Abstract:

With Kane dynamics theory, the multi-body dynamic models of a deployable strut-mechanism are established with considering the clearance root-joint, and the deployable style and deployable process of the struts are studied. The dynamic performance of the struts’ deployment is analyzed such as the geometric position, velocity and acceleration, and the inherent regularity among the kinematic characteristics, clearance joint and external driving force of the deployable strut-mechanism is gained. The results show that the reasonable control of the driving torque of the root-joint is necessary condition for the strut-mechanism to be deployed according to the definite rule. The influence of the root-joint clearance on the angular acceleration of the strut-mechanism for the solar array is obvious, which affects the stability of the deploying process, and has almost no effect on the rotation angle and angular velocity of the strut-mechanism. The joint clearance should be strictly controlled in the design stage of the strut-mechanism, and its influence on the deploying process of the solar array should be checked by dynamic simulation. The research results provide guidance for the detailed design and driving torque design of the strut-mechanism for a spatial flexible solar array.

Key words: Spatial flexible solar array, Deployable strut mechanism with multiple bays, Clearance joint, Kane method