Anti-twist flexible support structure for space optical instruments

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of flexible support, in particular to a torsion-resistant flexible support structure for space optical instruments, comprising: a support flexible joint, a first connecting seat, a second connecting seat, a first elastic diaphragm and a second elastic diaphragm; the two ends of the support flexible joint are connected with the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat respectively; the first elastic diaphragm is arranged between the support flexible joint and the first connecting seat; the second elastic diaphragm is arranged between the support flexible joint and the second connecting seat; the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm realize the torsion-resistant function through high rigidity in the respective planes, and realize the flexible support through low rigidity perpendicular to the planes. The present application has the advantages that, under the premise of guaranteeing the radial flexible support of the flexible support structure, the support flexible joint, the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm have the torsion-resistant performance, expand the use range of the flexible support structure, and meet more use requirements.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of flexible support, in particular to an anti-torsion flexible support structure for space optical instruments. BACKGROUND

[0002] Space optical instruments release the deformation of support structure caused by external force changes through flexure. The performance of flexure in use is generally two kinds:

[0003] One is a flexible support structure with multi-directional flexibility without anti-torsion performance. When the support structure is twisted, such flexure is prone to breakage. For example:

[0004] The patent for invention with the patent publication number CN103792645A and the publication date of May 14, 2014 discloses a flexible single-arm circumferentially distributed support structure, which is good in flexibility but poor in anti-torsion performance.

[0005] The patent for invention with the patent publication number CN102073123A and the publication date of May 25, 2011 discloses a support structure with radial unloading grooves, which is good in flexibility but poor in anti-torsion performance.

[0006] The other is a flexible structure with certain anti-torsion performance but only releasing deformation of the structure in a specified direction. For example:

[0007] The patent for invention with the patent publication number CN105259634A and the publication date of January 20, 2016 discloses a two-degree-of-freedom flexure structure in a whiffletree support structure of a large-aperture mirror, which has certain anti-torsion performance but only releases deformation of the structure in a specified direction. SUMMARY

[0008] Therefore, the present application aims to provide an anti-torsion flexible support structure for space optical instruments, which ensures the radial flexibility of the flexible support structure and has anti-torsion performance through the synergistic effect of the support flexure, the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the technical scheme of the present application is implemented as follows: a torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument, comprising: a support flexible joint, a first connecting seat, a second connecting seat, a first elastic diaphragm and a second elastic diaphragm; one end of the support flexible joint is connected with the first connecting seat, and the other end of the support flexible joint is connected with the second connecting seat; the first elastic diaphragm is arranged between the support flexible joint and the first connecting seat and connected with the support flexible joint and the first connecting seat; the second elastic diaphragm is arranged between the support flexible joint and the second connecting seat and connected with the support flexible joint and the second connecting seat; the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm realize the torsion-resistant function through high rigidity in the respective planes and realize the flexible support through low rigidity perpendicular to the planes.

[0010] Further, the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat are structurally identical; the first connecting seat comprises a first flexible joint sleeve and a first adapter plate, and the first flexible joint sleeve is detachably connected with the first adapter plate; the second connecting seat comprises a second flexible joint sleeve and a second adapter plate, and the second flexible joint sleeve is detachably connected with the second adapter plate.

[0011] Further, the support flexible joint comprises a flexible shaft, a connecting plate and two connecting flanges; the two ends of the flexible shaft are respectively connected with the two connecting flanges; the connecting plate is sleeved outside the flexible shaft; one of the two connecting flanges is located in the first flexible joint sleeve and detachably connected with the first adapter plate; the other of the two connecting flanges is located in the second flexible joint sleeve and detachably connected with the second adapter plate.

[0012] Further, the support flexible joint is integrally processed and formed.

[0013] Further, the material of the support flexible joint is titanium alloy.

[0014] Further, the material of the support flexible joint is TC17 titanium alloy.

[0015] Further, the torsion-resistant flexible support structure further comprises a cushion block group, the cushion block group comprising three first cushion blocks, three second cushion blocks, three third cushion blocks and three fourth cushion blocks; the three first cushion blocks are arranged on one side of the first elastic diaphragm along the circumferential direction of the first elastic diaphragm; the three second cushion blocks are arranged on the other side of the first elastic diaphragm along the circumferential direction of the first elastic diaphragm; the three first cushion blocks and the three second cushion blocks are staggered in the circumferential direction of the first elastic diaphragm; the three third cushion blocks are arranged on one side of the second elastic diaphragm along the circumferential direction of the second elastic diaphragm; the three fourth cushion blocks are arranged on the other side of the second elastic diaphragm along the circumferential direction of the second elastic diaphragm; the three third cushion blocks and the three fourth cushion blocks are staggered in the circumferential direction of the second elastic diaphragm.

