A wall-mounted ring unlocking device for picosatellites

Abstract

This invention patent discloses a wall-mounted ring unlocking device for picosatellites, specifically related to the technical field of spacecraft structures. It includes a base, a locking and releasing mechanism, a pressing ring, a thrust mechanism, and a docking ring. The base is fixedly connected to the satellite bottom plate. The locking and releasing mechanism is used for locking and releasing the pressing ring. The pressing ring is an unclosed ring structure, and both ends of the pressing ring are connected to the locking and releasing mechanism. The thrust mechanism is used to push the docking ring to separate in a direction away from the base. The technical solution of this invention solves the problems of the existing picosatellite separation mechanism, such as complex structure, heavy weight, and large unlocking impact, and enables the safe release of picosatellites.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of spacecraft structures, and particularly to a wall-mounted picosatellite ring unlocking device. Background Art

[0002] The launch cost of a satellite is directly related to the weight of the entire satellite. Generally, the launch cost of a satellite is 20,000 US dollars per kilogram. As a part of the entire satellite, the locking and separation device of the satellite accounts for a relatively large proportion in terms of weight. How to effectively reduce the weight has always been a problem concerned by many experts and scholars.

[0003] For conventional picosatellites, especially Cubesat satellites, the generally adopted separation mechanism is to fix the satellite in a cylindrical separation mechanism through a hatch, lock the hatch with a titanium rod, and when separating, cut the titanium rod through a pyrotechnic device. When the hatch opens, the satellite is released from the separation mechanism. For example: Chinese Patent (Publication No. CN105151330A) discloses a picosatellite rocket fixing and separating device, including a bottom plate, on which a satellite support seat, a pull rod, a pull rod cutting mechanism, and a satellite ejection mechanism are fixed. There are at least a pair of satellite support seats, and any pair of satellite support seats are arranged opposite to each other. There are at least a pair of pull rods, and each pair of pull rods are respectively installed in any pair of satellite support seats. Each pull rod extends out of the satellite support surface of the corresponding satellite support seat to be connected with the satellite and presses the satellite on this satellite support surface; when connecting the satellite and the bottom plate in the above-mentioned picosatellite rocket fixing and separating device, the tensile force and pressure received by the bottom plate are set on the same straight line, so that the mutual force between the bottom plate and the satellite is reasonably distributed, the overall structure is simple, stable, easy to install, and the manufacturing cost is low.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned separation mechanisms all have the disadvantages of complex structure, heavy weight, and large unlocking impact. In view of the on-orbit requirements of the satellite and the disadvantages of the conventional design, it is necessary to develop an unlocking device with a simpler structure, lighter weight, and no unlocking impact. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a wall-mounted picosatellite ring unlocking device, which solves the problems of complex structure, heavy weight, and large unlocking impact of the existing picosatellite separation mechanism.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A wall-mounted picosatellite ring unlocking device, including a base, a locking and releasing mechanism, a pressing ring, a thrust mechanism, and a docking ring. The base is fixedly connected to the satellite bottom plate. The locking and releasing mechanism is used for locking and releasing the pressing ring. The pressing ring is an unclosed ring structure, and both ends of the pressing ring are connected to the locking and releasing mechanism. The thrust mechanism is used to push the docking ring to separate in a direction away from the base.

[0007] Furthermore, the locking and releasing mechanism includes a fixed seat, a motor, a gear box and a silk and bamboo connecting rod slide, the fixed seat is arranged on the base, the motor is fixedly arranged outside the gear box, a gear set is arranged in the gear box, the gear set is used to transmit the power of the motor to the silk and bamboo screw of the silk and bamboo connecting rod slide, the slide in the silk and bamboo connecting rod slide is slidably connected to the fixed seat, the silk and bamboo screw in the silk and bamboo connecting rod slide is threadedly connected to a slider arranged in the slide, ear plates are arranged on both sides of the slide in the silk and bamboo connecting rod slide, and a connecting rod is rotatably connected between each ear plate and the free end of the corresponding clamping ring.

[0008] Through the above arrangement, the motor and the gear set in the gear box can drive the bamboo screw to rotate. After the bamboo screw rotates, it drives the slider and the slide table to move. When the slide table is away from the gear box, the pico satellite is released. Otherwise, the pico satellite can be locked.

[0009] Furthermore, a rotatably connected claw is provided on the base, and the claw is rotatably connected to the base via a torsion spring. The claw is clamped between the upper and lower sides of the clamping ring, and an elastic rope is provided between the claw and the clamping ring, and the elastic rope is fixedly connected between the two free ends of the clamping ring.

[0010] Through the above arrangement, the clamping claws are driven to rotate by the contraction of the clamping ring, and the elastic rope can keep the clamping ring in a circular shape when it is contracted.

[0011] Furthermore, a pin shaft hole is formed on the clamping claw, and a fixing pin matched with the pin shaft hole is provided on the clamping ring, and the fixing pin is located on the inner side of the docking ring.

