Elastic disc space vehicle ball joint and assembly protector and method of use

Abstract

This invention provides a protective device and method for a flexible disc-type spherical joint and its assembly used in spacecraft, relating to the field of protection during their use and turnover. The device includes a housing and a flexible disc, with the flexible disc and the spherical joint respectively connected within a connecting groove in the housing. When the housing is closed, the flexible disc is compressed towards the spherical joint, causing the end of the flexible disc to make close contact with the spherical joint. When the housing is opened, the flexible disc moves away from the spherical joint, separating the spherical joint from the protective device. This invention eliminates the problem of debris generation by having the flexible disc contact the end face of the spherical joint. The material hardness of the flexible disc is chosen to be lower than that of the spherical joint material, reducing damage to the end face of the spherical joint. The flexible disc is a hollow plastic part, integrally molded, possessing elasticity and compressibility, allowing it to move during the opening and closing of the housing, thus protecting the end face of the spherical joint.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of protection technology for spherical joints and spherical joint assemblies used and rotated in spacecraft, specifically to a protective device and method of use for spherical joints and assemblies of elastic disc spacecraft. Background Technology

[0002] The research and development of spacecraft involves complex assembly, testing, and turnover processes, during which ball joints and ball joint assemblies must be protected. Since spacecraft contain numerous ball joints and assemblies, and the sealing surfaces of these joints and assemblies are critical structures for sealing, scratches, deformation, and impact damage are unacceptable. Therefore, during the installation, testing, experimentation, and turnover stages of the spacecraft, these ball joints and assemblies must be protected to prevent damage to the sealing surfaces and to prevent foreign objects from entering the internal cavities of these components.

[0003] Currently, metal protective components are mostly used to protect the connector assembly. The metal protective components are connected to the protected component via threads. Since the protective components need to be disassembled and reassembled multiple times, damage to the threads and sealing surfaces of the protected component is inevitable. In addition, the threaded nature of the protective components requires tools such as wrenches to tighten, which is difficult to operate in the confined space inside the aircraft, and there is a risk of the tools damaging the product during operation.

[0004] A search of existing technologies revealed Chinese invention patent publication number CN109899371A, which discloses a connecting bolt protection device and a flange connection structure. The connecting bolt protection device includes a first protective block and a second protective block. The inner end face of the first protective block has a through hole corresponding to the connecting hole of a first plate-shaped connector, and it is positioned along the edge of the outer end face of the first plate-shaped connector. The inner end face of the second protective block has a through hole corresponding to the connecting hole of the second plate-shaped connector, and it is positioned along the edge of the outer end face of the second plate-shaped connector. Connecting bolts pass through and connect the first protective block, the first plate-shaped connector, the second plate-shaped connector, and the second protective block. The inner end face of the outer side of the first protective block and the inner end face of the outer side of the second protective block are tenon-jointed. The flange connection structure includes a first flange, a second flange, and several flange bolts connecting the first and second flanges. At least one of the flange bolts has a connecting bolt protection device. This device can prevent bolt fatigue failure, but it is not suitable for the protection of ball joints and components in the aerospace field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a protective device for a ball joint and components of a flexible disc-shaped spacecraft and a method for using it.

[0006] According to the present invention, a protective device for a ball joint and component of a flexible disc spacecraft includes a housing and a flexible disc, wherein the flexible disc is connected to a connecting groove in the housing and moves during the opening and closing of the housing.

[0007] When the outer shell is closed, it compresses the elastic disc and moves it toward the ball joint, so that the end of the elastic disc makes close contact with the ball joint.

[0008] When the housing is opened, the elastic disc moves away from the ball joint, causing the ball joint to separate from the protective device.

[0009] Preferably, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing is connected to the second housing via a hinge, and the elastic disc is connected to the connecting groove of the first housing.

[0010] Preferably, the second outer shell is provided with an inclined surface. When the first and second outer shells are closed, the inclined surface presses the elastic disc to move towards the spherical joint, so that the end of the elastic disc makes close contact with the spherical joint.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic disc includes an elastic element and a push rod, with the elastic element connected to the push rod;

[0012] When the first and second housings are opened, the compressed elastic element drives the elastic disc to move away from the ball joint, causing the ball joint to separate from the protective device.

