A lunar base shell structure and a space capsule

Abstract

The present invention discloses a lunar base shell structure and space capsule, which relates to a lunar base. The shell structure comprises a thin-walled corrugated disk and an upper end cover. The shell structure contracts into a disk during transportation and expands into a conical shell during construction via an expansion drive device. The expansion drive device comprises at least three expansion units, each comprising a reel, an extension arm, a limit rod, and a guide base. The reel is mounted on the guide base, which includes a guide portion. One end of the extension arm is curled around the reel and the other end is connected to the upper end cover. When the thin-walled corrugated disk is expanded, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm to expand. The extension arm extends in the direction of the thin-walled corrugated disk expansion, driving the thin-walled corrugated disk to expand. When the thin-walled corrugated disk is contracted, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm to retract and curl around the reel. The capsule shell and internal extension device can both be contracted and expanded, resulting in a small volume and light weight during transportation, significantly reducing transportation and base construction costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lunar base, and in particular to a lunar base shell structure and a space capsule. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing exploration of the Moon, the need for efficient, safe, and economical space living and working facilities is becoming increasingly urgent. Traditional, disposable, assembled launch capsules are limited by size and weight, resulting in high launch costs and design challenges that make them difficult to meet the demands of future large-scale space stations or deep space exploration missions. Therefore, deployable and inflatable space capsules have become a research hotspot in recent years.

[0003] Common deployable structures for space capsules include folding, telescopic, and inflatable. Folding deployment structures often require complex hinges or other joints, increasing manufacturing costs and potential failure points. The additional mechanical components increase overall weight. If a failure occurs in orbit, repairing the moving parts is difficult. Telescopic deployment structures lack sufficient rigidity when deployed over long lengths. The telescopic deployment ratio is limited, making them unsuitable for applications requiring extreme deployment ratios. Inflatable deployment structures are typically made of flexible materials, resulting in poor durability and thermal insulation. Inflatable space capsules rely on internal air pressure for structural stability, and a leak would rapidly render the capsule inoperable. Inflatable space capsule deployment requires an additional air pump for control, increasing system complexity and overall weight. High-powered air pumps are required for degassing the capsule during recovery, adding additional weight. If the lunar base needs to be moved, the recovery of the inflatable space capsule and its load-bearing air pump system will not be portable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Purpose of the invention: In view of the above shortcomings, the present invention provides a lunar base shell structure and space capsule that is simple in structure, safe and reliable.

[0005] Technical solution: To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts a lunar base shell structure, including a thin-walled corrugated disk and an upper end cover arranged on the thin-walled corrugated disk. The thin-walled corrugated disk is made of a lightweight and high-strength alloy and shrinks into a disc state during transportation. During construction, it is expanded into a conical shell state by an expansion drive device. The upper end cover is located at the small end of the thin-walled corrugated disk in the conical shell state; the expansion drive device includes at least three expansion units, each of which includes a reel, an extension arm, a limit rod, and a guide base. The reel is installed on the guide base, and the guide base includes a guide portion. The extension arm is made of a high-elasticity and high-strength thin-walled alloy plate. One end of the extension arm is curled on the reel and the other end is connected to the upper end cover. When the thin-walled corrugated disk is expanded, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm to expand. The extension arm extends along the expansion direction of the thin-walled corrugated disk under the limit of the limit rod and the guidance of the guide portion, pushing the upper end cover of the thin-walled corrugated disk to drive the thin-walled corrugated disk to expand. When the thin-walled corrugated disk is contracted, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm to retract and curl on the reel.

[0006] Furthermore, when the extension arm is unfolded, both sides of the extension arm are curled in an S-shape to form a spiral roll structure, including a first roll structure and a second roll structure. The first roll structure is located on the first surface of the extension arm, and the second roll structure is located on the second surface of the extension arm.

[0007] Furthermore, when the extension arm is unfolded, the second reel structure of the extension arm is sleeved outside the first reel structure of the adjacent extension arm, and the first reel structures and second reel structures of several extension arms are sleeved in sequence to form a closed support structure.

