Multifunctional variable-size interface for on-orbit assembly and maintenance of modular facilities

Abstract

The invention discloses a multifunctional variable-size interface for on-orbit assembly and maintenance of modular facilities, and belongs to the technical field of aerospace. The upper cover plate and the fixed base are connected through a bottom supporting structure and a top supporting structure to form a circular cavity structure, the driving ring is in driving connection with the pin ring and can drive the pin ring to move up and down, the pin ring is used for achieving alignment positioning of a connector, and the driving ring and the fixed ring are matched through the coupling pin to drive the coupling ring to move up and down. The coupling ring is used for achieving the mechanical locking function of the interface, the lower end of the rotating base is in driving connection with the driving ring, the upper end of the rotating base penetrates through the fixing ring and is connected with the electric heating assemblies, and the driving ring drives the electric heating assemblies to move up and down through the rotating base. The electric heating assembly is used for being matched with the opposite-side interface to achieve the functions of data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange. The interface provided by the invention has the functions of mechanical locking, data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange at the same time, and can meet the on-orbit working requirement of a modular space structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of aerospace technology, and in particular relates to a multifunctional variable-size interface for on-orbit assembly and maintenance of modular facilities. Background Art

[0002] With the development of aerospace and other related technology fields, the depth of space exploration continues to increase, and the demand for the caliber of large space facilities such as space telescopes and space solar power stations has also increased. However, due to factors such as the caliber, carrying capacity and processing capacity of the fairing of existing spacecraft, it is impossible to directly process on the ground and then launch it into space in one go to deploy the required large-caliber space facilities in the corresponding orbit. Therefore, a reasonable decomposition design method is adopted to design large-caliber space facilities into modular structures of the same size, and to launch them in batches by carrier rockets and then assemble them in orbit, which has become a development direction.

[0003] In order to achieve the connection of each module and make it function as a whole, it is necessary to install locking interfaces on different modules. Considering the on-orbit working environment of large-caliber space facilities, the interface between modules (hereinafter referred to as the interface) not only needs to have basic mechanical locking functions to connect each module tightly as a whole, but also needs to be able to realize the functions of data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange between modules, so as to facilitate the management and control of large-caliber space facilities. In addition, since large-caliber space facilities are usually assembled from multiple modules, in order to extend the on-orbit service period as much as possible and prevent the failure of the entire space facility due to the failure of a single module, the interface also needs to have the characteristics of facilitating module replacement. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional variable-size interface for on-orbit assembly and maintenance of modular facilities, which can realize mechanical locking, data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange functions.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] A multifunctional integrated interface for on-orbit assembly of modular space facilities, comprising a drive ring, a coupling ring, a fixing ring, a bottom support structure, an upper cover plate, a compression spring pin, a digital electric heating component, a pin ring, a rotating base and a fixing base;

[0007] The upper cover plate and the fixed base are connected by a bottom support structure and a top support structure to form a circular cavity structure. The fixing ring, coupling ring, driving ring and pin ring are sequentially installed from inside to outside and arranged in the circular cavity structure.

[0008] The driving ring is connected to the pin ring and can drive the pin ring to move up and down. The pin ring is used to realize the alignment and positioning of the interface. The driving ring and the fixed ring can drive the coupling ring to move up and down through the coupling pin. The coupling ring is used to realize the mechanical locking function of the interface. The lower end of the rotating base is connected to the driving ring, and the upper end of the rotating base passes through the fixed ring and is connected to several electric heating components. The driving ring drives the several electric heating components to move up and down through the rotating base. The several electric heating components are used to cooperate with the opposite side interface to realize data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange functions.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0010] 1. Complete functions: The interface of the present invention has the functions of mechanical locking, data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange, and can meet the requirements of information exchange, state perception and temperature maintenance of large space facilities working in orbit.

[0011] 2. Simple control: The interface of the present invention adopts a single motor multi-step extension and retraction method. It only needs to control a single motor to drive the rotation of the internal drive ring to complete the pin-hole plug-in, end face extension, lock hook locking and docking of several electric heating components, thereby realizing all the functions of the interface.

[0012] 3. Simplified structure: The interface of the present invention is designed as a hermaphroditic structure, which can be used as an active end and a passive end at the same time, and all functions can be realized only through the movement of the active end.

