Manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of space radiation biology experiments, in particular to a manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments, comprising: a housing in which a space for accommodating a sample box assembly is formed; the top cover is provided with a light-transmitting plate allowing ultraviolet light to penetrate through, and after the top cover is connected with the shell, a space used for containing the sample box assembly forms an airtight space; the sample box assembly is mounted in the airtight space, is detachably connected with the shell, and comprises a plurality of sample units for accommodating samples and at least two layers of supporting plates for mounting the sample units, and the at least two layers of supporting plates are detachably connected in sequence; the first connecting piece assembly is used for detachably connecting the shell and the top cover together; the temperature control assembly is used for adjusting the temperature of the airtight space; and the air pressure control assembly is used for adjusting the air pressure of the airtight space. The device is small in size, carries many samples, and realizes multiple functions of temperature and air pressure regulation and control and sample protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of space radiation biology experiments, and particularly relates to a manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments. Background Art

[0002] The engineering goal of China's manned space station is to build a national-level space laboratory, which has long-term space microgravity conditions, extravehicular radiation conditions, and the ability of in-orbit operation, maintenance, replacement, and function expansion brought by the participation of astronauts. It is an ideal platform for space science experiments and technology research.

[0003] In April 2023, the Mengtian module of the Chinese space station installed a space radiation biology experiment device carried by the Shenzhou 16 manned spacecraft to carry out space radiation biology experiment research. The device is exposed to the space environment and undergoes the tests of extreme environments such as extravehicular atomic oxygen, thermal cycling, and space radiation, providing life support for biological sample exposure experiments. It can be used for biological sample exposure experiments such as plant seeds, microorganisms, organic molecules, and small animals.

[0004] The space radiation biology experiment device provides a platform for extravehicular radiation biology experiment research, also known as an extravehicular biology exposure device. The inside of the extravehicular biology exposure device has multiple installation positions for experimental sample boxes, and different types of sample experiment boxes can be replaced to carry out biological experiments with different exposure types for different samples.

[0005] However, the energy of the space station is limited, the experimental opportunities are scarce, and the return cost after the experiment is relatively high. The experimental tasks have strong constraints on the weight, power consumption, and space of the ultraviolet sample box. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, and thus provide a manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments. The present invention designs an ultraviolet sample box for space station biological exposure experiments under limited space constraints. Overcoming the limitations of space resources, energy, and power consumption, it can carry multiple samples for exposure experiments at one time to the greatest extent. After the samples are returned to the ground with the astronauts for analysis, more space radiation biology experimental results can be obtained. Before this design, there was no special sample box for ultraviolet exposure of biological samples on the Chinese space station.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention provides a manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments, including:

[0008] A housing with an open top, having side walls and a bottom wall. After the side walls and the bottom wall enclose, a space for accommodating a sample box assembly is formed inside the housing;

[0009] The top cover has a contact surface for connecting with the side wall of the outer shell, and a light-transmitting plate allowing ultraviolet light to pass through is provided at the corresponding position of the sample cassette assembly. After the top cover is connected to the outer shell, the space for accommodating the sample cassette assembly forms an airtight space;

[0010] The sample cassette assembly is installed in the airtight space and is detachably connected to the outer shell, including: several sample units for accommodating samples and at least two layers of support plates for installing the sample units. The at least two layers of support plates are all parallel to the bottom wall of the outer shell, and their projections on the bottom wall of the outer shell overlap. The at least two layers of support plates are detachably connected in sequence;

[0011] The first connecting piece assembly is used to detachably connect the outer shell and the top cover together;

[0012] The temperature control assembly is used to adjust the temperature of the airtight space; and

[0013] The air pressure control assembly is used to adjust the air pressure of the airtight space.

[0014] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample cassette, the top cover includes: a metal frame, a light-transmitting plate, and a buffer plate; wherein, the light-transmitting plate covers the top opening of the outer shell and abuts against the top of the side wall of the outer shell; the buffer plate is placed between the metal frame and the light-transmitting plate for reducing force and temperature conduction; the metal frame is provided with a contact surface for connecting with the side wall of the outer shell. After the metal frame is connected to the outer shell, the light-transmitting plate is tightly pressed between the metal frame and the outer shell; the ultraviolet sample cassette further includes: a sealing ring; a first groove for installing the sealing ring is provided at the top of the side wall of the outer shell. After the metal frame is connected to the outer shell, the sealing ring contacts the light-transmitting plate and has an interference fit.

