A device for realizing space tether connection

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for realizing space tether connection, including a connector bracket, a tether connector, and a connector action block. The tether connector includes a connecting rod and a connecting sleeve. Tether 1 is fixedly connected to the tether connector, and tether 2 passes through the through holes of the tether connector and the connector bracket in sequence. Driven by the connector action block, the connecting rod moves relative to the connecting sleeve limited by the connector bracket, and tether 2 is brought into the gap between the connecting rod and the connecting sleeve and fixed by friction, thereby realizing the connection of two sections of tether. The present invention has the characteristics of miniaturization, light weight, high efficiency, and high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for realizing space tether connection, belonging to the technical field of space application. Background Art

[0002] Ropes have the advantages of good flexibility and toughness, and have excellent performance in space use. However, in various space missions, there are conditions where tethers are connected. However, how to reliably achieve tether connection and have a certain connection force is a major problem in the use of tethers in space.

[0003] Existing tether connection technologies all use an indirect tether connection solution, that is, two tether sections are connected to two structural members respectively, and the tether connection is completed by connecting the two structural members. Such connection solutions generally have the problems of complex structure, large space occupation, and inability to freely select the tether connection position according to usage needs. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by the present invention is: to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention proposes a device for realizing space tether connection, the device has a simple structure and can realize reliable connection between the rope net tethering rope and the tether.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A device for realizing space tether connection, used for realizing the connection of tether 1 and tether 2 in performing space missions, comprising a connector bracket, a tether connector, a connector action block, and a connector block limiting leaf spring;

[0007] The connector bracket is provided with a concave space, a slide groove is provided in the concave space, a through hole is punched on the bottom surface, and a rectangular groove is provided on the side surface;

[0008] The connecting member action block is installed in the slide groove, and a slider is provided on the side of the connecting member action block. The slide groove cooperates with the slider to guide the movement of the connecting member action block;

[0009] The tether connector is connected to the connector action block, and the tether 1 is fixedly connected to the tether connector; the tether connector is provided with a through hole, and the tether 2 passes through the through holes of the tether connector and the connector bracket in sequence; when the connector action block moves, the tether 2 is pressed in the tether connector, thereby realizing the connection between the tether 1 and the tether 2.

[0010] Preferably, the tether connector includes a connecting rod and a connecting sleeve capable of realizing relative movement, and the gap between the connecting rod and the connecting sleeve is smaller than the minimum diameter of the tether 2 after being compressed;

[0011] Two rope through holes are provided between the head and the tail end of the connecting rod, one rope through hole is used for fixed connection with the tether 1, and the other rope through hole is used for passing the tether 2; the connecting piece sleeve is provided with a rope through hole, and the tether 2 passes through the connecting rod rope through hole and the connecting piece sleeve through hole in sequence;

[0012] The head of the connecting rod is connected to the connecting piece action block. The connecting rod can slide in a direction away from the connecting piece sleeve under the drive of the connecting piece action block. The tether 2 is pressed between the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve under the friction force of the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve.

[0013] Preferably, when the connecting member action block does not move, the rope threading hole for the tether 2 to pass through is coaxial with the through hole of the connecting member bracket, so as to facilitate the passing of the tether 2.

[0014] Preferably, both sides of the connector sleeve are provided with claw-shaped outward extension ends; the connecting rod is provided with a concave annular groove, and an arc feature is provided at the head of the connecting rod;

[0015] When the connecting rod is not moved, the protruding end is located at the arc feature of the connecting rod; after the tether 1 and the tether 2 are connected, the protruding end enters the annular groove and cannot slide out, thereby further limiting the connector sleeve and preventing the tether 2 from slipping off.

[0016] Preferably, the width of the arc feature is consistent with the end distance of the overhanging end.

[0017] Preferably, the surface of the connecting rod relative to the connecting piece sleeve is provided with a washboard-shaped pattern to increase the friction between the connecting rod and the tether 2 .

