A foldable compound bow launch platform for lunar surface photography equipment

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of scientific research devices for moon, specifically is used for the foldable composite bow launching platform of lunar surface shooting equipment.The purpose is to provide a kind of foldable composite bow launching platform for lunar surface shooting equipment.The technical scheme is a kind of foldable composite bow launching platform for lunar surface shooting equipment, it is characterized in that, including vertical arrangement platform skeleton, radially installed in platform skeleton top and by several short bows with bowstring respectively composite bow array, several electric push rods installed between several short bows and platform skeleton, coaxially installed in platform skeleton center to be used for the camera guide rail of launching industrial camera, slidablely positioned in camera guide rail and connect all bowstring's pull ring and the electromagnetic catapult installed in the rear of platform skeleton;The electromagnetic catapult drives the pull ring in camera guide rail by its mover, so as to realize the launch of camera.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a scientific research device for the moon, specifically a foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, in low-gravity environments such as the Moon, traditional mechanical ejection devices suffer from low energy efficiency, poor repeatability, and complex structures, making them unsuitable for long-duration, multi-site imaging missions. While existing technologies employ springs or pneumatic methods for ejection, their output stability is significantly affected by ambient temperature and the number of uses, and precise control and automatic reset are impossible. Furthermore, conventional launch platforms are large and inconvenient to store, hindering space optimization of spacecraft payloads. The extreme environment of the lunar surface further exacerbates the failure risk of traditional devices: spring materials are prone to fatigue fracture under thermal cycling, pneumatic system seals can become brittle at low temperatures leading to leaks, and exposed mechanical structures are susceptible to wear and jamming by lunar dust. Simultaneously, lunar exploration missions impose strict limitations on the weight and energy consumption of the launch platform, making traditional hydraulic or electric-driven ejection devices ill-suited for the payload constraints of small probes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a highly stable, foldable launch platform capable of adapting to the low-gravity lunar environment and continuous operation to improve the flexibility and reliability of camera deployment in exploration missions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the above-mentioned background technology and provide a foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment. This foldable composite bow launch platform can ensure the camera launch speed in a low gravity environment; at the same time, it solves the drawbacks of traditional devices relying on complex mechanical structures and occupying a large space during the reset process, and meets the needs of continuous operation and space saving.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment is characterized by comprising a vertically arranged platform frame, a composite bow array radially mounted on the top of the platform frame and composed of several short bows, each with a bowstring, several electrically powered push rods mounted between the short bows and the platform frame, a camera guide rail coaxially mounted at the center of the platform frame for launching an industrial camera, a pull ring slidably positioned in the camera guide rail and connecting all the bowstrings, and an electromagnetic catapult mounted at the rear of the platform frame; the electromagnetic catapult drives the pull ring in the camera guide rail through its mover, thereby launching the camera.

[0005] The platform frame includes a top-level polygonal frame, a chassis, and several outer support columns connected in parallel between the top-level polygonal frame and the chassis; the inner octagonal frame is coaxially arranged in the space between the top-level polygonal frame and the chassis, and is supported and positioned by several intermediate support rods connected to the inner sides of the outer support columns.

[0006] The top-layer polygonal skeleton is divided into two parallel layers, each consisting of several horizontal bars of equal length connected end to end to form a regular polygonal ring; several outer support pillars are fixed at the corners of the chassis and the top-layer polygonal skeleton; the inner-layer polygonal skeleton is also a regular polygonal ring, with a circumference smaller than that of the top-layer polygonal skeleton.

[0007] The composite bow array consists of several short bows arranged radially on the top polygonal frame. Each short bow is hinged to several short bow arms on each crossbar of the top polygonal frame via several bow supports. Each short bow includes two bow pieces arranged side by side and fixed at their base to the bow support. The tops of the two bow pieces are hinged together to an eccentric cam for fixing the bowstring.

[0008] The short bow is formed by cutting a conventional composite bow in half; the root parts of the two bow pieces are respectively inserted and fixed in two slots in the middle of the bow support and then secured with bolts.

[0009] A semi-U-shaped force-adding rod with a bending radius smaller than that of the short bow is also fixed on the bow support; the force-adding rod is located between the two bow pieces and its rear part is fixed on the bow support, while the front part of the force-adding rod forms a pair of hinge lugs required for connecting the hinge shaft.

