Two-step Repeatable Deploying and Furling Mechanism Design and Prototype Verification of a Deployable Umbrella Antenna for CubeSat

doi:10.3901/JME.2022.07.044

Abstract

Abstract: In order to solve the problems of large impact, poor synchronization and unrepeatable deployment of the RainCube antenna for CubeSat applications, a two-step repeatable deploying and furling mechanism is proposed for deployable umbrella antennas. With the proposed mechanism, both the repeatable deploying and furling operations on the root ribs, tip ribs and sub-reflector of the umbrella antenna can be easily performed separately. The mechanism is mainly composed of root ribs, tip ribs, motors, lead screws, cables, a helical spring, and torsion springs. Through the combination of lead screws and motors, the combination of cables and torsion springs, the combination of cables and the helical spring, the synchronous repeatable deploying and furling of the root ribs, tip ribs and sub-reflector can be realized, respectively. Based on the kinematics analysis of the key components of the antenna, the simulation of the deploying and furling trajectory is accomplished. An experimental prototype of the deployable umbrella antenna is fabricated. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed repeatable deploying and furling mechanism is verified through experiments.

Key words: CubeSat, umbrella antennas, deploying and furling mechanism, prototype verification

CLC Number:

V414

ZHANG Shuxin, HAN Xiaotong, YU Yiqi. Two-step Repeatable Deploying and Furling Mechanism Design and Prototype Verification of a Deployable Umbrella Antenna for CubeSat[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2022, 58(7): 44-52.

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