Spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a spacecraft special armor optical cable separating device which comprises a base platform, a shaft clamp and an armor stripping platform. The base platform is used for installing the armor stripping platform and the shaft clamp. The shaft clamp is used for pressing the optical cable in the armor stripping platform in the armor stripping process; the armor stripping platform comprises a first pressing plate, an operation table and a second pressing plate, and the operation table is located between the first pressing plate and the second pressing plate; one end, without the outer sheath, the metal net and the fiber reinforced layer, of the optical cable is arranged on the operation table and the second pressing plate, and the other end, without the outer sheath, the metal net and the fiber reinforced layer, of the optical cable is arranged on the first pressing plate; the file carries out armoring on the armoring pipe arranged on the operation table, the second pressing plate is removed after armoring is completed, and rotating separation is carried out on the armoring pipe. The invention further discloses a spacecraft special armor optical cable separation method. Through the armored optical cable separation device, the operation difficulty is reduced, the first-pass yield is improved, and the stripping qualified rate of all special optical cables on a satellite bin is 100%.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of spacecraft laser communication, and in particular relates to a spacecraft special optical cable separation device and method. Background Art

[0002] The biggest difference between spaceborne armored optical cables and terrestrial optical cables lies in the addition of a metal braided mesh layer and a stainless steel hose layer. Before the spaceborne armored optical cables can be fused together on a satellite, they must be stripped mid-air. However, due to their complex structure, this process is extremely difficult, making it difficult to accurately, safely, reliably, and conveniently strip the cables, severely limiting the mass production capacity of spacecraft laser products.

[0003] At present, armor stripping technology can be divided into two types: manual operation and automatic armor strippers. Manual operation mainly uses semi-automatic grinding heads or files to separate spiral armor, but the rubbing time and strength of electric grinding heads or files are difficult to control. Too short a time will result in the armor being unable to be separated, and too long a time will cause the optical fiber to break easily. In addition, during the armor stripping process, the optical cable will twist and jump, which can easily damage the optical fiber. Finally, this method cannot guarantee the consistency of the product. The automatic armor stripper mainly controls the cylinder, motor, vacuum pump, laser cutting head and other equipment and instruments through the PLC system to strip the armor tube in a fully automated manner. However, the device is large in size and weight, which is not conducive to operators stripping satellite-borne armored optical cables in the micro-space of the satellite cabin or in the air. Problems and hidden dangers of existing armor stripping and separation technologies:

[0004] (1) The gap between the stainless steel armor tube and the optical fiber sheath of the satellite-borne armored optical cable is extremely small. The gap of the 2.0 model satellite-borne armored optical cable is only 0.2mm. The existing armor stripping technology cannot accurately control the amount of grinding, which can easily damage the optical fiber inside the armor tube;

[0005] (2) During the armor stripping process, if the optical cable is not fixed, it will twist and jump, which may damage the optical fiber;

[0006] (3) The results of armor tube stripping by different operators in different batches vary greatly, resulting in poor product consistency;

[0007] (4) Traditional armor stripping technology easily causes iron filings to scatter into the satellite cabin, posing a risk of excess debris;

[0008] (5) The existing automatic stripping device is large in size and requires nitrogen gas, which makes it impossible to strip the armored optical cable in the dense space of the entire satellite. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome these shortcomings by providing a spacecraft special armored optical cable separation device and method. This device addresses the technical issues of difficulty in separating armored optical cables within the confined space of a satellite and the low first-pass rate for stripping special armored optical cables aboard high-altitude spacecraft. The present invention utilizes an armored optical cable separation device to reduce operational difficulty, improve first-pass rates, and ensure a 100% pass rate for stripping all special optical cables aboard satellites.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0011] A spacecraft special armored optical cable separation device includes a base platform, a shaft clamp and an armor stripping platform;

[0012] The base platform is used to install the armor stripping platform and the shaft clamp; the shaft clamp is used to press the optical cable in the armor stripping platform during the armor stripping process;

[0013] The armor stripping platform includes a first pressing plate, an operating table and a second pressing plate, and the operating table is located between the first and second pressing plates; one end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer removed is placed on the operating table and the second pressing plate, and the other end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer not removed is placed on the first pressing plate; a file is used to file the armor tube placed on the operating table. After the armor is filed, the second pressing plate is removed and the armor tube is rotated and separated.