[0013] 4. Functional redundancy: The overall structure of the interface of the present invention is designed to be 90° rotationally symmetrical, which greatly increases the functional redundancy and ensures that the rest of the interface can work normally and stably when a single part fails.

[0014] 5. Variable size, easy to replace modules: The interface of the present invention is designed as a cylindrical structure. During the locking process, the interface end surface extends outward (the appearance size of the cylindrical structure becomes larger), and the opposite side interface adopts a flat fit. After unlocking, the interface end surface shrinks to the initial movement position (the appearance size of the cylindrical structure becomes smaller), and the extended structure used to realize various functions retracts into the cylinder. There is no structural intersection or meshing between adjacent interfaces, leaving operating space for module replacement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the drive ring structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the fixing ring structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electric heating component of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotating base of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the motion of the coupling pin of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the coupling pin self-locking of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of motion transmission of the interface of the present invention in an unlocked state;

[0023] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the locking state of the interface of the present invention as an active end;

[0024] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram for replacing a faulty module;

[0025] Among them: 11, driving ring; 111, driving gear; 112, driving ring outer groove line; 113, driving ring inner groove line; 114, driving ring top lock hook; 115, outer gear; 12, coupling ring; 121, coupling hole; 122, top lock hook; 13, coupling pin; 14, fixing ring; 141, fixing hole; 142, groove line; 143, positioning hole one; 15, bottom support structure; 151, vertical groove line; 152, bolt hole one; 153, vertical groove line; 154, positioning hole eight; 16, upper cover; 161, bolt hole two; 162, positioning hole two; 163, tapered hole; 164, positioning hole seven; 17, compression spring pin; 18, digital electric heating component; 181, positioning hole three; 182, rolling bearing; 1 83. Annular thin plate; 184. Heat exchange interface; 185. Bolt; 186. Circuit board; 187. Contact plug; 19. Pin ring; 191. Positioning pin; 192. Inner guide pin; 193. Positioning hole four; 194. Outer guide pin; 195. Cylindrical boss; 20. Rotating base; 201. Internal gear; 202. Annular groove; 203. Slope; 204. Step; 205. Cylindrical boss; 21. Fixed base; 211. Positioning hole five; 212. Bolt hole three; 213. Center hole; 22. Connecting bolt; 23. Top support structure; 231. Inner guide pin; 232. Positioning hole six; 24. Tensile spring pin; 30. Space module structure; 31. Space; 32. Locking interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to better understand the purpose, structure and function of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The interface structure of the present invention is as follows Figure 1 As shown, it mainly includes a driving ring 11, a coupling ring 12, a coupling pin 13, a fixing ring 14, a bottom supporting structure 15, an upper cover plate 16, a compression spring pin 17, a number of electric heating components 18, a pin ring 19, a rotating base 20, a fixing base 21, a connecting bolt 22, a top supporting structure 23, and a tension spring pin 24.

[0028] The upper cover plate 16 and the fixed base 21 are connected by the bottom support structure 15 and the top support structure 23 to form a circular cavity structure. The fixed ring 14, the coupling ring 12, the driving ring 11 and the pin ring 19 are sequentially mounted from the inside to the outside and arranged in the circular cavity structure.

[0029] The driving ring 11 is drivingly connected to the pin ring 19 and can drive the pin ring 19 to move up and down. The pin ring 19 is used to realize the alignment and positioning of the interface. The driving ring 11 and the fixed ring 14 can drive the coupling ring 12 to move up and down through the coupling pin 13. The coupling ring 12 is used to realize the mechanical locking function of the interface. The lower end of the rotating base 20 is drivingly connected to the driving ring 11, and the upper end of the rotating base 20 passes through the fixed ring 14 and is connected to a number of electric heating components 18. The driving ring 11 drives the number of electric heating components 18 to move up and down through the rotating base 20. The number of electric heating components 18 are used to cooperate with the opposite side interface to realize data transmission, power transfer and heat exchange functions.