[0018] Preferably, it also includes a connecting block limiting leaf spring, which is fixed on the connecting member bracket; an inclined groove is provided at the bottom of the connecting member action block, and when the connecting member action block is not moving, the inclined groove contacts the head of the limiting leaf spring; after the tether 1 and the tether 2 are connected, the connecting member action block moves to the outside of the limiting leaf spring, and the limiting leaf spring supports the connecting member action block to prevent the connecting member action block from withdrawing.

[0019] Preferably, the material of the connector sleeve is spring steel.

[0020] Preferably, the end of the connecting member action block has a conical structure, the tether connecting member has a through hole matching the conical structure, and the conical structure passes through the through hole to achieve the connection between the tether connecting member and the connecting member action block.

[0021] A method for realizing space tether connection, comprising:

[0022] The tether 1 is fixedly connected to the connecting rod, and the tether 2 is sequentially passed through the connecting rod through hole, the connecting piece sleeve through hole, and the connecting piece bracket through hole;

[0023] The connecting piece action block is driven to move, and the connecting rod is driven by the connecting piece action block to slide in a direction away from the connecting piece sleeve, so that a section of the tether 2 enters between the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve;

[0024] During the movement of the connecting piece action block, the friction force generated by the tether 2, the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve causes the tether 2 to be compressed, and the tether 2 and the connecting rod remain relatively still, thereby achieving the connection between the tethers 1 and 2.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1) The present invention is directly connected by tethers, and does not require tight connection between structural parts. The structure is simpler and has the characteristics of miniaturization and lightness. It can be used in any field and occasion that requires tether connection.

[0027] 2) The present invention utilizes large friction force to achieve reliable connection of the tether, and at the same time increases the margin by the extended end of the connector sleeve, so that the device has higher reliability.

[0028] 3) The connection position of the tether directly involved in the connection of the present invention can be selected at will. For working conditions where the tether is required for retracting, releasing and towing, other tether connection solutions cannot solve this problem.

[0029] 4) For tethers of different sizes and materials, the present invention only needs to change the single-side gap between the connecting rod and the connecting member sleeve, and has good adaptability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a device for achieving tether connection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the initial state and limit position of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a connecting rod according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a connector sleeve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an initial state of a tether connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a tether connector in a connection completion state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the action blocks of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In order to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will be further explained by taking specific embodiments as examples in conjunction with the drawings, and the embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention provides a space tether connection device, which comprises a connector bracket 1, a tether connector 2, a connector action block 3, and a connector block limiting leaf spring 4.

[0039] The connector bracket 1 provides space for installation and movement of other structures on the device; the bottom surface of the connector bracket 1 is punched with a through hole, which is coaxial with the rope threading hole of the tether connector 2 at the initial position, so as to facilitate the passage of the tether. The initial position is the position when the connector action block 3 is not moving. For this embodiment, the positions of the connector bracket 1 and the connector limit leaf spring 4 are fixed, and the tether connector 2 will move together with the connector action block 3. The initial position refers to the position where the inclined groove of the connector action block contacts the limit leaf spring, such as Figure 2 As shown. A rectangular slide groove is provided on the side of the connector bracket 1, and the connector action block 3 is installed in the slide groove, and the connecting rod head of the tether connector 2 is placed on the connector action block 3. The slide groove cooperates with the slider on the side of the connector action block 3 to guide the movement of the connector action block 3; a threaded hole is punched at the bottom of the connector bracket 1 for fixing the limit leaf spring 4.

[0040] The head of the connecting piece action block 3 has two conical structures, such as Figure 7 As shown, the conical structure passes through the hole of the head of the connecting rod in the tether connector 2, and the position of the hole is as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the tether connector moves. The bottom of the connector action block 3 is provided with an inclined groove, which initially contacts the head of the limit leaf spring, and the limit leaf spring prevents it from being connected by mistake. After the connection is completed, the connector action block as a whole will move outside the limit leaf spring, and the limit leaf spring will support the connector action block to complete the non-return.

