A rectangular electrical connector plug-in tool for use by an astronaut outside a spacecraft

Abstract

This invention discloses a rectangular electrical connector insertion and removal tool for astronauts used outside the spacecraft, comprising a gripping assembly and a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is mounted on the gripping assembly via a T-slot, and the gripping assembly and the clamping assembly are linearly slidably connected. The gripping assembly includes a square frame, a support slot, and a pull rod mechanism. This invention proposes an electrical connector insertion and removal tool that can be used by astronauts in spacesuits during extravehicular activity to insert and remove rectangular hook-locked electrical connectors of different specifications. The tool includes a gripping assembly and a clamping assembly. Astronauts only need to apply a gripping action; driven by the pull rod mechanism, the clamping blocks on the inner sides of the left and right clamping mechanisms can achieve rotation-translation-re-rotation movement, thereby hooking, unlocking, and clamping the rectangular electrical connector lugs, ultimately unlocking the rectangular electrical connector hook.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of manned spaceflight technology, and in particular to a rectangular electrical connector plugging and unplugging tool used by astronauts outside the cabin. Background Technology

[0002] Extravehicular activities (EVAs) are a crucial technological means for the construction and life extension of the space station. Among the key tasks of EVAs is the replacement of EVA equipment. Before replacing EVA equipment, the electrical connectors connecting the EVA equipment to the cable network must be disconnected; after replacement, these connectors must be reconnected. Rectangular hook locking connectors are commonly used on such equipment and come in various sizes, each with a different width.

[0003] When disconnecting a rectangular hook-locked electrical connector, the left and right safety lugs must be pulled out to unlock, then the safety lugs must be pressed inward to unlock the hook before disconnection can be completed. When inserting a rectangular hook-locked electrical connector, ensure the left and right safety lugs are pulled out, align the connector plug with the socket, and insert it. The hook will automatically lock; finally, press the left and right safety lugs to lock them. During extravehicular activities (EVA), astronauts must hold onto the external handrail with one hand to stabilize themselves while using the other to insert and remove electrical connectors. Due to the small size of the rectangular electrical connector, astronauts wearing spacesuits cannot perform these actions, directly impacting the maintenance and replacement of EVA equipment.

[0004] Therefore, it is essential to develop a rectangular electrical connector plugging and unplugging tool that can be used by astronauts while they are in spacesuits after an extravehicular activity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a rectangular electrical connector plugging and unplugging tool for astronauts to use outside the cabin in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A rectangular electrical connector insertion and removal tool for use by astronauts outside the spacecraft includes a gripping assembly and a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is mounted on the gripping assembly via a T-slot, and the gripping assembly and the clamping assembly are linearly slidably connected.

[0008] The gripping assembly includes a frame, a support slot, and a pull rod mechanism. The support slot is mounted on the frame by fasteners, and the pull rod mechanism is mounted inside the frame and can slide up and down inside the frame.

[0009] The clamping assembly includes a left clamping mechanism, a right clamping mechanism, and a specification adjustment mechanism. The left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism have a planar symmetrical structure.

[0010] Preferably, the pull rod mechanism includes a T-shaped rod, a return spring, an upper pull rod, a slider, and a lower pull rod. The T-shaped rod, the upper pull rod, the slider, and the lower pull rod are assembled into a whole by fasteners, and the return spring is installed between the T-shaped rod and the upper pull rod.

[0011] Preferably, both the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism include an indicator pin, a pull frame, a pull rod, a pin, and a clamping block.

[0012] Preferably, the pull rod, pin, and clamping block form a whole and can slide up and down inside the pull frame, and the indicator needle is mounted on the pull frame by fasteners.

[0013] Preferably, the specification adjustment mechanism includes a bidirectional screw, an end cap, an extension rod, a cross handle, and a connecting nut.

[0014] Preferably, the connecting nut is installed on the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism, and a screw-nut connection is formed between the left clamping mechanism, the right clamping mechanism and the bidirectional screw.

[0015] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. This application discloses an electrical connector insertion and removal tool, which can be used by astronauts in spacesuits during extravehicular activity (EVA) to insert and remove rectangular hook-locked electrical connectors of different specifications. The tool includes a gripping assembly and a clamping assembly. Astronauts only need to apply a gripping action; driven by a lever mechanism, the clamping blocks inside the left and right clamping mechanisms can rotate, translate, and then rotate again, thereby hooking, unlocking, and clamping the rectangular electrical connector lugs, ultimately unlocking the rectangular electrical connector hook. Simultaneously, the clamping assembly includes a specification adjustment mechanism, which allows for adjustment of the width of the left and right clamping mechanisms. Combined with the specification markings on the frame, astronauts can adjust the tool to fit their specifications outside the spacecraft. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the main structure of a rectangular electrical connector insertion and removal tool for astronauts used outside the cabin, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the gripping component structure provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a clamping assembly structure provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Legend:

