Design, Dynamic Verification, and Multi-Objective Optimization of a Passive Multi-Link Deployable Support Mechanism for Lunar Surface Solar-Concentrating Systems

Lunar in situ resource utilization requires solar concentrating systems that can be launched in a compact configuration and deployed reliably on the lunar surface. This paper presents a multi-link coupled deployable support mechanism for a reflector-Fresnel concentrating system. The mechanism adopts a shape-memory-alloy rigid release for the stowed state and passive spring hinges for autonomous deployment, aiming to reduce drive complexity while maintaining a high deployment ratio. To avoid interference caused by coupled link motion, a motion-envelope model is established for joint trajectory planning. The deployment process is then analyzed through vector-based kinematic modeling, D’Alembert force analysis, and Lagrange dynamic equations. The analytical predictions are corroborated through high-fidelity multibody dynamic simulations: the predicted driving torque of Link 3 is 0–0.68 N⋅m, close to the simulated range of 0–0.70 N⋅m, with a relative peak-value error of 2.8%; the maximum angular acceleration is 0.08 rad/s2. Finite-element modal analysis gives a first locked-state natural frequency of 54.969 Hz. NSGA-II optimization further reduces the maximum driving torque by 10.9%, reduces torque fluctuation by 9.7%, and increases the maximum deployment ratio from 5.6 to 7.2. The results provide a quantified design and simulation basis for passive deployable concentrating mechanisms intended for lunar surface concentrating systems.

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Publication Details

Journal
Aerospace
Published
2026-07-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13070648
Primary Topic
Structural Analysis and Optimization
Type
article
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article

Design, Dynamic Verification, and Multi-Objective Optimization of a Passive Multi-Link Deployable Support Mechanism for Lunar Surface Solar-Concentrating Systems

Kai Cui, Hao Wei, Ping Ruan, Yiming Dong et al.
Aerospace
Structural Analysis and Optimization
article

Design, Dynamic Verification, and Multi-Objective Optimization of a Passive Multi-Link Deployable Support Mechanism for Lunar Surface Solar-Concentrating Systems

Kai Cui, Hao Wei, Ping Ruan, Yiming Dong, Deqiu He, W Song, Y D Xie, zhize du, Meilin Xie
article en

Abstract

Lunar in situ resource utilization requires solar concentrating systems that can be launched in a compact configuration and deployed reliably on the lunar surface. This paper presents a multi-link coupled deployable support mechanism for a reflector-Fresnel concentrating system. The mechanism adopts a shape-memory-alloy rigid release for the stowed state and passive spring hinges for autonomous deployment, aiming to reduce drive complexity while maintaining a high deployment ratio. To avoid interference caused by coupled link motion, a motion-envelope model is established for joint trajectory planning. The deployment process is then analyzed through vector-based kinematic modeling, D’Alembert force analysis, and Lagrange dynamic equations. The analytical predictions are corroborated through high-fidelity multibody dynamic simulations: the predicted driving torque of Link 3 is 0–0.68 N⋅m, close to the simulated range of 0–0.70 N⋅m, with a relative peak-value error of 2.8%; the maximum angular acceleration is 0.08 rad/s2. Finite-element modal analysis gives a first locked-state natural frequency of 54.969 Hz. NSGA-II optimization further reduces the maximum driving torque by 10.9%, reduces torque fluctuation by 9.7%, and increases the maximum deployment ratio from 5.6 to 7.2. The results provide a quantified design and simulation basis for passive deployable concentrating mechanisms intended for lunar surface concentrating systems.

AerospaceVol. 13(7)
China Academy of Space Technology (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Structural Analysis and Optimization
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