A space flight outboard screw installation state detection tool

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of space flight outside screw installation state detection tools, belong to space flight vehicle astronaut outside operation maintenance field;Including handle, positioning detection component, in-place indication component, locking and unlocking component, casing, installation screw component.Use when astronaut grips handle and makes positioning detection component into installation screw component, by spring elastic force in installation screw component, in-place indication component will have three states of not extending completely, extending back, extending back not, respectively corresponding three states of screw completely tightened, not completely tightened / loosen, completely loosen.When tool detects completely loosened screw and locks, by operating locking and unlocking component, locking can be released, continue to detect next screw.This tool can greatly improve the efficiency and safety of astronaut operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of spacecraft external maintenance equipment design and relates to a tool for detecting the installation status of external screws in spacecraft. Background Technology

[0002] To ensure the stable and long-term operation of manned spacecraft, astronauts need to perform a large number of extravehicular activities, which involve many extravehicular products, and the maintenance and replacement of extravehicular equipment must be taken into consideration.

[0003] Considering the inconvenience of astronauts wearing spacesuits and weightlessness in the extravehicular environment, as well as the different installation methods of screws for various extravehicular equipment, many screws cannot be visually judged by astronauts to be installed or removed. Therefore, there are situations where screws are disassembled and reassembled multiple times when disassembling and assembling equipment, which seriously affects the efficiency and safety of astronauts' extravehicular work. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by this invention is to provide a tool for detecting the installation status of external spacecraft screws, which is adapted to the operational efficiency of astronauts wearing extravehicular spacesuits, assists astronauts in judging the status of operating screws, improves work efficiency, and avoids unnecessary accidents.

[0005] The solution of this invention is: a tool for detecting the installation status of external screws in aerospace cabins, the tool comprising a positioning detection component, a positioning indication component, and a locking / unlocking component; wherein:

[0006] The positioning and detection component matches the spacecraft's external mounting screw assembly, extending into the mounting screw assembly to locate the mounting screws.

[0007] The positioning indicator component, through the spring force in the mounting screw assembly, uses different mechanical states to correspond to three states of the screw: fully tightened, partially tightened, partially loosened, and fully loosened, thereby determining the screw's tightening status.

[0008] The locking and unlocking component locks the mechanical state of the positioning indicator component when the screw is detected to be fully tightened. After the detection is completed, the mechanical state of the positioning indicator component can be unlocked by manual operation.

[0009] Preferably, the mounting screw assembly includes a mounting screw, a screw spring, a device base, and a plug;

[0010] During installation, a screw and spring are installed in the equipment base. The screw is used to pass through the screw and spring and be screwed into the aircraft cabin structure to connect and fix the equipment to the cabin. The spring is pressed by the screw and the base. A plug is installed on the top of the screw to prevent the screw and spring from protruding and to ensure that the screw head always presses the spring.

[0011] Preferably, the positioning detection component includes a positioning cylinder and a detection rod;

[0012] The front end of the positioning cylinder and the detection rod extend into the plug, and the positioning cylinder end face fits into the plug end face to limit the movement.

[0013] Preferably, the positioning indicator assembly includes an indicator crank, an indicator shaft, and a housing;

[0014] The indicator shaft is mounted on the housing, and the indicator crank is initially hidden inside the housing. One end of the crank is connected to the detection rod. The direct movement of the detection rod drives the indicator crank to rotate along the indicator shaft, and the indicator crank extends out of the housing.

[0015] Preferably, the locking and unlocking assembly includes a locking hook, a short compression spring, a positioning block, a locking pivot, a long compression spring, and a pressing head;

[0016] The clavicle and locking pivot are mounted on the housing, with the locking hook portion located outside the housing; the positioning block is fixed on the detection rod and has a catch that matches the locking hook; the long compression spring is located below the positioning block and is fitted outside the detection rod; the pressing head is fixed in the middle of the detection rod and is used to press the long compression spring; one end of the short compression spring is mounted on the housing and the other end contacts the locking hook.

