月面人机联合采样探测发展趋势与任务设想

针对月球资源的探测与原位利用需求,概述了月球资源遥感探测、采样返回分析及原位采样探测技术现状和发展趋势。面向载人登月采样探测工程需求,围绕月面人机联合采样探测,提出了不同阶段表层样品采样探测、广域分布式原位探测、大尺度月壤剖面科学钻探等任务设想,为我国未来载人月球探测总体方案制定和航天员用智能设备的研制提供参考。

用于砂土层连续采样的柔性软袋式钻取采样技术研究

砂土是地球表面常见的一种覆盖物,由于风力和水力的搬运作用导致传统浅层采样器所采集的样芯信息量不足,并且由于砂土颗粒之间的内聚力小流动性大,传统环刀压入方法无法采集到长度大于20 cm并且具备连续层序信息的样品。为此提出一种柔性软袋式取芯技术,采用内置柔性袋取芯机构的外螺旋钻具对砂土进行钻取采样,以提高采样的样芯长度并保持层序信息。分析了取芯钻具与砂土相互接触的机理以及对采样样芯的扰动情况,通过仿真模拟的比对揭示了传统环刀压入法对样芯扰动的原因。搭建了试验台并针对传统环刀压入法与柔性软袋式取芯方法的采样率进行了对比试验,结果显示后者取芯率随转速增加下降10. 4%,前者随压力增加提高16. 4%,使用柔性软袋方法取芯率均值从13. 08%提高到84. 08%,并能保持连续的样芯层序信息。

基于频域法的星箭连接分离装置的冲击载荷识别

基于频域法动载荷识别原理,识别基于记忆合金驱动的星箭连接分离装置的三次冲击载荷。通过EEMD算法对测点冲击响应信号去噪及识别,可知频域法可以比较准确识别出星箭连接分离装置的三次冲击载荷,识别效果更具优势,实验结果也间接验证了方法的可行性与正确性。

一种压电换能器直接驱动钻具的超声波钻探器

为满足深空探测任务中,空间环境苛刻的外星体表面岩石钻取采样任务的使用需求,本文设计了一种基于压电驱动原理,可搭载在漫游车机械臂末端的超声波钻探器。超声波钻探器的压电换能器直接与钻具发生冲击碰撞,以驱动钻具作高频冲击运动,达到冲击破碎岩石的目的。设计了钻探器的压电驱动单元,并理论分析了压电换能器变幅杆与钻具的冲击碰撞过程。通过实验研究了超声波钻探器对砂岩的钻进性能及钻压力与钻具长度对钻探器钻进性能的影响。实验结果表明:所研制的超声波钻探器可对砂岩进行有效钻进,而且所需的钻压力较小,可用于彗星、小行星等弱引力场的地外天体表面岩石的钻取采样。

Topology Structure Synthesis and Analysis of Spatial Pyramid Deployable Truss Structures for Satellite SAR Antenna

Many attentions for structural synthesis are paid to planar linkages and parallel mechanisms, while design novel pyramid deployable truss structure（PDTS） of satellite SAR mainly depends on experience of designer. To design novel configuration of PDTS, a two-step topology structure synthesis and analysis approach is proposed. Firstly, a conceptual configuration of PDTS is synthesized. Weighted graph and weighted adjacency matrix are established to realize topological description for PDTS. Graph properties are then summarized to distinguish differentia between PDTS and other type structures. According to graph properties, a procedure for synthesis conceptual configuration of PDTS is presented. Secondly, join relationship of components in a PDTS is analyzed. Kinematic chain and corresponding incidence/adjacency matrix are employed to analyze join relationship of PDTS. Properties and simplified rules of kinematic chain are extracted to construct kinematic chain. A procedure for construction kinematic chain of PDTS is then established. Finally, with this two-step approach all 11 rectangular pyramid deployable structures whose folded state is planar are discovered and their kinematic chains are constructed. Based on synthesis results, a novel deployable support structure for satellite SAR is designed. The proposed research can be applied to obtain some novel PDTSs, which is of great importance to design some novel deployable support structures for satellite SAR antenna.

