Lever-assisted space camera ejection mechanism

Abstract

The present application relates to a dismounting tool, in particular to a lever-assisted space camera pulling-out mechanism, which is used to solve the problem that astronauts cannot easily pull out the space camera body to be replaced in orbit. The lever-assisted space camera pulling-out mechanism comprises at least one assisting structure group, each assisting structure group comprising a pulling block and two assisting structure units; the present application is characterized in that the short end of the lever and the pulling block are in sliding connection with the rear end cover of the camera, so that the arc-shaped movement of the lever is converted into relatively linear movement when the lever rotates, wherein the pushing out of the short end of the lever is achieved by pushing the first pushing block through the second pushing block which rotates, and the pulling out of the long end of the lever is achieved by the sliding connection between the long end of the lever and the pulling block; a relatively large force can be provided by manually pulling the pulling block outward, so that the space camera body can overcome the adsorption force, thereby facilitating the pulling out of the space camera body, and the movement process is stable and is not prone to the phenomenon of movement trajectory deviation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to disassembly tools, and more specifically to a lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] The space camera is expected to be replaced in orbit every 5 years. Replacement requires astronauts on the space station to exit the spacecraft and pull the old camera body out of the camera bay before replacing it with a new one. During this process, it is crucial to ensure precise alignment between the front light cone of the space camera body and the microporous plate of the cavity being installed. After installation, there is a strong suction force between the two, which makes it difficult for astronauts to remove the camera body during in-orbit replacement due to factors such as limited leverage, lack of gravity, and restricted movement in space. Therefore, an auxiliary removal mechanism needs to be designed into the external structure of the space camera.

[0003] Currently, there are no patents for assisted unplugging mechanisms used in space cameras, but their structure can be compared to purely mechanical mechanisms such as those used for power plugs, USB plugs, terminals, and power modules. Power plugs are widely used in various electrical devices to connect to a power source and supply power. When not in use, the plug connected to the socket is unplugged. However, sometimes the plug may become stuck and difficult to unplug due to factors such as an overly tight connection at the end of the plug or inconsistent specifications. The problem of unplugging USB plugs is similar.

[0004] Chinese patent CN216720415U discloses a power cord with an assisted pull-out mechanism. By pressing the buttons on both sides, the limiting mechanism is released from its limiting state, and the force stored in the spring causes the power plug to be pulled out. The disadvantage of this structure is that it is prone to jamming during use, and the lifespan and spring force of the spring are limited, which poses a high risk to the assisted pull-out process of space cameras.

[0005] Chinese patent CN213278556U discloses a power cord with an assisted pull-out mechanism. By pressing the drive block, the push rod slides out to push out the power plug. However, in the application scenario of space cameras, the disadvantage of this structure is that the assist effect is not obvious and it occupies a large space.

[0006] Chinese patent CN106507632A discloses an auxiliary pull-out mechanism for a terminal and power module. By pulling outwards to press the member, the assist mechanism rotates around a fixed axis, and the other end bulges on the terminal shell to pull out the terminal and power module. This structure utilizes the lever principle, but the terminal shell is subject to uneven force during the pull-out process, which can easily cause jamming. The U-shaped block connection at the axis instead of the fixed axis makes the axis unstable during the pull-out process.

[0007] Chinese patent CN105720426A discloses a USB plug with assisted pull-out function. This structure uses a drive rod rotating around a fixed axis, with the rod head moving along a slide groove to drive an assist head to push the socket, thus pulling out the USB plug. The advantages of this structure are its lightweight design and significant assist effect. However, due to the increased effort-saving effect, the structure has a larger capacity along the pull-out direction, and both the fixed axis and the lever are prone to damage. For the pull-out mechanism of a space camera, due to factors such as astronauts' limited mobility and harsh working environments, the designed assist structure should maximize its lightweight, stability, high safety index, and small size. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to address the inconvenience of astronauts being able to apply force to pull out the body of a space camera to be replaced while in orbit, and to provide a lever-assisted space camera pulling mechanism.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0010] A lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism is provided for extracting the space camera body from the space camera cabin, wherein the space camera body is provided with a rear camera cover corresponding to the opening end of the space camera cabin.

