Mechanical Property Analysis of Deployable Hinge Made of Carbon Fibre/Epoxy Shape Memory

This study designed a structure of the shape memory composite hinge. Through finite element simulation, the process in positive and negative bending of the lamella was analyzed, and the corresponding nephogram were obtained. Bending moments of different fiber content were studied, the bending of the lamella with different bending distance was simulated, and the curves of bending moment with bending angle in different bending distance were obtained. Hinge bending process simulation shows when the hinge begins to bend; the stress of the inner positive bending lamella is larger. With the increase of the bending angle, the stress of the lateral bending lamella increases. As for the relationship of moment-angle, the process of unfolding of the hinge is basically the same as that of the lamellae. However, the hinge bending moment is much greater than the single layer lamella bending moment. The hinge structure of back-to-back can increase the structure stiffness and the bending resilience ability. The tested moment of the hinge is similar to the simulation result.