Accuracy model, analysis, and adjustment in the context of multi-closed-loop planar deployable mechanisms

Abstract

The links of the multi-closed-loop deployable mechanism are generally adjusted when being assembled, for the purpose of making the whole mechanism satisfy the requirements in fully deployed, folded, or the other key configurations. In order to calculate the appropriate adjustment amount, the complex adjustment amount of the whole mechanism is first defined by root mean square. And then, the adjustment model for planar mechanism involving different constraints is constructed according to the different situations. Through linearization of this model, it can be applied to calculate the adjustment sensitivity of this type of mechanisms. Second, with the factor of the practical adjustment in engineering, the three computation modes of adjustment (bidirectional adjustment, invariant adjustment, and unidirectional adjustment) have been developed. Furthermore, the multi-configuration adjustment approach has been proposed to make the assembled mechanism satisfy the requirements in different configurations. At last, all the above approaches in this article have been implemented in the scissor-like element mechanism and two-loop deployable mechanism. The achievement of this research provides a significant reference for assembling the multi-closed-loop mechanisms.