[0030] The structure of the drive ring 11 is as follows: Figure 2 The overall structure of the driving ring 11 is cylindrical, with a driving gear 111 and three driving ring outer grooves 112 on its outer wall, three driving ring inner grooves 113 on its inner wall, an outer gear 115 on the bottom, and four driving ring top lock hooks 114 on the top;

[0031] The structural dimensions of the drive ring outer groove line 112 and the drive ring inner groove line 113 meet the basic principle of cylindrical cam. Among them, the drive gear 111 meshes with the external motor to realize the power input of the interface; the drive ring outer groove line 112 cooperates with the inner guide pin 192 of the pin ring 19 to drive the pin ring 19 to move; the drive ring inner groove line 113 cooperates with the coupling ring 12 through the coupling pin 13 to drive the coupling pin 13 and the coupling ring 12 to move; the outer gear 115 meshes with the inner gear 201 of the rotating base 20 (such as Figure 5 As shown), driving the rotating base 20 to achieve rotational motion;

[0032] In order to realize the hermaphroditic structure of the interface, the top locking hook 114 of the driving ring 11 and the top locking hook 122 of the coupling ring 12 are designed; when the interface is used as the active end, the top locking hook 122 is interlocked with the top locking hook 114 of the driving ring of the opposite interface; when the interface is used as the passive end, the top locking hook 114 of the driving ring is interlocked with the coupling ring locking hook of the opposite interface.

[0033] The overall structure of the coupling ring 12 is cylindrical, mainly including three coupling holes 121 at the bottom and four top locking hooks 122. Among them, the coupling hole 121 is used to fix the coupling pin 13, and the coupling ring 12 realizes the rotation and extension function under the action of the coupling pin 13 and the inner groove line 113 of the driving ring; if the interface acts as the active end, the top locking hook 122 needs to cooperate with the top locking hook 114 of the driving ring at the passive end to realize the locking function of the interface.

[0034] The coupling pin 13 is a cylindrical structure, and its two ends are respectively connected to the inner groove line 113 of the driving ring and the fixing ring 14 ( Figure 3 The groove line 142 of the drive ring can cooperate with the groove line 113 in the drive ring and the groove line 142 to realize rotation and translation movement. Since the middle part is located in the coupling hole 121 of the coupling ring 12, the coupling ring 12 is driven to move at the same time during the movement of the coupling pin 13.

[0035] The overall structure of the fixing ring 14 is cylindrical ( Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first embodiment mainly includes three fixing holes 141 at the bottom, three grooves 142 at the middle, and three positioning holes 143 at the top. The fixing holes 141 are connected to the bolt holes 212 of the fixing base 21 through the connecting bolts 22, so as to fix the fixing ring 14 itself; the grooves 142 cooperate with the grooves 113 in the driving ring, so that the coupling pin 13 can rotate and translate at the same time; the positioning holes 143 are connected to the electric heating components 18 through the compression spring pins 17, so as to limit the movement displacement of the electric heating components 18.

[0036] The schematic diagram of the principle that the groove line 142 of the fixed ring 14 cooperates with the groove line 113 in the driving ring to make the coupling pin 13 rotate and translate is shown in FIG. Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown. Since the structural dimensions of the groove line 142 and the groove line 113 in the drive ring meet the principle of spatial cam, during the locking process of the interface, the groove line 142 is fixed and the groove line 113 in the drive ring rotates in a given direction (the rotation direction during the locking process is shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown by the black arrow in the figure, the rotation direction of the unlocking process is opposite to that shown by the black arrow), the coupling pin 13 realizes rotation and translation motion under the combined action of the coupling force, and drives the coupling ring 12 to rotate outward to realize the locking function of the top lock hook 122. After the inner groove line 113 of the driving ring moves a certain angle in the rotation direction, the coupling pin 13 moves to the end position ( Figure 7 As shown), at this time, under the joint action of the groove line 142 and the groove line 113 in the driving ring, the coupling pin 13 meets the self-locking condition, and the interface remains locked. The locking state of the interface in the present invention as the active end is as follows Fig. 9, the pin ring 19 is fitted with the upper cover plate 16. At this time, the positioning pin 191, the top lock hook 122 and the number of electric heating components 18 are all in an extended state, and cooperate with the tapered hole of the opposite side interface, the drive ring lock hook and the number of electric heating components respectively, to achieve mechanical locking, data exchange, power transmission and heat transfer functions between modules.