[0016] Further, the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm are both annular plate structures.

[0017] Further, the thickness of the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm is 2mm-3mm.

[0018] Further, the material of the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm is 65Mn.

[0019] The present application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0020] 1) The present application, through the synergistic effect of the supporting flexible joint, the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm, not only ensures the radial flexibility of the flexible support structure, but also has the anti-torsion performance. It not only expands the application range of the flexible support structure, but also meets more diversified use requirements.

[0021] 2) According to the actual work requirements, different sizes of the first elastic diaphragm, the second elastic diaphragm and different heights of the cushion block can be selected to optimize the adaptability of the supporting flexible joint. The flexibility of the anti-torsion flexible support structure is improved, and the use cost is reduced.

[0022] 3) The first elastic diaphragm, the second elastic diaphragm and the cushion block have simple structure and are arranged between the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat. The size can be adjusted according to the actual work requirements, so that the appearance of the anti-torsion flexible support structure is regular and compact, the demand for installation space is low, and the flexibility is high.

[0023] 4) Through the staggered three-point connection of the first elastic diaphragm, the connecting plate and the first flexible joint sleeve, and the staggered three-point connection of the second elastic diaphragm, the connecting plate and the second flexible joint sleeve, the supporting flexible joint realizes flexible deformation and radial fixation within 360° in the axial direction, so that the multi-directional flexible support structure has the anti-torsion performance, and the use range is further expanded. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present application, are used to provide further understanding of the present application, and the schematic embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application, and do not constitute improper limitations on the present application. In the drawings:

[0025] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an anti-torsion flexible support structure for a space optical instrument along its axis according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Fig. 2 is a structural schematic view of a first connecting seat according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Fig. 3 is a structural schematic view of a second connecting seat according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Fig. 4 is a structural schematic view of a supporting flexible joint according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] The figure marks include: 1. first connecting seat; 11. first flexible sleeve; 111. first sleeve body; 112. first sleeve connecting part; 12. first adapter plate; 2. supporting flexible joint; 21. flexible shaft; 22. connecting plate; 221. connecting part; 222. connecting body; 23. connecting flange; 3. second connecting seat; 31. second flexible sleeve; 311. second sleeve body; 312. second sleeve connecting part; 32. second adapter plate; 33. second sleeve connecting part; 4. first elastic diaphragm; 5. second elastic diaphragm; 6. first pad; 7. second pad; 8. third pad; 9. fourth pad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and the like are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined as "first", "second" and the like may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0034] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0035] like Figs. 1 to 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an anti-torsion flexible support structure for a space optical instrument, comprising: a first connecting seat 1, a supporting flexible joint 2, a second connecting seat 3, a first elastic diaphragm 4, a second elastic diaphragm 5 and a pad group.

[0036] The first connection base 1 and the second connection base 3 have the same structure. The first connection base 1 includes a first flexible sleeve 11 and a first adapter plate 12, which are connected to the first adapter plate 12 via bolts. The second connection base 3 includes a second flexible sleeve 31 and a second adapter plate 32, which are connected to the second adapter plate 32 via bolts.

[0037] The first flexible sleeve 11 includes a first sleeve body 111 and three first sleeve connecting portions 112. The three first sleeve connecting portions 112 are formed by radially outward extensions of the first sleeve body 111 and are evenly distributed. A first clearance space is formed between two adjacent first sleeve connecting portions 112, achieving a weight reduction effect.

[0038] The second flexible sleeve 31 includes a second sleeve body 311 and three second sleeve connecting portions 312. The three second sleeve connecting portions 312 are formed by radially outward extensions of the second sleeve body 311 and are evenly distributed. A second escape space is formed between adjacent second sleeve connecting portions 312, achieving a weight reduction effect.

[0039] In this embodiment, to facilitate assembly of the torsionally flexible support structure, the first flexible sleeve 11, first adapter plate 12, second flexible sleeve 31, and second adapter plate 32 are all independently machined and formed. The first connecting base 1 and the first flexible sleeve 11 are connected to the first adapter plate 12 via bolts. The second flexible sleeve 31 is connected to the second adapter plate 32 via a bolt.

[0040] The support flexure 2 includes a flexible shaft 21, a connecting plate 22, and two connecting flanges 23. The two ends of the flexible shaft 21 are connected to the two connecting flanges 23. The connecting plate 22 is sleeved onto the outside of the flexible shaft 21 and located in the middle of the flexible shaft 21. One connecting flange 23 is located within the first flexible sleeve 11 and is connected to the first adapter plate 12 via bolts. The other connecting flange 23 is located within the second flexible sleeve 31 and is connected to the second adapter plate 32 via bolts. The coaxiality between the flexible shaft 21 and the first and second flexible sleeves 11, 31 is 0.01 mm.