Drilling Power Consumption and Soil Conveying Volume Performances of Lunar Sampling Auger

The sampling auger used in lunar sampling and return mission is to transmit power and convey soil, and its performance is the key factor of the whole mission. However, there is currently a lack of the optimization research on soil conveying volume and power consumption models in auger structure design. To provide the drilled object, the simulation lunar soil, whose physical and mechanical property is the same as the real soil, is made by reducing soil void ratio. The models are formulated to analyze the influence of auger structure parameters on power consumption and soil conveying volume. To obtain the optimized structure parameters of auger, the multi-objective optimization functions of the maximum soil conveying volume and minimum power consumption are developed. To verify the correctness of the models, the performances of different augers drilling simulation soil are tested. The test results demonstrate that the power consumption of optimized auger is the lowest both in theory and test, and the experimental results of soil conveying volume are in agreement with theoretical analysis. Consequently, a new method for designing a lunar sampling auger is proposed which includes the models of soil conveying volume and transportation power consumption, the optimization of structure parameters and the comparison tests. This method provides a reference for sampling auger designing of the Chinese Lunar Sample Mission.

Method for Analyzing Articulated Torques of Heavy-duty Six-legged Robot

The accuracy of an articulated torque analysis influences the comprehensive performances of heavy-duty multi-legged robots. Currently, the extremal estimation method and some complex methods are employed to calculate the articulated torques, which results in a large safety margin or a large number of calculations. To quickly obtain accurate articulated torques, an analysis method for the articulated torque is presented for an electrically driven heavy-duty six-legged robot. First, the rearmost leg that experiences the maximum normal contact force is confirmed when the robot transits a slope. Based on the ant-type and crab-type tripod gaits, the formulas of classical mechanics and MATLAB software are employed to theoretically analyze the relevant static torques of the joints. With the changes in the joint angles for the abductor joint, hip joint, and knee joint, variable tendency charts and extreme curves are obtained for the static articulated torques. Meanwhile, the maximum static articulated torques and the corresponding poses of the robot are also obtained. According to the poses of the robot under the maximum static articulated torques, ADAMS software is used to carry out a static simulation analysis. Based on the relevant simulation curves of the articulated torques, the maximum static articulated torques are acquired. A comparative analysis of the maximum static articulated torques shows that the theoretical calculation values are higher than the static simulation values, and the maximum error value is approximately 10%. The proposed method lays a foundation for quickly determining accurate articulated torques to develop heavy-duty six-legged robots.

Development of a Drilling and Coring Test-bed for Lunar Subsurface Exploration and Preliminary Experiments

Drill sampling has been widely employed as an effective way to acquire deep samples in extraterrestrial exploration. A novel sampling method, namely, flexible-tube coring, was adopted for the Chang＇e mission to acquire drilling cores without damaging stratification information. Since the extraterrestrial environment is uncertain and different from the terrestrial environment, automated drill sampling missions are at risk of failure. The principles of drilling and coring for the lunar subsurface should be fully tested and verified on earth before launch. This paper proposes a test-bed for conducting the aforementioned experiments on earth. The test-bed comprises a rotary-percussive drilling mechanism, penetrating mechanism, drilling medium container, and signal acquisition and control system. For granular soil, coring experiments indicate that the sampling method has a high coring rate greater than 80%. For hard rock, drilling experiments indicate that the percussive frequency greatly affects the drilling efficiency. A multi-layered simulant composed of granular soil and hard rock is built to test the adaptability of drilling and coring. To tackle complex drilling media, an intelligent drilling strategy based on online recognition is proposed to improve the adaptability of the sampling drill. The primary features of this research are the proposal of a scheme for drilling and coring a test-bed for validation on earth and the execution of drilling experiments in complex media.

Optimizing the Qusai-static Folding and Deploying of Thin-Walled Tube Flexure Hinges with Double Slots

The thin-walled tube flexure（TWTF） hinges have important potential application value in the deployment mechanisms of satellite and solar array, but the optimal design of the TWTF hinges haven＇t been completely solved, which restricts their applications. An optimal design method for the qusai-static folding and deploying of TWTF hinges with double slots is presented based on the response surface theory. Firstly, the full factorial method is employed to design of the experiments. Then, the finite element models of the TWTF hinges with double slots are constructed to simulate the qusai-static folding and deploying non-linear analysis. What＇s more, the mathematical model of the TWTF flexure hinge quasi-static folding and deploying properties are derived by the response surface method. Considering of small mass and high stability, the peak moment of quasi-static folding and deploying as well as the lightless are set as the objectives to get the optimal performances. The relative errors of the objectives between the optimal design results and the FE analysis results are less than 7%, which demonstrates the precision of the surrogate models. Lastly, the parameter study shows that both the slots length and the slots width both have significant effects to the peak moment of quasi-static folding and deploying of TWTF hinges with double slots. However, the maximum Mises stress of quasi-static folding is more sensitive to the slots length than the slots width. The proposed research can be applied to optimize other thin-walled flexure hinges under quasi-static folding and deploying, which is of great importance to design of flexure hinges with high stability and low stress.

