Simulation Investigation of the Stowing and Deployment Processes of a Self-Deployable Sunshield

The stowing and deployment processes of a self-deployable sunshield are investigated numerically in this paper. The composition of the self-deployable sunshield is described. Deployed moment theoretical models for lenticular booms are formulated based on the bending theory of curved shell. The numerical analysis method of deployed moment is proposed. Two types of control methods for a fold crease are presented, and a dynamic analysis model considering geometry and nonlinear contact is built. The analysis results indicate that the press flattening method can be used effectively for controlling the fold crease, and the analytical results of the deployed moment are very close to the theoretical results. A stowing and deployment process analysis of the self-deployable sunshield is conducted. Thus, the deployment configurations and the time history curves of the dynamic behaviors are obtained. The results verify the feasibility of the analysis model, and this study can provide technical support for the engineering application of the self-deployable sunshield.