[0041] The tether connector 2 is composed of a connecting rod and a connector sleeve. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The connecting rod has an appearance as shown in Figure 3As shown, the tether 1 threading hole is used for fixed connection with tether 1, and the tether 2 threading hole is used for tether 2 to pass through and work, as well as for subsequent connection of tether 2. The width of the arc of the connecting rod head is consistent with the end distance of the protruding end of the connector sleeve to prevent fatigue failure of the protruding end. The connecting rod has a concave annular groove. After the connector is actuated, the protruding end of the sleeve will enter the groove and cannot slide out, thereby ensuring the relative position of the connecting rod and the connector sleeve is stable, and further limiting the connector sleeve after the connection action is completed to prevent the tether from slipping off. The connector sleeve structure is shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the extended end is initially located at the arc of the connecting rod without deformation. After connection, the extended end extends into the annular groove of the connecting rod. The material of the connecting sleeve is spring steel. After entering the groove, the distance between the two extended ends will be restored and stuck in the groove to further limit the connection rod and the connecting sleeve. The single-sided gap between the connecting rod and the connecting sleeve should be smaller than the minimum diameter of the tether after compression, but it should be ensured that the gap will not cause damage to the fiber of the tether. The specific gap value is designed according to the diameter of the tether 2. In this example, the gap value is 0.4mm. The connecting rod has patterns on both sides to increase friction and increase the reliability of the tether connection.

[0042] It passes through the through holes of the connector sleeve, the connecting rod and the connector bracket 1 in sequence. When connected, an external force is applied to the connector action block to make it move. Driven by the connector action block, the connecting rod moves relative to the connector sleeve to compress the tether. As a result, the tether and the connecting rod remain relatively still, thus achieving the connection between the two tether sections. Before connection, the tether passing through the middle through hole of the connecting rod can move freely, that is, it can complete various on-orbit tasks. The ability of the tether 2 to move and perform tasks before connection is a capability that the tether-connecting structure-connecting structure-tether connection model in other connection schemes does not have. The following article focuses on the fixing method of the tether passing through the middle through hole of the connecting rod.

[0043] Taking the connection of a φ1mm polyimide tether as an example, it was measured that the minimum diameter of the φ1mm polyimide tether after extrusion was 0.5mm, and the single-side gap between the connecting rod and the connecting sleeve was 0.4mm. Such a single-side gap can not only ensure the reliable connection of the tether, but also prevent the tether from being worn off due to the gap being too small.

[0044] When a tether connection is required, such as Figure 1 As shown, the connecting rod slides in a direction away from the connecting sleeve under the drive of the connecting member action block 3, while the connecting sleeve cannot move because it has been blocked by the connecting member bracket 1. Figure 5 As shown, the tether in the initial state passes through the connecting sleeve and the rope threading hole of the connecting rod. Figure 6As shown, after the connector action block starts to move, relative movement occurs between the connecting rod and the connector sleeve, and a section of the tether enters between the connecting rod and the connector sleeve. Due to the unilateral gap between the connecting rod and the connector sleeve mentioned above, a large friction force will be generated between the tether and the connector to prevent the tether from coming out. The pattern of the connecting rod is in the shape of a washboard, and the specific depth and width depend on the specific state of the tether. This washboard-shaped pattern increases the friction force and increases the reliability of the product. After the connection is completed, the protruding end of the connector sleeve will be stuck in the groove of the connecting rod. When the force on the tether is greater than the friction force, the rigid contact between the sharp claw and the groove prevents the connector sleeve from moving further away from the connecting rod. This is very effective for the occasional short-duration large force on the track. This connection method maintains a reliable connection between a section of the tether and the connector, and the other section of the tether is tied to the hole at the head of the connecting rod, thereby realizing the connection of the two sections of the tether.

[0045] The device proposed by the present invention weighs less than 50g and has a size envelope of less than 60mm×20mm×10mm, and has the characteristics of light weight and small space occupation. By using the present invention, not only the weight of the tether connection structure is effectively reduced, but also the tether connection can have higher speed and efficiency and can achieve greater holding force.

