Solar wing panel on-orbit manual restraint and release servicing tool

Abstract

The application provides a solar wing cell panel on-orbit manual constraint and release maintenance tool, which comprises an operating handle (1), a lever (2), a shell (3), a mandrel (14), a support (4), a limiting baffle (5), a claw (6), a clamping plate (7), a connecting plate, a locking pin (19), an unlocking handle (20), a compression spring (15), a small spring (18), a torsional spring (10) and a shaft (9). The operating handle (1) is connected with the shell (3) through a screw, the mandrel (14) is nested in the inner hole of the shell (3), two levers (2) are installed at one end of the mandrel (14), and two limiting baffles (5) are installed at the other end of the mandrel (14). In the application, the clamping force is small during installation, so that the clamping force is prevented from being too large to damage the surface glass cover plate and the cell plate of the cell panel, mechanical limiting is realized by using a mechanical structure after installation, and the cell panel is allowed to slightly vibrate, but the cell panel cannot be completely unfolded due to the existence of the mechanical limiting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of on-orbit manual maintenance tools, and in particular to an on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels. Background Technology

[0002] As a core component of a spacecraft's energy system, the reliable deployment of solar panels directly impacts mission success or failure. For solar panels that deploy in stages in orbit, the successful detonation of the restraint ignition devices directly determines whether they can fully deploy. A failure in orbit will directly lead to mission failure and cause extremely serious consequences. With the increasing cost of spacecraft development, the ability to repair spacecraft in orbit is crucial. Since its establishment, my country's Tiangong space station has successfully completed numerous extravehicular activity (EVA) repair missions assisted by robotic arms. Leveraging the advantage of long-term manned deployment on my country's space station, when a spacecraft's solar panel deployment fails, it can quickly dock with the space station, allowing astronauts to exit the spacecraft and use repair tools to unlock the restraint points in an emergency. The key to repair is the ability to manually restrain and release the solar panels; otherwise, the immediate deployment of the solar panels after the restraint points are unlocked would seriously threaten the astronauts' lives. Therefore, restraint and release repair tools need to be installed before unlocking to prevent accidental deployment of the solar panels during repair. After the restraint points are unlocked, the restraint and release repair tools are removed to release the solar panels.

[0003] Currently, there are no relevant patents domestically or internationally. In response to the above problems, this invention proposes a manual on-orbit constraint and release maintenance tool for solar panel batteries.

[0004] In response to the increasing demand for on-orbit maintenance of spacecraft, this invention proposes an on-orbit manual constraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels. This tool enables the constraint and release of solar panels during emergency unlocking of constraint points after a spacecraft's solar panel deployment fails. It assists the spacecraft in completing emergency maintenance of solar panel constraint points, mitigating serious losses caused by the failure of the solar panels to deploy. The on-orbit manual constraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels proposed in this invention is characterized by its small size, ingenious structure, simple operation, and reusability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels, in order to solve the problem of emergency maintenance of restraint points after the failure of phased deployment of spacecraft solar panels.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels in orbit is provided to assist astronauts in manually restraining and releasing solar panels in orbit. In the initial state, the clamping plates and grippers form a flared shape to facilitate tool installation onto the solar panel. After the tool is inserted into the solar panel, the mounting surface of the clamping plates remains in contact with the surface of the solar panel under the action of a torsion spring. Because the distance between the upper and lower clamping plates after they are flattened is less than the thickness of the solar panel, the clamping plates, after entering the solar panel, push the grippers to rotate outward around the axis by a certain angle. The L-shaped structure at the root of the grippers... The astronaut contacts the limiting baffle, pushing the limiting baffle to move backward a certain distance. Under the action of the compression spring, the limiting baffle applies a reaction force to the rotation of the gripper. Under the action of the reaction force, the gripper continuously applies a clamping force to the clamping plate, realizing its constraint function. The locking pin passes through the pin hole on the spindle and the housing to restrict the movement of the spindle. The pin hole is an elongated hole, which leaves a certain margin in the direction of the spindle's unlocking movement, allowing the gripper to push the limiting baffle and drive the spindle to move backward a certain distance when it rotates, limiting the large-scale rotation of the gripper and preventing accidental unlocking of the gripper. After rotating the unlocking handle, the locking pin releases the constraint between the spindle and the housing. The astronaut grips the lever and drives the spindle to move backward. At the same time, the limiting baffle moves backward, and under the action of the torsion spring, the gripper opens and rotates outward. The L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper enters the groove of the limiting baffle. After the gripper is completely released from constraint, it completes the opening action under the action of the torsion spring, realizing the release function.

[0007] The present invention provides a manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels, comprising an operating handle, a lever, a housing, a spindle, a bracket, a limit baffle, a gripper, a clamping plate, a connecting plate, a locking pin, an unlocking handle, a compression spring, a small spring, a torsion spring, and a shaft.