[0010] The chassis of the electric actuator is hinged to the triangular bracket on the inner polygonal skeleton; the actuator head is hinged to the hinge lug at the front of the force-applying rod via a pin.

[0011] The camera guide rail is a straight cylindrical section. The lower half of the guide rail has several long, narrow grooves that extend axially and penetrate to the bottom. A cylindrical pull ring is slidably positioned in the inner wall of the camera guide rail. Several bowstrings pass through the several long, narrow grooves and connect to several connection points at the bottom of the pull ring.

[0012] The electromagnetic catapult is arranged outside the camera guide rail and along the camera guide rail axis. The mover is installed on the mover guide rail and connected to the pull ring by the traction rope. The permanent magnet is embedded on the side of the mover, and a coil connected to the power supply is wound on the stator core. The direction of movement of the mover can be changed by changing the direction of the current, thereby driving the pull ring to drive the bowstring and complete the bow pulling energy storage and mover reset operation in a coordinated manner.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: This invention combines an electromagnetic catapult with a foldable composite bow array, achieving a coordinated launch mode that utilizes the electromagnetic catapult's bow-drawing mechanism and the composite bow's launching capability. The electromagnetic catapult, through its alternating energization, can perform multiple draw-and-reset maneuvers. After the electromagnetic catapult completes its draw, the composite bow utilizes the elastic potential energy of its eight bowstrings to launch the camera. This effectively ensures the camera achieves the required launch velocity in the low gravity and low atmospheric drag environment of the moon, solving the problems of continuous launch and insufficient range inherent in traditional mechanical catapult devices.

[0014] This invention employs a mechanism design that uses a hinged bow segment and bow support, coupled with an electrically driven push rod, to achieve a smooth transition of the composite bow array from a radially deployed working state to a folded state parallel to the platform frame. This design gives the platform a high space compression ratio, significantly reducing its volume during non-operational periods. This is suitable for the lightweight and miniaturized payload modules required by spacecraft such as lunar probes and landers, solving the problems of traditional launch platforms being bulky, non-foldable, and space-consuming.

[0015] After the launch platform is deployed, the trapezoidal screw mechanism in the electric push rod utilizes its power-off self-locking characteristic to reliably lock the bow segments in the fully deployed working position. This purely mechanical self-locking method consumes no electricity and can withstand the enormous reverse tension of the compound bow at full draw and the impact at the moment of launch, ensuring rigidity and stability during launch and solving the problems of insufficient structural rigidity and vibration displacement that may be caused by hinge connections.

[0016] In this invention, the entire draw-reset cycle in the electromagnetic catapult unit is uniformly and coordinatedly controlled by an electronic control device. The electromagnetic catapult not only completes the draw in the forward direction but can also automatically complete the next draw by resetting the mover through reverse energization. This process eliminates the need for complex mechanical reset mechanisms, realizing the entire process from preparation and launch to re-preparation, and meeting the requirements for continuous operation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the launch state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the platform skeleton.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the composite bow array structure.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the installation structure of the medium and short bow arm.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the separation state of the medium-short bow arm and the bow support.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the central arch support and the force-adding rod.

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the connection relationship of the electric linear actuator.

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the middle bow support and the pull ring.

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A magnified structural diagram of part A in the diagram.

[0026] Figure 10 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the electromagnetic transmitter structure.

[0027] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A magnified structural diagram of part B in the diagram.