[0014] Furthermore, the first pressing plate, the operating table and the second pressing plate are respectively provided with a first groove, a middle groove and a second groove. The size of the first groove is consistent with the outer diameter of the optical cable, and the size of the middle groove and the second groove is consistent with the outer diameter of the armor tube.

[0015] Furthermore, the first pressing plate and the base platform are fixedly connected by screws, the operating table and the base platform are magnetically connected, and the second pressing plate and the base platform are magnetically connected.

[0016] Furthermore, a magnetic device is provided at the bottom of the operating table, and the magnetic device is used to absorb iron filings generated during the armoring process.

[0017] Furthermore, the operating table includes a middle area and side walls, the middle groove is provided in the middle area, the side walls are higher than the middle area, and the side walls are used to confine the file in the middle area.

[0018] Furthermore, the lower cross-section of the middle groove is semicircular, and the upper cross-section of the middle groove is rectangular. The middle groove is used to limit the descending height of the file. When one end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer removed is placed in the middle groove, the upper end surface of the middle groove is lower than the inner wall of the armored tube and higher than the outer wall of the empty tube.

[0019] Furthermore, the upper height of the middle groove is defined as the limit height. For an optical cable with an outer diameter of 2.0 mm, a limit height of 0.42 mm is adopted; for an optical cable with an outer diameter of 3.0 mm, a limit height of 0.77 mm is adopted; and for a spiral optical cable with an outer diameter of 2.8 mm, a limit height of 0.87 mm is adopted.

[0020] Furthermore, a raised track structure is provided on the base platform, and limiting grooves are respectively provided at the bottom of the first pressure plate, the operating table and the second pressure plate. The limiting grooves of the first pressure plate, the operating table and the second pressure plate are installed in cooperation with the track structure to achieve coaxiality of the first groove, the middle groove and the second groove.

[0021] A method for separating a spacecraft special armor optical cable is implemented using the above-mentioned spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device, comprising:

[0022] S1 strips the outer sheath of the optical cable;

[0023] S2 cuts off the metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer;

[0024] S3 selects an armor stripping platform that matches the optical cable to be stripped and installs the armor stripping platform on the base platform;

[0025] S4: Place one end of the optical cable without the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer on the operating table and the second pressing plate, and place the other end of the optical cable without the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer on the first pressing plate and press them tightly with an axis clamp;

[0026] S5 uses a file to file the armor tube placed on the operating table until the file contacts the operating table and stops filing;

[0027] S6 loosens the shaft clamp and removes the second pressure plate;

[0028] S7 manually rotates and separates the armored tube.

[0029] The present invention proposes a spacecraft special armored optical cable separation device, which can effectively solve the problem of successfully stripping high-altitude special optical cables on spacecraft in one go. Using this device for operation is simple and convenient, which significantly improves the operating efficiency, is highly practical, and has a strong prospect for promotion and application. Compared with the traditional method of separating spiral armor with a semi-automatic grinding head or file, the present invention can achieve absolutely no damage to the optical fiber, and has extremely high safety and reliability; in terms of production efficiency, it can be increased by 6 times compared with traditional methods. Compared with the existing automatic armor strippers on the market, the present invention has the characteristics of miniaturization, can be operated by one person handheld, is easy to carry, and can be applied to a variety of different usage scenarios. Therefore, the present invention has extremely broad application prospects and extremely high market competitiveness.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0031] (1) The present invention precisely controls the grinding amount of the file by setting a limit height of the operating table, thereby achieving the goal of breaking the armored tube without damaging the empty tube inside. The stripping tool can never come into contact with the optical fiber sheath in the groove, reducing the stripping difficulty to zero, increasing the stripping efficiency by 6 times, and achieving a 100% first-time qualified rate;

[0032] (2) The present invention restricts the armor stripping area of ​​the operating table, so that the armor stripping and separation effects of different batches and different operators are the same, ensuring that the products have high consistency;

[0033] (3) The present invention realizes miniaturization by designing an integrated structure of the armor stripping base, thereby meeting the operator's need to use a handheld device to strip the armored optical cable in mid-air.