[0017] After the testing tool completes the test, the testing rod moves upward under the push of the screw spring, which drives the positioning block installed on it to move. After it reaches the position, the locking hook engages with the positioning block under the action of the short compression spring, so that the testing rod will not move downward, while keeping the indicator crank in the extended state.

[0018] After the tool is used, press the outer part of the locking hook housing to counteract the short spring force, release the locking hook from the positioning block, and the detection rod moves downward under the action of the long spring, rotating into the housing along with the indicator crank.

[0019] Preferably, the spring force of the screw spring is greater than that of the long compression spring.

[0020] Preferably, when the screw is fully tightened, the detection rod does not move under the action of the positioning sleeve, and the indicator crank does not move, thus completing the concealment within the housing.

[0021] Preferably, when the screw is partially tightened or partially loosened, the detection rod moves upward under the action of the screw spring, and the indicator crank extends. However, at this time, the travel of the detection rod is insufficient to lock the locking and unlocking components. When the tool leaves the screw, the detection rod moves downward again under the force of the long compression spring, driving the indicator crank back to the housing.

[0022] Preferably, the detection rod moves upward under the thrust of the screw spring and has the maximum stroke in the design state of the mounting screw. At this time, the detection rod rises to the highest position, and the detection rod drives the indicator crank to extend to the maximum position. At the same time, the detection rod drives the positioning block on the detection rod to move until the hook on the positioning block engages with the front part of the locking hook. At the same time, the locking hook locks the positioning block under the action of the short compression spring, so that the detection rod will not move downward after leaving the screw, thereby achieving the purpose of locking the mechanism.

[0023] Preferably, when the tool mechanism is locked and the next screw needs to be inspected, and unlocking is required, the locking and unlocking component hook is pressed to make the hook rotate around the locking shaft, overcoming the spring force of the short compression spring, the front end of the hook separates from the positioning block, the locking state is released, the clamping rod moves downward under the action of the long compression spring, and the indicator crank returns to the housing.

[0024] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0025] (1) In this invention, the astronaut grips the handle to operate the tool and inserts the head of the positioning and detection component into the mounting screw component. The detection is completed by the spring force, which does not require additional energy, reducing the size of the equipment and improving the operational reliability in the spacecraft environment.

[0026] (2) The present invention detects the screw installation status by indicating the state of the handle. There are three states: the handle does not extend, it cannot be locked after it extends, and it automatically locks after it extends. These correspond to three states: the screw is fully tightened, partially tightened or partially loosened, and fully loosened.

[0027] (3) In this invention, the indicator handle can be automatically locked after the tool is detected in place. The indicator handle will not spring back when the tool leaves the screw. At the same time, the indicator handle will only be locked after the screw is completely loosened, so as not to cause astronauts to misjudge. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the screw installation in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the detection tool in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the detection tool in an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state of the tool for detecting a completely loosened screw;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of using the detection tool in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking of the detection tool mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments.

[0034] To overcome the limitation that astronauts cannot currently determine the tightness or looseness of equipment mounting screws outside the spacecraft, this invention proposes an external screw installation status detection tool. This tool is primarily used for detecting the status of screws on external equipment and is also suitable for operation by astronauts wearing extravehicular activity (EVA) suits, thus improving the efficiency of extravehicular work.

[0035] This invention determines the screw installation status by detecting the relative position of the screws. To address this, the invention improves the screw installation method. During screw installation, a screw spring is installed in the equipment base. The spring is pressed against the screw and the base. A plug is installed above the screw to prevent the screw and spring from protruding and to ensure that the screw head always presses against the spring, guaranteeing that the spring provides elastic force to push the detection rod regardless of the screw's installation position. Figure 1 As shown.

