A space sample capsule cover locking and timing release device

Abstract

The utility model relates to space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device in space mechanical technology field, and disclose a space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device, the size difference of the existing space sample cabin cover and sample container is big, and the guiding precision is low when jointly shifting, and it is easy to jam, and the surface coating material of cabin cover cannot bear the clamping force, leading to the problem of operation reliability deficiency in the process of cabin cover locking and shifting, the present scheme is bearing base with mounting seat, and the cabin cover is locked by left end face compression rod, right compression block compression rod clamping, the movement track of cabin cover is constrained by the embedding of guide pin and guide rail assembly, and the guide cylinder is installed in the mounting seat through the hinge shaft and is equipped with volute spring. When unlocking, the compression rod releases the constraint under the action of spring in turn, the guide cylinder rotates and drives the cabin cover to move along the guide rail, and finally is positioned by the locking pin. Realize the independent shifting of cabin cover and sample container to improve the guiding precision, avoid the high temperature resistant area of cabin cover, avoid component interference through timing release, and guarantee the reliability of cabin cover operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of aerospace mechanical technology, and in particular to a space sample cabin hatch locking and timing release device. Background Technology

[0002] The space sample capsule is a specialized, sealed enclosure used by spacecraft to collect, store, and return various samples in space. It possesses stringent environmental control capabilities, maintaining the original state of the samples and preventing alterations to their properties by factors such as space radiation and microgravity. It also isolates samples from cross-contamination between the Earth and space environments. Its design must meet requirements for lightweight construction and high strength, and it is equipped with a precision sealing structure and temperature control system. It can carry lunar soil, planetary rocks, and space biological experimental samples. During the return phase, it must withstand the high temperatures and pressures of atmospheric reentry to ensure the safe arrival of samples on Earth. This provides crucial physical materials for research in astrochemistry, space biology, and other fields, making it a core carrier connecting space exploration and ground-based research in deep space exploration missions.

[0003] The prior art, disclosed in CN116215895A, is an integrated locking and releasing device for unlocking and avoidance, and its operating method. The device includes a storage cover, a spring cover, a release spring, a locked component, a rotating support, a locking rod, a locking release assembly, and a housing. This invention also discloses the operating method of the aforementioned locking and releasing device. In the locked state, the lower end of the locking rod is locked, the lower end of the rotating support presses against the upper end of the housing, and the lower end of the locked component presses against the upper end of the rotating support. During unlocking, the lower end of the locking rod is released. When the locked component is not subjected to external force, the rotating support rotates and retracts relative to the housing under the action of the rotating spring and the return spring, achieving separation and avoidance between the locking component and the rotating support. When the locked component is still pressed against the rotating support under external force, the rotating support rotates relative to the housing under the driving force of the external force, similarly achieving separation and avoidance between the locking component and the rotating support. The prior art adds unlocking and avoidance functions under abnormal pressure conditions, improving the reliability of the system.

[0004] The above-mentioned and existing related technologies have the following drawbacks:

[0005] 1. In existing sampling and reentry missions, the sample container needs to be transferred to the space sample cabin, and the cabin lid needs to be locked. Due to limited resources in the reentry vehicle, an external drive for the cabin lid is required. However, the dimensions of the space sample cabin lid and the sample container differ significantly. If they are transferred together, the guiding accuracy is poor, and there is a risk of jamming during the transfer process. Therefore, a cabin lid sample locking and release device is needed. However, the outer end face and sides of the space sample cabin lid are coated with high-temperature resistant materials, making it unsuitable for clamping and stress. This renders conventional cabin lid locking and release devices, which typically operate on the outer end face or sides of the lid, unsuitable for this situation. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is that the existing technology has the disadvantage of insufficient separation surface avoidance and guidance. To address this, we propose a space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: a space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device, including a mounting base, a hinge shaft on the mounting base, and a guide cylinder rotatable around the hinge shaft; the mounting base is also provided with a clamping rod assembly for clamping the cabin cover, the clamping rod assembly being connected to an elastic element to provide preload; a guide rail assembly is provided on the guide cylinder, and a guide pin cooperating with the guide rail assembly is provided on the cabin cover; the mounting base is provided with a locking pin assembly for positioning the guide cylinder.