[0028] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1-Composite bow array, 101-Bow plate, 102-Bow support, 1021-Slot, 103-Eccentric cam, 104-Short bow arm, 1041-Square hole, 1042-Opening, 105-Bowstring, 106-Forcer rod, 107-Hinge pin, 2-Platform frame, 201-Top octagonal frame, 202-Inner octagonal frame, 203-Outer support column, 204-T-connector, 205-Chassis, 206-Middle layer support rod, 3-Electric push rod, 301-Triangular support, 4-Camera guide rail, 401-Pull ring, 402-Support plate, 5-Industrial camera, 6-Electromagnetic catapult, 601-Motor, 602-Permanent magnet, 603-Coil, 604-Traction rope, 605-Motor guide rail, 606-Power supply. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0030] like Figure 1As shown, the foldable compound bow launch platform of the present invention includes: a compound bow array 1, a platform frame 2, an electric push rod 3, a camera rail 4, an industrial camera 5, and an electromagnetic catapult 6. The chassis in the platform frame 2 serves as the mounting base for the entire device, used to fix it to a lunar lander or mobile platform. The inner octagonal frame is positioned in the space between the top polygonal frame and the chassis, and is supported and positioned by several intermediate support rods 206 connected to the inner sides of the outer pillars. The two ends of the electric push rod 3 are respectively connected between the inner octagonal frame of the platform frame 2 and the modified bow support of the compound bow, used to drive the folding and unfolding of the launcher. The tubular camera rail 4 is coaxially fixed to the center of the platform frame by four support plates 402 welded to the inner octagonal frame. The industrial camera 5 is placed inside the camera rail and launched via a pull ring; the electromagnetic catapult 6 is located on the chassis and uses electromagnetic force to drive its mover to pull the pull ring inside the camera rail to launch the camera.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the platform frame 2 includes a top octagonal frame 201 that is parallel to each other and arranged in a corresponding manner, a chassis, and several outer support columns 202 connected in parallel between the top octagonal frame and the chassis 205. Its outline is a spatial polygonal column, and each outer support column is a side edge of the spatial polygonal column.

[0032] The top-layer octagonal frame consists of two parallel layers, each composed of eight horizontal bars with 22.5° bevels at both ends, connected end-to-end to form a regular octagonal ring. Eight outer support pillars 203 are welded to the base 205 and the corners of the top-layer octagonal frame. The inner-layer octagonal frame 202 is also a regular octagonal ring, with a smaller circumference than the top-layer frame, and is fixed to the outer support pillars via intermediate support rods 206. Two adjacent horizontal bars and intermediate support rods 206 are connected and fixed using tee connectors 204. Each of the eight outer surfaces of the inner frame has a triangular support 301 for hinged connection of the tail of the electric push rod 2. The camera guide rail 4 is fixed to the center of the platform frame via fixing pieces 402 welded to the inner-layer octagonal frame. Aluminum profiles are recommended for the horizontal bars, outer edges, and intermediate support rods of both the top-layer and inner-layer octagonal frames.

[0033] like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown: The composite bow array 1 is radially arranged at the top of the platform frame 2; it consists of a circumferential array of eight short bows (i.e., half composite bows) (the same number as the side edges of the platform frame 2), which are respectively installed on each side of the top octagonal frame through eight short bow arms. Each short bow arm is fixed to two corresponding profiles in the top polygonal frame 201. The short bows are formed by cutting a conventional composite bow in half, and each short bow includes two bow pieces 101 arranged side by side. The two bow pieces 101 in each short bow are installed on the outer periphery of the top octagonal frame 201 of the platform frame through short bow arms 104. The bow pieces are molded from carbon fiber-epoxy resin composite material with an I-shaped cross-section, which reduces weight while ensuring high bending stiffness.

[0034] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown: The short bow arm 104 is vertically arranged and passes through two square holes 1041 to fit onto the two aluminum profiles corresponding to the top octagonal frame, and is fixed with nuts (screw holes are made on the short bow arm at the positions corresponding to the square holes, and bolts are screwed into the screw holes to fix the short bow arm). The opening on the bottom right side of the bow support 1042 is hinged to the opening on the bottom right side of the short bow arm 104 by a hinge pin 107; when the electric push rod pushes the bow support, the bow pieces unfold and close using this hinge pin as the rotation point. The bow support is preferably made of high-strength aluminum alloy casting; the two bow pieces 101 are spaced apart, and the roots (i.e., the cut-off parts) of the two bow pieces are respectively inserted and fixed into the slots 1021 on the left and right sides of the bow support 102 and fastened by bolts screwed into the screw holes of the bow support; the outwardly protruding ends (i.e., the tops) of the two bow pieces are hinged to an eccentric cam 103 for tensioning the bowstring through a hinge shaft, so that the eccentric cam is positioned between the two bow pieces.