[0036] The present invention provides an external screw installation status detection tool, which uses the spring force of the screw to push the detection rod and drive the internal mechanism of the tool to move.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the spacecraft external screw installation status detection tool includes a handle, a positioning detection component 2, a positioning indicator component 3, and a locking / unlocking component 4; wherein:

[0038] Positioning detection component 2, which matches the spacecraft external mounting screw assembly 6, extends into the mounting screw assembly to position the mounting screw;

[0039] The positioning indicator component 3, through the spring force in the mounting screw assembly, uses different mechanical states to correspond to three states of screws: fully tightened, partially tightened, partially loosened, and fully loosened, thereby determining the screw tightening status;

[0040] Locking and unlocking component 4 locks the mechanical state of positioning indicator component 3 when the screw is detected to be fully tightened. After the detection is completed, the mechanical state of positioning indicator component 3 can be unlocked by manual operation.

[0041] The mounting screw assembly is installed on the operating equipment. The astronaut grasps the tool handle to align the positioning detection component with the mounting screw assembly. The spring force of the screw in the mounting screw assembly pushes the positioning detection component to move, thereby driving the positioning indicator component to move to determine the screw installation and removal status.

[0042] The mounting screw assembly 6 includes a mounting screw 61, a screw spring 62, a device base 63, and a plug 64;

[0043] During installation, a screw and spring are installed in the equipment base. The screw 61 is used to pass through the screw and spring and be screwed into the aircraft cabin structure to achieve the connection and fixation between the equipment and the cabin. The spring is pressed by the screw and the base. A plug is installed on the top of the screw to prevent the screw and spring from protruding and to ensure that the screw head always presses the spring.

[0044] The positioning detection component 2 includes a positioning cylinder 21 and a detection rod 22;

[0045] The front end of the positioning cylinder 21 and the detection rod extend into the plug, and the positioning cylinder end face fits against the plug end face to limit the movement.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the positioning indicator assembly 3 includes an indicator crank 31, an indicator shaft 32, and a housing 5; the housing 5 is the main mounting carrier, and all tool parts are mounted on the housing.

[0047] The indicator shaft 32 is mounted on the housing 5. The indicator crank 31 is initially hidden inside the housing 5, with one end connected to the detection rod 22. Through the direct movement of the detection rod, the indicator crank 31 is driven to rotate along the indicator shaft 32, and the indicator crank 31 extends out of the housing 5.

[0048] The locking and unlocking assembly 4 includes a locking hook 41, a short compression spring 42, a positioning block 43, a locking pivot 44, a long compression spring 45, and a pressing head 23;

[0049] The clavicle 41 and locking pivot 44 are mounted on the housing, with the locking hook 41 part located outside the housing; the positioning block 43 is fixed on the detection rod and has a groove that matches the locking hook 41; the long compression spring 45 is located below the positioning block 43 and is sleeved on the outside of the detection rod; the pressing head 23 is fixed in the middle of the detection rod 22 and is used to press the long compression spring 45; one end of the short compression spring 42 is mounted on the housing and the other end contacts the locking hook 41.

[0050] After the testing tool completes the test, the testing rod 22 moves upward under the push of the screw spring 62, which drives the positioning block 43 installed on it to move. After it reaches the position, the locking hook 41 engages with the positioning block 43 under the force of the short compression spring 42, so that the testing rod 22 will not move downward, while keeping the indicator crank 31 in the extended state.

[0051] After the tool is used, by pressing the outer part of the locking hook 41 of the housing 5, the elastic force of the short compression spring 42 is counteracted, the locking hook 41 is released from the engagement with the positioning block 43, and the detection rod moves downward under the action of the long compression spring 45, rotating the indicator crank 31 into the housing 5.

[0052] The spring force of the screw spring is greater than that of the long compression spring.

[0053] like Figure 4As shown, during use, the front end of the positioning cylinder and the detection rod are inserted into the plug, and the positioning cylinder end face is fitted with the plug end face to limit the movement.

[0054] When the screw is fully tightened, the screw is limited by the plug and cannot transmit the spring force to the detection rod. The detection rod does not move under the action of the positioning sleeve, and at the same time the indicator crank 31 does not move, thus completing the concealment inside the housing 5.

