The space solar cell arrays (SSCA) as the power supply subsystem of the aircrafts in space probe is very important. Silicon adhesive works as the major joining material for the surface coating engineering of SSCA. The quality of surface coating will affect the reliability of SSCA directly. Since the coating and fastening is mostly finished by handwork and coating path cannot be controlled, air bubbles are very common and it is a huge work to do the cleaning after fastening. Therefore, the quality of the coating and fastening for the SSCA is very demanding. This paper aims to propose an automatic coating and fastening robot (ACFR) of space solar module (SSM) to solar panel substrate. Describes the detailed manufacturing process of SSCA, and gives an ACFR for SSM. Designs an automatic coating and fastening mechanism and a control system. Furthermore, establishes the 'zigzag', the 'umbrella' and the Voronoi-based 'ring' path models of the coating path using syringes. The robot is effective for the bubble-free manufacture of SSCA in nonvacuum environment. The robot with three coating path models can control the thickness of adhesive layer on the back of SSM, and the fastening force to the solar panel substrate with high productivity. The experimental results have proved the validity of this robot in the SSCA's manufacture. The robot as a novel industrial equipment can improve the product quality and the reliability of SSCA to a certain extent. The robot has potential applications in the SSCA assembly. It will change the traditional handworking status in the future.
Automatic coating and fastening robot of space solar module to solar panel substrate
Roboter für automatische Beschichtung und Befestigung von Raumsolarmodulen an einem Solarpaneelsubstrat
Assembly Automation ; 28 , 4 ; 301-307
2008
7 Seiten, 14 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 11 Quellen
Article (Journal)
English