[0008] Preferably, the guide cylinder is fitted onto the hinge shaft through a shaft hole to form a rotating pair.

[0009] Preferably, the clamping rod assembly includes two sets of symmetrically arranged rotating shaft systems, one set of rotating shaft systems on which a left end face clamping rod is mounted, and the other set of rotating shaft systems on which a right pressure block clamping rod is mounted.

[0010] Preferably, the guide rail assembly includes a guide wheel bracket and a guide wheel mounted on the guide wheel bracket. The outer circumferential surface of the guide wheel is provided with a V-shaped annular groove, and the free end of the guide pin is provided with a guide edge that engages with the V-shaped annular groove.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic element includes a guide cylinder spiral spring sleeved on the outer periphery of the hinge shaft, the inner end of the guide cylinder spiral spring being connected to the guide cylinder, and the outer end of the guide cylinder spiral spring being positioned with the mounting base.

[0012] Preferably, the locking pin assembly includes a locking pin bracket shaft and a locking pin bracket fitted on the locking pin bracket shaft. The free end of the locking pin bracket is provided with a locking pin, and the side wall of the guide cylinder is provided with a groove that cooperates with the locking pin.

[0013] The technical effects and advantages of this utility model are as follows:

[0014] In this invention, by separating the transfer processes of the hatch cover and the sample container, the guiding accuracy of their respective transfers is effectively improved. The hatch cover achieves linear motion guidance through the engagement of the guide pin and the guide rail assembly, while the sample container is transferred independently through the guide channel of the guide cylinder. This avoids the guiding deviation that may occur when the two are transferred together due to their large size difference, reduces the risk of jamming during the transfer process, and ensures the smooth transfer of the sample container and the hatch cover during the sampling return mission.

[0015] In this invention, the locking structure cleverly avoids the high-temperature resistant material areas on the outer end face and sides of the hatch cover, achieving locking only by acting on a small plane of non-high-temperature resistant material near the central axis of the outer end face of the hatch cover and the inner end face. This design satisfies the force requirements for hatch cover locking while avoiding damage to the high-temperature resistant coating of the hatch cover, ensuring the hatch cover's ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures during the reentry phase, and solving the problem that conventional locking devices are unsuitable for this type of hatch cover because they act on high-temperature resistant areas.

[0016] In this invention, a time-sequenced release mechanism ensures the orderly operation of each component, effectively avoiding spatial interference. During the unlocking process, the right pressure block clamping rod first rotates to release the constraint on the guide cylinder and the right end of the hatch, then the left end clamping rod releases the left end of the hatch, and finally the guide cylinder rotates to rotate the hatch. Each action is performed sequentially according to a preset order, ensuring that the movement trajectories of each component do not overlap, thus improving the reliability of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The disclosure of this utility model is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same parts:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model when locked;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the locking and timing release device for the space sample chamber cover provided by this utility model when locked;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the locking and timing release device for the space sample chamber cover provided by this utility model when locked;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model before the cover moves;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model after the cover is moved;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the first step of the release timing action of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the second step of the release timing action of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the third step of the release timing action of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model;

[0026] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the fourth step of the release timing action of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model;

[0027] Figure 10 A partially enlarged view of the release timing action of the space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device provided by this utility model.

[0028] Legend: 1. Guide cylinder; 2. Hinge shaft; 3. Guide cylinder spring bushing; 4. Guide cylinder spiral spring; 5. Mounting base; 6. Locking pin bracket shaft; 7. Locking pin bracket; 8. Locking pin; 9. Guide cylinder spring shaft; 10. Left end face clamping rod; 11. Left clamping rod torsion spring; 12. Right clamping block clamping rod; 13. Right clamping rod spring bushing; 14. Right clamping rod spiral spring; 15. Right clamping rod spring shaft; 16. Guide pin; 17. Guide rail assembly; 18. Guide wheel bracket; 19. Guide rail guide wheel torsion spring; 20. Guide rail guide wheel shaft; 21. Guide wheel; 22. Hatch cover. Detailed Implementation

[0029] It is readily understood that, based on the technical solution of this utility model, those skilled in the art can propose various interchangeable structural methods and implementations without altering the essential spirit of this utility model. Therefore, the following detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the technical solution of this utility model and should not be considered as the entirety of this utility model or as limitations or restrictions on the technical solution of this utility model.

