Design analysis and type synthesis of a petal-inspired space deployable-foldable mechanism

Abstract By applying bionics principles, a petal-inspired space deployable-foldable mechanism for use in space applications is proposed, based on features common to both the flower blooming process and deployable-foldable mechanisms. The mechanism is designed and analyzed according to the geometrical relationships and folded condition of configurations before and after folding of the deployable unit. Functional analysis is then performed to assess, step by step, the total function of the space deployable-foldable mechanism, which can be divided into the driving function, plane folding function, space folding function, and locking and unlocking function. The sub-functions are solved to obtain the morphological matrix through sorting. The deployable unit is carried out configuration synthesis by the metamorphic method of joint change. Using various prismatic pairs, multiple degrees-of-freedom joints, and locking-unlocking joints, the number of configuration of the space deployable-foldable mechanism is increased. Finally, screening methods are used to select five schemes and 36 configurations. The petal-inspired space deployable-foldable mechanism can be applied in space stations, mobile communications, environmental monitoring, and other engineering applications.

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