A hinge (1) attaches between two elements (4) in a deployable structure. The hinge (1) includes support members (2) for attaching to or forming part of the elements (4). The hinge (1) also includes two gears (8) in mesh with each other, each gear (8) attached to a support member (2), with the gears (8) rotating about parallel axes. The hinge also includes a tape spring (16) attached to and extending between the support members (2). The tape spring (16), when extended longitudinally, lies substantially in a plane parallel to the axes of the gears. The tape spring (16) is arranged to actuate the hinge from a folded configuration towards an extended configuration. The hinge (1) also includes a retaining member (18) attached to the gears (8) and/or the support members (2). The retaining member (18) is arranged to restrict the separation of the gears (8) in a direction extending between the axes of the gears.
HINGE
2018-10-18
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS / E05D Scharniere oder andere Aufhängevorrichtungen für Türen, Fenster oder Flügel , HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS, OR WINGS / E05F DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION , Vorrichtungen zum Bewegen der Flügel in die Offen- oder Schließstellung / F16C SHAFTS , Wellen |