[0030] Reference Figures 1-3 As shown, this utility model provides a technical solution: a space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device, including a mounting base 5. The mounting base 5 serves as the core bearing base and is made of titanium alloy or high-strength aluminum alloy to meet the strength and lightweight requirements in the space environment. All functional components are directly or indirectly assembled on it.

[0031] Mounting base 5 is a frame structure with multi-directional mounting reference surfaces. A hinge shaft 2 is fixed radially on one side wall. The hinge shaft 2 is made of high-strength alloy steel and is heat-treated. Its axis is parallel to the main plane of mounting base 5. A guide cylinder 1 is installed above the mounting base. The guide cylinder 1 is made of aerospace aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy and requires surface hardening treatment to improve wear resistance. One end of the guide cylinder 1 is fitted onto the hinge shaft 2 through a shaft hole to form a rotating pair. The fit clearance is controlled at 0.01-0.03mm, allowing the guide cylinder 1 to rotate circumferentially around the axis of the hinge shaft 2. A guide cylinder spring bushing 3 is also fitted on the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 2. This bushing is made of wear-resistant cast iron or engineering plastic. The guide cylinder spring bushing 3 is fixedly attached to the wall of the mounting base 5. A guide cylinder spring shaft 9 is vertically fixed on the outer wall of the guide cylinder 1 near the hinge shaft 2. The guide cylinder spiral spring 4 is made of spring steel, and its preload torque can be set to 5-10 N·m. The inner end of the guide cylinder spiral spring 4 is hooked into the radial through hole of the guide cylinder spring shaft 9, and the outer end is positioned by the limiting groove of the guide cylinder spring bushing 3 to form the preload torque on the guide cylinder 1.

[0032] A guide rail assembly 17 is axially fixed on the outer wall of the guide cylinder 1 away from the hinge axis 2. Two sets are arranged corresponding to the guide pins 16 and are symmetrically distributed circumferentially along the outer wall of the guide cylinder 1. The guide rail assembly is based on a guide wheel bracket 18, which is made of high-strength plastic or aluminum alloy and has a U-shaped groove structure. Shaft holes are symmetrically opened on both sides of the bracket. The guide wheel shaft 20 is made of bearing steel, passes through the shaft hole, and is interference-fitted with the guide wheel bracket 18. The guide wheel 21 is made of bearing steel, hardened, or engineering plastic. The bearing is fitted into the middle of the guide wheel shaft 20 of the guide rail, and the outer circumferential surface of the guide wheel 21 is machined with a V-shaped annular groove with a groove angle of 90°±5°. In each guide rail assembly 17, two guide wheels 21 are symmetrically arranged in the U-shaped groove of the guide wheel bracket 18. The guide wheel torsion spring 19 is made of spring steel and is sleeved on one end of the guide wheel shaft 20. Its two free ends abut against the inner wall of the guide wheel bracket 18 and the side end face of the guide wheel 21, respectively, forming a radial preload on the guide wheel 21. The magnitude of the preload can be set to 50-100N.

[0033] Two guide pins 16 are symmetrically fixed radially on the outer circumferential surface of the hatch 22. The guide pins 16 are made of hard alloy or surface-carburized and quenched alloy steel, and the free ends are machined with orthogonal guide edges with an accuracy of IT6 grade. The edges are fitted into the V-shaped annular grooves of the two guide wheels 21 in the guide rail assembly 17, with the fit clearance controlled at 0.05-0.1mm, allowing the hatch 22 to slide linearly along the axial direction of the guide rail assembly 17. The high-temperature resistant material areas on the outer end face and sides of the hatch 22 are made of quartz fiber reinforced ceramic composite material, while the non-high-temperature resistant small planes are made of titanium alloy or aluminum alloy matrix.