[0012] Through the above arrangement, the connection relationship between the clamping claw and the clamping ring can be ensured with the help of the fixing pin, thereby maintaining the stability of the present solution.

[0013] Furthermore, the thrust mechanism includes a sleeve and a push column, the bottom of the sleeve is provided with an opening, the bottom of the sleeve is connected to a threaded rod, the threaded rod is threadedly connected to a locking nut, a sliding rod is passed through the bottom of the push column, the sliding rod is slidably connected between the two inner walls of the sleeve, the cross-sectional shape of the push column is a "T" shape, a spring is connected between the push column and the sleeve, and the sleeve and the push column are jointly clamped between the clamping ring and the base.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this solution has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] This scheme has a reasonable structure, and the ring structure reduces the space occupied by the mechanism and improves the vibration stability during the launch process. The release process is driven by a motor, and the mechanism has reliable unlocking and release performance, with no pollution, small unlocking impact, good separation synchronization and stability, and is safe and reliable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is the top view of a wall-mounted picosatellite annular unlocking device of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 It is the cross-sectional view of a wall-mounted picosatellite annular unlocking device of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 the partial enlarged view at position A in

[0019] Figure 4 It is the top view of the locking, locking and releasing mechanism in this embodiment;

[0020] Figure 5 It is the cross-sectional view of the locking, locking and releasing mechanism in this embodiment;

[0021] Figure 6 It is the front view of the thrust mechanism in this embodiment;

[0022] Figure 7 It is the cross-sectional view of the thrust mechanism in this embodiment. Specific Embodiment

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail through specific embodiments as follows:

[0024] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the specification include: base 1, pressing ring 2, docking ring 3, fixed seat 4, motor 5, gearbox 6, sliding table 7, lead screw 8, slider 9, connecting rod 10, fixed block 11, claw 12, fixing pin 13, elastic rope 14, sleeve 15, push column 16, locking nut 17, sliding rod 18, spring 19.

[0025] Embodiment

[0026] As shown in the appendix Figures 1 to 7As shown in the figure: A wall-mounted picosatellite ring unlocking device includes a base 1, a locking and releasing mechanism, a pressing ring 2, a thrust mechanism, and a docking ring 3. The base 1 is fixedly connected to the satellite bottom plate. The locking and releasing mechanism is used for locking and releasing the pressing ring 2. The locking and releasing mechanism includes a fixed seat 4, a motor 5, a gearbox 6, and a lead screw link slide. The fixed seat 4 is welded to the base 1. In this embodiment, two motors 5 are used. The two motors 5 are symmetrically and fixedly arranged on both sides of the gearbox 6. A driving bevel gear located inside the gearbox 6 is provided on the output shaft of each motor 5. A driven bevel gear located inside the gearbox 6 is jointly meshed on the two driving bevel gears. The driven bevel gear is sleeved on the lead screw 8 of the lead screw link slide. The gear set realizes the transmission of the power of the motor 5 to the lead screw 8 of the lead screw link slide. The lead screw link slide is composed of a slide 7 and a lead screw 8. The slide 7 is slidably connected to the fixed seat 4. A chute for the slide 7 to slide is opened on the fixed seat 4. The lead screw 8 is threadedly connected to a slider 9 arranged inside the slide 7. Ear plates are provided on both sides of the slide 7 in the lead screw link slide. A connecting rod 10 is rotatably connected between each ear plate and the free end of the corresponding pressing ring 2.

[0027] The pressing ring 2 is an unclosed ring structure. A wire groove is formed on one side of the pressing ring 2. Both ends of the pressing ring 2 are rotatably connected to the locking and releasing mechanism through a connecting rod 10. An annular clamping groove is formed on the base 1. A plurality of fixing blocks 11 are arranged at intervals in the clamping groove. Three connecting plates are arranged at intervals on each fixing block 11. Connecting holes are provided at the centers of the three connecting plates. The three connecting plates are commonly connected with a claw 12 through an arc-shaped pin shaft. A through hole for clamping the pin shaft is provided on the lower side of the claw 12. A clamping portion with a "Ji" (Chinese character for "several") - shaped cross-section is integrally formed on the upper side of the claw 12. The clamping portion clamps between the upper and lower sides of the pressing ring 2. A pin shaft hole is formed on the clamping portion opposite to the motor 5. Fixing pins 13 that are matched with the pin shaft holes are arranged at intervals at the top corresponding to the pressing ring 2. The fixing pins 13 are located inside the docking ring 3. The claw 12 is rotatably connected to the base 1 through a torsion spring. An elastic rope 14 is arranged between the claw 12 and the pressing ring 2. The elastic rope 14 is arranged in the wire groove and is fixedly connected between the two free ends of the pressing ring 2. The thrust mechanism is used to push the docking ring 3 to separate in a direction away from the base 1. The thrust mechanism includes a sleeve 15 and a push column 16. The bottom of the sleeve 15 is provided with an opening and slideways are formed on the left and right sides. A threaded rod is integrally formed at the bottom of the sleeve 15. A locking nut 17 is threadedly connected to the threaded rod. The threaded rod passes through the base 1. The threaded rod and the locking nut 17 are located on both sides of the base 1. The diameter of the through hole formed on the base 1 is smaller than the diameter of the sleeve 15. A slide rod 18 is penetrated through the bottom of the push column 16. The slide rod 18 is slidably connected between the two slideways of the sleeve 15. The cross-sectional shape of the push column 16 is "T" - shaped. A conical column is integrally formed at the top of the push column 16. The conical column passes through the pressing ring 2, so that the sleeve 15 and the push column 16 are commonly clamped between the pressing ring 2 and the base 1. A spring 19 is connected between the push column 16 and the sleeve 15. In this embodiment, a total of five thrust mechanisms are provided, and the five thrust mechanisms are circumferentially distributed between the pressing ring 2 and the base 1.