[0013] Preferably, the push rod includes a disc and a central connecting rod, with the two discs connected by the central connecting rod, and the discs ensuring that the elastic disc and the outer casing always maintain coaxial movement.

[0014] Preferably, the first outer shell has a protrusion and the second outer shell has a groove, with the protrusion and the groove being adapted to each other.

[0015] Preferably, the outer shell is cylindrical, and one end of the outer shell has a notch.

[0016] Preferably, the elastic disc is a perforated plastic part.

[0017] Preferably, the material hardness of the elastic disc is less than that of the ball joint.

[0018] The present invention also provides a method for using a protective device for a ball joint and components of a flexible disc-type spacecraft, the specific operation steps of which are as follows:

[0019] S1. The first and second outer shells are in an open state, and the elastic disc is placed at the corresponding position on the first outer shell;

[0020] S2. Place the ball joint or component to be protected into the first housing and close the second housing; the inclined surface of the second housing pushes the elastic disc forward, and the end of the elastic disc contacts the end face of the ball joint to achieve a sealing and protection effect;

[0021] S3. After releasing the first and second outer shells, the compressed elastic disc rebounds and leaves the ball joint, thus separating the protective device from the ball joint and components.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] (1) The device of the present invention contacts the end face of the ball joint through the elastic disc, thereby eliminating the problem of debris generated by direct contact sealing with the sealing surface of the ball joint or contact sealing with the thread of the outer thread of the ball joint in the prior art.

[0024] (2) In this invention, the material hardness of the elastic disc is lower than that of the ball joint, which reduces the damage to the end face of the ball joint.

[0025] (3) The device of the present invention has a novel design. The elastic disc is a hollow plastic part, which is integrally formed by mold. It has elasticity and compression capacity, and can move during the opening and closing of the first shell and the second shell to protect the end face of the ball joint.

[0026] (4) The device of the present invention is simple to operate and has few parts, which further improves the ease of operation, durability and economy. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention with the ball joint placed inside the outer shell;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the elastic disc in this invention.

[0030] The numbers in the diagram are: 10-outer shell, 11-first outer shell, 12-second outer shell, 13-sloping surface, 14-groove, 15-bore, 16-hinge, 20-elastic disc, 21-elastic element, 22-top rod, 30-ball joint. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] According to the present invention, a protective device for a ball joint and components of a flexible disc-type spacecraft is provided, such as... Figure 1-2 As shown, it includes a housing 10 and an elastic disc 20. The elastic disc 20 and the ball joint 30 are respectively connected in the connecting groove of the housing 10. The elastic disc 20 moves during the opening and closing of the housing 10 to protect the end face of the ball joint 30.

[0034] The outer shell 10 is a cylindrical structure with a notch at one end, including a first outer shell 11, a second outer shell 12, an inclined surface 13, a groove 14, a protrusion 15, and a hinge 16. All components—first outer shell 11, second outer shell 12, inclined surface 13, groove 14, protrusion 15, and hinge 16—are made of resin and integrally molded. The first outer shell 11 is connected to the second outer shell 12 via the hinge 16, and the elastic disc 20 is connected to the connecting groove of the first outer shell 11. The groove 14 is located around the second outer shell 12, and the protrusion 15 is located around the first outer shell 11, with the protrusion 15 fitting into the groove 14. The second outer shell 12 has an inclined surface 13. When the first outer shell 11 and the second outer shell 12 are closed, the inclined surface 13 presses the elastic disc 20 towards the ball joint 30, causing the end of the elastic disc 20 to make close contact with the ball joint 30, thus protecting the ball joint and its components. The elastic disc 20 is a hollow plastic part, integrally molded, and possesses elasticity. The material hardness of the elastic disc 20 is less than that of the ball joint 30 to reduce damage to the ball joint 30. For example, when the ball joint 30 is made of metal, the material of the sliding pin of the elastic disc 20 is a plastic material with a lower hardness than metal. The elastic disc 20 includes an elastic element 21 and a push rod 22, with the elastic element 21 connected to the push rod 22. When the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are opened, the compressed elastic element 21 drives the elastic disc 20 to move away from the ball joint 30, causing the ball joint 30 to separate from the protective device. The push rod 22 includes a disc and a central connecting rod, with the two discs connected by the central connecting rod. The two discs have a guiding function, ensuring that the elastic disc 20 and the housing 10 always maintain coaxial movement, preventing scratches or damage to the sealing surface of the ball joint 30.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] The present invention also provides a method for using the protective device for the ball joint and components of the elastic disc spacecraft in Embodiment 1, the specific operation steps of which are as follows:

[0037] S1, the first outer shell 11 and the second outer shell 12 are in an open state, and the elastic disk 20 is placed at the corresponding position on the first outer shell 11;

[0038] S2, the ball joint 30 or component to be protected is placed into the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 is closed; the elastic disc 20 is pushed forward by the pressure of the inclined surface of the second housing 12, and the end of the elastic disc 20 contacts the end face of the ball joint 30 to achieve a sealing and protection effect;

[0039] S3, after the first outer shell 11 and the second outer shell 12 are released, the compressed elastic disc 20 rebounds and leaves the ball joint 30, thus separating the protective device from the ball joint 30 and the components.

[0040] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0041] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A protective device for a ball joint and assembly of a flexible disc-type spacecraft, characterized in that, It includes a housing (10) and an elastic disk (20), the elastic disk (20) being connected to the connecting groove of the housing (10), and the elastic disk (20) moving during the opening and closing of the housing (10); When the outer shell (10) is closed, it presses the elastic disc (20) to move toward the ball joint (30), so that the end of the elastic disc (20) makes close contact with the ball joint (30); When the outer casing (10) is opened, the elastic disc (20) moves away from the ball joint (30), causing the ball joint (30) to separate from the protective device; The outer casing (10) includes a first outer casing (11) and a second outer casing (12), the first outer casing (11) is connected to the second outer casing (12) by a hinge (16), and the elastic disk (20) is connected in the connecting groove of the first outer casing (11); The second outer shell (12) is provided with a slope (13). When the first outer shell (11) and the second outer shell (12) are closed, the slope (13) presses the elastic disk (20) to move toward the ball joint (30), so that the end of the elastic disk (20) is in close contact with the ball joint (30). The elastic disc (20) includes an elastic element (21) and a push rod (22), wherein the elastic element (21) is connected to the push rod (22); When the first housing (11) and the second housing (12) are opened, the compressed elastic element (21) drives the elastic disc (20) to move away from the ball joint (30), causing the ball joint (30) to separate from the protective device; The top rod (22) includes a disc and a central connecting rod. The two discs are connected by the central connecting rod. The discs ensure that the elastic disc (20) and the outer shell (10) always maintain coaxial movement. The first outer shell (11) is provided with a protrusion (15), and the second outer shell (12) is provided with a groove (14). The protrusion (15) and the groove (14) are adapted to be connected.

2. The protective device for the spherical joint and components of the elastic disc-type spacecraft according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer shell (10) is cylindrical, and one end of the outer shell (10) has a notch.

3. The protective device for the spherical joint and components of the elastic disc-type spacecraft according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic disc (20) is a hollowed-out plastic part.

4. The protective device for the spherical joint and components of the elastic disc-type spacecraft according to claim 3, characterized in that, The material hardness of the elastic disc (20) is less than that of the ball joint (30).

5. The method of using the protective device for the elastic disc-type spacecraft spherical joint and assembly according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The specific operating steps are as follows: S1, with the first outer shell (11) and the second outer shell (12) in an open state, the elastic disc (20) is placed at the corresponding position on the first outer shell (11); S2, the ball joint (30) or component to be protected is placed inside the first housing (11), and the second housing (12) is closed; the elastic disc (20) is pushed forward by the inclined surface of the second housing (12), and the end of the elastic disc (20) contacts the end face of the ball joint (30) to achieve a sealing and protection effect; S3, after releasing the first outer shell (11) and the second outer shell (12), the compressed elastic disc (20) rebounds and leaves the ball joint (30), thus separating the protective device from the ball joint (30) and the components.

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