[0055] When the screw is partially loose or partially tight, the screw contacts the detection rod, transmitting the screw spring force to the detection rod. Under the action of the screw spring, the detection rod moves upwards. This movement causes an indicator crank, connected at one end to the detection rod, to rotate around an indicator shaft, with the other end of the crank extending outside the housing. However, the stroke is insufficient to allow the locking / unlocking assembly 4 to function properly. When the tool detection rod leaves the screw, it moves downwards again under the force of the long compression spring, causing the indicator crank to return to the housing. Simultaneously, to ensure the detection rod moves upwards when in contact with the screw, the screw spring force must be greater than that of the long compression spring.

[0056] When the screw is fully loosened, the detection rod moves upward under the thrust of the screw spring 62, and has the maximum stroke under the screw installation design. At this time, the detection rod rises to the highest position, and the detection rod drives the indicator crank to extend to the maximum position. At the same time, the detection rod drives the positioning block on the detection rod to move until the hook on the positioning block engages with the front part of the locking hook. At the same time, the locking hook locks the positioning block under the action of the short compression spring, so that the detection rod will not move downward after leaving the screw, thereby achieving the purpose of locking the mechanism.

[0057] After the tool mechanism is locked, it needs to be unlocked before the next screw is inspected. To unlock, press the locking hook of the locking / unlocking assembly 4, causing the hook to rotate around the locking shaft. This overcomes the short spring force, separating the front end of the hook from the positioning block, releasing the locked state. The clamping rod moves downwards under the action of the long spring, causing the indicator crank 31 to return to the housing 5, thus releasing the tool from the locked state. Figure 5 As shown.

[0058] In this invention, the indicator handle can be automatically locked after the tool is detected in place, and the indicator handle will not spring back when the tool leaves the screw. At the same time, the indicator handle will only be locked after the screw is completely loosened, so as not to cause astronauts to misjudge.

[0059] In order to facilitate the use and operation of the tool by astronauts in orbit, a grip handle is provided on the top of the tool, which astronauts use to perform alignment and testing operations.

[0060] The aforementioned spacecraft external screw installation status detection tool uses a positioning indicator component to determine the screw installation status. When the positioning indicator component is not extended from the housing, the screw is fully tightened. When the positioning indicator component extends from the housing but the tool leaves the screw, the indicator component is submerged in the housing under the action of a long compression spring, at which point the screw is not fully tightened or is loosened. When the positioning indicator component extends from the housing and the tool leaves the screw, the indicator handle remains extended from the housing under the action of the locking and unlocking assembly, at which point the screw is fully loosened.

[0061] The aforementioned spacecraft external screw installation status detection tool, when it detects that a screw has been completely loosened, the indicator component extends out of the housing; when it is time to continue detecting the status of the next screw, the astronaut presses the locking and unlocking component to release the lock, and under the action of the long compression spring, the indicator component retracts into the housing, the tool returns to its initial state, and the next detection can be performed.

[0062] The aforementioned spacecraft cabin external screw installation status detection tool has a screw limiter installed inside the device, with a plug at the top to prevent the screw from coming out. When the screw is installed, it passes through the screw spring. The screw spring force is greater than the long compression spring force. The screw spring force drives the tool detection rod to move, thus completing the screw status detection.