[0035] like Figure 6 As shown, to facilitate connection with the electric actuator, a semi-U-shaped force-adding rod 106 is added in the middle of the bow support as an actuating arm, with a bending radius smaller than that of the short bow. The rear part of the force-adding rod is bolted to the middle part of the bow support (between the left and right slots). The front part of the force-adding rod bends downward (because the bending radius is small, the rear end maintains a distance from the short bow) and is hinged to the top of the electric actuator's push rod via a hinge shaft at the front end. Specifically, the hinge structure involves two hinge ears on the front part of the force-adding rod. The size between the two hinge ears is suitable for the push rod head of the electric actuator. The push rod head is inserted between the two hinge ears, and then the hinge connection is achieved through a pin, ensuring flexible and unhindered rotation.

[0036] like Figure 1 , Figure 7As shown, the triangular bracket 301 is installed on the outside of the inner octagonal frame 202. The base of the electric push rod 3 is hinged to the triangular bracket 301 via a pin, and the top of the electric push rod is hinged to the hinge lug of the force-applying rod via a pin. The electric push rod 3 is the core component for realizing the folding-unfolding-locking function. Eight electric actuators are symmetrically distributed on the outer side of the inner octagonal frame, each corresponding to control the posture of a compound bow. Each electric actuator is a servo electric actuator (a conventional component) with a trapezoidal lead screw, consisting of a servo motor, gear reducer, trapezoidal lead screw, transmission nut, and limiters at both ends. It can precisely control the extension and retraction stroke of the actuator with an accuracy of ±0.1mm. When the device needs to be deployed, the servo motor is powered on, which drives the actuator to extend, pushing the actuating arm of the bow support, causing the bow limbs to rotate outward around the root hinge axis until the bow limbs rotate to the fully deployed working position. After reaching the position, the servo motor is de-energized, and the trapezoidal lead screw retains the actuator position by relying on the self-locking property of its own thread, automatically locking the deployed posture of the bow limbs. It can withstand the huge reverse tension when the bow is fully drawn without consuming additional power. When the device needs to be folded up for storage, the servo motor is powered in reverse, driving the trapezoidal lead screw to rotate in the opposite direction, causing the actuator to retract, pulling the modified bow support to rotate inward, and causing the bow limbs to gradually fold up to the folded state attached to the platform frame, effectively reducing the overall volume occupied.

[0037] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 As shown, one end of each of the eight bowstrings is wound around an eccentric cam, and the other end is simultaneously bound to the pull ring 401 below the camera guide rail 4. During launch, the industrial camera 5 is inserted into the camera guide rail 4 from the top, and the bowstrings drive the pull rings to launch the camera. The camera guide rail 4 is a straight cylindrical section, coaxially fixed to the central axis of the platform frame 2. The pull ring 4 is also cylindrical, matching the inner wall of the camera guide rail, and has a corresponding thickness (an axial dimension of approximately 50mm is recommended), allowing it to slide smoothly along the inner axis of the camera guide rail. The bottom of the pull ring 4 has eight connection points for fixing the eight bowstrings. The lower half of the guide rail sidewall has eight axially extending long slots evenly distributed around its circumference. The eight bowstring pull rings 401 extend outward through the eight slots and are then connected to the eccentric cam. The electromagnetic catapult traction rope 604 also passes through the slots and connects to the pull rings.

[0038] like Figure 10 , Figure 11 As shown, the electromagnetic catapult 6 is arranged outside the camera guide rail and along the camera guide rail axis. The mover 601 is mounted on the mover guide rail 605. The permanent magnet 602 is embedded on the side of the mover. The stator core is wound with a coil 603. The coil is powered by the power supply 606. The direction of the mover can be changed by changing the direction of the current. The mover pulls the pull ring 401 inside the camera guide rail through the traction rope 604. The pull ring drives the bowstring 105 to complete the bow pulling energy storage and mover reset operation.

[0039] The locking process of the launch platform is as follows: Each electric push rod 2 is equipped with a trapezoidal screw-nut pair; when the bow is fully extended to the working position, the electronic control device cuts off the power to the electric push rod motor. At this time, under the tension of the compound bow itself or the launch load, the axial force acting on the push rod attempts to retract it. Due to the frictional self-locking characteristics of the trapezoidal screw, the threaded pair can reliably lock the position when there is no power input, thereby rigidly fixing the extended compound bow array in the preset posture, providing a stable and robust support foundation for launch, and solving the problem of insufficient structural rigidity of pure hinge connections.