Effects of Joint on Dynamics of Space Deployable Structure

Joints are necessary components in large space deployable truss structures which have significant effects on dynamic behavior of these joint dominated structures.Previous researches usually analyzed effects of one or fewer joint characters on dynamics of jointed structures.Effects of joint stiffness,damping,location,number,clearance and contact stiffness on dynamics of jointed structures are systematically analyzed.Cantilever beam model containing linear joints is developed based on finite element method,influence of joint on natural frequencies and mode shapes of the jointed system are analyzed.Analytical results show that frequencies of jointed system decrease dramatically when peak mode shapes occur at joint locations,and there are cusp shapes present in mode shapes.System frequencies increase with joint damping increasing,there are different joint damping to achieve maximum system damping for different joint stiffness.Joint nonlinear force-displacement is described by describing function method,one-DOF model containing nonlinear joints is established to analyze joints freeplay and hysteresis nonlinearities.Analysis results show that nonlinear effects of freeplay and hysteresis make dynamic responses switch from one resonance frequency to another frequency when amplitude exceed demarcation values.Joint contact stiffness determine degree of system nonlinearity,while exciting force level,clearance and slipping force affect amplitude of dynamic response.Dynamic responses of joint dominated deployable truss structure under different sinusoidal exciting force levels are tested.The test results show obvious nonlinear behaviors contributed by joints,dynamic response shifts to lower frequency and higher amplitude as exciting force increasing.The test results are further compared with analytical results,and joint nonlinearity tested is coincident with hysteresis nonlinearity.Analysis method of joint effects on dynamic characteristics of jointed system is proposed,which can be used in optimal design of joint parameters to achieve optimum dynamic performance of jointed system.

Crashworthiness Analysis on Alternative Square Honeycomb Structure under Axial Loading

Hexagonal metal honeycomb is widely used in energy absorption field for its special construction. However, many other metal honeycomb structures also show good energy absorption characteristics. Currently, most of the researches focus on hexagonal honeycomb, while few are performed into different honeycomb structures. Therefore, a new alternative square honeycomb is developed to expand the non-hexagonal metal honeycomb applications in the energy absorption fields with the aim of designing low mass and low volume energy absorbers. The finite element model of alternative square honeycomb is built to analyze its specific energy absorption property. As the diversity of honeycomb structure, the parameterized metal honeycomb finite element analysis program is conducted based on PCL language. That program can automatically create finite element model. Numerical results show that with the same foil thickness and cell length of metal honeycomb, the alternative square has better specific energy absorption than hexagonal honeycomb. Using response surface method, the mathematical formulas of honeycomb crashworthiness properties are obtained and optimization is done to get the maximum specific energy absorption property honeycomb. Optimal results demonstrate that to absorb same energy, alternative square honeycomb can save 10% volume of buffer structure than hexagonal honeycomb can do. This research is significant in providing technical support in the extended application of different honeycomb used as crashworthiness structures, and is absolutely essential in low volume and low mass energy absorber design.

Virtual Simulation System with Path-following Control for Lunar Rovers Moving on Rough Terrain

Virtual simulation technology is of great importance for the teleoperation of lunar rovers during the exploration phase, as well as the design of locomotion systems, performance evaluation, and control strategy verification during the R&D phase. The currently used simulation methods for lunar rovers have several disadvantages such as poor fidelity for wheel-soil interaction mechanics, difficulty in simulating rough terrains, and high complexity making it difficult to realize mobility control in simulation systems. This paper presents an approach for the construction of a virtual simulation system that integrates the features of 3D modeling, wheel-soil interaction mechanics, dynamics analysis, mobility control, and visualization for lunar rovers. Wheel-soil interaction experiments are carried out to test the forces and moments acted on a lunar rover’s wheel by the soil with a vertical load of 80 N and slip ratios of 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6. The experimental results are referenced in order to set the parameters’ values for the PAC2002 tire model of the ADAMS/Tire module. In addition, the rough lunar terrain is simulated with 3DS Max software after analyzing its characteristics, and a data-transfer program is developed with Matlab to simulate the 3D reappearance of a lunar environment in ADAMS. The 3D model of a lunar rover is developed by using Pro/E software and is then imported into ADAMS. Finally, a virtual simulation system for lunar rovers is developed. A path-following control strategy based on slip compensation for a six-wheeled lunar rover prototype is researched. The controller is implemented by using Matlab/Simulink to carry out joint simulations with ADAMS. The designed virtual lunar rover could follow the planned path on a rough terrain. This paper can also provide a reference scheme for virtual simulation and performance analysis of rovers moving on rough lunar terrains.

