Landing gear tail wheel lock

Abstract

The present application provides a landing gear tail wheel lock, comprising: an electric motor, one end of which is connected to the landing gear; wherein the electric motor includes a transmission shaft; a locking pin for locking the tail landing gear; a sliding joint, one end of which is connected to the locking pin, and the other end of the sliding joint is connected to a pull rod; a pull rod, one end of which is connected to the locking pin; a sliding sleeve, which is arranged in the pull rod and is connected to the transmission shaft; wherein both the sliding sleeve and the pull rod are provided with a waist-shaped hole; a thimble, which is arranged in the sliding sleeve and can move up and down in the sliding sleeve; wherein one end of the thimble is connected to the handle via a second shaft; wherein the second shaft passes through the waist-shaped hole and can move in the waist-shaped hole; a stop block, which is arranged in the sliding joint; and a steel ball, which can be accommodated in the grooves on the lock housing and the stop block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of helicopter landing gear, and in particular relates to a landing gear tail wheel lock. Background Art

[0002] Helicopters typically use passive turning techniques to achieve ground steering. The tail gear of a tailwheel helicopter can rotate freely about its axis. Controlling the tail rotor load allows for ground steering control. In certain situations, free rotation of the tail gear can be dangerous. Tail slip can occur during slope landings and shipboard takeoffs and landings; tail gear oscillation can occur during rolling takeoffs and landings; and the helicopter may spin during rotor startup and braking. In these situations, free rotation of the landing gear needs to be restricted. A tailwheel lock is used to lock the tail gear in a neutral position, preventing it from rotating.

[0003] The tail wheel lock must be engaged during taxiing. A helicopter's tail landing gear cannot remain in a neutral position for extended periods, and the upper and lower locking holes can only be aligned briefly. This makes locking the tail wheel lock extremely difficult in these conditions. Difficulty engaging the tail wheel lock (low locking rate) has been a common problem experienced by various helicopter types.

[0004] The tail wheel lock must be unlocked when taxiing or towing a helicopter. This lock typically uses a hydraulically or electrically actuated locking pin for automatic locking and unlocking. While taxiing, the pilot can automatically lock and unlock the tail wheel lock from the cockpit. Ground crew members must manually lock and unlock the tail wheel lock from outside the aircraft.

[0005] The existing tailwheel lock's automatic and manual functions are not linked. Manual unlocking is only possible after automatic locking, and manual locking is only possible after manual unlocking. Ground crew can only manually unlock or lock the tailwheel lock by disconnecting the locking pin from the actuator. This method poses a safety hazard. If ground crew forgets to return the tailwheel lock to the locked position after unlocking it, the pilot will be unable to use the tailwheel lock. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In response to the above technical problems, the present application provides a landing gear tail wheel lock, comprising:

[0007] an electric motor, one end of which is connected to the landing gear; wherein the electric motor includes a transmission shaft;

[0008] Locking pin, used to lock the tail landing gear;

[0009] a sliding joint, one end of which is connected to the locking pin, and the other end of which is connected to the pull rod;

[0010] a pull rod, one end of which is connected to the locking pin;

[0011] A sliding sleeve is provided in the pull rod, and the sliding sleeve is connected to the transmission shaft; wherein both the sliding sleeve and the pull rod are provided with waist-shaped holes;

[0012] An ejector pin is disposed in the sliding sleeve and is capable of moving up and down in the sliding sleeve; wherein one end of the ejector pin is connected to the handle via a second shaft; wherein the second shaft passes through the waist-shaped hole and is capable of moving in the waist-shaped hole;

[0013] a stop block disposed in the sliding joint;

[0014] The steel ball can be accommodated in the grooves on the lock housing and the stop block.

[0015] Preferably, when manually locking, an upward force is applied to the handle, and the handle drives the ejector pin to move downward through the second shaft, and the ejector pin pushes the stop block to move downward, and the steel ball enters the groove on the stop block from the groove on the lock housing, and the sliding joint and the pull rod move downward, thereby pushing the locking pin to move downward to lock the tail landing gear.

[0016] Preferably, when manually unlocking, a downward force is applied to the handle, and the handle drives the ejector pin and the pull rod to move upward through the second axis, and the pull rod drives the sliding joint and the lock pin to move upward to the unlocking position, and the steel ball enters the groove on the lock housing from the groove on the stop block.

