Design of tape spring hinges for solar array considering deployment performances

Abstract

This paper reports the development of tape spring hinges for a solar array considering various deployment performances. A tape spring hinge is widely used as deployment device to its advantages such as self-deployable, self-locking, lightweight, and simple. However, a tape spring hinge shows strongly nonlinear behaviour, and therefore, it is difficult to investigate its moment-rotation profile by theoretical solution or analysis method. To overcome this problem, a tape spring hinge is manufactured and the nonlinear behaviour is measured by moment measurement device. The deployment equation is derived to consider deployment performances such as latch-up load, deployed solar array stiffness, latching without overshoot, and torque margin within in the framework of Kane's dynamic equation. A design example of the tape spring hinges for 3 deployable solar panels is performed, and through it, the tape spring hinges are designed considering deployment performances.