[0034] (4) The base platform of the present invention is used in combination with the armor stripping platform. By replacing the armor stripping platform corresponding to the armored optical cable, the armor stripping requirements of different types of armored optical cables can be met, and the platform has extremely high compatibility.

[0035] (5) The present invention embeds a strong magnetic attraction at the bottom of the operating table to absorb the iron filings generated during the armoring process, thereby preventing the iron filings from being scattered into the satellite cabin;

[0036] (6) The magnetic connection between the second pressure plate and the base platform of the present invention can effectively improve the armor breaking efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 It is a satellite-borne optical cable structure;

[0038] Figure 2 This is the overall assembly diagram of the spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the base platform of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the height limit of the armor stripping operating table of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a front view of the armor stripping platform of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 6 This is a reverse view of the armor stripping platform of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the left side pressure plate of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the right side pressure plate of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the operating table of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the strong magnetic attraction of the operating table of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the actual use of the spacecraft special armored optical cable separation device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The following detailed description of the present invention will make the features and advantages of the present invention more clear and explicit.

[0049] The word "exemplary" is used exclusively herein to mean "serving as an example, example, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Although various aspects of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated.

[0050] On the basis of ensuring the first-time qualified rate and reliability of the separation of special armored optical cables for spacecraft, in order to improve the assembly efficiency, reduce the difficulty of operation, and meet the growing demand for optical fiber fusion tasks, a special optical cable separation device for spacecraft is studied to ensure a 100% qualified rate of special optical cable stripping. The present invention proposes a special armored optical cable separation device and method for spacecraft.

[0051] The present invention is based on the separation of special armor optical cables of spacecraft, and provides a special armor optical cable separation device that can be easily carried and operated, so as to solve the problem of armor separation process in the micro-closed space of the entire satellite. The special armor optical cable separation device is processed into an integrated structure by a main platform, a quick shaft clamp, and an armor filing platform. During operation, the armor optical cable is directly stuck in the card slot of the U-shaped armor filing platform. Through the special groove limiting design, the armor part to be stripped is higher than the limiting slot, and the stripping tool can never contact the optical fiber sheath in the slot, and the stripping difficulty is reduced to zero. The file only needs to grind the armor that is higher than the limiting slot to complete the separation of the armor optical cable; the operation is simple and flexible, and there is no need for highly skilled operators to operate this process. The grinding time is fixed, which effectively reduces the operating risk and improves work efficiency. The product has a 100% one-time qualified rate.

[0052] like Figure 2 The special armored optical cable separation device consists of three parts: a base platform 1, an axis clamp 2, and an armor stripping platform 3.

[0053] The base platform 1 can be combined with different models of armor stripping platforms 3 to meet the stripping requirements of different armored optical cables, demonstrating its compatibility. It also integrates with the quick-release clamp 2 to compress the optical cable and prevent it from moving during the stripping process. The armor stripping platform 3 is used to position the optical cable and also limits the file's descent height, allowing precise control of the grinding depth for safe and reliable armor stripping. The quick-release clamp 2 also compresses the optical cable, preventing the risk of twisting the optical fiber due to cable movement during the stripping process.

[0054] (1) Base platform

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, the base platform 1 of the armored cable separator consists of two parts: a main body 11 and a magnetic attraction 12. In a specific embodiment, the base platform has a total length of 150 mm, a total width of 72 mm, and a height of 60 mm, reflecting the characteristics of miniaturization, making it convenient for operators to perform armor stripping operations by hand.

[0056] The threaded hole above the base platform 1 is used to install the shaft clamp 2.

[0057] The threaded hole on the left side of the base platform 1 is used to install the left pressing plate 32 of the armor stripping platform 3 , that is, the first pressing plate 32 .

[0058] The strong magnetic attraction on the right side of the base platform 1 cooperates with the right pressure plate 31 (i.e., the second pressure plate 31) of the armor stripping platform 3, which facilitates the removal and installation of the right pressure plate 31. After using a file to rub the stainless steel armor tube, the right pressure plate needs to be removed to facilitate the rotation and separation of the armor tube.

