A small size high reliability automatic light switch suitable for space environment

Abstract

The application relates to a small-size high-reliability automatic light switch suitable for a space environment and belongs to the field of light switches for space vehicles. The light switch is a key component of a micro-nano optical sensor for a spacecraft. The micro-nano optical sensor for the spacecraft has strict weight and size limits, and has extremely high requirements on the weight and the size of the light switch. In addition, the light switch is in a vacuum environment under the space environment, the working temperature range changes greatly, and the light switch cannot be maintained and replaced, so the reliability is also extremely high. The application provides the small-size high-reliability automatic light switch suitable for the space environment, the structure is simple, the size is small, the reliability is high, and the light switch is convenient to operate, so that the micro-nano optical sensor for the spacecraft is ensured to be used on an orbit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a small-sized, highly reliable automatic optical switch suitable for space environments, belonging to the field of optical switches for spacecraft. Background Technology

[0002] Micro-nano optical sensors used in spacecraft need to be used in orbit for extended periods. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage these sensors, necessitating the installation of optical switches for protection. Furthermore, spacecraft micro-nano optical sensors have strict weight and size limitations, placing extremely high demands on the weight and dimensions of the optical switches. In addition, the space environment exposes optical switches to a vacuum, resulting in drastically varying operating temperatures, and they cannot be repaired or replaced, thus requiring extremely high reliability.

[0003] Currently, there are two main types of variable aperture devices for adjusting the light flux entering a lens or for optical switching: variable stop and variable diaphragm. Existing automatically adjustable variable stops are driven by motors and gears, resulting in large size, complex structure, and significant weight. Meanwhile, manually adjustable variable stops, with their simpler structure and lighter weight, cannot meet the requirements of spacecraft applications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by this invention is to overcome the defects of existing technologies and design a small-sized, highly reliable automatic optical switch suitable for the space environment. It has a simple structure, small size, high reliability, and convenient operation, providing a guarantee for the on-orbit use of micro-nano optical sensors for spacecraft.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is:

[0006] A small-sized, lightweight automatic light switch suitable for space environments includes: a top cover, a main structure, a motor, a pinion, a slotted gear, and a light-blocking plate assembly;

[0007] In the light-blocking plate assembly, a small post and a corresponding post fixing structure are installed on the upper and lower surfaces of the light-blocking plate; the small posts on the lower surfaces of the three light-blocking plate assemblies are installed in the mounting holes of the main structure, and the slotted large gear presses on top of the light-blocking plate assembly; the small posts on the upper surfaces of the light-blocking plate assembly are installed into the three straight slots of the slotted large gear; the motor is installed on the main structure, and the small gear is installed on the motor output shaft and meshes with the slotted large gear; the upper cover plate is fixed at the top of the main structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the light-blocking sheet assembly is bonded using adhesive.

[0009] Furthermore, the dimensions of the top cover, main structure, and slotted large gear are designed to ensure that the gap in the thickness direction is much smaller than the height of the small column. This ensures that even if the adhesive layer fails after long-term use, the small column and the small column fixing structure will not have room to detach after the entire optical switch is installed.

[0010] Furthermore, a limiting structure is designed on the lower surface of the upper cover plate to restrict the rotation angle of the grooved large gear and prevent the small column from hitting the two ends of the straight groove of the grooved large gear, which would cause the small column to break during long-term use.

[0011] Furthermore, the length of the straight groove of the grooved large gear is slightly longer than the stroke of the small column, ensuring that the edge of the grooved large gear collides with the limiting structure of the upper cover plate, rather than the small column.

[0012] Furthermore, the light-blocking plates are crescent-shaped, with three light-blocking plates stacked in sequence. When closed, they do not leak light, and when open, they do not obstruct the field of view.

[0013] Furthermore, the three straight slots of the grooved gear are radially distributed, and the three straight slots coincide with the trajectory of the small column moving above the corresponding light-blocking plate assembly.

[0014] Furthermore, the motor will remain powered on for several seconds after being switched on.

[0015] Furthermore, the motor drives the small gear to rotate, which in turn drives the slotted large gear; the small post below the light-blocking plate assembly cooperates with the small hole in the main structure, and the straight groove on the slotted large gear drives the small post above the three light-blocking plate assemblies to move, so that the light-blocking plate assembly rotates around the small hole in the main structure, realizing the opening and closing of the light switch.

[0016] Furthermore, all parts are made of metal to adapt to the high radiation environment in space. The dimensions of the optical switch body, excluding the motor, are 52mm × 42mm × 7.9mm, and the weight including the motor is 20-40g depending on the materials used.

[0017] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0018] (1) The small-sized, high-reliability automatic optical switch of the present invention, suitable for space environments, is a key component of micro-nano optical sensors used in spacecraft. Compared with the prior art, the automatic optical switch of the present invention has a small size and light weight, meeting the strict size and weight requirements of micro-nano optical sensors used in spacecraft.