[0008] The objective of this invention is achieved as follows: The operating handle is used by astronauts for gripping, transferring, and installing / removing parts. The operating handle is connected to the housing by screws. The spindle is nested in the inner hole of the housing. Two levers are installed at one end of the spindle, and two limit baffles are installed at the other end. A compression spring is installed between the spindle and the housing. When the lever is gripped, the spindle moves backward and the spring is compressed. When the lever is released, the compressed spring pushes the spindle back to its initial position.

[0009] Two clamping plates are mounted on the upper and lower jaws respectively via a shaft. A torsion spring is nested on the shaft, with one short lead of the torsion spring inserted into the hole of the jaw and the other long lead clamped on the clamping plate. Under the action of the torsion spring, the clamping plates tend to open and rotate outward around the shaft, but the contact between the top of the jaw and the clamping plate restricts the rotation of the clamping plates, so that the clamping plates and jaws present a 30-degree opening angle. The upper and lower brackets are respectively mounted on the housing with screws. The gripper is connected to the brackets via a shaft. A torsion spring is nested on the shaft. One short lead of the torsion spring is inserted into a hole on the bracket, and the other long lead is locked onto the shaft, which is mounted on the gripper. Under the action of the torsion spring, the gripper tends to open and rotate outward around the shaft. However, due to the L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper contacting the limiting baffle, the gripper's movement tendency is restricted by the limiting baffle and it cannot rotate. The locking pin assembly is mounted on the housing with screws. The locking pin is installed inside the locking pin housing, which is in turn mounted on the housing with screws. The unlocking handle is connected to the locking pin via a rotating shaft. A small spring is installed between the locking pin and the locking pin housing. Initially, the unlocking handle is in a horizontal position, with the locking pin inserted into the pin hole in the spindle and housing. Because the pin hole is slightly larger than the locking pin, the spindle can still move a certain distance even when the locking pin is engaged. This allows for slight rotation of the clamp and gripper when the tool is installed on the solar panel and limits large rotation caused by accidental collisions of the gripper. The unlocking handle rotates from horizontal to vertical using a cam mechanism, causing the locking pin to be pulled out of the pin hole in the spindle and housing, thus releasing the restriction on the spindle's movement.

[0010] In the initial state, the clamping plate and gripper form a flared shape to facilitate tool installation onto the solar panel. After the tool is inserted into the solar panel, the mounting surface of the clamping plate remains in contact with the surface of the solar panel under the action of the torsion spring. Since the distance between the upper and lower clamping plates after they are flattened is less than the thickness of the solar panel, the clamping plate pushes the gripper to rotate outward around the axis by a certain angle after entering the solar panel. The L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper contacts the limiting baffle, pushing the limiting baffle to move backward a certain distance. Under the action of the compression spring, the limiting baffle applies a reaction force to the rotation of the gripper. Under the action of the reaction force, the gripper continuously applies a force to clamp the solar panel onto the clamping plate, thus achieving its constraint function.

[0011] When the unlocking handle of the locking assembly is moved from the horizontal to the vertical position, the locking pin is pulled out from the pin hole in the spindle and housing, releasing the movement restriction on the spindle. Then, by gripping the lever with one hand, the spindle and the limit plate move towards the operating handle. Without the constraint of the limit plate, the gripper opens and rotates outward under the action of the torsion spring. The L-shaped structure at the base of the gripper gradually slides into the groove on the limit plate, and the gripper then unfolds to 90 degrees, causing the clamping plate to separate from the surface of the battery panel, completing the release function.

[0012] This invention proposes an on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels. During installation, the clamping force is small, preventing damage to the glass cover and solar cells from excessive clamping force. After installation, a mechanical structure provides mechanical restraint, allowing for slight panel vibration. However, due to the mechanical restraint, the panel cannot fully deploy, preventing sudden full deployment and potential impact on the astronaut. Furthermore, the structure of the clamps and grippers prevents the tool from being directly pulled out after installation. When disassembling the tool, the step-by-step deployment restraint point clamping mechanism of the panel is unlocked, at which point the panel tends to deploy automatically. A lever is used to release the grippers and clamps by moving the limit plate, preventing damage to the panel's surface components from direct removal. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a frontal 3D view of the initial state of a manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional rear view of the initial state of a manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels according to the present invention. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a locking pin assembly for a manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels according to the present invention; Figure 5 a is a schematic diagram of the installation constraint tool for a manual on-orbit constraint and release maintenance tool for a solar panel according to the present invention; Figure 5 b is a schematic diagram of the constraint tool being installed and locked in place in the manual constraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels in orbit according to the present invention. Figure 5 c is a schematic diagram of a manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panel of the present invention, which unlocks the locking pin. Figure 5 d is a schematic diagram of the manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels of the present invention, which unlocks the gripper and clamp and releases the solar panel. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides a more detailed account of the on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels proposed in this invention. The advantages and features of this invention will become clearer from the following description and claims. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and use non-precise ratios, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of this invention.

