Design and accuracy analysis of a new high-rigidity modular planar deployable antenna mechanism

Abstract

This paper proposed a new configuration of a high-rigidity modular planar deployable antenna mechanism with the analysis of its kinematics, dynamics and accuracy characteristics. Referring to 3 types of geometry, this paper proposed a novel configuration. Then, this article calculated the degree of freedom of the mechanism and optimized the drive arrangement. Through ADAMS, dynamics problems of the mechanism were solved, the dynamic parameters of the mechanism were determined to realize the smooth expansion. Through screw theory, a single-loop accuracy model was established utilizing Rodrigues method. The influence of struts length error and hinge gap error was obtained with this model. A scaled-down prototype was developed, and an expansion experiment was carried out to verify the theory laying the foundation for the design of a large-scale panel antenna in space. The above studies bring a novel modular mechanism to the planar deployable antenna mechanism, suggesting that modular design is an innovative way to design the antenna mechanism.