[0037] The support structure 15 is composed of three independent arc-shaped plates, each of which is provided with an inner vertical groove line 151, a bolt hole 152 located on the bottom surface, a positioning hole 8 154 located on the top surface, and a vertical groove line 153 on the outer side surface. Among them, the vertical groove line 151 cooperates with the outer guide pin 194 of the pin ring 19, so that the pin ring 19 can only move up and down during the movement; the bolt hole 152 cooperates with the positioning hole 5 211 of the fixed base 21, and is connected by the connecting bolt 22 to achieve its own fixing and supporting function. The positioning hole 8 154 is connected to the upper cover plate 16 through the tension spring pin 24, which is used to limit the movement of the upper cover plate 16 and keep it stable; the outer vertical groove line 153 cooperates with the inner guide pin 231 of the top support structure 23, so that the top support structure 23 moves up and down. In order to reduce the overall mass of the interface, the bottom support structure 15 is designed as three independent arc-shaped plates, which is convenient for processing and manufacturing.

[0038] The overall structure of the upper cover plate 16 is an annular thin plate, which mainly includes bolt hole 2 161, positioning hole 7 164, two positioning holes 2 162, and two tapered holes 163. Among them, bolt hole 2 161 cooperates with positioning hole 6 232 of the top support structure 23, and is connected by connecting bolts 22 to achieve self-fixation; positioning hole 2 162 allows positioning pin 191 to pass through to achieve the alignment function of the interface; in order to achieve the hermaphroditic structural design, when acting as a passive end interface, tapered hole 163 allows the positioning pin of the opposite active end interface to enter to achieve the alignment function of the interface. The design of a tapered structure can also increase the tolerance of the interface. Positioning hole 7 164 ( Figure 8 As shown) the upper cover plate 16 is connected and matched with the positioning hole eight 154 of the bottom support structure 15 by stretching the spring pin 24 to achieve self-stabilization of the upper cover plate 16.

[0039] The overall structure of the compression spring pin 17 is a cylinder, the spring is located in the middle, and the diameters of the two ends are slightly larger than the middle. The two ends of the compression spring pin 17 are respectively connected to the fixing ring 14 ( Figure 3 The positioning hole 143 and the number of electric heating components 18 (shown) on the top Figure 4 The positioning hole 3 181 shown in the figure allows the electric heating component 18 to move up and down when it is pushed by an external force. In addition, in order to maintain the stability of the electric heating component 18, the spring at the middle position of the compression spring pin 17 is always in a compressed state.

[0040] Before starting work, the digital electric heating component 18 is subjected to the force of the compression spring and will not shake up and down, which is conducive to maintaining stability; after unlocking, since the compression spring pin 17 is connected and fixed to the top positioning hole 143 of the fixing ring 14, the digital electric heating component 18 subjected to the force of the compression spring can return to the starting movement position through the cooperation of the rolling bearing 182 and the slope 203 and step 204 of the rotating base 20.

[0041] Number of electric heating components 18 ( Figure 4 The overall structure of the circuit board 186 is divided into three layers, upper, middle and lower, which are connected and fixed by bolts 185. The bottom layer is a cylindrical support structure with three positioning holes 181 and three rolling bearings 182 on the outside; the middle layer is an annular thin plate 183, which provides a fixing function for four heat exchange interfaces 184; the top layer is a circuit board 186 with four notches around it, which provides support for the contact plug 187. Similarly, the circuit board 186 is divided into four areas, two by two, to achieve data transmission and power transmission functions. The positioning hole 181 is connected to the fixing ring 14 ( Figure 3 The rolling bearing 182 cooperates with the positioning hole 143 at the top of the rotating base 20 (as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The slope 203 and the step 204 at the top of the heat exchanger 184 cooperate with each other, and the slope 203 allows the rolling bearing 182 to move up and down, and the step 204 is used to maintain the moving height of the rolling bearing 182, so as to realize the connection function between the electric heating component 18 and the opposite side interface; the heat exchange interface 184 is divided into two groups, and the interfaces in one group are divided into male interfaces and female interfaces, which cooperate with the opposite side interface to realize the heat exchange cycle and also have a redundant function; the contact plug 187 is also divided into male interfaces and female interfaces, which cooperate with the opposite side interface to realize data transmission and power transfer functions.

