Research of flexible beam impact dynamics based on space probe-cone docking mechanism

The issue considered in this paper is the dynamic behavior of flexible probe based on space probe-cone docking mechanism in the docking process. The theoretical model of docking impact dynamics based on flexible beam is built according to the Lagrange Analytical Mechanics theory. The contact problem is solved by using Hertz point-surface contact model. Assumed Modes Method is introduced to describe the deformation of flexible beam. Runge–Kutta numerical method is used to solve this theoretical model. Results of the theoretical model show a good agreement with the experimental and MSC.Patran/Dytran simulation results. Moreover, the influence of flexible beam parameter on docking impact process is analyzed based on the theoretical model.