Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity Structures

This study aims to design a novel combined spherical tensegrity structure and evaluate its cushioning performance to offer a new option for a planetary exploration landing mechanism. Initially, based on the circumferential assembling method, a “class II” spherical tensegrity structure was constructe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jing Zhang, Chuang Shi, Kun Geng, Yanzheng Chen, Hongwei Guo, Rongqiang Liu, Ziming Kou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/453
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849467457450803200
author Jing Zhang
Chuang Shi
Kun Geng
Yanzheng Chen
Hongwei Guo
Rongqiang Liu
Ziming Kou
author_facet Jing Zhang
Chuang Shi
Kun Geng
Yanzheng Chen
Hongwei Guo
Rongqiang Liu
Ziming Kou
author_sort Jing Zhang
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to design a novel combined spherical tensegrity structure and evaluate its cushioning performance to offer a new option for a planetary exploration landing mechanism. Initially, based on the circumferential assembling method, a “class II” spherical tensegrity structure was constructed using the square frustum tensegrity unit as the basic element. Then, the equilibrium equations for the structure were formulated in accordance with the principle of virtual work to confirm the self-equilibrium of the tensegrity configuration, and the stability of the designed structure was assessed by determining the type of the tensegrity structure according to the Maxwell criterion and the character of the stiffness matrix. Subsequently, the simulation and analysis of the compressive stiffness of the structure under different parameters were carried out based on the finite element analysis method. The landing collision was simulated by using dynamic software to analyze the influence of the structure parameters on the cushioning performance. Finally, an experimental model was built to verify the above analysis, which demonstrates that the designed spherical tensegrity structure offered a large loading space and great cushioning performance.
format Article
id doaj-art-9dd64f38e2ac4ec1801325773419d2ef
institution Kabale University
issn 2226-4310
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Aerospace
spelling doaj-art-9dd64f38e2ac4ec1801325773419d2ef2025-08-20T03:26:11ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-05-0112645310.3390/aerospace12060453Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity StructuresJing Zhang0Chuang Shi1Kun Geng2Yanzheng Chen3Hongwei Guo4Rongqiang Liu5Ziming Kou6School of Mechanical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, ChinaSchool of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Binzhou Polytechnic, Binzhou 256600, ChinaNational-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Mining Fluid Control, Taiyuan 030024, ChinaSchool of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaSchool of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaNational-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Mining Fluid Control, Taiyuan 030024, ChinaThis study aims to design a novel combined spherical tensegrity structure and evaluate its cushioning performance to offer a new option for a planetary exploration landing mechanism. Initially, based on the circumferential assembling method, a “class II” spherical tensegrity structure was constructed using the square frustum tensegrity unit as the basic element. Then, the equilibrium equations for the structure were formulated in accordance with the principle of virtual work to confirm the self-equilibrium of the tensegrity configuration, and the stability of the designed structure was assessed by determining the type of the tensegrity structure according to the Maxwell criterion and the character of the stiffness matrix. Subsequently, the simulation and analysis of the compressive stiffness of the structure under different parameters were carried out based on the finite element analysis method. The landing collision was simulated by using dynamic software to analyze the influence of the structure parameters on the cushioning performance. Finally, an experimental model was built to verify the above analysis, which demonstrates that the designed spherical tensegrity structure offered a large loading space and great cushioning performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/453spherical tensegrity structurecircumferential assemblingstabilitystiffnesscushioning performance
spellingShingle Jing Zhang
Chuang Shi
Kun Geng
Yanzheng Chen
Hongwei Guo
Rongqiang Liu
Ziming Kou
Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity Structures
Aerospace
spherical tensegrity structure
circumferential assembling
stability
stiffness
cushioning performance
title Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity Structures
title_full Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity Structures
title_fullStr Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity Structures
title_full_unstemmed Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity Structures
title_short Design and Cushioning Performance Analysis of Spherical Tensegrity Structures
title_sort design and cushioning performance analysis of spherical tensegrity structures
topic spherical tensegrity structure
circumferential assembling
stability
stiffness
cushioning performance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/6/453
work_keys_str_mv AT jingzhang designandcushioningperformanceanalysisofsphericaltensegritystructures
AT chuangshi designandcushioningperformanceanalysisofsphericaltensegritystructures
AT kungeng designandcushioningperformanceanalysisofsphericaltensegritystructures
AT yanzhengchen designandcushioningperformanceanalysisofsphericaltensegritystructures
AT hongweiguo designandcushioningperformanceanalysisofsphericaltensegritystructures
AT rongqiangliu designandcushioningperformanceanalysisofsphericaltensegritystructures
AT zimingkou designandcushioningperformanceanalysisofsphericaltensegritystructures