[0015] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample cassette, the light-transmitting plate is made of quartz glass, allowing ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 200nm to 400nm to pass through, and the ultraviolet light transmittance of the light-transmitting plate is 0.1%.

[0016] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample cassette, several of the sample units are isolated from each other and arranged uniformly, and a radiation dose detection device is installed on the sample units.

[0017] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample cassette, the first connecting piece assembly includes several first screws; a flange is provided at the top of the side wall of the outer shell; the several first screws pass through the bottom wall of the outer shell and extend outside the side wall of the outer shell, passing through the flange at the top of the side wall of the outer shell to connect with the metal frame of the top cover; wherein, the several first screws are arranged uniformly along the metal frame of the top cover.

[0018] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample box, the at least two layers of support plates are detachably connected in sequence through a third connecting piece assembly; the third connecting piece assembly includes: a plurality of forward third screws and a plurality of reverse third screws; wherein, the plurality of reverse third screws respectively penetrate from the bottommost support plate and are connected to the topmost support plate, and the plurality of forward third screws respectively penetrate from the topmost support plate and are connected to the bottommost support plate.

[0019] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample box, a heat insulation pad is arranged between the outer shell and the extravehicular biological exposure device, and the heat insulation pad can be made of polyimide material.

[0020] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample box, the top cover, outer shell, sample unit, support plate and / or the first connecting piece assembly of the ultraviolet sample box are provided with marks; the marks include: name marks, serial number marks and / or direction marks.

[0021] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample box, the temperature control assembly includes: a heater and at least one temperature sensor installed in the airtight space and a temperature controller installed outside the airtight space and connected to the extravehicular biological exposure device; the temperature controller is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor; wherein, the temperature sensor is used to monitor the real-time temperature in the airtight space; the temperature controller is used to collect the real-time temperature, and when the real-time temperature collected by any one of the temperature sensors is lower than the first threshold, the temperature controller controls the heater to start, and when the real-time temperature collected by any one of the temperature sensors is higher than the second threshold, the temperature controller controls the heater to turn off.

[0022] As an improvement of the above ultraviolet sample box, the air pressure control assembly includes: a pressure sensor and a deflation screw; wherein, the pressure sensor is used to monitor the actual pressure in the airtight space; the deflation screw is installed on the outer shell for adjusting the pressure in the airtight space.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are that the manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments of the present invention fully considers the particularity of the space environment in design, combines the needs of the samples with the extravehicular installation conditions, and realizes multiple functions of temperature and air pressure regulation and sample protection. Through innovative solutions such as detachable connection, sealing design, temperature control and air pressure adjustment, this ultraviolet sample box provides a stable and reliable experimental platform for biological radiation experiments in the space station, ensuring a stable, safe and convenient use experience of the ultraviolet sample box in space experiments and laying a foundation for the success of space science experiments. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1Exploded view of the manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments;

[0025] Figure 2 Axonometric sectional view of the ultraviolet sample box;

[0026] Figure 3 Side view of the ultraviolet sample box;

[0027] Figure 4 Top view of the ultraviolet sample box;

[0028] Figure 5 Stereogram of the outer shell;

[0029] Figure 6 Exploded view of the sample box assembly;

[0030] Figure 7 Stereogram of the sample box assembly;

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic connection diagram of the electrical connector. Detailed implementation mode

[0032] The following further illustrates the technical solutions provided by the present invention in conjunction with embodiments.

[0033] The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments provided in this embodiment is designed for ultraviolet radiation biology experiments in the space environment. As Figure 1 shown, the ultraviolet sample box includes parts such as an outer shell, a top cover, a sample box assembly, a first connector assembly, a temperature control assembly (not shown), and a pressure control assembly (not shown), etc. The detailed implementation mode is as follows:

[0034] Outer shell structure:

[0035] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 shown, the outer shell has an opening at the top end and is enclosed by the side wall and the bottom wall to form a space for accommodating the sample box assembly. An installation position for connecting to the extravehicular biological exposure device is provided on the bottom wall of the outer shell. Through this installation position, the ultraviolet sample box can be firmly fixed to the extravehicular biological exposure device. In this embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, this installation position is provided by lugs, and the lugs provide the installation position for connecting to the extravehicular biological exposure device. A flange is provided at the top of the side wall of the outer shell. The material of the outer shell is a metal alloy with strong weather resistance or other materials with high strength and radiation resistance, preferably aluminum alloy material, to ensure stability and reliability in the on-orbit environment. The outer shell material has excellent radiation resistance and resistance to temperature difference changes, ensuring that the samples can still be well protected under harsh external environmental conditions, extending the service life and reducing the interference of the external environment on the experimental results.