[0042] The overall structure of the pin ring 19 is a ring-shaped thin plate, which mainly includes two positioning pins 191, an inner guide pin 192, a positioning hole 193, an outer guide pin 194, and a cylindrical boss 195. Among them, the positioning pin 191 passes through the positioning hole 162 of the upper cover plate 16 and docks with the tapered hole of the upper cover plate of the opposite interface to achieve the alignment function of the interface; the inner guide pin 192 cooperates with the outer groove line 112 of the drive ring to achieve its own movement; the positioning hole 193 is to meet the hermaphroditic design of the interface. When acting as a passive end, it cooperates with the tapered hole 163 of the upper cover plate 16 to allow the positioning pin of the opposite interface to be inserted to achieve the alignment function; the outer guide pin 194 cooperates with the vertical groove line 151 of the bottom support structure 15, so that the pin ring 19 itself can only move up and down, and the cylindrical boss 195 is used to push the upper cover plate 16 to move, so as to achieve the variable size of the interface, and the height of the cylindrical boss 195 is less than the height of the positioning pin 191.

[0043] Rotating base 20( Figure 5The overall structure of the hollow thin plate is a hollow thin plate with a cylindrical boss 205 in the middle, an internal gear 201 is arranged on the upper surface of the hollow thin plate, three annular grooves 202 are opened around the boss on the hollow thin plate, and the top of the cylindrical boss 205 is a slope 203 and a step 204 together forming a step surface, wherein the internal gear 201 and the drive ring 11 ( Figure 2 The outer gear 115 at the bottom of the housing 200 is meshed with the outer gear 115 to realize its own rotation; the annular groove 202 allows the fixed base 21 and the fixed ring 14 to be connected by the connecting bolts 22; the ramp 203 is connected to the number of electric heating components 18 ( Figure 4 The rolling bearing 182 shown in the figure allows the rolling bearing 182 to slide along the slope 203, while driving the electric heating components 18 to move up and down; the step 204 cooperates with the rolling bearing 182 of the electric heating components 18 to maintain the rising height of the rolling bearing 182.

[0044] The overall structure of the fixed base 21 is an annular thin plate, mainly including positioning hole five 211, bolt hole three 212, and center hole 213. Among them, positioning hole five 211 cooperates with bolt hole one 152 of the bottom support structure 15, and is connected by connecting bolts 22 to achieve the fixing function of the bottom support structure 15; bolt hole three 212 cooperates with connecting bolts 22 to achieve the fixing function of the fixing ring 14; center hole 213 allows the internal circuit of the space module structure to cooperate with the digital electric heating component 18 to achieve data transmission, power transmission, and heat exchange functions between different space module structures through interfaces.

[0045] The connecting bolt 22 cooperates with the bolt hole 3 212 of the fixing base 21 and the fixing hole 141 of the fixing ring 14 to achieve the fixing effect of the fixing ring 14. At the same time, the connecting bolt 22 is also used to connect and fix the bolt hole 152 of the bottom support structure 15 with the bolt hole 2 161 of the upper cover plate 16 and the positioning hole 5 211 of the fixing base 21.

[0046] The overall structure of the top support structure 23 is three independent arc plates 2, each of which is provided with an inner guide pin 231 and a top positioning hole 6 232. The inner guide pin 231 cooperates with the vertical groove line 153 on the outer side of the bottom support structure 15, and can move up and down in the vertical groove line 153 under the push of the cylindrical boss 195; the positioning hole 6 232 cooperates with the bolt hole 2 161 of the upper cover plate 16, and is connected by the connecting bolt 22 to achieve its own fixing function.

[0047] The overall structure of the tension spring pin 24 is similar to that of the compression spring pin 17, both of which are cylindrical. The two ends of the tension spring pin 24 are respectively connected to the positioning holes 164 ( Figure 8 ), the positioning hole eight 154 of the bottom support structure 15 ( Figure 1) to allow the upper cover plate 16 to move up and down when pushed by external force. In addition, in order to maintain the stability of the upper cover plate 16, the spring in the middle of the tension spring pin 24 is always in a tensioned state. Figure 8 As shown), the upper cover plate 16 is subjected to the force of the tension spring and will not shake up and down, which is conducive to maintaining stability; during the unlocking process, since the tension spring pin 24 is connected to the bottom support structure 15 (always in a fixed state), the upper cover plate 16 subjected to the force of the tension spring can return to the starting movement position through the cooperation with the cylindrical boss 195, thereby realizing the end face contraction function of the interface.