[0008] Furthermore, when the extension arm is unfolded, the first reel structure of the extension arm axially includes several outwardly protruding buckles, and the second reel structure of the adjacent extension arm, which is arranged outside the first reel structure of the extension arm, is provided with several slots corresponding to the buckles. When the extension arm is unfolded, the corresponding buckles are embedded in the corresponding slots to form a self-locking structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the cross section of the extension arm is wavy.

[0010] Furthermore, the deployment drive device includes three deployment units. When the deployment arms are deployed, the deployment arms of the three deployment units are connected in pairs through a reel structure to form a triangular support structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the extension arm is made of a high-elasticity and high-strength thin-walled alloy plate through a bending process, and the material used includes TC4 titanium alloy. The thickness of the extension arm ranges from 0.1mm to 0.3mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the limiting rod includes a supporting portion and a limiting portion, the limiting portion extends in a direction parallel to the central axis of the reel, the supporting portion is used to fix the limiting portion to the guide base, and the extension arm extends from between the limiting portion and the guide portion.

[0013] The present invention also adopts a space capsule that uses the above-mentioned lunar base shell structure, including a shell structure, an upper end cover and a lower end cover of the shell structure. The shell structure is arranged vertically up and down, the conical large end of the shell structure at the lower end is fixed to the ground, and the upper end cover of the conical small end of the shell structure at the upper end is provided with a hatch. The guide base of the deployment unit is fixedly installed on the lower end cover, and the upper end cover is provided with a plurality of clips, which are used to clamp the end of the extension arm.

[0014] The present invention also adopts a space capsule that uses the above-mentioned lunar base shell structure, including two shell structures, which are vertically arranged up and down, and the conical large ends of the two shell structures are fixedly connected. The conical small end of the shell structure located at the lower end is provided with a lower end cover and fixed to the ground, and the conical small end of the shell structure located at the upper end is provided with an upper end cover, and the upper end cover is provided with a base entrance. The guide base of the deployment unit is fixedly installed on the lower end cover, and the upper end cover is provided with a number of clips, which are used to clamp the end of the extension arm.

[0015] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages:

[0016] (1) The outer shell and internal extension device of the space capsule can be retracted and expanded. Before being transported to the lunar surface, they are in a retracted state and accommodate the required expansion mechanism. After being transported to the designated location on the lunar surface, the outer shell can be expanded axially. The transportation process is small in size and light in weight, which greatly reduces the cost of transportation and base construction.

[0017] (2) The deployment drive device has significant advantages over traditional mechanical deployment mechanisms. It can effectively reduce the complexity of the mechanical structure and the difficulty of deployment. It has a simple structure and lower cost. After the deployment drive device is deployed, the cylindrical structure formed by connecting the two reels can significantly increase the strain energy stored in the material's deformation state and the stiffness of the deployed state. Its deployment process is slow and smooth, with less impact on the spacecraft, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the entire system.

[0018] (3) The extension arm can be rolled up to save space. Before deployment, the extension arm can be wound around the reel to achieve self-locking. The deployment process is controllable and the rigidification is rapid. The bistable structure after deployment can provide sufficient rigidity and support for the space capsule. The lunar base space capsule can be rolled up and retracted by the extension device for recovery and movement, improving the portability and mobility of the lunar base. The recovery process is controllable, and the overall space capsule structure has a large expansion ratio, which has great application prospects for the construction of lunar bases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the unfolded single-shell structure space cabin in the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2It is a front view schematic diagram of the unfolded single-shell structure space cabin in the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the retracted single-shell structure space cabin in the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a front view schematic diagram of the retracted single-shell structure space cabin in the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the deployment drive device of the present invention after deployment.

[0024] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the deployment drive device of the present invention before and after deployment.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the extension arm after expansion in the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the interconnected extension arms in the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the interconnection between the extension arms of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the guide base in the present invention.

[0029] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the guide base in the present invention.

[0030] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the wavy cross-section extension arms are connected to each other in the present invention.

[0031] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the interconnected structure of the wavy cross-section extension arms in the present invention.

[0032] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of the self-locking structure of the extension arm in the present invention.

[0033] Figure 15 It is a structural schematic diagram of the retracted double-shell structure space cabin in the present invention.

[0034] Figure 16 It is a structural schematic diagram of the double-shell structure space cabin deployed in the present invention.