[0017] Preferably, when electrically locking, the motor drives the transmission shaft to move downward, the transmission shaft drives the sliding sleeve to move downward, and pushes the stop block to move downward, the steel ball enters the groove on the stop block from the groove on the lock housing, the sliding joint and the pull rod move downward, and then pushes the locking pin to move downward to lock the tail landing gear.

[0018] Preferably, during electric unlocking, the motor drives the transmission shaft to move upward, the transmission shaft drives the sliding sleeve to move upward, and drives the sliding joint and the lock pin to move upward to the unlocking position, and the steel ball enters the groove on the lock housing from the groove on the stop block.

[0019] Preferably, the lock housing is provided with an ear piece, the ear piece is rotatably connected to the handle, and the ear piece is used to support the handle.

[0020] Preferably, it also includes:

[0021] a second spring, one end of the second spring being in contact with the sliding joint, and the other end of the second spring being in contact with the inner surface of the lock housing;

[0022] Wherein, the second spring can push the sliding joint to move downward.

[0023] Preferably, it also includes:

[0024] a third spring, one end of the third spring being in contact with the outer surface of the lock housing, and the other end of the third spring being in contact with a spring support; wherein the spring support is sleeved on the pull rod and is capable of moving together with the handle;

[0025] A first spring, one end of the first spring contacts the stop block, and the other end of the first spring contacts the sliding joint.

[0026] Beneficial technical effects of this application:

[0027] This application proposes a landing gear tail wheel lock with two operating modes: electric and manual. Both modes enable locking and unlocking. The electric and manual modes are linked, allowing the tail wheel lock state to be changed electrically or manually in both the locked and unlocked states. Furthermore, a manual handle indicates the tail wheel lock status to ground crew. The tail wheel lock of the present invention utilizes a spring force to drive the locking pin, significantly reducing the lock time and significantly improving the lock rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a traditional tail wheel lock provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the tail wheel lock provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a working principle diagram of the motor provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tail wheel lock in a locked state provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 5 This embodiment of the present application provides Figure 4 Cross-sectional view at the middle AA position;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the tail wheel lock in the unlocked state provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 7 This embodiment of the present application provides Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of the middle BB position;

[0035] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the installation of a tail wheel lock provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Among them, 1-locking pin; 2-first shaft; 3-sliding joint; 4-first spring; 5-stop block; 6-steel ball; 7-limiting ring; 8-lock housing; 9-retaining ring; 10-second spring; 11-sleeve; 12-pull rod; 13-end cover; 14-third spring; 15-thimble; 16-second shaft; 17-spring support; 18-third shaft; 19-handle; 20-drive shaft; 21-motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] This invention proposes a landing gear tail wheel lock with two operating modes: electric and manual. Both modes enable locking and unlocking. The electric and manual modes are linked, allowing the tail wheel lock to be changed electrically or manually in both the locked and unlocked states. Furthermore, a manual handle indicates the tail wheel lock status to ground crew. The tail wheel lock of this invention utilizes a spring-loaded locking pin, significantly reducing the lock time and improving the lock engagement rate.

[0038] like Figure 3 The present invention employs a motor 21 to drive the lock pin 1. The motor 21 has two operating strokes: a locking stroke and an unlocking stroke. When not in operation, the motor 21 is in an intermediate position. During electric unlocking, the motor 21 moves from the intermediate position to the unlocked position. During electric locking, the motor 21 moves from the intermediate position to the locked position. To achieve manual operation, the motor 21 must return to the intermediate position after unlocking and locking.

[0039] The present invention adopts the same locking and unlocking state after electric and manual operation. Figure 4 In locked state, Figure 6 It is in unlocked state.

[0040] The present invention keeps the lock pin 1 in the unlocked position by means of the steel ball 6. Figure 4 、 Figure 6 The lock pin 1 is mounted on the sliding joint 3 via the first shaft 2. When unlocking, the sliding joint 3 drives the lock pin 1 upward. When it reaches the unlocked position, the steel ball 6 falls into the corresponding groove on the lock housing 8. At the same time, the stop block 5 moves upward until it presses against the limit ring 7. The limit ring 7 is fixed to the sliding joint 3 through the retaining ring 9. At this time, the lock pin 1 is held in the unlocked position by the steel ball 6.

