Cable lowering and electrically operated throwing mechanism

Abstract

The invention discloses a cable lowering rope electric throwing mechanism, which comprises a force hook, a limiting hook and an executor; the upper end of the force hook is swingingly hinged, and the lower part is used for hooking the cable lowering rope; the upper end of the limiting hook is swingingly hinged, and the lower part is used for limiting the bottom of the force hook; the executor is provided with a locking pin, the limiting hook is provided with a locking hole matched with the locking pin, and the executor is electrically controlled by a throwing control device in the cockpit of a helicopter; initially, the locking pin is located in the locking hole, the limiting hook is locked, the lower part of the limiting hook limits the bottom of the force hook, the cable lowering rope is hooked on the force hook and is limited by the force hook and the limiting hook, when the throwing control device retracts the locking pin, the limiting hook is unlocked, the force hook is pressed downward to push away the limiting hook, and the cable lowering rope slides down. The mechanism adopts a three-stage lever to reduce load, reduce the size and power of the execution mechanism, improve the smooth performance during throwing, and does not need to leave an operator in the cabin; the structure is simple and small.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to helicopter rappelling, and more specifically to an electric launching mechanism for rappelling ropes. Background Technology

[0002] On the battlefield, situations change rapidly. After a rappelling mission, the helicopter needs to quickly leave the scene. During flight, unrecovered ropes are prone to snagging, affecting flight safety and requiring timely release. Currently, pilots typically release the rappelling rope manually. The manual release works as follows: a control handle is positioned next to the pilot, connected to an external release mechanism via a steel cable. The pilot moves the handle, actuating the mechanism to quickly release the rappelling rope. However, due to the multiple bends in the steel cable, operating the handle is quite strenuous for the pilot. Furthermore, because each control handle corresponds to a specific rope, manual release is only suitable for small helicopters with fewer rappelling lanes. For medium and large helicopters with more rappelling lanes, more rope lanes require more control handles, and the limited cockpit space does not allow for the simultaneous installation of multiple handles. Additionally, the complex steel cable routing in such cases hinders retrofitting of existing medium and large helicopters. Moreover, an operator must remain in the cockpit. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electric launching mechanism for rappelling ropes. This mechanism adopts a three-stage lever load reduction, which reduces the size and power of the actuator, improves the smoothness of launching, and eliminates the need for operators to remain in the cabin. It has a simple structure and small size.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0005] An electric launching mechanism for rappelling ropes includes a force hook, a limit hook, and an actuator. The upper end of the force hook is pivotally hinged, and the lower part is used to hook the rappelling rope. The upper end of the limit hook is pivotally hinged, and the lower part is used to limit the bottom of the force hook. The actuator has a locking pin, and the limit hook has a locking hole that cooperates with the locking pin. The actuator is electrically controlled by a launching control device in the helicopter cockpit. Initially, the locking pin is located in the locking hole, the limit hook is locked, and the lower part of the limit hook limits the bottom of the force hook. The rappelling rope is hooked on the force hook and limited by the force hook and the limit hook. When the electric actuator of the launching control device retracts the locking pin, the limit hook is unlocked, the force hook presses down and pushes open the limit hook, and the rappelling rope slides down.

[0006] Furthermore, the actuator includes a housing, a lead screw, a locking pin, a lead screw nut, and a DC motor; the lead screw is located inside the housing, the front part of the locking pin extends out of the housing and the rear part slides inside the housing without disengaging, the lead screw nut is fitted onto the lead screw and connected to the rear part of the locking pin, and the DC motor is installed at the end of the housing away from the locking pin and is used to drive the lead screw.

[0007] Furthermore, a spring is fitted onto the lead screw, and the spring exerts a forward force on the lead screw nut.

[0008] Furthermore, the launching control includes a power switch and a launching button. After the power switch is turned on, the circuit where the launching button is located is energized. Then, when the launching button is pressed, the actuator retracts the locking pin.

[0009] Furthermore, a jettison reset button is provided at the helicopter door, a jettison status light is provided in the helicopter cockpit, and a limit switch is provided on the actuator; after the actuator performs the jettison, it triggers the limit switch to turn on the jettison status light, then automatically or manually resets the power switch, then manually resets the limit hook, and then presses the jettison reset button, the actuator extends the locking pin to lock the limit hook.

[0010] Furthermore, the electric launching mechanism for the rappelling rope is mounted on the crossbeam of the helicopter cabin roof via mounting components.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0012] This mechanism employs a three-stage lever load reduction design. The first stage uses a force-saving lever structure with a force-bearing hook to reduce load; the second stage uses a force-saving lever structure with a limit hook to reduce load; and the third stage converts the supporting force into frictional force. Based on a static friction coefficient of 0.2 between steel sections, the third stage alone can reduce load by up to 80%. This three-stage load reduction design significantly reduces the actuator load, decreases the actuator's size and power, achieving miniaturized actuator specifications and improving the smoothness of deployment. The mechanism allows the pilot to directly control the deployment of the rappelling rope, eliminating the need for personnel in the cabin. Its simple structure and compact size save space in the helicopter. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the electric launching mechanism for the rappelling rope in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electric launching mechanism for the rappelling rope in an embodiment of the present invention when it is not activated. Figure 1 .

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the electric launching mechanism for the rappelling rope in an embodiment of the present invention when it is not activated. Figure 2 .