[0036] Top cover structure:

[0037] The top cover is provided with a contact surface for connecting with the top flange of the side wall of the outer shell, and a light-transmitting plate allowing ultraviolet light to pass through is installed at the corresponding position of the sample box assembly. The top cover can be connected to the top flange to form an airtight space for protecting the sample from external contamination or environmental changes. Specifically, the top cover includes a metal frame, a light-transmitting plate and a buffer plate; as Figure 4 shown, the light-transmitting plate covers the top opening of the outer shell and abuts against the top of the side wall of the outer shell. The buffer plate is placed between the metal frame and the light-transmitting plate to reduce force and temperature conduction. The metal frame is connected to the side wall of the outer shell through a connecting surface. After the metal frame is connected to the outer shell, the light-transmitting plate is tightly pressed between the metal frame and the outer shell to ensure the fixation of the light-transmitting plate. The light-transmitting plate is made of quartz glass, which can effectively transmit ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 200nm to 400nm, and the ultraviolet light transmittance is about 0.1%, meeting the requirements of ultraviolet radiation experiments. The buffer plate is arranged between the metal frame and the light-transmitting plate to reduce the influence of external force and temperature change on the sample. The buffer plate can be made of polyimide material. By using a quartz glass light-transmitting plate, the top cover ensures that ultraviolet radiation can be accurately transmitted to the sample, and the buffer plate effectively reduces the influence of temperature fluctuation and external force on the sample, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the experimental results; the buffer plate can also avoid the rigid connection between the glass and the metal pressing ring, and prevent the glass from cracking during vibration, high and low temperatures.

[0038] Sealing design:

[0039] To ensure the airtightness inside the sample box, as Figure 5 shown, a first groove is provided at the top of the side wall of the outer shell for installing the Figure 1 shown sealing ring. After the top cover is installed, the sealing ring contacts the light-transmitting plate and achieves good sealing through interference fit, ensuring that the inside of the ultraviolet sample box is not affected by the external environment and adapting to the extravehicular environment of the space station. The airtightness requirement is greater than or equal to 0.5 atm. This sealing design ensures that the sample box can effectively isolate external pollutants and air pressure changes in the space environment, providing a constant and controlled experimental environment and effectively improving the reliability of the experiment.

[0040] Sample box assembly structure:

[0041] As Figure 2 shown, the sample box assembly is installed in the airtight space and connected to the outer shell through a second connecting piece assembly; the second connecting piece assembly can include several second screws. As Figures 6 - 7As shown, the sample box assembly consists of several sample units and at least two layers of parallel support plates. Each layer of the support plate is parallel to the bottom wall of the outer shell, and their projections on the bottom wall of the outer shell overlap. The support plates are detachably connected in sequence through the third connecting piece assembly. The third connecting piece assembly may include several forward third screws and several reverse third screws. Several reverse third screws penetrate from the bottommost support plate and are connected to the topmost support plate, and several forward third screws penetrate from the topmost support plate and are connected to the bottommost support plate, so that the sample box assembly forms an integral body, which is convenient for installation with the outer shell. The sample units are isolated from each other and arranged evenly, and are installed on the support plates. Each sample unit is used to accommodate biological samples. Specifically, in this embodiment, the sample box assembly includes four layers of support plates, and there are 48 installation positions for sample units on each layer of support plate, with a total of 192 sample units. The sample units are monitored for radiation through radiation dose detection sheets, which are used to detect radiation doses in multiple directions to obtain data on the impact of ultraviolet radiation on biological samples. In this embodiment, the diameter of each small sample box is greater than or equal to 7 mm, and the depth is greater than or equal to 5 mm. The hierarchical support plate design improves the tissue density of the samples and the space utilization efficiency. At the same time, the screw connection design is convenient for assembly and disassembly, adapts to different experimental requirements, and improves the flexibility and convenience of experimental operations.

