An adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment

Abstract

The present invention discloses an adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment, comprising an upper pre-tightening mechanism and a lower pre-tightening mechanism; an adaptive mechanism that transmits power to the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism respectively; and a power assembly, wherein the input end of the adaptive mechanism is slidably connected to the output end of the power assembly; the output ends of the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism are respectively equipped with drive assemblies, and the power assembly drives the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism respectively through the adaptive mechanism to drive the corresponding drive assembly to contact the inner surface of the sleeve. The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism of the present invention uses a single power source to achieve variable diameter adaptation of multiple pre-tightening mechanisms, and can achieve simultaneous contact between the upper and lower drive assemblies and the inner surface of any form of sleeve. While greatly improving the effective release force of the drive assembly, it simplifies the structure, improves reliability, reduces the scale of the control system, and reduces cost. In conjunction with a differential drive device, variable diameter pre-tightening and deployment drive can be achieved using only two motor assemblies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of variable structure space remote sensors, and in particular to an adaptive pre-tightening mechanism used for sleeve deployment, which is used to effectively pre-tighten a drive assembly and the inner wall of the sleeve during the sleeve deployment process, thereby realizing the on-orbit reorganization of an ultra-large variable structure space remote sensor. Background Art

[0002] To overcome launch capacity limitations and build larger-aperture space sensors in orbit, deployable space sensors have become a new development direction. The basic principle of this technology is to systematically fold the system to reduce its footprint before launch. Once in orbit, it automatically unfolds and reassembles, achieving imaging capabilities equivalent to the designed aperture. Deployable space sensors require a deployment mechanism to achieve their desired shape. Traditional deployment mechanisms include articulated trusses, thin-walled tubes, sleeves, coils, and inflatables.

[0003] The telescopic type has good stiffness and strength performance due to the large moment of inertia of the cylinder section and the certain length of overlap retained between each two-stage cylinder. By using carbon fiber materials with a small linear expansion coefficient and mechanical limit devices, high positioning accuracy can be achieved. It is particularly suitable for the field of variable structure space cameras that require high accuracy, stability and stiffness.

[0004] Depending on the method of sleeve deployment, it can be categorized as rope-driven, screw-driven, and thin-walled open-tube-driven. Rope-driven systems offer advantages such as good deployment synchronization, simple structure and principle, and lightweight drive components. However, in microgravity, the ropes present the risk of entanglement, resulting in low reliability. The elasticity of the ropes can cause oscillations during the deployment process, making system control difficult. Screw-driven systems offer significant advantages such as a simple principle, stable structure, high strength, and high deployment driving force. However, they require very high screw machining precision and nut assembly accuracy. Limited by screw manufacturing capacity, the sleeve cannot achieve a very long single-stage extension length, resulting in a relatively low deployment-folding ratio. Screw-driven systems are prone to bending and deformation, leading to mechanism jamming and low reliability. Thin-walled open-tube-driven systems offer a high axial driving force. However, their deployment and retraction mechanisms are complex, heavy, and inconvenient. Asymmetrical deformation of the thin-walled open-tube after deployment can cause axial rotation of the sleeve, squeezing the guide mechanism and causing deformation of the deployment mechanism. Furthermore, manufacturing thin-walled open-tube systems with long travels is difficult and costly.

[0005] Based on the above technical problems, technical personnel in this field urgently need to develop an adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment, which can be used to effectively pre-tighten the drive assembly and the inner wall of the sleeve during the sleeve deployment process, and realize the on-orbit reorganization of the ultra-large variable structure space remote control sensor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a differential device with a simple structure and high reliability, which can greatly improve the effective contact force of the drive assembly or greatly improve the axial effective deployment driving force of the sleeve assembly, and can be used in all occasions of driving the sleeve to deploy, especially in the field of space remote sensing where high deployment accuracy is required.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] The present invention provides an adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment, the adaptive pre-tightening mechanism comprising:

[0009] A pre-tightening mechanism, wherein the pre-tightening mechanism is divided into an upper pre-tightening mechanism and a lower pre-tightening mechanism;

[0010] an adaptive mechanism that transmits power to the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism respectively; and

[0011] A power assembly, wherein the input end of the adaptive mechanism is slidably connected to the output end of the power assembly;

[0012] The output ends of the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism are respectively equipped with driving assemblies, and the power assembly drives the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism respectively through the adaptive mechanism to drive the corresponding driving assembly to contact the inner surface of the sleeve;

[0013] The pre-tightening mechanism, the adaptive mechanism and the power assembly are all integrated on the frame.

