The Design and Simulation of a New Time-Controlled Spring Driven Hinge for Deployable Structures

Abstract

Driving hinge, the core part of deployable structure, is commonly used in aerospace nowadays. This paper describes the design process of a new type of time controlled spring driven hinge. In this process, on the one hand, we derive a new transmission ratio distribution method in the transmission system, with which we could get the minimum center distance by optimizing the design. Given all other conditions are fixed, the hinge get smaller size due to the design under the optimal transmission ratio we derived. On the other hand, inspired by clock timing device, we design a new time-controlled system and research the relationship between timekeeping time and transmission ratio to improve the preciseness and controllability of deploying time. At last, we create 3D model and timing function with simulation method to prove the fact that time-controlled system is precise enough to control deploying time.