[0041] In this embodiment, the support flexible joint 2 is made of TC17 titanium alloy and is formed by one-piece processing. TC17 not only has high strength, but also has good toughness and corrosion resistance.

[0042] The connecting plate 22 comprises a connecting body 222 and three connecting portions 221 which are uniformly distributed and extend radially outward from the connecting body 222. An avoiding space is formed between two adjacent connecting portions 221, thereby achieving the effect of weight reduction. Specifically, the three connecting portions 221, the three first sleeve connecting portions 112 and the three second sleeve connecting portions 312 are staggered along the circumference of the support joint 2. The three first sleeve connecting portions 112 and the three second sleeve connecting portions 312 are arranged one by one along the circumference of the support joint 2.

[0043] The first elastic diaphragm 4 and the second elastic diaphragm 5 are both annular plates with a thickness of 2mm-3mm. The first elastic diaphragm 4 and the second elastic diaphragm 5 are sleeved on the outside of the flexible shaft 21 and are located on both sides of the connecting plate 22. Specifically, the first elastic diaphragm 4 is arranged between the connecting plate 22 and the first joint sleeve 11. The second elastic diaphragm 5 is arranged between the connecting plate 22 and the second joint sleeve 31. In this embodiment, the material of the two elastic diaphragms is 65Mn. The thickness of the first elastic diaphragm 4 and the second elastic diaphragm 5 is 2.5mm.

[0044] The cushion block set comprises three first cushion blocks 6, three second cushion blocks 7, three third cushion blocks 8 and three fourth cushion blocks 9.

[0045] The three first cushion blocks 6 are arranged between the first joint sleeve 11 and the first elastic diaphragm 4 along the circumference of the first elastic diaphragm 4 (one side of the first elastic diaphragm 4), and the first elastic diaphragm 4 is connected to the three first sleeve connecting portions 112 through the three first cushion blocks 6.

[0046] The three second cushion blocks 7 are arranged between the first elastic diaphragm 4 and the connecting plate 22 along the circumference of the first elastic diaphragm 4 (the other side of the first elastic diaphragm 4). The three first cushion blocks 6 and the three second cushion blocks 7 are staggered along the circumferential direction of the first elastic diaphragm 4.

[0047] The three third cushion blocks 8 are arranged between the connecting plate 22 and the second elastic diaphragm 5 along the circumference of the second elastic diaphragm 5 (one side of the second elastic diaphragm 5).

[0048] The bolts pass through the third cushion blocks 8, the connecting portions 221 and the second cushion blocks 7 in sequence to connect the second elastic diaphragm 5, the first elastic diaphragm 4 and the connecting plate 22 together.

[0049] The three fourth pads 9 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the second elastic diaphragm 5, between the second elastic diaphragm 5 and the second flexible sleeve 31 (on the other side of the second elastic diaphragm 5). The second elastic diaphragm 5 is connected to the three second sleeve connecting portions 312 via the three fourth pads 9. The three third pads 8 and the three fourth pads 9 are staggered along the circumference of the second elastic diaphragm 5.

[0050] The spacer block set is used to adjust the gaps between the first flexible sleeve 11 and the first elastic diaphragm 4, between the first elastic diaphragm 4 and the connecting plate 22, between the connecting plate 22 and the second elastic diaphragm 5, and between the second elastic diaphragm 5 and the second flexible sleeve 31. Spacers of different heights are used for adjustment according to actual working conditions.

[0051] The first elastic diaphragm 4, the connection portion 221, and the first flexible sleeve 11 utilize a three-point connection, while the second elastic diaphragm 5, the connection portion 221, and the second flexible sleeve 31 utilize a three-point connection. This three-point connection prevents excessive constraint on the first and second elastic diaphragms 4, 5, ensuring more uniform force distribution and avoiding localized stress concentration. Furthermore, through the staggered three-point connection between the first elastic diaphragm 4, the connection plate 22, and the first flexible sleeve 11, and the staggered three-point connection between the second elastic diaphragm 5, the connection plate 22, and the second flexible sleeve 31, the support flexible joint 2 achieves flexible deformation and radial fixation within a 360° axial range, thus providing the multi-directional flexible support structure with torsion resistance and further expanding its scope of application.