[0028] The working process of this solution:

[0029] When this solution is in the release state, the spring 19 of the thrust mechanism is in a compressed state at this time, the slide bar 18 is located at the lowest end of the slideway, and at the same time, the slide table 7 abuts against the fixed seat 4 on one side of the motor 5. The inner diameter of the pressing ring 2 is smaller than the outer diameter of the picosatellite. The picosatellite is fixedly connected to the docking ring 3, and the docking ring 3 is fixedly connected to the base 1 through the claw 12. The pressing ring 2 is in contact with the claw 12, and the claw 12 is released by changing the diameter of the pressing ring 2. Then the motor 5 is started. After the motor 5 is started, the lead screw 8 is driven to rotate through the gear set. After the lead screw 8 rotates, the slider 9 is driven to rotate and move, and finally the slide table 7 is driven by the slider 9 to move to the side of the fixed seat 4 away from the motor 5. After the slide table 7 moves, the diameter lock pin of the pressing ring 2 can be driven by the connecting rod 10. The claw 12 rotates towards the axis under the action of the coil spring, and the docking ring 3 is released, so as to achieve the purpose of release. The elastic rope 14 is used to generate a tensile force to maintain the circular shape of the pressing ring 2. At this time, the change from the release state to the locking state is completed. On the contrary, starting the motor 5 to rotate in the reverse direction can reverse the above work, so as to realize the change from the locking state to the release state. Finally, the docking ring 3 is pushed open and separated by the thrust mechanism, realizing the unlocking and separation of the picosatellite.

[0030] The above are only the embodiments of the present invention. Specific structures and / or common knowledge such as characteristics well known in the art are not described in detail here. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, without departing from the structure of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can be made, which should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention, and these will not affect the implementation effect of the present invention and the practicability of the patent. The protection scope required by this application should be based on the content of its claims, and the specific implementation manners described in the specification can be used to explain the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A wall-mounted ring unlocking device for picosatellites, characterized in that: It includes a base, a locking and releasing mechanism, a pressing ring, a thrust mechanism and a docking ring. The base is fixedly connected to the satellite bottom plate. The locking and releasing mechanism is used for locking and releasing the pressing ring. The pressing ring is an unclosed ring structure. Both ends of the pressing ring are connected to the locking and releasing mechanism. The thrust mechanism is used to push the docking ring to separate in a direction away from the base. A claw is rotatably connected to the base. The claw is rotatably connected to the base through a torsion spring. The claw is clamped between the upper and lower sides of the pressing ring. An elastic rope is provided between the claw and the pressing ring. The elastic rope is fixedly connected between the two free ends of the pressing ring.

2. The wall-mounted picosatellite ring unlocking device according to claim 1, wherein: The locking and releasing mechanism includes a fixed seat, a motor, a gearbox and a lead screw link slide. The fixed seat is arranged on the base. The motor is fixedly arranged outside the gearbox. A gear set is provided in the gearbox. The gear set is used to transmit the power of the motor to the lead screw of the lead screw link slide. The slide in the lead screw link slide is slidably connected to the fixed seat. A slider arranged in the slide is threadedly connected to the lead screw in the lead screw link slide. Earcaps are provided on both sides of the slide in the lead screw link slide. A connecting rod is rotatably connected between each earcap and the corresponding free end of the pressing ring.

3. The wall-mounted picosatellite ring unlocking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pin hole is formed in the claw. A fixing pin matching the pin hole is provided on the pressing ring. The fixing pin is located inside the docking ring.

4. The wall-mounted picosatellite ring unlocking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thrust mechanism includes a sleeve and a push column. An opening is provided at the bottom of the sleeve. A threaded rod is connected to the bottom of the sleeve. A locking nut is threadedly connected to the threaded rod. A slide bar passes through the bottom of the push column. The slide bar is slidably connected between the two inner walls of the sleeve. The cross-sectional shape of the push column is "T". A spring is connected between the push column and the sleeve. The sleeve and the push column are jointly clamped between the pressing ring and the base.

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