[0014] Furthermore, the upper pre-tightening mechanism includes:

[0015] A first pre-tightening arm axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the frame;

[0016] A first pre-tightening link axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the first pre-tightening arm; and

[0017] a first nut located at an end of the first pre-tightening link away from the first pre-tightening arm and rotatably connected to the first pre-tightening link;

[0018] The upper pre-tightening mechanism is connected to the adaptive mechanism through a spiral transmission via the first nut.

[0019] Furthermore, the lower pre-tightening mechanism includes:

[0020] A second pre-tightening arm axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the frame;

[0021] A second pre-tightening link axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the second pre-tightening arm; and

[0022] a second nut located at an end of the second pre-tightening link away from the second pre-tightening arm and rotatably connected to the second pre-tightening link;

[0023] The lower pre-tightening mechanism is connected to the adaptive mechanism through the second nut in a spiral transmission manner.

[0024] Furthermore, the adaptive mechanism includes:

[0025] Left and right rotating screw;

[0026] a first transmission gear rotatably connected to the frame, the left and right screws being slidably connected to the first transmission gear;

[0027] The upper portion of the left and right screws is connected to the first nut in a spiral transmission manner, and the middle and lower portions of the left and right screws are connected to the second nut in a spiral transmission manner.

[0028] Furthermore, the screw transmission between the left-hand and right-hand screws and the first and second nuts is in non-co-rotational directions or in the same direction;

[0029] When the left-right screw and the first nut and the second nut have the same spiral direction, the first nut and the second nut have different pitches.

[0030] Furthermore, the power assembly includes:

[0031] A motor assembly is fixedly connected to the frame, and the motor assembly is used to drive the first transmission gear to rotate so as to drive the preload mechanism to move through the adaptive mechanism.

[0032] Furthermore, the output end of the motor assembly is connected to a second transmission gear;

[0033] The second transmission gear is engaged with the first transmission gear, and the motor assembly drives the first transmission gear to rotate via the second transmission gear.

[0034] In the above technical solution, the present invention provides an adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0035] The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism of the present invention uses a single power source to achieve variable diameter adaptation of multiple pre-tightening mechanisms, and can realize simultaneous contact between the upper and lower drive components and the inner surface of any form of sleeve. While greatly improving the effective release force of the drive component, it simplifies the structure, improves reliability, reduces the scale of the control system, and reduces costs. In conjunction with the differential drive device, variable diameter pre-tightening can be achieved using only one motor component.

[0036] The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism of the present invention can be used in all occasions where a drive sleeve is deployed, especially in the field of space remote sensing where high deployment accuracy is required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments described in the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Description of reference numerals:

[0040] 1. Left and right rotating screw; 2. First nut; 3. First pre-tightening connecting rod; 4. First pre-tightening arm; 5. Second nut; 6. Second pre-tightening arm; 7. Second pre-tightening connecting rod; 8. First transmission gear; 9. Motor assembly; 10. Frame; 11. Second transmission gear; 12. Drive assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] See also Figure 1 As shown;

[0043] An adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment according to this embodiment includes:

[0044] Pre-tightening mechanism, the pre-tightening mechanism is divided into an upper pre-tightening mechanism and a lower pre-tightening mechanism;

[0045] An adaptive mechanism that transmits power to the upper preload mechanism and the lower preload mechanism respectively; and

[0046] The power assembly, the input end of the adaptive mechanism is slidably connected to the output end of the power assembly;

[0047] The output ends of the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism are respectively installed with driving components, and the power components drive the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism respectively through the adaptive mechanism to drive the corresponding driving components to contact the inner surface of the sleeve;

[0048] The pre-tightening mechanism, the adaptive mechanism, and the power assembly are all integrated on the frame 10 .

[0049] Specifically, this embodiment discloses a mechanism capable of increasing contact force with the inner surface of a sleeve, enabling the drive assembly to adapt to contact with the inner surfaces of sleeves of varying shapes (e.g., sleeves with stepped, irregular, or discontinuously varying inner diameters). The mechanism comprises a frame 10, a preload mechanism integrated within the frame 10, an adaptive mechanism, and a power assembly. The power assembly serves as a power source, driving the upper and lower preload mechanisms to move synchronously via the adaptive mechanism. Drive assemblies 12 are mounted at the output ends of both the upper and lower preload mechanisms, ultimately driving the drive assembly 12 into contact with the inner wall of the sleeve to significantly increase the contact force.

