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.
Authors
- Kai Cui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4199-7914)
- Hao Wei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0130-0668)
- Ping Ruan
- Yiming Dong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7991-2445)
- Deqiu He
- W Song
- Y D Xie
- zhize du
- Meilin Xie
Institutions
- 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)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Aerospace
- Published
- 2026-07-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13070648
- Primary Topic
- Structural Analysis and Optimization
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00