[0041] The present invention keeps the lock pin 1 in the unlocked position by a spring. Figure 4 In the locked state, the second spring 10 is compressed and can keep the lock pin 1 in the locked position.

[0042] The present invention drives the lock pin 1 to lock by spring force. Figure 6When in the unlocked state, the locking function can be achieved electrically or manually. During electric locking, the motor 21 drives the transmission shaft 20 downward, which in turn drives the sliding sleeve 11 downward. The sliding sleeve 11 pushes the stop block 5 downward until the steel ball 6 slides out of the groove on the lock housing 8. The sliding joint 3, under the action of the second spring 10, drives the lock pin 1 downward, thereby achieving the locking function. During manual locking, the handle 19 drives the ejector pin 15 downward, which pushes the stop block 5 downward until the steel ball 6 slides out of the groove on the lock housing 8. The sliding joint 3, under the action of the second spring 10, drives the lock pin 1 downward, thereby achieving the locking function.

[0043] The present invention uses the motor 21 and the manual-electric isolation mechanism to enable the neutral position lock to switch the lock state in both the locked and unlocked states by electric and manual means.

[0044] The present invention comprises a manual-electric isolation mechanism composed of a pull rod 12, a sleeve 11, a pin 15, a spring support 17, and a third spring 14. A waist-shaped hole is provided on the sleeve 11 and the pull rod 12, each of which has a length twice the length of the lock pin stroke. The sleeve 11 is fixed to the transmission shaft 20 on the motor 21 and is in the same position whether in the locked or unlocked state. Figure 4 When the neutral position lock is locked, the waist-shaped hole on the pull rod 12 moves downward one lock pin stroke relative to the waist-shaped hole on the sliding sleeve 11. The ejector pin 15, spring support 17, and handle 19 are connected by the second shaft 16 and can move up and down synchronously. The second shaft 16 passes through the waist-shaped hole on the sliding sleeve 11 and the pull rod 12, and can slide up and down inside them. The third spring 14 is compressed, supporting the spring support 17 to confine the ejector pin 15, second shaft 16, and handle 19 to the top of the waist-shaped hole on the pull rod 12.

[0045] During electric unlocking, the transmission shaft 20 on the motor 21 drives the sleeve 11 to move upward by 1 lock pin 1 stroke, and then drives the pull rod 12 and the sliding joint 3 to move upward by 1 lock pin stroke to realize the unlocking function. After unlocking, the motor 21 drives the transmission shaft 20 and the sleeve 11 back to the middle position, the waist-shaped holes on the sleeve 11 and the pull rod 12 overlap, and the third spring 14 further extends, and the spring support 17 restricts the ejector pin 15, the second shaft 16, and the handle 19 to the top of the waist-shaped hole on the pull rod 12, and the handle 19 is in the unlocked position.

[0046] When manually unlocking, the handle 19 drives the pull rod 12 upward via the second shaft 16, which in turn drives the sliding joint 3 upward by one lock pin stroke, achieving the unlocking function. At this point, the waist-shaped holes on the sleeve 11 and the pull rod 12 overlap. Simultaneously, the second shaft 16 drives the ejector pin 15 and spring support 17 upward. The third spring 14 further extends, confining the spring support 17, ejector pin 15, second shaft 16, and handle 19 to the topmost point of the waist-shaped hole on the pull rod 12, placing the handle 19 in the unlocked position. When the neutral position lock is in the unlocked state, the transmission shaft 20 and sleeve 11 are in the same position as in the locked state. The waist-shaped holes on the sleeve 11 and the pull rod 12 overlap, and the third spring 14 confines the spring support 17, ejector pin 15, second shaft 16, and handle 19 to the topmost point of the waist-shaped hole on the pull rod 12.

[0047] When electrically locked, the transmission shaft 20 drives the sliding sleeve 11 to move downward by one lock pin stroke. When the steel ball 6 is unlocked, the sliding joint 3 moves downward under the action of the second spring 10, and at the same time drives the pull rod 12 to move downward. The pull rod 12 drives the spring support 17, the ejector pin 15, the second shaft 16, and the handle 19 to move downward to Figure 4 The locked position is shown. After locking, the transmission shaft 20 drives the sliding sleeve 11 to continue to retreat to the middle position.

