to an enclosed compartment. 2. A sliding member is slidably supported by the connecting rod along the connecting rod, and the sliding member and the node member at the other end of the vertical truss aggregate of the first and second trusses are connected by diagonal aggregate. The deployable structure according to claim 1. 3. The node members at the other ends of the longitudinal truss aggregates of the first and second trusses and the intermediate node members continuous to the one end of the longitudinal truss aggregates, which are located at mutually corresponding positions, are expandable diagonal frame members. The deployable structure according to claim 1, wherein the deployable structure is connected by. 4. The panel is a curved panel with a curvature in one direction provided over two adjacent sections between the first and second trusses, and this curved panel is provided between two adjacent sections between the first and second trusses. The expanded structure according to claim 1, wherein the skeletal units are installed alternately in one of the compartments, the skeletal units made of all the aggregates have a form that fits the curved panel, and a large number of skeletal units are connected. thing. 5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the panel is a curved panel having curvature in two directions, the skeletal unit composed of all the aggregates has a form that fits the curved panel, and a large number of skeletal units are connected. Deployment structure. 6. The development according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal truss aggregate is provided with elastic means for elastically biasing the first and second trusses from a V-shaped bent state to a flat state. Structure.