[0042] Structure of the first connecting piece assembly:

[0043] The outer shell and the top cover of the sample box are detachably connected through the first connecting piece assembly. The connecting piece may include several first screws. In order to reduce the occupied area of the top cover and leave more space for the ultraviolet exposure glass, the first screw fixing method from bottom to top is adopted in this embodiment. Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, several first screws penetrate from the bottom wall of the outer shell and extend outside the side wall of the outer shell, and pass through the flange at the top of the side wall of the outer shell to be connected to the metal frame of the top cover; among them, several screws are evenly arranged along the metal frame of the top cover. 12 first screws are shown in this embodiment. This design is convenient for installation and disassembly, ensuring the simplicity of on-orbit operations. The design of the first connecting piece assembly makes the ultraviolet sample box highly detachable and easy to maintain, facilitating multiple experiments or necessary repairs, and is especially suitable for long-term space experiment environments.

[0044] Design of the temperature control component:

[0045] The temperature control component includes a heater and at least one temperature sensor installed in the airtight space, and a temperature controller installed outside the airtight space, which is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor and can adjust the temperature in the airtight space in real time. The temperature sensor monitors the real-time temperature in the airtight space. If the temperature in the space is lower than the first threshold, the temperature controller starts the heater to heat; if the temperature is higher than the second threshold, the heater is automatically turned off to ensure that the sample is experimented within an appropriate temperature range. In this embodiment, the heater is powered by a 28V power supply and has a power of less than 2W. To further stabilize the temperature inside the sample box, a heat insulation pad is provided between the sample box and the biological exposure device outside the cabin. The heat insulation pad can be made of polyimide material and can have a thickness of 2mm. The temperature control system can accurately adjust the temperature in the airtight space to ensure that the inside of the ultraviolet sample box always maintains within the set temperature range, adapts to different experimental requirements, and maximally avoids the interference of temperature changes on the experimental results.

[0046] Design of the air pressure control component:

[0047] The air pressure control component includes a pressure sensor and a bleed screw. The pressure sensor is used to monitor the pressure change in the airtight space in real time. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor is installed in the airtight space and connected to the bottom wall of the outer shell; the bleed screw is installed on the outer shell and is used to adjust the pressure in the airtight space to ensure that during on-orbit, installation, or / and disassembly, the air pressure difference between the inside and outside of the sample box remains within a reasonable range to avoid damage to the sample box structure or the sample caused by the pressure difference. For example, during ground testing, it can be used for leak detection and pressure testing. During on-orbit flight, after recovering the sample box, it is possible that due to air leakage, the internal air pressure is too low. By unscrewing the bleed screw, the internal and external air pressures can be balanced, which is beneficial to opening the top glass cover and taking out the assembly. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor is powered by a 5V DC power supply, and the bleed screw is installed at the bleed screw installation position on the bottom wall of the outer shell as shown in Figure 3 Figure. The air pressure control component effectively monitors and adjusts the pressure in the airtight space, avoids damage to the sample caused by air pressure changes or instability of the experimental environment, and ensures the validity and accuracy of experimental data.

[0048] Power supply structure:

[0049] The sample box further includes an electrical connector, which is hermetically installed at the bottom of the outer shell and is connected to the biological exposure device outside the cabin, the temperature control component, and the air pressure control component for providing electrical connection, and the connection method is as shown in Figure 8 Figure. The electrical connector can be connected to the temperature control component and the air pressure control component through a cable. A relatively shallow groove is designed on the side wall of the outer shell, and the cable of the electrical connector can be routed through the groove on the side wall to facilitate the installation of the heater and the temperature sensor.

[0050] Human-machine ergonomic design:

[0051] The ultraviolet sample box is provided with markings on at least the outer shell, top cover, sample unit, support plate, and / or the first connection component, including name markings, serial number markings, and / or direction markings. All markings meet the requirements of ergonomics, facilitating astronauts to identify and operate during installation and disassembly. The marking methods can be engraved text, printed text, engraved symbols, printed symbols, or / and printed colors. For example, as Figure 4 shown, the marking of "ultraviolet exposure window" is set on the metal frame to facilitate astronauts to identify the direction; for example, the name marking of "ultraviolet sample box" and the corresponding serial number marking are set on the side wall of the outer shell. For example, the classification marking and serial number marking are set on the screw. In addition, the appearance of the sample box has a chamfer design to prevent astronauts from being injured during operation. The ergonomic design improves the convenience and safety of astronauts' operation, ensures that astronauts can quickly and accurately complete tasks in a limited space, and reduces the risk of misoperation.

