Design, kinematics and dynamic analysis of a novel double – scissors link deployable mechanism for space antenna truss

Abstract

A novel truss deployable mechanism composed of scissors links is proposed in this paper. First, the geometry analysis of the general single modular unit of truss deployable antenna and the construction of the planar double scissors link mechanism module is conducted. The entire antenna is prepared by connecting the single module in a circular configuration. Using the Gruebler's method, the mobility of the double scissors link truss deployable module is proved equals to 1. Furthermore, based on the Newtonian approach, kinematic characteristics of the double scissors link truss deployable mechanism are examined. The velocities and accelerations of the antenna components obtained analytically are validated through simulations in MATLAB, SolidWorks and ADAMS. In addition to this, the forces, torques and bearing stresses involved in various struts and joints are calculated to ensure that the operation is within the yield limits. The dynamic characteristics of the antenna i.e., acceptable natural frequency is calculated by developing a 10 DoF vibration model. The analytical equations are solved using MATLAB, and the results are validated through simulations in ANSYS Workbench. The novel antenna assembly gives the natural frequency response of 0.0652 Hz with a 1.6 % error. The proposed double scissors link truss deployable mechanism shows storage ratio of 1 and 10.2 along vertical and radial directions respectively. The dynamic response and storage ratio of novel assembly is validated with results in literature. The research lays the foundation for the kinematics and dynamics analysis of other space deployable mechanisms.