[0021] 1. Grip assembly; 2. Clamping assembly; 3. Square frame; 4. Support slot; 5. T-bar; 6. Return spring; 7. Upper pull rod; 8. Slider; 9. Lower pull rod; 10. Double-acting screw; 11. End cap; 12. Extension rod; 13. Cross handle; 14. Connecting nut; 15. Indicator needle; 16. Pull frame; 17. Pull rod; 18. Pin; 19. Clamping block. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] As mentioned in the background section, when astronauts replace equipment outside the spacecraft, they must first disconnect the equipment from the cable network. Rectangular hook locking electrical connectors are among the commonly used electrical connectors on such equipment. The removal process requires first pulling out the safety lug, then pressing the safety lug inward to unlock the hook, and finally completing the removal operation. However, the safety lug is too small for astronauts to operate while wearing spacesuits. Currently, there are no suitable insertion and removal tools for astronauts to operate rectangular hook locking electrical connectors in orbit. Furthermore, rectangular hook locking electrical connectors come in different specifications. Although the unlocking principle is the same for different specifications, their widths differ, placing higher demands on the insertion and removal tools astronauts use outside the spacecraft.

[0024] Please see Figure 1-3 The present invention provides a technical solution:

[0025] A rectangular electrical connector insertion and removal tool for use by astronauts outside the cabin includes a gripping assembly 1 and a clamping assembly 2. The clamping assembly 2 is mounted on the gripping assembly 1 through a T-slot, and the gripping assembly 1 and the clamping assembly 2 are linearly slidably connected.

[0026] Specifically, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the gripping assembly 1 includes a frame 3, a support slot 4, and a pull rod mechanism. The support slot 4 is mounted on the frame 3 by fasteners. The pull rod mechanism is mounted inside the frame 3 and can slide up and down inside the frame 3. The top back of the frame 3 is provided with a rectangular electrical connector specification marking. The number 1 represents a rectangular electrical connector of specification 1, the number 2 represents a rectangular electrical connector of specification 2, and so on. The size of the frame 3 meets the gripping requirements of astronauts in their suits. A T-slot is provided on the top for mounting the clamping assembly 2. The top front is provided with mounting holes for the support slot 4, and sliding grooves are provided on the left and right sides for mounting the pull rod mechanism.

[0027] The support slot 4 is mounted on the frame 3 by fasteners;

[0028] The gripping component 1 provides an operating interface for astronauts, allowing them to grip with one hand while wearing their spacesuits;

[0029] Specifically, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the clamping assembly 2 includes a left clamping mechanism, a right clamping mechanism, and a specification adjustment mechanism. The left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism have a planar symmetrical structure. The clamping assembly 2 provides a clamping interface for a rectangular electrical connector.

[0030] The lever mechanism includes a T-shaped rod 5, a return spring 6, an upper lever 7, a slider 8, and a lower lever 9. The T-shaped rod 5, the upper lever 7, the slider 8, and the lower lever 9 are assembled into a whole by fasteners and installed inside the frame 3. They can slide up and down inside the frame 3. The return spring 6 is installed between the T-shaped rod 5 and the upper lever 7 and needs to have a certain installation load to restore the position of the lever mechanism after the astronaut pulls it and releases it.

[0031] Both the left and right clamping mechanisms include an indicator pin 15, a pull frame 16, a pull rod 17, a pin 18, and a clamping block 19;

[0032] Pull rod 17, pin 18 and clamp 19 form a whole and can slide up and down inside the pull frame 16. The indicator needle 15 is installed on the pull frame 16 by fasteners and points to the rectangular electrical connector specification number on the top back of the box 3. When adjusting the rectangular electrical connector specification applicable to the plugging and unplugging tool by the specification adjustment mechanism, the number it points to represents the specification number. The lower end of pull rod 17 is connected to T-shaped rod 5 by a pin, and the upper end of pull rod 17 is connected to clamp 19 by a pin. In addition to being connected to pull rod 17 by a pin, clamp 19 is also connected to pull frame 16 by two pins.

[0033] The pull rod 17 and the pull frame 16 are grooved. Under the constraint of the groove, the T-shaped rod 5 can only drive the pull rod 17 to make linear sliding motion inside the pull frame 16.

[0034] In addition, the pin between the pull rod 17 and the clamping block 19 needs to pass through the straight groove on the pull frame 16, and at the same time, another pin on the clamping block 19 needs to pass through the curved groove on the pull frame 16. The shape and relative position of the straight groove and the curved groove determine the movement trajectory of the clamping block 19.

