Design and kinematic analysis of a multifold rib modular deployable antenna mechanism

Abstract. Aiming at the urgent need for the development of space deployable antenna with large aperture and a high storage rate, a new configuration of a multifold rib modular deployable antenna mechanism is proposed. The overall structure scheme design of the antenna is carried out, and the structure composition of the module, the principle of structural topology transformation, and the scheme of mechanism deployment and locking are expounded. According to the shape and constraint relationship of the structure deployment and folded state, and based on basic theory of robotics, calculation and the analysis of key structural parameters and the included angle of rib units are carried out, and the parameterized mathematical model is established. The detailed structural design is carried out, and then the complex structures such as the center beam assembly, diagonal beam assembly, and outer beam assembly are introduced in detail. The kinematic simulation of the mechanism is carried out by using ADAMS software, and the variation law of the motion parameters is analyzed. Finally, the prototype of a hexagonal prism single-module principle is developed, and a deployment function test and verification are carried out. The simulation and test results show that the proposed mechanism can realize the motion change from folded to deployed, and no problems such as interference or clamping are observed in deployment, which verifies the correctness and the feasibility of the structural scheme and principle. Moreover, the proposed new configuration scheme not only retains the characteristics of modular structure, such as good universality and easy expansion, but also has a high storage rate and structure efficiency rate. The research results have a high reference value and relevance for basic theoretical research and the engineering application of a space deployable antenna.