Innovative Modular Design and Kinematic Approach based on Screw Theory for Triple Scissors Links Deployable Space Antenna Mechanism

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel triple scissors links deployable antenna mechanism with a single degree of freedom, employing screw theory for kinematic analysis, achieving high stability, compact stowage, and rapid deployment suitable for space applications.

Contribution

It presents a new modular design framework for deployable space antennas using screw theory, optimizing structural stability and deployment efficiency with validated simulations.

Findings

Optimal 12-unit configuration balances stability and deployment

Deployment time is 53 seconds from stowed to deployed

Achieved a storage ratio of 15.3 with minimal deformation

Abstract

This paper presents the geometry design and analysis of a novel triple scissors links deployable antenna mechanism (TSDAM) to deal with the problems of large aperture and high precision space antennas for deep space communication and Earth observation. This mechanism has only one degree of freedom (DoF) and thus makes for efficient and reliable deployment without loss of structural integrity. It employed a systematic design approach starting from a triple scissors links modular unit to a 25m aperture assembly. Different configurations constituting variable numbers of modular units were analyzed in SolidWorks to identify the deployable mechanism with lowest deformation. While the 24 units configuration offered superior stowage compactness, it exhibited higher deformation (0.01437mm), confirming the 12 units configuration as the optimal balance between structural stability and deployment efficiency. Screw theory was employed to analyze the kinematic properties, and numerical simulations were performed in MATLAB and SolidWorks. The deployable space antenna showed transition from stowed to fully deployed state in just 53 seconds with high stability throughout the deployment process. The TSDAM attained a storage ratio of up to 15.3 for height and volume with 0.01048mm of deformation for a 12 units configuration. Mesh convergence analysis proved the consistency of the simulation results for 415314 tetrahedral shaped elements. The virtual experiments in SolidWorks verified the analytical Screw theory based model and ensured that the design was smooth and flexible for deployment in operational conditions. The research establishes a robust design framework for future deployable antennas, offering enhanced performance, simplified structure, and improved reliability