[0048] Through the above analysis, it can be obtained that when the interface in the present invention is used as the active end, a single motor drives the driving ring 11 to rotate to achieve multiple telescopic motion chain transmission processes as follows: Figure 8 As shown ( Figure 8 The interface in the figure is in a non-working state, that is, closed state). The direction of the dotted arrow in the figure indicates the direction of motion transmission during the locking process. Fig. 9 As shown), the locating pin 191, the upper cover plate 16, the top locking hook 122 and the electric heating components 18 of the interface extend outward to cooperate with the corresponding structure of the opposite side interface, thereby completing the mechanical locking, end face extension, data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange functions required by the module interface.

[0049] The first motion chain: the positioning function of the positioning pin 191 and the upper cover plate 16 is realized (pin-hole plug-in). After the drive ring 11 rotates, the inner guide pin 192 and the outer guide pin 194 respectively cooperate with the outer groove line 112 of the drive ring and the vertical groove line 151 of the bottom support structure 15 to move up and down, and drive the pin ring 19 to move up and down. The positioning pin 191 fixed on the pin ring 19 gradually extends out of the positioning hole 162 of the upper cover plate 16, and plugs into the conical hole of the opposite interface to complete the positioning function of the interface. In addition, since the pin ring 19 has a cylindrical boss 195 of a certain height, after the pin ring 19 rises to a certain height, the cylindrical boss 195 contacts the upper cover plate 16 and pushes the upper cover plate 16 to move upward, realizing the outward extension function of the interface end face (the overall size of the connection interface becomes larger). Since the movement of the upper cover plate 16 is driven by the cylindrical boss 195 on the pin ring 19, the outward extension of the upper cover plate 16 and the positioning pin 191 is regarded as a motion chain.

[0050] The second kinematic chain: The mechanical locking function of the top lock hook 122 is realized (the lock hook rotates and extends). After the drive ring 11 rotates, the inner groove line 113 of the drive ring and the fixed ring groove line 142 ( Figure 3As shown in the figure, the coupling pin 13 is driven to realize the compound movement of rotation and extension, thereby driving the top lock hook 122 of the coupling ring 12 to rotate and extend, and cooperate with the drive ring lock hook of the opposite side interface to realize the locking function of the interface.

[0051] The third kinematic chain: the data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange functions of the electric heating components 18 are realized (the extension and docking of the electric heating components 18). After the driving ring 11 rotates, the outer gear 115 at the bottom is meshed with the inner gear 201 of the rotating base 20, driving the rotating base 20 to rotate, and then through the rotating base 20 ( Figure 5 The ramp 203 at the top of the electric heating component 18 pushes the rolling bearing 182 at the bottom of the electric heating component 18 to extend. After turning a certain angle, the step 204 cooperates with the rolling bearing 182 to maintain the extension height of the electric heating component 18, so as to achieve docking with the electric heating component at the opposite interface, thereby realizing the data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange functions of the interface.

[0052] A simplified schematic diagram of module replacement is shown below: Fig.10 As shown, it mainly includes a space module structure 30 (the hexagonal solid line represents the maximum size envelope of the hexagonal prism base of the space module), a locking interface 32 installed on the outside of the space module (a rectangular box filled with solid lines), and a blank space 31 between adjacent interfaces after the interface end faces are shrunk. The hexagonal space module with a shaded part located in the center is the module to be replaced.