[0034] Two sets of rotating shafts are symmetrically arranged on the top of the mounting base 5 along the rotation plane of the guide cylinder 1. The rotating shafts are made of the same material as the hinge shaft 2. A left end face clamping rod 10 is mounted on one of the shaft systems. The left end face clamping rod 10 is made of high-strength aluminum alloy or titanium alloy. Its middle part forms a rotational fit with the rotating shaft. The clamping surface of its free end is shot-peened to improve the surface roughness and forms a surface contact with the left side of the hatch cover 22. The left clamping rod torsion spring 11 is made of spring steel and is sleeved on the end of the rotating shaft. Its preload is set to 200-500N. The two free ends abut against the boss of the mounting base 5 and the side wall of the left end face clamping rod 10, respectively, providing the left end face clamping rod 10 with a restoring torque for rotation around the axis.

[0035] Another set of rotating shafts is fitted with a right pressure block clamping rod 12, which is made of the same material as the left end face clamping rod 10 and is assembled in the same way as the left end face clamping rod 10. The free end is provided with a stepped pressure block structure. One side of the pressure block contacts the right end side of the hatch 22, and the other side abuts against the outer wall of the guide cylinder 1. The contact surfaces are all pasted with 0.1-0.2mm thick polytetrafluoroethylene gaskets to reduce friction. The outer circumference of the rotating shaft is also fitted with a right pressure rod spring bushing 13, which is made of the same material as the guide cylinder spring bushing 3. The side wall of the right pressure block clamping rod 12 is fixed with a right pressure rod spring shaft 15. The right pressure rod spiral spring 14 is made of the same material as the guide cylinder spiral spring 4. The preload is set to 200-500N. The inner end is hooked to the right pressure rod spring shaft 15, and the outer end is limited by the right pressure rod spring bushing 13 to form a preload on the right pressure block clamping rod 12.

[0036] The mounting base 5 is fixedly provided with a locking pin bracket shaft 6 near the lower part of the hinge shaft 2. The axis of the shaft is parallel to the hinge shaft 2 and the material is high-strength alloy steel. The locking pin bracket 7 is made of aluminum alloy. One end is fitted onto the locking pin bracket shaft 6 through a shaft hole. The free end of the locking pin 7 is fitted with a locking pin 8. The locking pin 8 is made of stainless steel and its axis is set radially. It forms a clearance fit with the eccentric groove on the side wall of the guide cylinder 1 to realize the rotational positioning of the guide cylinder 1.

[0037] All the above components are integrated into a single unit via mounting base 5. All parts undergo vacuum baking and degassing treatment to prevent on-orbit gas release that could contaminate samples or affect optical equipment. Thermal compensation gaps of 0.01-0.03 mm are reserved at the mating points of hinge shaft 2 and guide cylinder 1, and guide wheel shaft 20 and guide wheel 21, to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction under high and low temperature conditions in space. The locking constraint and sequential release functions of hatch 22 are achieved through the kinematic pair mating and elastic pre-tightening structure between components.

[0038] Reference Figures 4-10As shown, after the unlocking action is initiated, the right pressure block clamping rod 12 rotates clockwise around its own rotation axis under the drive of the right pressure rod spiral spring 14. The rotation angle is designed to be 90°±5°. Its pressure block structure disengages from the outer wall of the guide cylinder 1, releasing the rotational constraint on the guide cylinder 1. At the same time, the contact pressure between its free end and the right end of the hatch 22 disappears, releasing the constraint on the right end of the hatch 22. Subsequently, the left end face clamping rod 10 rotates counterclockwise around its axis under the action of the left pressure rod torsion spring 11. Its free end disengages from the left end of the hatch 22, releasing the constraint on the left end of the hatch 22. At this time, the clamping constraint of the hatch 22 in the axial direction is completely released.

[0039] Under the preload torque of the guide cylinder spiral spring 4, the guide cylinder 1 rotates around the hinge axis 2 in a preset direction, with a rotation angle designed to be 120°±5°. Since the guide rail assembly 17 is fixed to the outer wall of the guide cylinder 1, the rotation of the guide cylinder 1 drives the guide rail assembly 17 to move synchronously. The guide pin 16 on the cover 22 is fitted into the V-shaped annular groove formed by the two guide wheels 21 in the guide rail assembly 17. Under the clamping force of the guide wheel torsion spring 19, the guide pin 16 maintains close contact with the guide wheel 21, with the contact pressure controlled at 5-10 MPa. Therefore, the movement of the guide rail assembly 17 is transmitted to the cover 22 through the guide pin 16, causing the cover 22 to move synchronously with the guide cylinder 1 along the guide trajectory of the guide rail assembly 17. The straightness error during the movement is ≤0.1 mm / m, achieving a smooth transition from the initial locked position to the sample transfer path.

