Structural Design and Dynamic Analysis of Space Lightweight and High Stiffness Deployable Arm

In order to improve the accuracy of space earth observation, the performance of deployable arm used to support the detection load is increasingly demanding. A one-dimensional space lightweight high-stiffness deployable arm mechanism is proposed. The deployable arm locking hinge and grid arm rod based on Kagome configuration are designed. Firstly, based on the requirement of high stiffness of the expansion lock of the expansion arm system, the rope driven hinge with the locking hook is designed. Secondly, based on the requirement of light weight of the expanded arm system, the Kagome configuration arm tube is selected to replace the solid arm tube, and the mesh parameters are optimized. Then, based on the energy equivalence principle, the equivalent stiffness models of the hinge and arm system are established respectively. On this basis, the equivalent dynamics model of the hinge-beam is established, and the correctness of the model is verified by theoretical calculation, simulation verification and experimental testing. The model can provide a theoretical reference for the modeling and optimization of other large space expandable arms. © 2024 Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society. All rights reserved.