[0050] Preferably, the upper pre-tightening mechanism of this embodiment includes:

[0051] A first pre-tightening arm 4 axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the frame 10;

[0052] A first preload link 3 axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the first preload arm 4; and

[0053] a first nut 2 located at an end of the first pre-tightening link 3 away from the first pre-tightening arm 4 and rotatably connected to the first pre-tightening link 3;

[0054] The upper pre-tightening mechanism is connected to the adaptive mechanism by screw transmission via the first nut 2 .

[0055] Secondly, the lower pre-tightening mechanism of this embodiment includes:

[0056] A second pre-tightening arm 6 axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the frame 10;

[0057] A second preload link 7 axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the second preload arm 6; and

[0058] a second nut 5 located at an end of the second pre-tightening link 7 away from the second pre-tightening arm 6 and rotatably connected to the second pre-tightening link 7;

[0059] The lower pre-tightening mechanism is connected to the adaptive mechanism by screw transmission via the second nut 5 .

[0060] First, this embodiment defines the structural composition of the pre-tightening mechanism in detail; the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism have similar structures, and the upper pre-tightening mechanism is taken as an example for further explanation and illustration; the upper pre-tightening mechanism of this embodiment includes a first pre-tightening arm 4, a first pre-tightening link 3, and a first nut 2, and the upper pre-tightening mechanism is spirally transmitted with the adaptive mechanism through the first nut 2, wherein one end of the first pre-tightening link 3 is rotationally connected to the first nut 2, and the other end is rotationally connected to the first pre-tightening arm 4 to realize the transmission between the adaptive mechanism and the upper pre-tightening mechanism; the transmission principle of the lower pre-tightening mechanism and the adaptive mechanism is basically the same as that of the upper pre-tightening mechanism, and will not be repeated here.

[0061] Preferably, the adaptive mechanism of this embodiment includes:

[0062] Left and right rotating screw 1;

[0063] A first transmission gear 8 is rotatably connected to the frame 10, and a left-right screw 1 is slidably connected to the first transmission gear 8;

[0064] The upper portion of the left and right screws 1 is connected to the first nut 2 in a spiral transmission manner, and the middle and lower portions of the left and right screws 1 are connected to the second nut 5 in a spiral transmission manner.

[0065] More preferably:

[0066] The screw transmission between the left-hand and right-hand screws 1 and the first and second nuts 2 and 5 is either in a non-co-rotating direction or in a co-rotating direction;

[0067] When the spiral transmission of the left-right rotating screw 1 and the first nut 2 and the second nut 5 is in the same direction, the pitches of the first nut 2 and the second nut 5 are different.

[0068] The power assembly of this embodiment includes:

[0069] The motor assembly 9 is fixedly connected to the frame 10, and the motor assembly 9 is used to drive the first transmission gear 8 to rotate so as to drive the preload mechanism to move through the adaptive mechanism.

[0070] As an expanded implementation, the motor assembly 9 of this embodiment can directly drive the first transmission gear 8 to rotate, or can drive the first transmission gear 8 to rotate through a gear meshing with the first transmission gear 8. Specifically, the output end of the motor assembly 9 is connected to the second transmission gear 11.

[0071] The second transmission gear 11 is engaged with the first transmission gear 9 , and the motor assembly 9 drives the first transmission gear 8 to rotate via the second transmission gear 11 .

[0072] The working principle of the adaptive preload mechanism in this embodiment is:

[0073] The drive assembly is mounted on the output ends of the first preload arm 4 and the second preload arm 6, respectively, so that it can rotate around them. The function of the preload mechanism is to ensure that the axisymmetric upper and lower drive assemblies effectively contact the inner surface of the sleeve (with a stepped, irregular, and discontinuous inner diameter change). Through degree of freedom calculation, in the initial state, when neither drive assembly contacts the inner wall of the sleeve, the mechanism has a degree of freedom of 2, which is an underdriven mechanism. Under the drive of the power assembly, the first preload arm 4 and the second preload arm 6 perform an indeterminate opening motion. When the upper drive assembly 12 or the lower drive assembly 12 contacts the inner wall of the sleeve, the mechanism's degree of freedom becomes 1, which is a fixed-trajectory drive mechanism. Under the drive of the power assembly, the drive assembly 12 that is not in contact with the inner wall of the sleeve continues to open until it also contacts the inner wall. At this point, the driving torque of the power assembly is converted into a contact force between the drive assembly 12 and the inner wall of the sleeve. When the structural parameters of the upper and lower preload mechanisms are the same, the contact forces between the upper and lower drive assemblies 12 and the inner wall of the sleeve are the same. Because the upper and lower drive assemblies 12 are axially symmetrically distributed, when there are more than three of them (note: when there are two, it can barely work, but it is not the optimal choice), they have a self-centering function. Because the left and right screws 1 can slide axially, the left and right screws 1 can rotate to adjust the axial spacing between the first nut 2 and the second nut 5, which can adapt to the inner surface of the sleeve with stepped, irregular, or non-continuous inner diameter changes. This allows the drive assembly 12 to ensure effective contact on these variable diameter inner surfaces, thereby providing continuous positive pressure for sleeve deployment. This positive pressure is converted into an effective driving force for sleeve deployment under the movement of the drive assembly 12.