[0053] Since the module to be replaced at the central position is connected to other surrounding module structures through the locking interface 32, when the locking interface 32 is in the locked state ( Fig.10 (a)), the module to be replaced cannot move in the XY plane; and the adjacent interfaces are flatly fitted, and when the module to be replaced moves in a direction perpendicular to the XY plane, the friction between the fitted planes will also affect the on-track working state of the adjacent module, and even cause the adjacent module to fail. Therefore, according to the interface working principle of the present invention, after the locking interface 32 of the module to be replaced is unlocked ( Fig.10(b) shows that due to the contraction of the interface end face, a blank action space 31 is formed between the interface and the adjacent module. Due to the action of installation tools such as space robots, the module to be replaced can be detached from the designated installation position without affecting the surrounding modules, and the space robot and other installation tools can complete the reinstallation of the normal module at this position, thereby realizing the replacement of the module to be replaced and the maintenance function of the large-caliber space facilities, so as to maintain the normal operation of the large-caliber space facilities. In order to realize the mechanical connection function between modules, the interface in the present invention first realizes the preliminary positioning between modules by pin-hole plug-in. After positioning is achieved, the locking hook used to complete the mechanical connection function is rotated and extended, and cooperates with the relevant structure of the interface on the opposite side to realize the mechanical locking between the modules. After locking is completed, the digital electric heating component 18 located in the center of the interface extends out to cooperate with the corresponding components of the interface on the opposite side to realize data transmission, power transmission and heat exchange functions.

[0054] In addition, the overall appearance of the interface is a cylindrical structure. While the initial positioning between modules is achieved through pin-hole plug-in, the interface end surface can be driven to extend outward and dock and lock with the opposite interface. The interfaces are flatly fitted. In order to facilitate the replacement of modules, after the docking interface with the adjacent module is unlocked, the interface end surface extending outward is retracted to the initial movement position, and the various parts of the mechanism used to achieve positioning, locking and docking of the number of electric heating components are retracted into the cylinder. There is no cross or meshing structure with the docking interface of the adjacent module, leaving movement space for replacement when the module fails or needs functional upgrades.

[0055] It is to be understood that the present invention is described by some embodiments, and it is known to those skilled in the art that various changes or equivalent substitutions may be made to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, under the teachings of the present invention, these features and embodiments may be modified to adapt to specific circumstances and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional variable-size interface for on-orbit assembly and maintenance of modular facilities, characterized by: It comprises a driving ring (11), a coupling ring (12), a fixing ring (14), a bottom supporting structure (15), an upper cover plate (16), a compression spring pin (17), a plurality of electric heating components (18), a pin ring (19), a rotating base (20) and a fixing base (21); The upper cover plate (16) and the fixed base (21) are connected by a bottom support structure (15) and a top support structure (23) to form a circular cavity structure, and the fixed ring (14), the coupling ring (12), the driving ring (11) and the pin ring (19) are sequentially mounted from the inside to the outside and arranged in the circular cavity structure. The driving ring (11) is drivingly connected to the pin ring (19) and can drive the pin ring (19) to move up and down. The pin ring (19) is used to realize the alignment and positioning of the interface. The driving ring (11) and the fixed ring (14) can drive the coupling ring (12) to move up and down through the coupling pin (13). The coupling ring (12) is used to realize the mechanical locking function of the interface. The lower end of the rotating base (20) is drivingly connected to the driving ring (11). The upper end of the rotating base (20) passes through the fixed ring (14) and is connected to a plurality of electric heating components (18). The driving ring (11) drives the plurality of electric heating components (18) to move up and down through the rotating base (20). The plurality of electric heating components (18) are used to cooperate with the opposite side interface to realize data transmission, power transfer and heat exchange functions.

2. A multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving ring (11) is a cylindrical structure, with a driving gear (111) and a driving ring outer groove (112) on its outer wall, a driving ring inner groove (113) on its inner wall, an outer gear (115) on its bottom, and a driving ring top locking hook (114) on its top; The drive ring (11) meshes with an external motor through a drive gear (111); the outer groove line (112) of the drive ring cooperates with an inner guide pin (192) of a pin ring (19); the inner groove line (113) of the drive ring cooperates with a coupling ring (12) through a coupling pin (13); the drive ring (11) meshes with an inner gear (201) of a rotating base (20) through an outer gear (115) at the bottom; a top locking hook (122) is provided at the top of the coupling ring (12); when the interface is used as an active end, the top locking hook (122) interlocks with a top locking hook (114) of the drive ring of the opposite interface; when the interface is used as a passive end, the top locking hook (114) of the drive ring interlocks with a coupling ring locking hook of the opposite interface.

3. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 2, characterized in that: The coupling ring (12) and the fixing ring (14) are both cylindrical structures, and the outer wall of the fixing ring (14) is provided with a groove line (142). The bottom of the coupling ring (12) is provided with a coupling hole (121). The coupling pin (13) passes through the coupling hole (121), and the two ends thereof are respectively matched with the inner groove line (113) of the driving ring (11) and the groove line (142) of the fixing ring (14).

4. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 3, characterized in that: The matching design of the groove line (142) of the fixing ring (14) and the groove line (113) in the driving ring satisfies the spatial cam principle, so that the coupling pin (13) can achieve a self-locking condition during the movement process, and the coupling pin (13) can achieve a rotational and translational composite movement.

5. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixing ring (14) is provided with a fixing hole (141) at the bottom and a positioning hole (143) at the top; the fixing hole (141) is connected to a bolt hole (212) of a fixing base (21) via a connecting bolt (22), and the positioning hole (143) is connected to a positioning hole (181) of a plurality of electric heating components (18) via a compression spring pin (17).

6. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pin ring (19) is an annular thin plate structure, an outer guide pin (194) is arranged on its outer circumferential surface, an inner guide pin (192) is arranged on its inner circumferential surface, and a positioning pin (191) and a cylindrical boss (195) are arranged at the outer edge of the upper surface; the pin ring (19) cooperates with a vertical groove line (151) arranged on the bottom support structure (15) through the outer guide pin (194); the track design of the outer groove line (112) of the driving ring conforms to the cylindrical cam principle; the inner guide pin (192) cooperates with the outer groove line (112) of the driving ring to realize the pin ring (19) to move up and down linearly, so that the positioning pin (191) can dock with the tapered hole of the opposite side interface; the cylindrical boss (195) is used to push the upper cover plate (16) to move, and the height of the cylindrical boss (195) is less than the height of the positioning pin (191).

7. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom support structure (15) is composed of three independent arc-shaped plates, each of which is provided with an inner vertical groove line (151), a bolt hole (152) located on the bottom surface, a positioning hole (154) located on the top surface, and a vertical groove line (153) on the outer side surface. The bolt hole one (152) is connected to the fixed base (21) through the connecting bolt (22), each positioning hole eight (154) is connected to the upper cover plate (16) through the tension spring pin (24), and the outer vertical groove line (153) cooperates with the inner guide pin (231) of the top support structure (23) to enable the top support structure (23) to move up and down; The top support structure (23) is composed of three independent arc-shaped plates (2), each of which is provided with an inner guide pin (231) and a positioning hole (232) at the top, and the positioning hole (232) is connected to the bolt hole (161) of the upper cover plate (16) through a connecting bolt (22).

8. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 7, characterized in that: The upper cover plate (16) is an annular thin plate, on which a second bolt hole (161), a second positioning hole (162) and a tapered hole (163) are arranged; the second bolt hole (161) of the upper cover plate (16) cooperates with the first bolt hole (152) of the bottom support structure (15) and is connected by a connecting bolt (22); the second positioning hole (162) allows the positioning pin (191) of the pin ring (19) to pass through, and the tapered hole (163) allows the positioning pin of the active end interface on the opposite side to enter.

9. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating base (20) is a hollow thin plate with a cylindrical boss (205) in the middle. An internal gear (201) is arranged on the upper surface of the hollow thin plate portion. Three annular grooves (202) are arranged around the cylindrical boss (205). The top of the cylindrical boss (205) is a slope (203) and a step (204) together form a step surface. The internal gear (201) is meshed with the external gear (115) at the bottom of the driving ring (11). The annular groove (202) allows the fixed base (21) and the fixed ring (14) to be connected via the connecting bolts (22); the ramp (203) cooperates with the rolling bearing (182) of the electric heating component (18), allowing the rolling bearing (182) to slide along the ramp (203) and simultaneously drive the electric heating component (18) to move up and down; the step (204) cooperates with the rolling bearing (182) of the electric heating component (18) to maintain the rising height of the rolling bearing (182).

10. The multifunctional variable-size interface for on-track assembly and maintenance of modular facilities according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electric heating assembly (18) comprises a bottom cylindrical support structure, a middle annular thin plate (183) and an upper circuit board (186), and the three are connected and fixed by bolts (185). A heat exchange interface (184) is provided on the annular thin plate (183), and the circuit board (186) provides support for the contact plug (187). The rolling bearing (182) and the positioning hole (181) are both provided on the outer circumferential surface of the support structure.

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