[0015] The on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels provided by this invention achieves the manual restraint and release functions for solar panels as follows: Combination Figures 1-5 The operating handle 1 is used by astronauts for gripping, transferring, and installing / disassembling. The operating handle 1 is connected to the housing 3 by screws. The spindle 14 is nested in the inner hole of the housing 3. Two levers 2 are installed at one end of the spindle 14 and two limiting baffles 5 are installed at the other end. A compression spring 15 is installed between the spindle 14 and the housing 3. When the levers 2 are gripped, the spindle 14 moves backward and compresses the spring 15. When the levers 2 are released, the compression spring 15 pushes the spindle 14 and the limiting baffles 5 back to the initial position.

[0016] Combination Figure 3 The locking pin assembly is mounted on the housing 3 with screws. The locking pin 19 is installed inside the locking pin housing 17, which is also mounted on the housing 3 with screws. The unlocking handle 20 is connected to the locking pin 19 via a rotating shaft. A small spring 18 is installed between the locking pin 19 and the locking pin housing 17. Initially, the unlocking handle 20 is in a horizontal position. At this time, the locking pin 19 is inserted into the pin hole in the spindle 14 and the housing 3. Since the pin hole is slightly larger than the locking pin 19, the spindle 3 can still move a certain distance even when the locking pin 19 is locked. This allows the clamping plate 7 and the gripper 6 to rotate slightly when the tool is installed on the battery panel, and limits the large-amplitude rotation caused by accidental collision of the gripper 6. After the unlocking handle 20 rotates from a horizontal to a vertical position using a cam structure, the locking pin 19 is pulled out from the pin hole in the spindle 14 and the housing 3, releasing the movement restriction on the spindle 14.

[0017] The clamping plate 7 is mounted on the gripper 6 via the shaft 9. The torsion spring 10 is nested on the shaft 9, with one short lead of the torsion spring 10 inserted into the hole of the gripper 6 and the other long lead locked onto the clamping plate 7. Under the action of the torsion spring 10, the clamping plate 7 tends to rotate outward around the shaft 9, but the contact between the tip of the gripper 6 and the clamping plate 7 restricts the rotation of the clamping plate 7, resulting in a 30-degree opening angle between the clamping plate 7 and the gripper 6. At the same time, a polyurethane foam board 8 is installed on the surface of the clamping plate, which can minimize damage to the components on the front of the solar panel during tool installation.

[0018] The bracket 4 is mounted on the housing 3 by screws. The gripper 6 is connected to the bracket 4 via the shaft 13. The torsion spring 12 is nested on the shaft 13. One short lead of the torsion spring 12 is inserted into a hole on the bracket 4, and the other long lead is clamped on the shaft 11, which is mounted on the gripper 6. Under the action of the torsion spring 12, the gripper 6 has a tendency to open and rotate outward around the shaft 13. However, because the L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper 6 contacts the limiting baffle 5, the movement tendency of the gripper 6 is restricted by the limiting baffle 5 and it cannot rotate. In the initial state, the clamping plate 7 and the gripper 6 form a flared opening to facilitate tool installation onto the battery panel. After the tool is inserted into the battery panel, the mounting surface of the clamping plate 7 remains in contact with the surface of the battery panel under the action of the torsion spring 10. Since the distance between the upper and lower clamping plates 7 after they are flattened is less than the thickness of the battery panel, the clamping plate 7 pushes the gripper 6 to rotate outward around the axis 13 by a certain angle after entering the battery panel. The L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper 6 contacts the limiting baffle 5, pushing the limiting baffle 5 to move backward a certain distance. Under the action of the compression spring 15, the limiting baffle 5 applies a reaction force to the rotation of the gripper 6. Under the action of the reaction force, the gripper 6 continuously applies a force to clamp the battery panel onto the clamping plate 7, realizing its constraint function. The limiting plate 16 realizes the mechanical limitation after the tool is in place.

[0019] When the unlocking handle 20 of the locking assembly is moved from the horizontal to the vertical position, the locking pin 19 is pulled out from the pin hole in the spindle 14 and the housing 3, releasing the movement restriction on the spindle 14. Then, by gripping the lever 2 with one hand, the spindle 14 and the limiting baffle 5 are moved towards the operating handle 1. Without the constraint of the limiting baffle 5, the gripper 6 opens and rotates outward under the action of the torsion spring 12. The L-shaped structure at the base of the gripper 6 gradually slides into the groove on the limiting baffle 5 along the surface of the limiting baffle 5. The gripper 6 then unfolds to 90 degrees, causing the clamping plate 7 to separate from the surface of the battery panel, completing the release function.