[0046] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in the form of a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention by using the methods and technical contents disclosed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0047] The contents not described in detail in the specification of the present invention belong to the common knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A device for realizing space tether connection, used for realizing the connection of tether 1 and tether 2 in performing space missions, characterized in that: It includes a connector bracket, a tether connector, a connector action block, and a connector block limiting leaf spring; The connector bracket is provided with a concave space, a slide groove is provided in the concave space, a through hole is punched on the bottom surface, and a rectangular groove is provided on the side surface; The connecting member action block is installed in the slide groove, and a slider is provided on the side of the connecting member action block. The slide groove cooperates with the slider to guide the movement of the connecting member action block; The connecting block limiting leaf spring is fixed on the connecting member bracket; an inclined groove is provided at the bottom of the connecting member action block, and when the connecting member action block does not move, the inclined groove contacts the head of the limiting leaf spring; after the tether 1 and the tether 2 are connected, the connecting member action block moves to the outside of the connecting block limiting leaf spring, and the connecting block limiting leaf spring supports the connecting member action block to prevent the connecting member action block from withdrawing; The tether connector is connected to the connector action block, and the tether 1 is fixedly connected to the tether connector; the tether connector is provided with a through hole, and the tether 2 passes through the through holes of the tether connector and the connector bracket in sequence; when the connector action block moves, the tether 2 is pressed in the tether connector, thereby realizing the connection between the tether 1 and the tether 2.

2. The device for realizing space tether connection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tether connector includes a connecting rod and a connecting sleeve capable of realizing relative movement, and the gap between the connecting rod and the connecting sleeve is smaller than the minimum diameter of the tether 2 after being compressed; Two rope through holes are provided between the head and the tail end of the connecting rod, one rope through hole is used for fixed connection with the tether 1, and the other rope through hole is used for passing the tether 2; the connecting piece sleeve is provided with a rope through hole, and the tether 2 passes through the connecting rod rope through hole and the connecting piece sleeve through hole in sequence; The head of the connecting rod is connected to the connecting piece action block. The connecting rod can slide in a direction away from the connecting piece sleeve under the drive of the connecting piece action block. The tether 2 is pressed between the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve under the friction force of the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve.

3. The device for realizing space tether connection according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the connecting member action block does not move, the rope threading hole for the tether 2 to pass through is coaxial with the through hole of the connecting member bracket, so as to facilitate the passing of the tether 2.

4. The device for realizing space tether connection according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both sides of the connector sleeve are provided with claw-shaped outward extension ends; the connecting rod is provided with a concave annular groove, and an arc feature is provided on the head of the connecting rod; When the connecting rod is not moved, the protruding end is located at the arc feature of the connecting rod; after the tether 1 and the tether 2 are connected, the protruding end enters the annular groove and cannot slide out, thereby further limiting the connector sleeve and preventing the tether 2 from slipping off.

5. The device for realizing space tether connection according to claim 4, characterized in that: The width of the arc feature is consistent with the end distance of the overhanging end.

6. A device for realizing space tether connection according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The surface of the connecting rod relative to the connecting piece sleeve is provided with a washboard-shaped pattern to increase the friction between the connecting rod and the tether 2 .

7. The device for realizing space tether connection according to claim 2, characterized in that: The material of the connecting piece sleeve is spring steel.

8. The device for realizing space tether connection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the connecting piece action block has a tapered structure, the tether connecting piece has a through hole matching the tapered structure, and the tapered structure passes through the through hole to achieve the connection between the tether connecting piece and the connecting piece action block.

9. A method for realizing space tether connection, using the device for realizing space tether connection according to claim 1, characterized in that: include: The tether 1 is fixedly connected to the connecting rod, and the tether 2 is sequentially passed through the connecting rod through hole, the connecting piece sleeve through hole, and the connecting piece bracket through hole; The connecting piece action block is driven to move, and the connecting rod is driven by the connecting piece action block to slide in a direction away from the connecting piece sleeve, so that a section of the tether 2 enters between the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve; During the movement of the connecting piece action block, the friction force generated by the tether 2, the connecting rod and the connecting piece sleeve causes the tether 2 to be compressed, and the tether 2 and the connecting rod remain relatively still, thereby achieving the connection between the tethers 1 and 2.

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