Claims

1. A tool for detecting the installation status of external screws in a spacecraft cabin, characterized in that... Includes a positioning detection component (2), an arrival indication component (3), and a locking / unlocking component (4); wherein: The positioning detection component (2) matches the spacecraft external mounting screw assembly (6), penetrates into the mounting screw assembly, and positions the mounting screw; The positioning indicator component (3) uses the spring force in the mounting screw assembly to determine the screw tightening status by using different mechanical states to correspond to the three states of the screw being fully tightened, partially tightened, partially loosened, and fully loosened. Locking and unlocking component (4): When the screw is detected to be fully tightened, the mechanical state of the position indicator component (3) is locked. After the detection is completed, the mechanical state of the position indicator component (3) is unlocked by manual operation. The positioning indicator assembly (3) includes an indicator crank (31), an indicator shaft (32), and a housing (5); The indicator shaft (32) is mounted on the housing (5). The indicator crank (31) is initially hidden inside the housing (5), with one end connected to the detection rod (22). Through the direct movement of the detection rod, the indicator crank (31) is driven to rotate along the indicator shaft (32), and the indicator crank (31) extends out of the housing (5). The locking and unlocking assembly (4) includes a locking hook (41), a short compression spring (42), a positioning block (43), a locking pivot (44), a long compression spring (45), and a pressing head (23). The locking hook (41) and locking shaft (44) are installed on the housing, with the locking hook (41) part located outside the housing; the positioning block (43) is fixed on the detection rod and has a hook that matches the locking hook (41); the long compression spring (45) is located below the positioning block (43) and is sleeved on the outside of the detection rod; the pressing head (23) is fixed in the middle of the detection rod (22) and is used to press the long compression spring (45); one end of the short compression spring (42) is installed on the housing and the other end is in contact with the locking hook (41); After the testing tool is completed, the testing rod (22) moves upward under the push of the screw spring (62), which drives the positioning block (43) installed on it to move. After it is in place, the locking hook (41) engages with the positioning block (43) under the force of the short compression spring (42), so that the testing rod (22) will not move downward, while keeping the indicator crank (31) in the extended state. After the tool is used, press the locking hook (41) on the outside of the housing (5) to counteract the elastic force of the short compression spring (42), release the locking hook (41) from the positioning block (43), and the detection rod moves downward under the action of the long compression spring (45), rotating the indicator crank (31) into the housing (5); When the screw is fully tightened, the detection rod does not move under the action of the positioning sleeve, and the indicator crank (31) does not move, thus completing the concealment inside the housing (5); When the screw is partially tightened or partially loosened, the detection rod moves upward under the action of the screw spring, and the indicator crank (31) extends out. However, at this time, the travel of the detection rod is insufficient to lock the locking and unlocking assembly (4). When the tool leaves the screw, the detection rod moves downward again under the force of the long compression spring, driving the indicator crank back to the housing. The detection rod moves upward under the thrust of the screw spring (62) and has the maximum stroke under the design state of the mounting screw. At this time, the detection rod rises to the highest position. At this time, the detection rod drives the indicator crank to extend to the maximum position. At the same time, the detection rod drives the positioning block on the detection rod to move until the hook on the positioning block engages with the front part of the locking hook. At the same time, the locking hook locks the positioning block under the action of the short compression spring, so that the detection rod will not move downward after leaving the screw, thereby achieving the purpose of locking the mechanism. When the tool mechanism is locked, and the next screw needs to be checked, and the unlocking is required, press the locking and unlocking component (4) hook to make the hook rotate around the locking shaft, overcome the short spring force, separate the front end of the hook from the positioning block, release the locked state, and the clamping rod moves downward under the action of the long spring, and the indicator crank (31) returns to the housing (5).

2. The spacecraft cabin external screw installation status detection tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting screw assembly (6) includes a mounting screw (61), a screw spring (62), a device base (63), and a plug (64). During installation, a screw spring is installed in the equipment base. The screw (61) is used to pass through the screw spring and screw into the aircraft cabin structure to achieve the connection and fixation between the equipment and the cabin. The spring is pressed by the screw and the base. A plug is installed above the screw to prevent the screw and spring from protruding and to ensure that the screw head always presses the spring.

3. The spacecraft cabin external screw installation status detection tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning detection component (2) includes a positioning cylinder (21) and a detection rod (22); The front end of the positioning cylinder (21) and the detection rod are inserted into the plug, and the positioning cylinder end face is fitted with the plug end face for limiting.

4. The spacecraft cabin external screw installation status detection tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring force of the screw spring is greater than that of the long compression spring.

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