[0052] The first and second elastic diaphragms 4, 5 have high rigidity within their respective planes and are not susceptible to deformation. When the torsionally flexible support structure is subjected to a torsional force, the force is transmitted to the first and second elastic diaphragms 4, 5 through the support joints 2, causing them to undergo slight elastic deformation within their planes. Their high rigidity allows them to resist torsional forces and maintain structural stability.

[0053] At the same time, the first and second elastic diaphragms 4, 5 have low stiffness in the direction perpendicular to the plane (i.e., the thickness direction), making them susceptible to deformation. When the anti-torsion flexible support structure is subjected to a force perpendicular to the plane in which the first and second elastic diaphragms 4, 5 lie, the force is transmitted to the first and second elastic diaphragms 4, 5 via the support flexure 2, causing them to undergo significant elastic deformation in the vertical direction. This gives the anti-torsion flexible support structure greater radial flexibility, enabling it to adapt to changes in external loads and provide flexible support.

[0054] The above detailed description does not limit the scope of the application. Various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alternatives can be made to the detailed description. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement etc. made within the spirit and principle of the application shall be included in the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A torsion-resistant flexible support structure for space optical instruments, characterized in that: include: Supporting flexible joint, first connecting seat, second connecting seat, first elastic diaphragm, second elastic diaphragm and pad group; One end of the supporting flexible joint is connected to the first connecting seat, and the other end of the supporting flexible joint is connected to the second connecting seat; The first connecting seat and the second connecting seat have the same structure; the first connecting seat includes a first flexible sleeve and a first adapter plate; the second connecting seat includes a second flexible sleeve and a second adapter plate; The first flexible sleeve includes a first sleeve body and three first sleeve connecting portions; the three first sleeve connecting portions are formed by radially outward extension of the first sleeve body and are evenly distributed; The second flexible sleeve includes a second sleeve body and three second sleeve connecting portions; the three second sleeve connecting portions are formed by radially outward extension of the second sleeve body and are evenly distributed; The supporting flexible joint includes a flexible shaft, a connecting plate and two connecting flanges; the two ends of the flexible shaft are respectively connected to the two connecting flanges; the connecting plate is sleeved on the outside of the flexible shaft; wherein, one connecting flange is located in the first flexible joint sleeve and is detachably connected to the first adapter plate; the other connecting flange is located in the second flexible joint sleeve and is detachably connected to the second adapter plate; The connecting plate includes a connecting body and three connecting portions, wherein the three connecting portions are formed by radially extending outward from the connecting body and are evenly distributed; The three connecting portions, the three first sleeve connecting portions and the three second sleeve connecting portions are staggered along the circumferential direction of the supporting flexible joint; The first elastic diaphragm is arranged between the supporting flexible joint and the first connecting seat, and is connected to the supporting flexible joint and the first connecting seat; the second elastic diaphragm is arranged between the supporting flexible joint and the second connecting seat, and is connected to the supporting flexible joint and the second connecting seat; The first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm achieve anti-torsion function through high rigidity in their respective planes, and achieve flexible support through low rigidity perpendicular to the planes; The pad block group includes three first pad blocks, three second pad blocks, three third pad blocks and three fourth pad blocks; The three first pads are evenly distributed along the circumference of the first elastic diaphragm between the first flexible sleeve and the first elastic diaphragm; the first elastic diaphragm is connected to the three first sleeve connecting parts through the three first pads; The three second pads are evenly distributed along the circumference of the first elastic diaphragm and are arranged between the first elastic diaphragm and the connecting plate; the three first pads and the three second pads are staggered in the circumferential direction of the first elastic diaphragm; The three third pads are evenly distributed along the circumference of the second elastic diaphragm and are arranged between the connecting plate and the second elastic diaphragm; Bolts pass through the third pad, the connecting portion, and the second pad in sequence to connect the second elastic diaphragm, the first elastic diaphragm, and the connecting plate together; The three fourth pads are evenly distributed along the circumference of the second elastic diaphragm and between the second elastic diaphragm and the second flexible sleeve; the second elastic diaphragm is connected to the three second sleeve connecting parts through the three fourth pads; the three third pads and the three fourth pads are staggered in the circumferential direction of the second elastic diaphragm.

2. The torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first flexible sleeve is detachably connected to the first adapter plate; the second flexible sleeve is detachably connected to the second adapter plate.

3. The torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting flexible joint is integrally formed.

4. The torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the supporting flexible joint is titanium alloy.

5. The torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that: The material of the supporting flexible joint is TC17 titanium alloy.

6. The torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm are both annular plate structures.

7. The torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm are both 2 mm to 3 mm.

8. The torsion-resistant flexible support structure for a space optical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first elastic diaphragm and the second elastic diaphragm are both made of 65Mn.

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