A novel surface deployable antenna structure based on special form of Bricard linkages

Abstract

In this paper, a novel form of general line-symmetric Bricard linkage (GLSBL) that can be deployed onto arbitrary non-equilateral triangular profile and can be folded onto a bundle compact form with all the six links being parallel and contact to each other is presented. The mobility and detailed kinematic of the mechanism is studied. Using the novel GLSBL, a tripod mechanism using two similar deployable special form Bricard linkages as its bases connecting to three limbs is proposed. The tripod mechanism can be deployed onto triangular prism profile and can also be folded onto a bundle compact form so that it can be used as the basic building modules for the construction of large deployable trussed surface structures. Using this module, the deployable structure that can be deployed onto a spherical surface is presented. © Springer-Verlag 2012.