[0048] When manually locked, the handle 19 drives the spring support 17, the ejector pin 15, the second shaft 16, and moves downward by one lock pin stroke. When the steel ball 6 is unlocked, the sliding joint 3 moves downward under the action of the second spring 10, and at the same time drives the pull rod 12 downward, and finally reaches Figure 4 Status shown.

[0049] The handle 19 of the present invention is not only used to operate the neutral position lock, but also can be used to indicate the status of the neutral position lock to ground staff.

[0050] In a feasible implementation, the present invention consists of the following parts:

[0051] Lock pin 1, first shaft 2, sliding joint 3, first spring 4, stop block 5, steel ball 6, limit ring 7, lock housing 8, retaining ring 9, second spring 10, sliding sleeve 11, pull rod 12, end cover 13, third spring 14, ejector pin 15, second shaft 16, spring support 17, third shaft 18, handle 19, transmission shaft 20, motor 21.

[0052] like Figure 8 As shown, the present invention can be installed on the landing gear by two connecting shafts. The present invention can also be installed by other ways, as long as the motor and the lock housing 8 can be fixed on the landing gear, which will not be listed one by one.

[0053] The present invention achieves landing gear locking via a lock pin 1, which has two positions: locked and unlocked. When in the locked position, the pin passes through the fixed and rotating parts of the landing gear, locking the gear in a neutral position. When in the unlocked position, the pin retracts into the fixed portion of the landing gear, unlocking the gear and allowing it to rotate freely about its axis.

[0054] Electric unlocking process:

[0055] The initial state is Figure 4 During electric unlocking, the transmission shaft 20 on the motor 21 drives the sliding sleeve 11 to move upward by one lock pin 1 stroke, thereby driving the pull rod 12 and the sliding joint 3 to move upward by one lock pin stroke. The sliding joint 3 drives the steel ball 6, the stop block 5, the first spring 4, and the lock pin 1 to move upward as a whole. After reaching the unlocked position, the steel ball 6 slides into the groove on the lock housing 8, and the spring 4 extends, pushing the stop block 5 to move upward until the top end presses against the limit ring 7, so that the lock pin 1 remains in the unlocked position. After unlocking, the motor 21 drives the transmission shaft 20 and the sliding sleeve 11 to return to the middle position, and the waist-shaped holes on the sliding sleeve 11 and the pull rod 12 overlap. The third spring 14 further extends, and through the spring support 17, the ejector pin 15, the second shaft 16, and the handle 19 are restricted to the top of the waist-shaped hole on the pull rod 12, and the handle 19 is in the unlocked position.

[0056] Manual unlocking process:

[0057] The initial state is Figure 4 When manually unlocking, the handle 19 drives the pull rod 12 to move upward through the second shaft 16, and the pull rod 12 drives the sliding joint 3 to move upward by one lock pin stroke. The sliding joint 3 drives the steel ball 6, the stop block 5, the first spring 4, and the lock pin 1 to move upward as a whole. After reaching the unlocked position, the steel ball 6 slides into the groove on the lock shell 8, and the spring 4 extends, pushing the stop block 5 to move upward until the top end presses against the limit ring 7, so that the lock pin 1 remains in the unlocked position. At this time, the waist-shaped hole on the sliding sleeve 11 and the pull rod 12 overlap, and at the same time, the second shaft 16 drives the ejector pin 15 and the spring support 17 to move upward. The third spring 14 further extends to limit the spring support 17, the ejector pin 15, the second shaft 16, and the handle 19 to the top of the waist-shaped hole on the pull rod 12, and the handle 19 is in the unlocked position.

[0058] Electric locking process:

[0059] The initial state is Figure 6During electric locking, the transmission shaft 20 drives the sliding sleeve 11 to move downward by one lock pin stroke. The stop block 5 moves downward by one stroke under the action of the sliding sleeve 11. The steel ball 6 slides out of the groove on the lock housing 8. The sliding joint 3 moves downward under the action of the second spring 10, driving the stop block 5, the first spring 4, and the lock pin 1 to move downward to the locked position. At the same time, the sliding joint 3 drives the pull rod 12 to move downward, and the pull rod 12 drives the spring support 17, the ejector pin 15, the second shaft 16, and the handle 19 to move downward to the locked position. Figure 4 The locked position is shown. After locking, the transmission shaft 20 drives the sliding sleeve 11 to continue to retreat to the middle position.

