Dynamics Analysis of Truss Deployment Mechanism With Imperfect Joint Considering Input Fluctuation

Abstract

Abstract Modern spacecraft usually has large deployment structure, which consisting of plenty of joints could produce undesirable dynamic responses when considering clearances in joints and driving input fluctuation. However, in the dynamic performance analysis of space deployment mechanism, the clearances and input fluctuation are always ignored. In this study, the dynamic responses of a flexible planar scissor-like truss deployment mechanism with imperfect joint considering clearance and input fluctuation are investigated using computational methodology. First, the mathematic model of clearance joint is established. The revolute clearance joint is considered as force constraint and the joint components of an imperfect joint with clearance are modeled as contact bodies. The normal contact force model of clearance joint is established using a continuous contact force model considering energy loss. The friction effect is considered using a modified Coulomb friction model. Then, the dynamics performances of the flexible planar scissor-like truss deployment mechanism with imperfect joint considering clearance and input fluctuation are presented and discussed. Different case studies for the scissor-like truss deployment mechanism with clearance are investigated considering driving input fluctuation. The simulation results show that the dynamic characteristics of the mechanism with clearance joint are changed more obviously when considering driving input fluctuation. Therefore, investigation implies that dynamics responses of the truss deployment mechanism are much worse when considering clearance joint and input fluctuation, which indicates that driving input fluctuation leads to more obvious degradation of the dynamic performance of the truss deployment mechanism with imperfect joint.