[0035] The pull frame 16 is installed in the T-slot of the square frame 3 and can move left and right on the square frame 3;

[0036] The specification adjustment mechanism includes a two-way screw 10, an end cap 11, an extension rod 12, a cross handle 13, and a connecting nut 14;

[0037] The specification adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the distance between the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism, thereby meeting the adaptation requirements of rectangular electrical connectors of different specifications;

[0038] The connecting nut 14 is installed on the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism. The left clamping mechanism, the right clamping mechanism and the bidirectional screw 10 form a screw-nut connection. The rotation of the bidirectional screw 10 can drive the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism to expand or shrink the distance, that is, to realize the adaptation of the plugging and unplugging tool to the rectangular electrical connector tool specification.

[0039] The two sides of the bidirectional screw 10 are mounted on the connecting nuts, and the middle position of the bidirectional screw 10 is mounted on the support slot 4, so that the left and right degrees of freedom of the bidirectional screw 10 are fixed.

[0040] End cap 11 and extension rod 12 are respectively installed on both sides of bidirectional screw 10, and cross handle 13 is installed on extension rod 12. Astronauts can drive bidirectional screw 10 to rotate by driving cross handle 13.

[0041] When the astronaut grasps the pull rod 9, the pull rod assembly containing the pull rod 9 will simultaneously drive the pull rod 17 inside the left and right clamping mechanisms to move linearly. Driven by the pull rod 17 and constrained by the two pins of the clamping block 19 in the linear and curved slide grooves, the clamping block 19 can make a compound motion of rotation-translation-re-rotation, thereby realizing the hooking, unlocking, and clamping of the rectangular electrical connector lug, and finally realizing the unlocking of the rectangular electrical connector hook, helping the astronaut to perform the insertion and removal operations of the rectangular electrical connector.

[0042] The above description of the embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A rectangular electrical connector plug tool for use by an astronaut outside a spacecraft, comprising: It includes a gripping assembly (1) and a clamping assembly (2), wherein the clamping assembly (2) is mounted on the gripping assembly (1) via a T-slot, and the gripping assembly (1) and the clamping assembly (2) are linearly slidably connected. The gripping component (1) includes a frame (3), a support slot (4) and a pull rod mechanism. The support slot (4) is installed on the frame (3) by fasteners. The pull rod mechanism is installed inside the frame (3) and can slide up and down inside the frame (3). The clamping assembly (2) includes a left clamping mechanism, a right clamping mechanism and a specification adjustment mechanism, wherein the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism are planar symmetrical structures; The lever mechanism includes a T-shaped rod (5), a return spring (6), an upper pull rod (7), a slider (8), and a lower pull rod (9). The T-shaped rod (5), the upper pull rod (7), the slider (8), and the lower pull rod (9) are assembled into a whole by fasteners. The return spring (6) is installed between the T-shaped rod (5) and the upper pull rod (7). Both the left and right clamping mechanisms include an indicator pin (15), a pull frame (16), a pull rod (17), a pin (18), and a clamping block (19). The pull rod (17), pin (18) and clamp (19) form a whole and can slide up and down inside the pull frame (16). The indicator needle (15) is installed on the pull frame (16) by fasteners. The lower end of the pull rod (17) is connected to the T-shaped rod (5) by a pin, and the upper end of the pull rod (17) is connected to the clamping block (19) by a pin. In addition to being connected to the pull rod (17) by a pin, the clamping block (19) is also connected to the pull frame (16) by two pins. The pin between the pull rod (17) and the clamping block (19) needs to pass through the straight groove on the pull frame (16), and at the same time, another pin on the clamping block (19) needs to pass through the curved groove on the pull frame (16). The straight groove and the curved groove... The shape and relative position of the linear groove determine the movement trajectory of the clamping block (19). When the pull rod (9) is gripped, the pull rod mechanism where the pull rod (9) is located will simultaneously drive the pull rod (17) inside the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism to make linear motion. Under the drive of the pull rod (17) and under the constraint of the two pins of the clamping block (19) in the linear groove and the curved groove, the clamping block (19) can make a compound motion of rotation-translation-re-rotation, thereby realizing the hooking, unlocking and clamping of the rectangular electrical connection ear.

2. The rectangular electrical connector plug field by an astronaut according to claim 1, wherein, The specification adjustment mechanism includes a bidirectional screw (10), an end cap (11), an extension rod (12), a cross handle (13), and a connecting nut (14).

3. The rectangular electrical connector plug field by an astronaut according to claim 2, wherein, The connecting nut (14) is installed on the left clamping mechanism and the right clamping mechanism, and a screw-nut connection is formed between the left clamping mechanism, the right clamping mechanism and the bidirectional screw (10).

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