[0019] (2) The small-sized, high-reliability automatic optical switch described in this invention is suitable for space environments and possesses high reliability. Compared with existing technologies, the optical switch described in this invention can maintain high reliability for long-term on-orbit operation in vacuum environments, with extremely varying operating temperature ranges and where repair and replacement are not possible. Reliability verification tests are detailed in the specific implementation embodiments. This invention has a simple structure and is easy to operate, providing assurance for the on-orbit use of micro-nano optical sensors for spacecraft. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the light-blocking sheet assembly structure of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are schematic diagrams of a small-sized, high-reliability automatic optical switch structure suitable for space environments, as proposed in this invention, and a schematic diagram of the light-blocking plate assembly used in the optical switch. Figure 2 As shown, the present invention proposes a small-sized, high-reliability automatic optical switch suitable for space environments, comprising an upper cover plate 01, a main structure 02, a motor 03, a pinion 04, a slotted large gear 05, and a light-blocking plate assembly 06. The light-blocking plate assembly 06 includes a small post fixing structure 07, a light-blocking plate 08, and a small post 09.

[0024] In the light-blocking plate assembly 06, a small post 09 and a corresponding post fixing structure 07 are installed on the upper and lower surfaces of the light-blocking plate 08; the small posts 09 on the lower surfaces of the three light-blocking plate assemblies 06 are installed in the mounting holes of the main structure 02, the slotted gear 05 presses on the light-blocking plate assembly 06, and the small posts 09 on the upper surfaces of the light-blocking plate assembly 06 are installed into the three straight slots of the slotted gear 05; the motor 03 is installed on the main structure 02, the small gear 04 is installed on the output shaft of the motor 03 and meshes with the slotted gear 05; the upper cover plate 01 is fixed at the top of the main structure 02.

[0025] Furthermore, to prevent excessive stress on the small column 09 from causing cracking, the light-blocking plate assembly 06 did not use the riveting or interference fit commonly used in this type of structure, but instead used spacecraft-grade adhesive. Simultaneously, the dimensional design of the cover plate 01, main structure 02, and slotted gear 05 ensures that the gap in the thickness direction is much smaller than the height of the small column 09. This ensures that even after prolonged use and subsequent adhesive failure, the small column 09 and its fixing structure 07 have no space to detach, guaranteeing the optical switch function and improving structural reliability.

[0026] Furthermore, to ensure the complete opening and closing of the optical switch, the motor 03 remains energized for several seconds after the switch is turned on. To prevent the small column 09 from impacting the two ends of the straight groove of the grooved gear 05, which could lead to breakage of the small column 09 during long-term use, a limiting structure is designed on the lower surface of the upper cover plate 01 to restrict the rotation angle of the grooved gear 05. Simultaneously, the length of the straight groove of the grooved gear 05 is slightly longer than the stroke of the small column 09, ensuring that the edge of the grooved gear 05 collides with the limiting structure of the upper cover plate 01, rather than impacting the small column 09, thus improving the reliability of the structure.

[0027] Preferably, the light-blocking sheet 08 is crescent-shaped, and the three light-blocking sheets 08 are stacked in sequence. When closed, no light leaks out, and when open, they do not obstruct the field of view.

[0028] Preferably, the three straight grooves of the grooved large gear 05 are radially distributed, and the three straight grooves coincide with the trajectory of the small column 09 above the corresponding light-blocking plate assembly 06.

[0029] Preferably, motor 03 will remain powered on for several seconds after being switched on.

[0030] When the invention is in operation, the motor 03 drives the small gear 04 to rotate, and the small gear 04 in turn drives the slotted large gear 05; the small post 09 below the light-blocking plate assembly 06 cooperates with the small hole of the main structure 02, and the straight groove on the slotted large gear 05 drives the small post 09 above the three light-blocking plate assemblies 06 to move, so that the light-blocking plate assembly 06 rotates around the small hole of the main structure 02, realizing the opening and closing of the light switch.

[0031] All parts in this invention are made of metal to adapt to the high radiation environment in space. The dimensions of the optical switch body, excluding the motor, are 52mm × 42mm × 7.9mm, and the weight including the motor is 20-40g depending on the materials used.

[0032] Example:

[0033] To verify the reliability of the present invention, long-term running, high and low temperature cycling, sinusoidal vibration, random vibration and impact tests were conducted on it.

[0034] (1) Long-term running-in test

[0035] The optical switch opens and closes every 5 seconds. After 100 hours of operation, it has accumulated 72,000 opening and closing cycles without any abnormalities, far exceeding the number of opening and closing cycles required for 15 years of service in orbit.