[0020] The contents not described in detail in this specification are prior art known to those skilled in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within the present invention.

Claims

1. A manual on-orbit restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panel, characterized in that, Includes operating handle (1), lever (2), housing (3), spindle (14), bracket (4), limit baffle (5), gripper (6), clamp (7), connecting plate, locking pin (19), unlocking handle (20), compression spring (15), small spring (18), torsion spring (10), shaft (9); The operating handle (1) is used by astronauts for gripping, transferring and installing / disassembling. The operating handle (1) is connected to the housing (3) by screws. The spindle (14) is nested in the inner hole of the housing (3). Two levers (2) are installed at one end of the spindle (14) and two limiting baffles (5) are installed at the other end. A compression spring (15) is installed between the spindle (14) and the housing (3). When the lever (2) is gripped, the spindle (14) moves backward and compresses the spring 15. When the lever (2) is released, the compression spring (15) pushes the spindle (14) and the limiting baffle (5) back to the initial position. The locking pin assembly is mounted on the housing (3) by screws. The locking pin (19) is installed inside the locking pin housing 17, which is mounted on the housing (3) by screws. The unlocking handle (20) is connected to the locking pin (19) via a rotating shaft. A small spring (18) is installed between the locking pin (19) and the locking pin housing 17. In the initial state, the unlocking handle (20) is in a horizontal state. At this time, the locking pin (19) is inserted into the pin hole in the spindle (14) and the housing (3). The hole size is slightly larger than the locking pin (19), so that the spindle 3 can still move a certain distance when the locking pin (19) is locked, so that the clamp (7) and the gripper (6) can rotate slightly when the tool is installed on the battery board, and the large rotation caused by the gripper (6) after accidental collision is limited; the unlocking handle (20) rotates from horizontal to vertical by using the cam structure, so that the locking pin (19) is pulled out from the pin hole in the spindle (14) and the housing (3), and the movement restriction on the spindle (14) is released.

2. The on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The clamp (7) is mounted on the gripper (6) via a shaft (9). The torsion spring (10) is nested on the shaft (9). One short pin of the torsion spring (10) is inserted into the hole of the gripper (6), and the other long pin is stuck on the clamp (7). Under the action of the torsion spring (10), the clamp (7) tends to open and rotate outward around the shaft (9). Since the contact between the top of the gripper (6) and the clamp (7) restricts the rotation of the clamp (7), the clamp (7) and the gripper (6) present a 30-degree opening angle. At the same time, a polyurethane foam board 8 is installed on the surface of the clamp to minimize the damage to the front components of the battery panel during tool installation.

3. The on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket (4) is installed on the housing (3) by screws. The gripper (6) is connected to the bracket (4) by the shaft 13. The torsion spring 12 is nested on the shaft 13. One end of the torsion spring 12 is inserted into the hole on the bracket (4), and the other end is stuck on the shaft 11. The shaft 11 is installed on the gripper (6). Under the action of the torsion spring 12, the gripper (6) tends to open and rotate outward around the shaft 13. Since the L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper (6) is in contact with the limiting baffle (5), the movement tendency of the gripper (6) is restricted by the limiting baffle (5) and cannot rotate.

4. The on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the initial state, the clamping plate (7) and the gripper (6) form a flared opening to facilitate the installation of the tool onto the battery plate. After the tool is inserted into the battery plate, the mounting surface of the clamping plate (7) is always in contact with the surface of the battery plate under the action of the torsion spring (10). Since the distance between the upper and lower clamping plates (7) after they are flattened is less than the thickness of the battery plate, the clamping plate (7) pushes the gripper (6) to open outward and rotate a certain angle around the axis 13 after entering the battery plate. The L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper (6) contacts the limiting baffle (5) and pushes the limiting baffle (5) to move backward a certain distance. Under the action of the compression spring (15), the limiting baffle (5) applies a reaction force to the rotation of the gripper (6). Under the action of the reaction force, the gripper (6) continuously applies a force to clamp the battery plate (7) to achieve its constraint function. The limiting plate 16 realizes the mechanical limitation after the tool is in place.

5. The on-orbit manual restraint and release maintenance tool for solar panels as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When the unlocking handle (20) of the locking assembly is moved from horizontal to vertical, the locking pin (19) is pulled out from the pin hole in the spindle (14) and the housing (3), releasing the movement restriction on the spindle (14); then, the lever (2) is gripped with one hand, causing the spindle (14) and the limiting baffle (5) to move towards the operating handle (1). Without the constraint of the limiting baffle (5), the gripper (6) opens and rotates outward under the action of the torsion spring 12. The L-shaped structure at the root of the gripper (6) gradually slides into the groove on the limiting baffle (5) along the surface of the limiting baffle (5). The gripper (6) then unfolds to 90 degrees, causing the clamp (7) to separate from the surface of the battery panel, completing the release function.

Images