[0040] When the guide cylinder 1 rotates to the preset angle, the locking pin 8 is engaged in the eccentric groove on the side wall of the guide cylinder 1 under the action of the elastic element. The positioning of the guide cylinder 1 is achieved through the cooperation of the locking pin bracket 7 and the locking pin bracket shaft 6, with a positioning accuracy of ≤0.5mm. At this time, the hatch cover 22 moves with the guide cylinder 1 and stabilizes in the preset position.

[0041] During device assembly, it is necessary to ensure that the perpendicularity error between the rotation axis of the guide cylinder 1 and the reference surface of the mounting base 5 is ≤0.05mm / m, and the parallelism error between the guide trajectory of the guide rail assembly 17 and the transfer path of the hatch 22 is ≤0.1mm / m, so as to ensure the guiding accuracy of the movement of the hatch 22.

[0042] Working principle: When the device is initially locked, the left end face clamping rod 10 and the right pressure block clamping rod 12 clamp the cover 22, and the guide pin 16 is engaged in the V-shaped annular groove of the guide rail assembly 17. The guide cylinder 1 is constrained by the right pressure block clamping rod 12 and cannot rotate. When the sampling task triggers the unlocking command, the explosive bolt detonates to release the constraint. The right pressure block clamping rod 12 rotates under the action of the right pressure rod spiral spring 14, releasing the constraint on the right end of the cover 22 and the guide cylinder 1. The left end face clamping rod 10 rotates synchronously under the action of the left pressure rod torsion spring 11 to release the left end of the cover 22. The guide cylinder 1 rotates around the hinge axis 2 under the drive of the guide cylinder spiral spring 4, and drives the cover 22 to move along the preset trajectory through the guide rail assembly 17. Finally, the locking pin 8 is engaged in the groove of the guide cylinder 1 to complete the positioning, realizing the independent transfer of the cover 22 and the sample container.

[0043] The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the content described above. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the above embodiments without departing from the technical concept of this utility model, and all such modifications and variations should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A space sample chamber hatch locking and timing release device, characterized in that, The device includes a mounting base with a hinge shaft and a guide cylinder rotatable around it; the mounting base also has a clamping rod assembly for holding the hatch cover, the clamping rod assembly being connected to an elastic element to provide preload; the guide cylinder has a guide rail assembly, and the hatch cover has a guide pin that mates with the guide rail assembly; the mounting base has a locking pin assembly for positioning the guide cylinder.

2. The space sample compartment cover locking and timing release device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide cylinder is fitted onto the hinge shaft through a shaft hole to form a rotating pair.

3. The space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping rod assembly includes two sets of symmetrically arranged rotating shaft systems. A left end face clamping rod is mounted on one set of the rotating shaft systems, and a right pressure block clamping rod is mounted on the other set of the rotating shaft systems.

4. The space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide rail assembly includes a guide wheel bracket and a guide wheel mounted on the guide wheel bracket. The outer circumferential surface of the guide wheel is provided with a V-shaped annular groove, and the free end of the guide pin is provided with a guide edge that fits into the V-shaped annular groove.

5. The space sample chamber cover locking and timing release device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element includes a guide cylinder spiral spring sleeved on the outer periphery of the hinge shaft. The inner end of the guide cylinder spiral spring is connected to the guide cylinder, and the outer end of the guide cylinder spiral spring is positioned with the mounting base.

6. The space sample cabin cover locking and timing release device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking pin assembly includes a locking pin bracket shaft and a locking pin bracket fitted on the locking pin bracket shaft. The free end of the locking pin bracket is provided with a locking pin, and the side wall of the guide cylinder is provided with a groove that cooperates with the locking pin.

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