Work

Element-free rope pulley calculations: Advancing deployable skeleton performance optimization

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objects in rope-driven multibody systems are controlled via embedded pulleys and ropes, and these systems are widely utilized in large deployable structures, aircraft interception systems, robots, cranes, and other mechanical systems. However, the proposed calculation methods are time-consuming, complex, and the neglect of plasticity. To address these issues, we propose a meshless rope-pulley method that eliminates rope elements. The basic idea involves reverse-establishing the elastic-plastic model of the rope based on test data and calculating the tension distribution in conjunction with the friction Eulerian equation. The macroscopic model, which lacks complex integration and matrix operations, can be readily integrated with multi-body dynamics analysis software for collaborative simulation. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method have been confirmed through numerical and experimental examples. Subsequently, the method has been employed to evaluate, compare, and design the dynamic synchronization performance of a deployable skeleton. The results obtained can directly guide the actual design of deployable skeletons, and the proposed method is applicable to similar mechanical systems.

Source: Results in Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.106915

Authors: Bin Xia, Hui Qiu, Zhuoran Huang, Bindi You, Cheng Wei

Institutions: Harbin Institute of Technology, China Academy of Space Technology, Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering

Language: English

Topic: Dynamics and Control of Mechanical Systems

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,940