[0074] In the above technical solution, the present invention provides an adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0075] The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism of the present invention uses a single power source to achieve variable diameter adaptation of multiple pre-tightening mechanisms, and can realize the simultaneous contact of the upper and lower drive components 12 with the inner surface of any form of sleeve. While greatly improving the effective release force of the drive component 12, it simplifies the structure, improves reliability, reduces the scale of the control system, and reduces costs. In conjunction with the differential drive device, variable diameter pre-tightening and expansion drive can be achieved using only two motor components 9.

[0076] The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism of the present invention can be used in all occasions where a drive sleeve is deployed, especially in the field of space remote sensing where high deployment accuracy is required.

[0077] The above description is merely illustrative of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It goes without saying that those skilled in the art will be able to modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above drawings and description are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment, characterized in that: The adaptive preload mechanism comprises: A pre-tightening mechanism, wherein the pre-tightening mechanism is divided into an upper pre-tightening mechanism and a lower pre-tightening mechanism; an adaptive mechanism that transmits power to the upper preload mechanism and the lower preload mechanism respectively; The adaptive preload mechanism also includes: A power assembly, wherein the input end of the adaptive mechanism is slidably connected to the output end of the power assembly; The output ends of the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism are respectively equipped with driving assemblies, and the power assembly drives the upper pre-tightening mechanism and the lower pre-tightening mechanism respectively through the adaptive mechanism to drive the corresponding driving assembly to contact the inner surface of the sleeve; The pre-tightening mechanism, the adaptive mechanism, and the power assembly are all integrated on the frame (10); The upper pre-tightening mechanism comprises: A first pre-tightening arm (4) axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the frame (10); A first pre-tightening connecting rod (3) axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the first pre-tightening arm (4); and a first nut (2) located at one end of the first pre-tightening connecting rod (3) away from the first pre-tightening arm (4) and rotatably connected to the first pre-tightening connecting rod (3); The upper pre-tightening mechanism is connected to the adaptive mechanism through a spiral transmission via the first nut; The lower preload mechanism comprises: A second pre-tightening arm (6) axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the frame (10); A second pre-tightening connecting rod (7) axially symmetrically distributed and rotatably connected to the second pre-tightening arm (6); and a second nut (5) located at one end of the second pre-tightening connecting rod (7) away from the second pre-tightening arm (6) and rotatably connected to the second pre-tightening connecting rod (7); The lower pre-tightening mechanism is connected to the adaptive mechanism through a screw transmission via the second nut (5); The adaptive mechanism comprises: Left and right rotating screw (1); a first transmission gear (8) rotatably connected to the frame (10), and the left and right screws (1) are slidably connected to the first transmission gear (8); The upper portion of the left and right screws (1) is connected to the first nut (2) in a spiral transmission manner, and the middle and lower portions of the left and right screws (1) are connected to the second nut (5) in a spiral transmission manner.

2. The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral transmission between the left and right screws (1) and the first nut (2) and the second nut (5) is non-co-rotating or co-rotating; When the spiral transmission of the left-right screw (1) and the first nut (2) and the second nut (5) is in the same direction of rotation, the first nut (2) and the second nut (5) have different pitches.

3. The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power assembly includes: A motor assembly (9) is fixedly connected to the frame (10), and the motor assembly (9) is used to drive the first transmission gear (8) to rotate so as to drive the preload mechanism to move through the adaptive mechanism.

4. The adaptive pre-tightening mechanism for sleeve deployment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The output end of the motor assembly (9) is connected to a second transmission gear (11); The second transmission gear (11) is meshed with the first transmission gear (8), and the motor assembly (9) drives the first transmission gear (8) to rotate via the second transmission gear (11).

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