[0035] 1-thin-wall corrugated disc; 2-connecting flange; 3-clamp; 4-extension arm; 5-guide base; 6-reel; 7-limiting rod; 8-upper end cover; 9-lower end cover; 401-wavy cross-section extension arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a lunar base shell structure in this embodiment includes a thin-walled corrugated disk 1 and an upper end cover arranged on the thin-walled corrugated disk 1. The thin-walled corrugated disk 1 is made of a lightweight high-strength alloy, such as Figure 3 As shown, during transportation, it collapses into a disc-like configuration. During construction, it is expanded into a conical shell by an expansion drive. The thin-walled corrugated disk serves as the outer shell of the space capsule. The single-shell space capsule comprises a thin-walled corrugated disk-shaped capsule shell, an upper end cap 8, a lower end cap 9, and an expansion drive. The upper and lower end caps are located at the large and small ends of the conical thin-walled corrugated disk 1. The thin-walled corrugated disk 1 is a titanium alloy with a wall thickness of 1-2 mm. It has the ability to expand and contract. The expansion ratio is determined by the height and number of corrugations of the outer shell and the taper of the cone, and can reach a expansion ratio of over 20. The interior is sealed to prevent air leakage by the upper and lower end caps. The upper cover can be designed with different hatches according to the needs of the lunar base space capsule mission.

[0038] The deployment drive device includes at least three deployment units, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, three unfolding units are used, and the three unfolding units are arranged in the form of a triangular cross. The three unfolding units can form a stable state with a triangular cross-section and support each other. The unfolding unit includes a reel 6, an extension arm 4, a limit rod 7, and a guide base 5. The reel 6 is installed on the guide base 5. The upper end cover 8 is installed with three sets of clips 3 through a connecting flange, and the guide base 5 is fixedly installed on the lower end cover 9. When the space capsule is in a retracted state before arriving at its destination, the extension arm 4 is rolled up by the reel 6 and the limit rod 7. After reaching the designated position on the lunar surface, the extension arm 4 is continuously extended by the rotation of the reel 6. The extension arm is made of high-elasticity and high-strength thin-walled alloy sheet through a bending process. The material used includes TC4 titanium alloy. The thickness of the extension arm ranges from 0.1mm to 0.3mm. After being fully unfolded, the cross-section of the extension arm 4 is Figure 9 The curled special-shaped hollow section shown has good bending rigidity. The connecting flange 2 is connected to the upper end cover 8 of the space capsule, and a clip 3 is fixed on the connecting flange 2. The clip 3 is used to fix the end of the extension arm 4. The extension arm 4 and the clip 3 can be connected by screws. The reel 6 can rotate in both directions to realize the expansion or folding of the extension arm 4. The extension arm is flattened into a flat plate during the folding process. This process allows the structure to be transformed from a three-dimensional configuration of a cylindrical structure that is curled laterally on both sides to a flat plate configuration, so that it can be rolled up to save space. In addition, in the fully folded state, the extension arm can be wound around the reel and realize the self-locking function. The preparation method of the high-elasticity and high-strength thin-walled alloy extension arm can be connected by diffusion welding.

[0039] like Figure 6As shown, the limit rod 7 includes a support portion and a limit portion. The limit portion 7 extends parallel to the central axis of the reel. The support portion is used to secure the limit portion to the guide base 5. The limit rod 7 functions so that when the extension arm 4 is deployed from the retracted state, its own elastic restoring force causes the extension arm 4 to expand, making its shape unstable. The design of the limit rods 7 on both sides effectively limits this expansion phenomenon, ensuring the stability and reliability of the extension arm 4 in the retracted state and limiting its extension direction. The limit rods 7 can be replaced with bearings to form rolling friction, which facilitates the smooth deployment of the extension arm 4. After the three sets of extension arms 4 are deployed to fully deploy the lunar base space module, the limit rods 7 on the guide base 5 can be clamped against the guide base 5 to secure the extension arm 4 and thus achieve self-locking of the entire lunar base space module deployment device.