[0060] Manual locking function;

[0061] The initial state is Figure 6 When manually locked, the handle 19 drives the spring support 17, the ejector pin 15, the second shaft 16, and the lock pin to move downward by one lock pin stroke. The stop block 5 moves downward by one stroke under the action of the sliding sleeve 11. The steel ball 6 slides out of the groove on the lock housing 8. The sliding joint 3 moves downward under the action of the second spring 10, driving the stop block 5, the first spring 4, and the lock pin 1 to move downward to the locked position. At the same time, the sliding joint 3 drives the pull rod 12 to move downward, and finally reaches the locked position. Figure 4 Status shown.

[0062] The advantages of the present invention are:

[0063] 1) The tail wheel lock of the present invention uses spring force to drive the lock pin, which can greatly reduce the locking time and effectively improve the locking rate.

[0064] 2) The present invention has two working modes, electric and manual, which is convenient for pilots and ground crew to use.

[0065] 3) The electric and manual modes of the present invention are linked, and the tail wheel lock state can be changed electrically or manually in both the locked and unlocked states, effectively reducing safety hazards caused by operational errors.

[0066] 4) The handle of the present invention can be used not only to operate the neutral position lock but also to indicate its status.

Claims

1. A landing gear tail wheel lock, characterized in that: include: an electric motor, one end of which is connected to the landing gear; wherein the electric motor includes a transmission shaft; Locking pin, used to lock the tail landing gear; a sliding joint, one end of which is connected to the locking pin, and the other end of which is connected to the pull rod; a pull rod, one end of which is connected to the locking pin; A sliding sleeve is provided in the pull rod, and the sliding sleeve is connected to the transmission shaft; wherein the sliding sleeve and the pull rod are both provided with waist-shaped holes; An ejector pin is disposed in the sliding sleeve and is capable of moving up and down in the sliding sleeve; wherein one end of the ejector pin is connected to the handle via a second shaft; wherein the second shaft passes through the waist-shaped hole and is capable of moving in the waist-shaped hole; a stop block disposed in the sliding joint; A steel ball that can be accommodated in grooves on the lock housing and the stop block; a second spring, one end of the second spring being in contact with the sliding joint, and the other end of the second spring being in contact with the inner surface of the lock housing; wherein the second spring is capable of pushing the sliding joint to move downward; a third spring, one end of the third spring being in contact with the outer surface of the lock housing, and the other end of the third spring being in contact with a spring support; wherein the spring support is sleeved on the pull rod and is capable of moving together with the handle; A first spring, one end of the first spring contacts the stop block, and the other end of the first spring contacts the sliding joint.

2. The landing gear tail wheel lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: When manually locking, an upward force is applied to the handle, and the handle drives the ejector pin to move downward through the second shaft. The ejector pin pushes the stop block to move downward, and the steel ball enters the groove on the stop block from the groove on the lock housing. The sliding joint and the pull rod move downward, thereby pushing the locking pin to move downward to lock the tail landing gear.

3. The landing gear tail wheel lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: When manually unlocking, a downward force is applied to the handle, and the handle drives the ejector pin and the pull rod to move upward through the second shaft. The pull rod drives the sliding joint and the lock pin to move upward to the unlocking position, and the steel ball enters the groove on the lock housing from the groove on the stop block.

4. The landing gear tail wheel lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: During electric locking, the motor drives the transmission shaft to move downward, the transmission shaft drives the sliding sleeve to move downward, and pushes the stop block to move downward, the steel ball enters the groove on the stop block from the groove on the lock housing, the sliding joint and the pull rod move downward, and then pushes the locking pin to move downward to lock the tail landing gear.

5. The landing gear tail wheel lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: During electric unlocking, the motor drives the transmission shaft to move upward, the transmission shaft drives the sliding sleeve to move upward, and drives the sliding joint and the lock pin to move upward to the unlocking position, and the steel ball enters the groove on the lock housing from the groove on the stop block.

6. The landing gear tail wheel lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock housing is provided with an ear piece, the ear piece is rotatably connected to the handle, and the ear piece is used to support the handle.

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