Adding Sub-chain Method for Structural Synthesis of Planar Closed Kinematic Chains

For at least the past five decades,structural synthesis has been used as a main means of finding better mechanisms with some predefined function.In structural synthesis,isomorphism identification is still a problem unsolved well,and to solve this problem is very significant to the design of new mechanisms.According to the given degree of freedom（DOF） and link connection property of planar closed chain mechanisms,vertex assortment is obtained.For solving the isomorphism problem,a method of the adding sub-chains is proposed with the detailed steps and algorithms in the synthesizing process.Employing this method,the identification code and formation code of every topological structure are achieved,therefore many isomorphic structures could be eliminated in time during structural synthesis by comparing those codes among different topological graphs,resulting in the improvement of synthesizing efficiency and accuracy,and the approach for eliminating rigid sub-chains in and after the synthesizing process is also presented.Some examples are given,including how to add sub-chains,how to detect simple rigid sub-chains and how to obtain identification codes and formulation codes et al.Using the adding sub-chain method,the relative information of some common topological graphs is given in the form of table.The comparison result is coincident with many literatures,so the correctness of the adding sub-chain method is convinced.This method will greatly improve the synthesizing efficiency and accuracy,and has a good potential for application.

Cable-driven legged landing gear for unmanned helicopter:Prototype design,optimization and performance assessment

Unmanned helicopters equipped with adaptive landing gear will dramatically extend their application especially in dealing with challenging terrains.This study presents a novel cable-driven legged landing gear(CLG)with differential transmission for unmanned helicopters in complex landing environments.To obtain the preferred configuration of the legged mechanism,a multi-objective optimization framework for the CLG is constructed by concurrently considering terrain adaptability,landing stability and reasonable linkage of internal forces.The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithmⅡis employed to numerically acquire the optimal scale parameters that guide the mechanical design of the CLG.An unmanned helicopter prototype equipped with the devised CLG is developed with key performance assessment.Experimental results show that the devised CLG can provide energy-efficient support over uneven terrains(totally driven torque demand less than 0.1 N m)in quasi-static landing tests,and favorable terrain adaptability(posture fluctuation of the fuselage less than±1°)in unknown slope landing tests.These exhibited merits give the proposed CLG the potential to enhance the landing performance of future aircraft in extreme environments.

面向熔岩管探测的星球子车及其参数化设计方法研究

星球熔岩管是进入星球地下的捷径,具有较高的科学探测及资源勘探价值。提出了一种新型系绳星球熔岩管探测子车,并开展其参数化设计研究。面向熔岩管管口大坡度斜坡绳索释放回收问题以及熔岩管内探测车转向问题对系绳轮式移动机构进行了构型设计。基于地面力学理论,考虑三轮移动系统在熔岩管口周围及管底堆积区松软地形内移动能力,以及探测车在崎岖硬质熔岩管内壁中的几何通过性、平稳性和抗颠覆性等因素对系绳三轮移动系统进行了参数优化设计。在模拟外星球地表环境中的仿真和试验结果表明,使用提出的优化设计方法设计出来的星球车完全满足预定的技术要求,相比于参数优化之前具备更强的移动性能,并可为四轮、六轮等多轮星球车参数化设计提供有益借鉴。

SoSpider:A bio-inspired multimodal untethered soft hexapod robot for planetary lava tube exploration

Soft robots have tremendous potential for applications in various fields,owing to their safety and flexibility embedded at the material level.Soft robots,especially bio-inspired soft legged robots,have become one of the most active fields of current research in robotics thanks to their superior mobility and ability to face complex terrains.However,it is arduous to establish a dynamic simulation model for soft robots,owing to their hyper-redundant degrees of freedom,hyper-elasticity,and nonlinearity of their soft structures.In this study,we designed,simulated,and fabricated a hexapod robot that achieves walking,crawling,pronking,and rolling with wheeled legs plus a soft body capable of shape change.A robot prototype was fabricated using 3D printing technology and soft silicone pneumatic networks.Actuators,battery power,and control boards were integrated into the body of the robot for untethered locomotion.We have explored the capabilities of the robot in different conditions,especially in scenarios that simulate lunar and Martian environments,demonstrating the motion performance of the robot.The results have shown promising potentials of the developed robot for future applications in planetary lava tube exploration.Our experimental and simulation results also show good agreements that indicate the potential predictive roles of simulation tools for soft robot design,planning,and control.