[0040] like Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the two sides of the three groups of extension arms 4 are curled in an S-shape horizontally to form a spiral reel structure, and are entangled with each other in pairs until the predetermined unfolding height is reached to realize the unfolding of the space capsule. When the space capsule needs to be recovered, the reel 6 rotates in the opposite direction, driving the extension arms 4 to gradually retract and curl up, and finally retract into a compact roll. Before the space capsule is transported to the lunar base, the space capsule shell and the unfolding drive device can be folded into a smaller volume. When it runs to a designated area on the lunar surface and the space capsule needs to be unfolded, the unfolding drive device drives the space capsule shell to unfold. Through the orderly curling and folding of the extension device, the space capsule can achieve controllable folding and recovery, significantly improving the portability and mobility of the lunar base.

[0041] like Figure 8 As shown, three groups of extension arms 4 are arranged at intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction. The triangular structure formed by them is stable while ensuring lightness and not taking up too much space. The guide base 5 is fixed on the lower end cover 9 of the space capsule. Figure 6-Figure 9 As shown, when the extension arms are deployed, the two sides of the extension arms 4 curl laterally in an S-shape to form a spiral roll structure, including a first roll structure and a second roll structure, thereby forming a stable cylindrical structure. Three groups of extension arms 4 are arranged in a triangular layout, with the second roll structure of an extension arm nestled outside the first roll structure of an adjacent extension arm. The first and second roll structures of several extension arms are nested in sequence to form a closed support structure.

[0042] like Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the guide base includes a fixed part and a guide part, the reel is installed on the fixed part, the guide part is fixedly connected to the fixed part and extends along the unfolding direction of the thin-walled corrugated disk 1, the extension arm extends from between the limiting part and the guide part, and the extension arm is made of high-elasticity and high-strength thin-walled alloy plate. One end of the extension arm is curled on the reel, and the other end is connected to the upper end cover. When the thin-walled corrugated disk 1 is unfolded, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm to unfold. The extension arm extends along the unfolding direction of the thin-walled corrugated disk 1 under the guidance of the limiting rod and the guide part, pushing the upper end cover of the thin-walled corrugated disk 1 to drive the thin-walled corrugated disk 1 to unfold. When the thin-walled corrugated disk 1 contracts, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm to retract and curl on the reel.

[0043] Combine Figure 5-Figure 8 As shown, when the extension arm 4 is in the retracted state before the space capsule is launched, the extension arm 4 is rolled up by the reel 6, and the reel structures on both sides are straightened. During the space capsule deployment process, the reel 6 rotates to release the extension arm 4, and the reel structures on both sides return from the flat state to the curled cylindrical state.

[0044] Combine Figure 12-13 The cross-sectional configuration of the extension arm can be processed into a wave shape. When the three groups of wave-shaped cross-sectional extension arms 401 are unfolded, the drum structures on both sides are connected in pairs. Combined with the wave-shaped cross-section, it has better bending stiffness and stability.

[0045] Combine Figure 14 The extension arms of the extension mechanism can be machined, with several slots cut axially in the second drum structure on one side and several buckles cut axially in the first drum structure on the other side. During the unfolding process, when the drum structures are bent laterally and connected to form a cylindrical structure, the buckles and slots fit into a self-locking mechanism, giving the extension mechanism composed of three sets of extension arms greater rigidity and stability.

[0046] The deployable arm, made of a highly elastic, high-strength, thin-walled alloy, deploys smoothly and evenly, returning to its pre-set initial shape. This process not only reduces the complexity of the mechanical deployment mechanism but also minimizes shock and vibration during deployment, improving system reliability and safety. Furthermore, the lightweight nature of the highly elastic, high-strength thin-walled alloy also helps reduce launch costs, giving it broad application prospects in the aerospace industry.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] like Figure 15 and Figure 16As shown, one embodiment of this invention utilizes the lunar base shell structure described in Example 1, comprising two shells vertically connected to form a vertical space capsule. The two shell structures are fixedly connected at their tapered ends, dividing the two shells into upper and lower sections at their connection. A guide base 5 for the extension mechanism is fixed to the bottom of the tapered small end of the lower shell. A connecting flange 2 is connected to the upper end cap 8 of the upper shell, which is deployed by three sets of extension arms 4. The tapered small end of the upper shell structure serves as the capsule entrance, and a hatch can be installed.

