Figure 2-9. Stage 4

 2.3 Principle of the Mechanism

 This is a purely spring driven mechanism. When the structure is completely

stowed, the springs are fully compressed and exert forces on the hinges primarily in the y

and negative y direction. The moment the struts reach the angle after which the structure

is self deployable, i.e., self deployable angle ( d, where 0 is shown in Figure 2-10.), the

springs exert sufficient force in the x direction to move the angular columns and plates

fully deploying the structure. The force that fully deploys the mechanism is proportional

to the cosine of the angle 0 (Figure 2-12).


Figure 2-10. Combination of compressible struts and vertical members called a layer