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the electric launching mechanism for the rappelling rope in an embodiment of the present invention when it is opened.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the actuator in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6This is an electrical schematic diagram of the electric launching mechanism for the rappelling rope in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1-Electric launching mechanism for rappelling rope; 11-Actuator; 111-Locking pin; 112-Lead screw nut; 113-Housing; 114-Lead screw; 115-Spring; 116-DC motor; 12-Force hook; 13-Limit hook; 131-Locking hole; 14-Launch status light; 15-Limit switch; 16-Launch reset button; 17-Launch button; 18-Power switch; 2-Rappelling rope; 3-Mounting components. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, an electric launching mechanism 1 for rappelling ropes includes a receiving hook 12, a limiting hook 13, and an actuator 11. The upper end of the receiving hook 12 is pivotally hinged, and the lower part is used to hook the rappelling rope 2. The upper end of the limiting hook 13 is pivotally hinged, and the lower part is used to limit the bottom of the receiving hook 12. The actuator 11 has a locking pin 111, and the limiting hook 13 has a locking hole 131 that cooperates with the locking pin 111. The actuator 11 is launched from a helicopter. The launching control mechanism in the cockpit is electrically controlled. Initially, the locking pin 111 is located in the locking hole 131, the limit hook 13 is locked, and the lower part of the limit hook 13 limits the bottom of the force hook 12. The rappelling rope 2 is hooked on the force hook 12 and limited by the force hook 12 and the limit hook 13. When the electric actuator 11 of the launching control mechanism retracts the locking pin 111, the limit hook 13 is unlocked, the force hook 12 presses down and squeezes open the limit hook 13, and the rappelling rope 2 slides down. This mechanism employs a three-stage lever load reduction design. The first stage uses a force-saving lever structure via the force-bearing hook 12 to reduce load; the second stage uses a force-saving lever structure via the limiting hook 13 to reduce load; and the third stage converts the supporting force into frictional force. Based on a static friction coefficient of 0.2 between steel sections, the third stage alone can reduce load by up to 80%. This three-stage load reduction design significantly reduces the load on the actuator 11, decreasing its size and power, achieving the specifications for a miniaturized actuator 11, and improving the smoothness of deployment. The mechanism allows the pilot to directly control the deployment of the rappelling rope 2, eliminating the need for personnel in the cabin. Its simple structure and compact size save helicopter space.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the electric launching mechanism 1 for rappelling ropes is mounted on the crossbeam of the helicopter cabin top via the mounting component 3.

[0023] like Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the actuator 11 includes a housing 113, a lead screw 114, a locking pin 111, a lead screw nut 112, and a DC motor 116. The lead screw 114 is located inside the housing 113. The front part of the locking pin 111 extends out of the housing 113, while the rear part slides within the housing 113 without disengaging. The lead screw nut 112 is fitted onto the lead screw 114 and connected to the rear part of the locking pin 111. The DC motor 116 is installed at the end of the housing 113 away from the locking pin 111 and is used to drive the lead screw 114. This actuator structure has simple and stable transmission, small size, and is easy to install. A spring 115 is fitted on the lead screw 114. The spring 115 applies a forward force to the lead screw nut 112 and provides a certain restoring force, which can assist in quick reset and prevent jamming.

[0024] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the release control includes a power switch 18 and a release button 17. After the power switch 18 is turned on, the circuit where the release button 17 is located is energized. Then, when the release button 17 is pressed, the actuator 11 retracts the locking pin 111. Dual control is adopted to avoid misoperation. A release reset button 16 is provided at the helicopter door position, and a release status light 14 is provided in the helicopter cockpit. A limit switch 15 is provided on the actuator 11. After the actuator 11 performs the release, it triggers the limit switch 15 to turn on the release status light 14. Then, the power switch 18 is automatically or manually reset, and then the limit hook 13 is manually reset. Then, the release reset button 16 is pressed, and the actuator 11 extends the locking pin 111 to lock the limit hook 13.

[0025] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cable drop rope motorized thrower mechanism characterized by: The device comprises a force hook, a limiting hook and an actuator. The upper end of the force hook is swingingly hinged, and the lower part is used for hooking a cable. The upper end of the limiting hook is swingingly hinged, and the lower part is used for limiting the bottom of the force hook. The actuator is provided with a locking pin, and the limiting hook is provided with a locking hole matched with the locking pin. The actuator is electrically controlled by a throwing control in the cockpit of the helicopter. The lower part of the force hook is bent into an L shape, and the lower part of the limiting hook is bent into an L shape. The force hook and the limiting hook are staggered in different planes. Initially, the locking pin is located in the locking hole, the limiting hook is locked, the lower end of the limiting hook limits the lower end of the force hook, and the cable is hooked on the force hook and limited by the force hook and the limiting hook. When the throwing control electrically controls the actuator to retract the locking pin, the limiting hook is unlocked, the force hook is pressed to push away the limiting hook, and the cable slides down. The throwing control comprises a power switch and a throwing button. After the power switch is turned on, the circuit where the throwing button is located is powered, and then the throwing button is pressed to retract the locking pin. The position of the cabin door of the helicopter is provided with a throwing reset button, the cockpit of the helicopter is provided with a throwing state lamp, and the actuator is matched with a travel switch. After the actuator executes the throwing, the travel switch is touched to turn on the throwing state lamp, and then the power switch is automatically or manually reset, the limiting hook is manually reset, and then the throwing reset button is pressed to lock the limiting hook by the actuator.

2. The cable drop rope motorized thrower mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The actuator comprises a shell, a lead screw, a locking pin, a lead screw nut and a DC motor. The lead screw is located in the shell, the front part of the locking pin extends out of the shell, and the rear part is slidingly matched in the shell. The lead screw nut is matched with the lead screw and connected with the rear part of the locking pin. The DC motor is installed at the end of the shell away from the locking pin and is used to drive the lead screw.

3. The cable drop rope motorized thrower mechanism of claim 2, wherein: A spring is matched with the lead screw, and the spring applies a forward force to the lead screw nut.

4. The cable drop rope motorized thrower mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The cable electrically throwing mechanism is installed on the cabin top beam of the helicopter through a mounting member.

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