[0011] Its special features include: at least one auxiliary structure group located between the rear cover of the camera and the body of the space camera; each auxiliary structure group includes a pull block and two auxiliary structure units symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the pull block; each auxiliary structure unit includes a first push block, a pin, a lever and a second push block;

[0012] One end of the pull block passes through the rear end cover of the camera for pulling, and the other end is slidably connected to the rear end cover of the camera for moving the pull block in the direction of pulling out the space camera body;

[0013] The first push block is a triangular prism, and one side of the first push block is an inclined surface or an arc surface, serving as a rotation surface. The first push block is mounted on the space camera cabin and is slidably connected to the outer side of the space camera body. The pin is mounted on the rear end cover of the camera, and the lever is hinged to the pin. The short end of the lever is provided with a lever sliding groove parallel to the extension direction of the lever, and the long end is slidably connected to the end of the pull block located inside the space camera cabin, for rotating the long end of the lever around the pin. One end of the second push block is hinged to the rear end cover of the camera, and the other end is slidably connected to the lever sliding groove, for rotating the short end of the lever around the pin. The side of the second push block near the pin abuts against the rotation surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the pull block is provided with two auxiliary pull blocks symmetrically arranged on one end of the pull block inside the space camera cabin. Each auxiliary pull block has a pull block boss in the middle that connects to the sliding groove on the rear cover of the camera. Each auxiliary pull block has a pull block sliding groove at both the left and right ends.

[0015] Furthermore, each of the auxiliary pull blocks has a pull block sliding groove at both ends that is perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the space camera body, and the long end of the lever has two lever protrusions that are symmetrical along the extension direction of the lever and protrude along the perpendicular extension direction of the lever. The two lever protrusions are slidably connected to the two pull block sliding grooves on the same side of the two auxiliary pull blocks.

[0016] Furthermore, the second push block includes two push block units symmetrically arranged along the lever. One end of each push block unit is hinged to a fixed shaft on the rear cover of the camera, and the other end is provided with a push block protrusion. The two push block protrusions are slidably connected to the lever sliding groove. The sides of the two push block units near the pin are in close contact with the first push block.

[0017] Furthermore, the number of the assist structure groups is two.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes handles, with one end of each of the two pull blocks located outside the space camera cabin connected to the two ends of the handles respectively.

[0019] A space camera extraction mechanism with multiple lever structures assisting simultaneously was proposed, overcoming the uneven force distribution and easy damage of traditional assist structures.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0021] (1) This invention provides a lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism, comprising at least one assist structure group, each assist structure group including a pull block and two assist structure units. This invention overcomes the problems of uneven force distribution and easy damage to the lever structure in traditional assist structures. This invention uses the short end of the lever and the sliding connection between the pull block and the rear end cover of the camera to transform the arc-shaped motion of the lever rotation into a relatively linear motion. The extension of the short end of the lever is achieved by the rotating second push block pushing the first push block, and the pull of the long end of the lever is achieved by the sliding connection between the long end of the lever and the pull block. By manually pulling the pull block outward, a large force can be provided to overcome the suction force on the space camera body, thus facilitating extraction and ensuring stable movement without the risk of trajectory deviation. This invention overcomes the shortcomings of uneven force distribution and easy damage to the lever structure in traditional assist structures.

[0022] (2) In the lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism of the present invention, the pull block is slidably connected to the rear end cover of the camera through two corresponding auxiliary pull blocks, thereby ensuring the movement position and direction of the pull block and the smooth extraction of the space camera body; each auxiliary pull block is provided with a pull block sliding groove at both ends for sliding connection of the long end of the lever, so that the long end of the lever can be rotated around the pin by manually pulling the pull block outward.

[0023] (3) The present invention provides a lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism, which is provided with two assistance structure groups, a total of two pull blocks and four assistance structure units. The components of the lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism are compact. During the extraction process of the space camera body, the four ends simultaneously supply force to the space camera cabin. Individual assistance structure units are not easily damaged due to excessive force. At the same time, the extraction process is not prone to jamming or damage to the space camera body due to uniform force. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the space camera body in normal working condition according to an embodiment of the present invention (the rear end cover of the camera is not shown);

[0026] Figure 3 This is a planar cross-sectional view of one of the auxiliary structural units when the space camera body of the present invention is in normal working condition;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the space camera body in the completed assisted pull-out process according to an embodiment of the present invention (the rear end cover of the camera is not shown);

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary pull block in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a planar cross-sectional view of one of the assist structure units when the space camera body is in the assisted pull-out process completed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The reference numerals in the attached diagram are explained as follows: 01 - Space camera cabin; 02 - Space camera body; 03 - Camera rear end cap;

[0031] 1-Assist structure assembly; 2-Pull block; 3-First push block; 4-Pin; 5-Lever, 51-Lever sliding groove; 6-Second push block, 61-Pull block unit; 7-Auxiliary pull block, 71-Pull block boss, 72-Pull block sliding groove; 8-Handle. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments.