[0049] The outer shell structure of the space capsule is a disc-shaped structure in a collapsed state before being transported to the lunar surface. The structure is composed of two space capsule shells that are formed and sealed and welded together, and its interior is airtight; Figure 16 As shown, after the lunar base space capsule is transported to the designated location on the lunar surface, it can be deployed by driving the three sets of extension arms 4 inside, completing the basic construction of the deployable lunar base space capsule.

Claims

1. A lunar base shell structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises a thin-walled corrugated disk (1) and an upper end cover arranged on the thin-walled corrugated disk (1). The thin-walled corrugated disk (1) is made of a light high-strength alloy and is shrunk into a disc state during transportation. During construction, it is expanded into a conical shell state by an expansion drive device. The upper end cover is located at the small end of the thin-walled corrugated disk (1) in the conical shell state. The expansion drive device comprises at least three expansion units. The expansion units comprise a reel (6), an extension arm (4), a limit rod (7), and a guide base (5). The reel (6) is installed on the guide base (5). The guide base (5) includes a guide portion, and the extension arm is made of a high-elasticity and high-strength thin-walled alloy plate. One end of the extension arm is curled on the reel (6), and the other end is connected to the upper end cover. When the thin-walled corrugated disk is unfolded, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm (4) to unfold. The extension arm extends along the unfolding direction of the thin-walled corrugated disk under the guidance of the limit rod (7) and the guide portion, pushing the upper end cover of the thin-walled corrugated disk to drive the thin-walled corrugated disk to unfold. When the thin-walled corrugated disk shrinks, the reel rotates to drive the extension arm to retract and curl on the reel. When the extension arm is unfolded, both sides of the extension arm are curled in an S-shape to form a spiral roll structure, including a first roll structure and a second roll structure, the first roll structure is located on the first surface of the extension arm, and the second roll structure is located on the second surface of the extension arm; The second reel structure of the extension arm is sleeved outside the first reel structure of the adjacent extension arm, and the first reel structures and second reel structures of several extension arms are sleeved in sequence to form a closed support structure; When the extension arm is unfolded, the first reel structure of the extension arm axially includes several outwardly protruding buckles, and the second reel structure of the adjacent extension arm, which is arranged outside the first reel structure of the extension arm, is provided with several slots corresponding to the buckles. When the extension arm is unfolded, the corresponding buckles are embedded in the corresponding slots to form a self-locking structure.

2. The lunar base shell structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the extension arm is wave-shaped.

3. The lunar base shell structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The unfolding drive device includes three unfolding units. When the unfolding arms are unfolded, the unfolding arms of the three unfolding units are connected in pairs through a reel structure to form a triangular support structure.

4. The lunar base shell structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The extension arm is made of a high-elasticity and high-strength thin-walled alloy plate through a bending process. The material used includes TC4 titanium alloy, and the thickness of the extension arm ranges from 0.1mm to 0.3mm.

5. The lunar base shell structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting rod comprises a supporting portion and a limiting portion, the extending direction of the limiting portion is parallel to the central axis of the reel (6), the supporting portion is used to fix the limiting portion to the guide base, and the extension arm extends from between the limiting portion and the guide portion.

6. A space module using the lunar base shell structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell structure, an upper end cover and a lower end cover provided with the shell structure, the shell structure is vertically provided up and down, the conical large end of the shell structure at the lower end is fixed to the ground, the upper end cover of the conical small end of the shell structure at the upper end is provided with a hatch, the guide base (5) of the unfolding unit is fixedly mounted on the lower end cover, and the upper end cover is provided with a plurality of clips (3), which are used to clamp the end of the unfolding arm.

7. A space module using the lunar base shell structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention comprises two shell structures, which are vertically arranged one above the other. The conical large ends of the two shell structures are fixedly connected. The conical small end of the shell structure at the lower end is provided with a lower end cover and fixed to the ground. The conical small end of the shell structure at the upper end is provided with an upper end cover. The upper end cover is provided with a base entrance. The guide base (5) of the expansion unit is fixedly installed on the lower end cover. The upper end cover is provided with a plurality of clips (3) for clamping the end of the expansion arm.

Images