[0059] In order to make the grooves of the left pressure plate 32 and the right pressure plate 31 coaxial after installation, a track structure is designed on the base platform 1 to constrain the positions of the pressure plates on both sides and facilitate the rapid installation of the pressure plates.

[0060] (2) Armor stripping platform

[0061] In a specific embodiment, Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 The armor stripping platform of the armored optical cable separation device consists of seven parts: a right pressure plate 31, a left pressure plate 32, an operating table 33, a right pressure plate magnet 34, an M2.5 screw 35, an M3 screw 36, and an operating table magnet 37.

[0062] like Figure 4As shown, by changing the limit height h of the operating table 33, the lowering height of the file is limited. The limit height is both lower than the inner wall of the stainless steel armor tube and higher than the height of the empty tube (optical fiber sheath). This achieves the goal of filing off the armor tube without damaging the empty tube inside, ensuring that the product stripping pass rate reaches 100% in one time.

[0063] After repeated design and test verification, the armored optical cable with an outer diameter of 2.0 should adopt a limit height of 0.42mm; the armored optical cable with an outer diameter of 3.0 should adopt a limit height of 0.77mm; and the spiral armored optical cable with an outer diameter of 2.8mm should adopt a limit height of 0.87mm, as shown in Table 1.

[0064] Table 1 Limit height of different types of armored optical cables

[0065] Armor tube type 3.0 Armor 2.0 Armor 2.8 Spiral Armor Limit height h(mm) 0.77 0.42 0.87

[0066] The armored platform 3 can be processed with grooves that match the optical cables according to the different sizes of the optical cables, and assembled with the main platform 1 to meet the requirements of compatibility with different types of optical cables.

[0067] The side walls of the operating table 33 are higher than the center plane, confining the file to the center area and preventing it from sliding elsewhere. This ensures that the file always polishes the same spot on the stainless steel armor tube. Furthermore, the left groove of the operating table 33 matches the outer diameter of the optical cable, and the center groove matches the outer diameter of the stainless steel armor tube, ensuring that the armor stripping position is exactly the starting point for stripping. This design ensures a high degree of consistency in the finished product.

[0068] A strong magnetic attraction 37 is embedded at the bottom of the operating table 33 to absorb the iron filings generated during the armoring process. After the armoring is completed, the iron filings are collected and cleaned by the operator to avoid the risk of excess materials.

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the common structure of armored optical cable is: outer sheath 101, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer 102, stainless steel armor tube 103, optical fiber sheath (empty tube) 104, optical fiber 105. Figure 11 The stripping steps of armored optical cable include three parts: (1) stripping the outer sheath of the armored optical cable, (2) cutting off the metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer, and (3) stripping the stainless steel armor tube.

[0070] (1) Strip off the outer sheath of the armored optical cable

[0071] Determine the length of the outer sheath that needs to be stripped, and use a blade to cut the outer sheath of the armored optical cable from left to right; use the blade to make circular cuts at the starting and ending positions of the knife seam to completely strip the outer sheath of the armored optical cable.

[0072] (2) Cut off the metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer

[0073] Use hawkbill pliers to cut off the steel wire and braided aramid at the starting and ending positions of the stripping to expose the stainless steel armor tube.

[0074] (3) Stripping the stainless steel armor tube

[0075] a. Select an armor stripping platform 3 that matches the model of the armored optical cable and fix the armor stripping platform 3 to the base platform 1.

[0076] b. Place the armored optical cable with the outer sheath on the left pressure plate 32, place the stainless steel armor tube to be stripped on the operating table 33, and place the remaining stainless steel armor tube on the right pressure plate 31. Use the shaft clamp 2 to press the armored optical cable tightly to prevent it from jumping.

[0077] c. Use a file to continuously rub the stainless steel armor tube that is higher than the limit groove until the file contacts the operating table 33, then stop rubbing.

[0078] d. Loosen the shaft clamp 2 on the right side and move out the right pressure plate 31.

[0079] e. Manually twist the stainless steel armor tube to complete the separation operation of the spacecraft special armored optical cable.