[0033] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The space camera body 02 is embedded in the space camera cabin 01, and the rear end cover 03 of the camera is fixedly installed on the space camera body 02 and corresponds to the opening end of the space camera cabin 01.

[0034] This invention discloses a lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism for extracting a space camera body 02 from a space camera cabin 01. The space camera body 02 is provided with a rear camera cover 03 corresponding to the opening end of the space camera cabin 01.

[0035] The lever-assisted space camera extraction mechanism includes two assist structure groups 1 located between the rear cover 03 of the camera and the body 02 of the space camera, as well as a handle 8. Compared with a single assist unit group, the two assist structure groups 1 have advantages such as less destructiveness and more uniform overall force distribution.

[0036] Each assist structure group 1 includes a pull block 2 and two assist structure units symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the pull block 2; each assist structure unit includes a first push block 3, a pin 4, a lever 5, and a second push block 6.

[0037] One end of the pull block 2 passes through the rear cover 03 of the camera, and the other end is provided with two auxiliary pull blocks 7 symmetrically arranged vertically along the pull block 2, such as... Figure 5 As shown. Each auxiliary pull block 7 has a pull block boss 71 in the middle that is connected to the slide groove on the rear cover 03 of the camera, which is used to move the pull block 2 along the pull-out direction of the space camera body 02. Each auxiliary pull block 7 has a pull block sliding groove 72 at both ends that is perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the space camera body 02.

[0038] The two pull blocks 2 are located at one end outside the space camera cabin 01 and are respectively connected to the two ends of the handle 8.

[0039] The first push block 3 is a right-angled triangular prism, and one of its sides is an arc surface, serving as a rotation surface; one of the two mutually perpendicular sides is located at the opening end of the space camera cabin 01, and the other is slidably connected to the outer side of the space camera body 02.

[0040] Pin 4 is mounted on the rear cover 03 of the camera. Lever 5 is hinged to pin 4. Lever sliding groove 51 parallel to the extension direction of lever 5 is provided on the short end of lever 5. Two lever protrusions symmetrical along the extension direction of lever 5 and protruding along the perpendicular extension direction of lever 5 are provided on the long end. The two lever protrusions are slidably connected to two pull block sliding grooves 72 on the same side of the two auxiliary pull blocks 7, which are used to make the long end of lever 5 rotate around pin 4.

[0041] The second push block 6 includes two push block units 61 symmetrically arranged along the lever 5. One end of each push block unit 61 is hinged to a fixed shaft on the rear cover 03 of the camera, and the other end is provided with a push block protrusion. The two push block protrusions are slidably connected to the lever sliding groove 51 to make the short end of the lever 5 rotate around the pin 4. The sides of the two push block units 61 near the pin 4 are in close contact with the rotating surface.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the space camera body 02 in normal working condition according to an embodiment of the present invention (the rear cover 03 of the camera is not shown). At this time, the space camera body 02 is in normal working condition and has not been pulled out from the space camera cabin 01.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a planar cross-sectional view of one of the auxiliary structural units when the space camera body 02 is in normal working condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lever 5 rotates around the pin 4. The lever sliding groove 51 at the short end of the lever 5 is slidably connected to the push block boss of the push block unit 61. The angle between the push block unit 61 and the pull-out direction is 7-8°. The sides of the two push block units 61 near the pin 4 are in close contact with the first push block 3 to ensure that the pushing surface of the first push block 3 does not protrude so as not to affect the normal embedding of the space camera body 02 into the space camera cabin 01. The two lever protrusions at the long end of the lever 5 are slidably connected to the two pull block sliding grooves 72 respectively. The pull block boss 71 of each auxiliary pull block 7 is slidably connected to the sliding groove on the rear cover 03 of the camera to ensure the movement position and movement direction of the pull block 2.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the space camera body 02 in the completed assisted pull-out process according to an embodiment of the present invention (the rear end cover 03 of the camera is not shown). At this time, the space camera body 02 overcomes the suction force and is initially pulled out from the space camera cabin 01.