[0040] Once the launch platform is deployed and locked, the electronic control device first controls the electromagnetic catapult to be energized in the forward direction, driving the mover to move downward along the mover guide rail. The pull rope pulls the ring inside the camera guide rail downward along the through groove, causing the bowstrings of the eight composite bows to pull downward, resulting in elastic deformation of the bow plates and gradually storing elastic potential energy. When the ring is dragged to the preset full-stretch position, the electronic control device cuts off the power supply to the electromagnetic catapult, and the mover stops moving while maintaining the tension position, completing the energy storage preparation before launch. Upon receiving the launch command, the electronic control device controls the electromagnetic catapult to be energized in the reverse direction, driving the mover to move rapidly upward, releasing the tension of the pull rope on the ring. At this time, the elastic potential energy stored in the eight bowstrings is released simultaneously, rapidly pushing the ring and the industrial camera upward along the camera guide rail, ultimately launching the industrial camera from the top of the guide rail, completing one launch operation.

[0041] The launch operation is carried out continuously in the above sequence.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment, characterized in that: The system includes a vertically arranged platform frame (2), a composite bow array (1) radially mounted on the top of the platform frame and composed of several short bows, each with a bowstring (105), several electric push rods (3) mounted between the short bows and the platform frame, a camera rail (4) coaxially mounted at the center of the platform frame for launching an industrial camera (5), a pull ring (401) slidably positioned in the camera rail and connecting all the bowstrings, and an electromagnetic catapult (6) mounted at the rear of the platform frame; the electromagnetic catapult drives the pull ring in the camera rail through its mover (601) to launch the camera.

2. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The platform frame (2) includes a top polygonal frame, a chassis (205) arranged in parallel and corresponding manner, and several outer support columns (203) connected in parallel between the top polygonal frame and the chassis; the inner polygonal frame is coaxially arranged in the space between the top polygonal frame and the chassis, and is supported and positioned by several intermediate support rods (206) connecting the inner sides of the outer support columns.

3. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top-layer polygonal skeleton is divided into two parallel layers, each consisting of several horizontal bars of equal length connected end to end to form a regular polygonal ring; several outer support pillars (203) are fixed on the chassis (205) and at the corners of the top-layer polygonal skeleton; the inner-layer polygonal skeleton is also a regular polygonal ring, with a circumference smaller than that of the top-layer polygonal skeleton.

4. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The composite bow array (1) consists of several short bows arranged radially on the top polygonal frame; the several short bows are respectively hinged to several short bow arms (104) on each crossbar of the top polygonal frame through several bow supports (102); each short bow includes two bow pieces (101) arranged side by side and fixed at their roots to the bow support; the tops of the two bow pieces are hinged together to an eccentric cam (103) for fixing the bowstring.

5. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The short bow is formed by cutting a conventional composite bow in half; the root parts of the two bow pieces (101) are respectively inserted and fixed in two slots (1021) in the middle of the bow support (102) and then fixed with bolts.

6. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: A semi-U-shaped reinforcing rod (106) with a bending radius smaller than that of the short bow is also fixed on the bow support (102); the reinforcing rod is located between the two bow pieces and its rear part is fixed on the bow support, while the front part of the reinforcing rod forms a pair of hinge ears required for connecting the hinge shaft.

7. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The chassis of the electric push rod (3) is hinged to the triangular bracket (301) on the inner octagonal frame; the push rod head of the electric push rod is hinged to the hinge lug at the front of the force rod through a pin.

8. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The camera guide rail (4) is a straight cylindrical section. The lower half of the guide rail sidewall is evenly provided with several long strip-shaped grooves that extend axially and penetrate to the bottom end. A cylindrical pull ring (4) is slidably positioned in the inner wall of the camera guide rail. The several bowstrings pass through the several long strip-shaped grooves and connect to several connection points at the bottom end of the pull ring.

9. The foldable composite bow launch platform for lunar surface imaging equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that: The electromagnetic catapult (6) is arranged outside the camera guide rail and along the camera guide rail axis. The mover (601) is installed on the mover guide rail (605) and connected to the pull ring (401) by the traction rope (604). The permanent magnet (602) is embedded on the side of the mover, and a coil (603) connected to the power supply (606) is wound on the stator core. The direction of movement of the mover can be changed by changing the direction of the current, thereby driving the pull ring (401) to drive the bowstring and complete the bow pulling energy storage and mover reset operation in a coordinated manner.

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