[0036] (2) High and low temperature cycling test

[0037] The temperature was maintained at -40℃ for 8 hours, then increased to +70℃ and maintained for 8 hours, for a total of 2 cycles. During the temperature cycling, the optical switch turned on and off every 5 seconds. No abnormalities occurred during the break-in process, verifying that the invention can adapt to environmental conditions with extreme temperature changes.

[0038] (3) Sinusoidal vibration, random vibration, and impact tests

[0039] The experimental conditions are shown in Tables 1-3.

[0040] Table 1. Test conditions for sinusoidal vibration

[0041]

[0042] Table 2 Random Vibration Test Conditions

[0043]

[0044] Table 3 Impact Test Spectrum

[0045]

[0046] (4) Experimental Conclusion

[0047] The small-sized, high-reliability automatic optical switch described in this invention, suitable for space environments, can operate normally after long-term running, high and low temperature cycling, sinusoidal vibration, random vibration, and shock tests, proving that the optical switch described in this invention has high reliability in space environments. The verification results are shown in Table 4.

[0048] Table 4. Conclusions of Optical Switch Test Verification

[0049] Serial Number Experimental Project Test conditions result 1 Long-term break-in test 100 hours The break-in process was normal. 2 High and low temperature cycling test -40℃-+70℃ The break-in process was normal. 3 Sinusoidal vibration, random vibration, impact test See Tables 1-3 Normal operation before and after the test

[0050] The contents not described in detail in this specification are common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A small size lightweight automatic light switch suitable for space environment, characterized by include: Top cover (01), main structure (02), motor (03), pinion (04), slotted gear (05), and light-blocking plate assembly (06); In the light-blocking plate assembly (06), a small post (09) and a corresponding small post fixing structure (07) are installed on the upper and lower surfaces of the light-blocking plate (08); the small posts (09) on the lower surfaces of the three light-blocking plate assemblies (06) are installed in the mounting holes of the main structure (02), the slotted gear (05) is pressed on the light-blocking plate assembly (06), and the small posts (09) on the upper surface of the light-blocking plate assembly (06) are installed into the three straight slots of the slotted gear (05); the motor (03) is installed on the main structure (02), the small gear (04) is installed on the output shaft of the motor (03) and meshes with the slotted gear (05); the upper cover plate (01) is fixed at the top of the main structure (02).

2. A small-sized lightweight automatic light switch suitable for space environment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-blocking sheet assembly (06) is bonded with adhesive.

3. A small-sized lightweight automatic light switch suitable for space environment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dimensions of the top cover (01), main structure (02), and slotted gear (05) are designed to ensure that the gap in the thickness direction is much smaller than the height of the small column (09), so that even if the adhesive layer fails after long-term use after the entire optical switch is installed, the small column (09) and the small column fixing structure (07) have no space to detach.

4. A small-sized lightweight automatic light switch suitable for space environment according to claim 2, characterized in that: A limiting structure is designed on the lower surface of the upper cover plate (01) to limit the rotation angle of the grooved large gear (05) and prevent the small column (09) from hitting the two ends of the straight groove of the grooved large gear (05), which would cause the small column (09) to break during long-term use.

5. A small-sized, lightweight automatic optical switch suitable for space environments according to claim 4, characterized in that: The length of the straight groove of the grooved large gear (05) is slightly longer than the stroke of the small column (09), ensuring that the edge of the grooved large gear (05) collides with the limiting structure of the upper cover plate (01) instead of the small column (09).

6. A small-sized, lightweight automatic optical switch suitable for space environments according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light-blocking plate (08) is crescent-shaped. The three light-blocking plates (08) are stacked in sequence. When closed, no light leaks out, and when open, they do not block the field of view.

7. A small-sized, lightweight automatic optical switch suitable for space environments according to claim 6, characterized in that: The three straight slots of the grooved gear (05) are radially distributed, and the three straight slots coincide with the trajectory of the small column (09) above the corresponding light-blocking plate assembly (06).

8. A small-sized, lightweight automatic optical switch suitable for space environments according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motor (03) will remain powered on for several seconds after the switch is turned on.

9. A small-sized, lightweight automatic optical switch suitable for space environments according to claim 4, characterized in that: The motor (03) drives the small gear (04) to rotate, and the small gear (04) in turn drives the slotted large gear (05); the small post (09) below the light-blocking plate assembly (06) cooperates with the small hole of the main structure (02), and the straight groove on the slotted large gear (05) drives the small post (09) above the three light-blocking plate assemblies (06) to move, so that the light-blocking plate assembly (06) rotates around the small hole of the main structure (02) to realize the opening and closing of the light switch.

10. A small-sized, lightweight automatic optical switch suitable for space environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: All parts are made of metal to withstand the high radiation environment of space. The dimensions of the optical switch body, excluding the motor, are 52mm × 42mm × 7.9mm, and the weight including the motor is 20-40g depending on the materials used.

Images