[0052] Weight design:

[0053] After several sample units are fully loaded with samples, the total weight of the ultraviolet sample box is less than 2 kg.

[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not restrictive. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that any modification or equivalent replacement of the technical solutions of the present invention does not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and they should all be covered by the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments, comprising: The outer shell has an open top and is provided with side walls and a bottom wall, wherein the side walls and the bottom wall are combined to form a space inside the outer shell for accommodating the sample box assembly; The top cover has a contact surface for connecting with the side wall of the shell, and a light-transmitting plate for allowing ultraviolet light to pass through is arranged at a corresponding position of the sample box assembly. After the top cover is connected to the shell, the space for accommodating the sample box assembly forms an airtight space; A sample box assembly is installed in the airtight space and is detachably connected to the housing, comprising: a plurality of sample units for accommodating samples and at least two layers of support plates for mounting the sample units, wherein the at least two layers of support plates are parallel to the bottom wall of the housing, and their projections on the bottom wall of the housing overlap, and the at least two layers of support plates are detachably connected in sequence; A first connector assembly, used to detachably connect the housing and the top cover together; a temperature control assembly for adjusting the temperature of the airtight space; and An air pressure control component is used to adjust the air pressure in the airtight space.

2. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover includes: a metal frame, a light-transmitting plate and a buffer plate; wherein the light-transmitting plate covers the top opening of the outer shell and rests against the top of the side wall of the outer shell; the buffer plate is placed between the metal frame and the light-transmitting plate to reduce force and temperature conduction; the metal frame is provided with a contact surface for connecting with the side wall of the outer shell, and after the metal frame is connected to the outer shell, the light-transmitting plate is pressed tightly between the metal frame and the outer shell; the ultraviolet sample box also includes: a sealing ring; a first groove for installing the sealing ring is provided at the top of the side wall of the outer shell, and after the metal frame is connected to the outer shell, the sealing ring contacts the light-transmitting plate and has an interference fit.

3. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-transmitting plate is made of quartz glass, allowing ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 200nm to 400nm to pass through, and the ultraviolet light transmittance of the light-transmitting plate is 0.1%.

4. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample units are isolated from each other and arranged evenly, and the sample units are equipped with radiation dose detection devices.

5. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connecting member assembly includes a plurality of first screws; a flange is arranged on the top of the side wall of the shell; the plurality of first screws pass through the bottom wall of the shell, extend outside the side wall of the shell, pass through the flange on the top of the side wall of the shell and are connected to the metal frame of the top cover; wherein the plurality of first screws are evenly arranged along the metal frame of the top cover.

6. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least two layers of support plates are detachably connected in sequence through a third connecting member assembly; the third connecting member assembly includes: a plurality of positive third screws and a plurality of reverse third screws; wherein, the plurality of reverse third screws respectively penetrate from the bottom support plate and are connected to the top support plate, and the plurality of positive third screws respectively penetrate from the top support plate and are connected to the bottom support plate.

7. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: A heat insulating pad is arranged between the shell and the extravehicular biological exposure device, and the heat insulating pad can be made of a polyimide material.

8. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover, the outer shell, the sample unit, the support plate and / or the first connecting member assembly of the ultraviolet sample box are provided with identification; the identification includes: a name identification, a serial number identification and / or a direction identification.

9. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature control component includes: a heater and at least one temperature sensor installed in the airtight space, and a temperature controller installed outside the airtight space and connected to the extravehicular biological exposure device; the temperature controller is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor; wherein the temperature sensor is used to monitor the real-time temperature in the airtight space; the temperature controller is used to collect the real-time temperature, when the real-time temperature collected by any temperature sensor is lower than a first threshold value, the temperature controller controls the heater to start, and when the real-time temperature collected by any temperature sensor is higher than a second threshold value, the temperature controller controls the heater to turn off.

10. The manned space station ultraviolet sample box for biological sample experiments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air pressure control assembly includes: a pressure sensor and a bleed screw; wherein the pressure sensor is used to monitor the actual pressure in the airtight space; the bleed screw is installed on the housing and is used to adjust the pressure in the airtight space.

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