[0080] By designing a height limit for the operating table in the device, the present invention precisely controls the grinding amount of the file, achieving the goal of breaking the armor tube without damaging the optical fiber inside. A clamping function is added to prevent the optical cable from twisting and jumping back and forth during the armor stripping process. The armor stripping position of the operating table is constrained to ensure the high consistency of the product. A strong magnetic suction is embedded in the bottom of the operating table to absorb iron filings generated during the armor stripping process, preventing them from being scattered into the satellite cabin. The base is designed with an integrated structure to achieve the purpose of miniaturization, meeting the operator's need to use a handheld device to strip armored optical cables in mid-air.

[0081] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments and exemplary examples. However, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various equivalent substitutions, modifications, or improvements may be made to the technical solutions and implementations of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0082] The contents not described in detail in the specification of the present invention belong to the common knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A spacecraft special armor cable separation device, characterized in that: It comprises a base platform (1), an axle clamp (2) and an armor stripping platform (3); The base platform (1) is used to install the armor stripping platform (3) and the shaft clamp (2); the shaft clamp (2) is used to press the optical cable in the armor stripping platform (3) during the armor stripping process; The armor stripping platform (3) comprises a first pressing plate (32), an operating table (33) and a second pressing plate (31), wherein the operating table (33) is located between the first pressing plate (32) and the second pressing plate (31); one end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer removed is placed on the operating table (33) and the second pressing plate (31), and the other end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer not removed is placed on the first pressing plate (32); a file is used to file the armor tube placed on the operating table (33); after the file is filed, the second pressing plate (31) is removed and the armor tube is rotated and separated.

2. A spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first pressing plate (32), the operating table (33) and the second pressing plate (31) are respectively provided with a first groove, a middle groove and a second groove. The size of the first groove is consistent with the outer diameter of the optical cable, and the size of the middle groove and the second groove is consistent with the outer diameter of the armor tube.

3. The spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first pressing plate (32) and the base platform (1) are fixedly connected by screws, the operating table (33) and the base platform (1) are magnetically connected, and the second pressing plate (31) and the base platform (1) are magnetically connected.

4. The spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A magnetic attraction device is provided at the bottom of the operating table (33), and the magnetic attraction device is used to absorb iron filings generated during the armoring process.

5. The spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The operating table (33) comprises a middle area and side walls, wherein the middle groove is arranged in the middle area, the side walls are higher than the middle area, and the side walls are used to confine the file in the middle area.

6. A spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lower cross-section of the middle groove is semicircular, and the upper cross-section of the middle groove is rectangular. The middle groove is used to limit the descending height of the file. When one end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer removed is placed in the middle groove, the upper end surface of the middle groove is lower than the inner wall of the armored tube and higher than the outer wall of the empty tube.

7. The spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper height of the middle groove is defined as the limit height. For an optical cable with an outer diameter of 2.0 mm, the limit height is 0.42 mm; for an optical cable with an outer diameter of 3.0 mm, the limit height is 0.77 mm; and for a spiral optical cable with an outer diameter of 2.8 mm, the limit height is 0.87 mm.

8. The spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A raised track structure is provided on the base platform (1); limiting grooves are respectively provided at the bottoms of the first pressing plate (32), the operating table (33) and the second pressing plate (31); the limiting grooves of the first pressing plate (32), the operating table (33) and the second pressing plate (31) are installed in conjunction with the track structure to achieve coaxiality of the first groove, the middle groove and the second groove.

9. A method for separating special armored optical cables of spacecraft, characterized in that: The spacecraft special armor optical cable separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is implemented, comprising: S1 strips the outer sheath of the optical cable; S2 cuts off the metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer; S3 selects an armor stripping platform (3) that is compatible with the optical cable to be armor stripped, and installs the armor stripping platform (3) on the base platform (1); S4: placing one end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer removed on the operating table (33) and the second pressing plate (31); placing the other end of the optical cable with the outer sheath, metal mesh and fiber reinforcement layer not removed on the first pressing plate (32), and pressing them tightly with the shaft clamp (2); S5: using a file to file the armor tube placed on the operating table (33) until the file contacts the operating table (33) and stops filing; S6: Release the shaft clamp (2) and remove the second pressure plate (31); S7 manually rotates and separates the armored tube.

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