基于单目视觉的松软地面星球车车轮滑转率估计

车轮滑转率的估计对星球车的移动控制具有重要的意义,可以帮助星球车进行定位导航,预防沉陷。通过分析两相邻时刻车轮-地面图像,建立车轮滑转率估计模型,提出一种只利用视觉手段估计车轮滑转率的方法。提取车轮-地面图像中高亮度车辙弱边界,利用两相邻时刻获取的车轮-地面图像中的车辙边界,估计车轮前进位移及线速度。提出车轮-地面图像中车轮标记点的提取方法,利用两相邻时刻获取的车轮-地面图像中的车轮标记点,估计车轮旋转角度和角速度。给出另一种利用编码器和车轮-地面图像估计滑转率的方法,对两种方法进行试验测试,试验结果说明两种方法是有效的,滑转率估计误差均低于9%。滑转率估计方法不仅可以帮助星球车在利用车轮-地面图像检测沉陷量的同时,而且能实现对车轮滑转率的估计,能提高从车轮-地面图像中获取的车轮状态信息数量。

轮地力学模型参数灵敏度分析与主参数估计

在星球探测过程中,星球车需要估计地面力学参数以及时调整控制策略.快速适应地形变化。针对形式复杂,参数耦合的轮地相互作用模型,采用Sobol灵敏度分析方法,分别对模型中的地面承压特性参数和剪切特性参数的灵敏度进行定量分析,筛选出沉陷指数与内摩擦角作为模型的主导参数,用于反映地面承压特性和剪切特性的变化。基于轮地相互作用力学平衡方程,通过简化应力分布公式,进一步推导出主导参数的解析表达式。通过以典型值固定非主导参数.利用系统状态参数和滤波处理完成地面力学特性主导参数的估计。结果表明,所提出的地面力学主导参数解析式及相应的估计方法能够快速反映地形的变化,沉陷指数估计的平均相对误差为2.8%.内摩擦角估计的平均相对误差小于3%。估计结果可准确预测车轮牵引力,为实现实时控制提供必要信息。

基于单目视觉的星球车车轮沉陷量和滑转率实时检测

松软地形下,星球车车轮会发生滑转和沉陷,实时检测沉陷量和滑转率在星球车仿真、车轮协调控制以及土壤参数辨识等方面具有重要意义。提出基于单目视觉的车轮沉陷量和滑转率的实时检测方法,对车轮感兴趣区域进行边缘检测并将轮壤交界拟合为直线,得出沉陷量;对车轮图像进行霍夫圆检测和标志物角点检测,得出车轮转动像素距离,并使用光流法从地面图像中得出车轮移动像素距离,由车轮转动和移动像素距离计算滑转率。仅利用一个单目摄像头,实时检测车轮滑转率和沉陷量两个重要参数,且在数据处理过程中无需转化为实际距离,计算量小,精度高。通过单轮测试台进行典型车轮和典型工况试验,对比视觉方法和测试台的检测结果,验证提出方法的有效性。结果表明,车轮滑转率测量相对误差不超过3%,车轮沉陷量测量误差不超过3 mm。

A review of heavy-duty legged robots

Heavy-duty legged robots have been regarded as one of the important developments in the field of legged robots because of their high payload-total mass ratio,terrain adaptability,and multitasking.The problems associated with the development and use of heavy-duty legged robots have motivated researchers to conduct many important studies,covering topics related to the mechanical structure,force distribution,control strategy,energy efficiency,etc.Overall,heavy-duty legged robots have three main characteristics:greater body masses,larger body sizes,and higher payload-total mass ratios.Thus,various heavy-duty legged robots and their performances are reviewed here.This review presents the current developments with regard to heavy-duty legged robots.Also,the main characteristics of high-performance heavy-duty legged robots are determined and conclusions are drawn.Furthermore,the current research of key techniques of heavy-duty legged robots,including the mechanical structure,force distribution,control method,and power source,is described.To assess the transportation capacity of heavy-duty legged robots,performance evaluation parameters are proposed.Finally,problems that need further research are addressed.