Spacesuit Testing Robot With Telescopic Mechanical Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lower limb performance testing devices for spacesuits are external, pneumatic, and lack the mobility and flexibility needed to simulate the knee and ankle joint movements during space operations, occupying large space and failing to ensure safe astronaut operations.
Innovation Solution
A robot with mechanical legs featuring telescopic structures, adjustable sizes, high motion control precision, and an air cooling system to maintain constant internal temperature, equipped with knee and ankle joint components that can simulate the movements and torque of spacesuit joints, connected via a worm gear mechanism for precise angle adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external pneumatic testing devices are used, then the testing can be performed, but the device occupies large space and cannot simulate the flexion-extension process of knee and ankle joints when astronauts wear the spacesuit to walk
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical legs are nested within the pressure maintaining box, with the legs containing telescopic structures with multi-section shells. This nesting arrangement allows the testing device to be compact while maintaining full functionality for simulating knee and ankle joint movements during space operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical legs incorporate telescopic structures with multi-section shells that can extend and retract, allowing the device to adapt its size and shape. This dynamic structure enables the device to simulate the flexion-extension process of knee and ankle joints while maintaining a compact form when not in use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical legs with telescopic structures are used, then the robot can test spacesuits with different sizes, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical legs are divided into multiple sections with telescopic structures, where each section can independently adjust its length. This segmentation allows the legs to adapt to different spacesuit sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic structures with multi-section shells serve multiple functions: they provide adaptability to different spacesuit sizes, maintain structural integrity, and enable the mechanical legs to simulate various joint movements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
3Temperature
If air cooling system is implemented, then the internal temperature is maintained constant, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air cooling system uses pneumatic principles to circulate cooled air through the pressure maintaining box and mechanical legs. This approach provides effective temperature control while maintaining a relatively simple system structure compared to liquid cooling or other thermal management methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The robot effectively tests lower limb performance of spacesuits with high precision, ensuring adaptability to different sizes and preventing overheating, thus enhancing the safety and success of space missions by accurately simulating the joint movements and maintaining a comfortable internal environment.
Implementation Method 1
air in the pressure maintaining box is cooled through the air cooling unit and delivered into the heat radiating hose components through the air circulation component
Implementation Method 2
the connecting component comprises a first connecting seat, a second connecting seat, a worm, a worm gear and a connecting pin shaft; the worm is arranged in the first connecting seat; the worm gear is arranged in the second connecting seat
Data Source
AI summary
A robot for testing lower limb performance of a spacesuit includes a pressure maintaining box, an air circulation component, an air cooling unit, heat radiating hose components, and two mechanical legs. The air cooling unit is connected with the pressure maintaining box; the air circulation component is arranged in the pressure maintaining box; the mechanical legs are installed on the pressure maintaining box, and the heat radiating hose components are arranged in the mechanical legs; air in the pressure maintaining box is cooled through the air cooling unit and delivered into the heat radiating hose components through the air circulation component; each mechanical leg comprises a thigh, a knee joint component, a shank, an ankle joint component and a foot; the thigh is connected with the shank through the knee joint component; the shank is connected with the foot through the ankle joint component.