[0045] Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, when the space camera body 02 is in the process of being pulled out with assistance, a planar cross-sectional view of one of the assistance structure units is shown. When the manual puller 8 is pulled outward, the pull block 2 and the auxiliary pull block 7 slide along the direction of pulling out the space camera body 02. The lever protrusion at the long end of the lever 5 slides along the groove of the pull block 2 of the auxiliary pull block 7, so that the two levers 5 of one assistance structure group 1 move towards each other, causing the lever 5 to rotate clockwise around the pin 4. The push block protrusions of the two push block units 61 slide in the groove of the lever 5 at the corresponding short end of the lever 5, so that the second push block 6 rotates counterclockwise around its hinge end, thereby pushing the first push block 3 to press the opening end of the space camera cabin 01, thereby realizing the assisted pulling out of the space camera body 02.

Claims

1. A lever-assisted space camera pulling mechanism for pulling a space camera body (02) out of a space camera cabin (01), wherein the space camera body (02) is provided with a camera rear end cover (03) corresponding to an opening end of the space camera cabin (01); the mechanism comprises at least one assisting structure group (1) between the camera rear end cover (03) and the space camera body (02); each assisting structure group (1) comprises a pulling block (2) and two assisting structure units symmetrically arranged left and right along the pulling block (2); each assisting structure unit comprises a first pushing block (3), a pin (4), a lever (5) and a second pushing block (6); one end of the pulling block (2) penetrates through the camera rear end cover (03) for pulling, and the other end is in sliding connection with the camera rear end cover (03) for moving the pulling block (2) in a pulling direction of the space camera body (02); the first pushing block (3) is a triangular prism, one side of the first pushing block (3) is a bevel or an arc surface as a rotating surface; the first pushing block (3) is arranged on the space camera cabin (01) and in sliding connection with an outer side of the space camera body (02); the pin (4) is arranged on the camera rear end cover (03); the lever (5) is hinged to the pin (4); a lever sliding groove (51) parallel to an extension direction of the lever (5) is arranged on a short end of the lever (5); a long end of the lever (5) is in sliding connection with an end of the pulling block (2) inside the space camera cabin (01) for rotating the long end of the lever (5) around the pin (4); one end of the second pushing block (6) is hinged to the camera rear end cover (03), and the other end is in sliding connection with the lever sliding groove (51) for rotating the short end of the lever (5) around the pin (4); a side of the second pushing block (6) close to the pin (4) is in abutment with the rotating surface. characterized in that An end of the pulling block (2) inside the space camera cabin (01) is provided with two auxiliary pulling blocks (7) symmetrically arranged up and down along the pulling block (2); a pulling block boss (71) in the middle of each auxiliary pulling block (7) is in connection with a sliding groove on the camera rear end cover (03); and left and right ends of each auxiliary pulling block (7) are respectively provided with a pulling block sliding groove (72). Two ends of each auxiliary pulling block (7) are provided with pulling block sliding grooves (72) perpendicular to the pulling direction of the space camera body (02); a long end of the lever (5) is provided with two lever bosses symmetrically arranged along an extension direction of the lever (5) and protruding along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lever (5); and the two lever bosses are respectively in sliding connection with two pulling block sliding grooves (72) on the same side of the two auxiliary pulling blocks (7). The second pushing block (6) comprises two pushing block units (61) symmetrically arranged up and down along the lever (5); one end of each pushing block unit (61) is hinged to a fixed shaft on the camera rear end cover (03), and the other end is provided with a pushing block boss; two pushing block bosses are in sliding connection with the lever sliding groove (51); and sides of the two pushing block units (61) close to the pin (4) are in close contact with the first pushing block (3).

2. A lever-assisted space camera ejection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the assisting structure groups (1) is two.

3. A lever-assisted space camera ejection mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: ​ 4. A lever-assisted space camera ejection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: ​ 5. A lever-assisted space camera ejection mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: ​ 6. A lever-assisted space camera ejection mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also include a handle (8), two said pull block (2) in space camera cabin (01) outside one end of the handle (8) are respectively connected to both ends.

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