A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut

Abstract

The present invention provides a quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut, comprising a load-bearing unlocking assembly and a quick docking assembly. The load-bearing unlocking assembly connects the split nut and the screw by means of a scroll spring, and performs positional locking by means of an electromagnetic driver. A ratchet structure is used to pre-tighten and position-limit the split nut, and a loading assembly utilizes the superelastic properties of a shape memory alloy for load-bearing. The quick docking assembly pre-applies a torsional force to the support gasket by means of a torsion spring, and rotationally limits the position by means of a gasket limit pin, while axially limiting the position of the gasket limit pin by means of a thrust spring. During docking, the head of the screw is inserted into the through hole of the support gasket, and the loading assembly causes the screw to displace and push the gasket limit pin to release the rotational limit of the support gasket, thereby locking the screw. During separation, the electromagnetic driver releases the limit on the scroll spring, releasing the split nut and screw to achieve unlocking. The present invention can achieve quick docking and low-impact separation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a non-pyrotechnic quick-response unlocking device, in particular to a quick docking unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split-flank nut. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of aerospace technology, flight missions are becoming more and more diverse and complex. Higher requirements are also put forward for the unlocking devices of key components in the connection and separation systems of aerospace vehicles. Not only must repeatable high-overload connection and low-impact separation be achieved, but also the batch assembly needs of aircraft must be met, and requirements such as modularization, universalization and rapid ground docking must be satisfied. Therefore, the non-pyrotechnic unlocking devices under development still have some shortcomings such as complex mechanisms, slow connection and reassembly responses, and large loading accuracy errors. It is urgent to invent new non-pyrotechnic unlocking devices to meet the requirements of future batch and universal use. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem solved by the present invention is: to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut, which can meet the large-load rapid connection requirements of heavy aerospace vehicles, and can also realize the functions of constant force self-compensation and load retention in the entire mission profile, low-impact separation, and reusability.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is:

[0005] A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut, comprising a load-bearing unlocking component arranged on a first docking surface and a quick docking component arranged on a second docking surface;

[0006] The load-bearing unlocking assembly includes an electromagnetic driver, a housing, a split nut, a scroll spring, a ratchet disc, a support disc, a bolt, an outer cover, a loading assembly and a load-bearing base;

[0007] The vortex spring is wound on the split nut, the inner end of which is fixed on the split nut, and the outer end is connected to a limiting structure driven by an electromagnetic driver; the split nut is tightened into a complete nut by the vortex spring; the split nut is connected to the ratchet disk, and a pawl that cooperates with the ratchet disk is provided at the bottom of the split nut for rotationally limiting the split nut; the ratchet disk is fixedly connected to the support disk, and the support disk is installed on the loading assembly, and the loading assembly is an elastic part that generates deformation and elastic restoring force under the action of external force; The loading assembly is mounted on the bearing base, and the bearing base is fixedly mounted on the first docking surface; the housing is fixed on the support plate, and the cover is provided on the outside of the split nut, the spiral spring, and the ratchet plate; the outer cover is provided on the outside of the support plate and the loading assembly, and is fixed to the bearing base; the ratchet plate, the support plate, the loading assembly, the bearing base, and the first docking surface are provided with through holes for accommodating the bolt rod of the bolt to pass through, and the bolt rod of the bolt passes through the through holes and cooperates with the threaded portion of the split nut through the threaded portion on the bolt rod;

[0008] The quick docking assembly includes a quick docking seat, a connecting cylinder, a torsion spring, a supporting gasket, a gasket stop pin, a thrust spring and an end cover;

[0009] The quick docking seat is fixedly installed on the second docking surface, and the support gasket is connected to the quick docking seat through a torsion spring, and the torsion spring provides torsional force to the support gasket through torsional deformation, and the support gasket is provided with a pin hole matching the gasket limit pin; the end cover is fixedly connected to the quick docking seat through a connecting tube arranged on the outside of the quick docking seat; the end cover is provided with a boss, and the boss is provided with a thrust spring, and the thrust spring overlaps with the gasket limit pin, and provides a force for the gasket limit pin to move toward the support gasket through pre-deformation, so that the gasket limit pin rotationally limits the support gasket; a through hole is provided on the second docking surface to accommodate the head of the bolt, and a cavity is provided in the quick docking seat to accommodate the head of the bolt, and a through hole matching the shape and size of the head of the bolt is provided on the support gasket.

[0010] Preferably, the loading assembly includes an upper gasket, an elastic gasket, a lower gasket and a rigid gasket. The upper gasket and the lower gasket are respectively connected to the support plate and the load-bearing base for transmitting the force and protecting the elastic gasket arranged therebetween. The rigid gasket is arranged on the lower surface of the upper gasket or the upper surface of the lower gasket, and is located on the outside of the elasticity. The thickness of the rigid gasket is less than the initial thickness of the elastic gasket, and is used to control the deformation of the elastic gasket.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic gasket is made of shape memory alloy.

[0012] Preferably, when the first docking surface and the second docking surface are in contact with each other, the head of the bolt passes through the through hole on the second docking surface and the cavity in the quick docking seat, and is located in the through hole on the support gasket, applying a loading force to the shell, and then loading the elastic gasket through the support plate and the upper gasket to cause compression deformation, and the support plate and the split nut move as a whole toward the first docking surface, driving the head of the bolt to move the same distance toward the end cover, passing through the through hole on the support gasket, squeezing the thrust spring, releasing the rotation limit of the support gasket on the gasket limit pin, and the support gasket rotates a certain angle so that the head of the bolt cannot pass through the through hole on the support gasket, completing the locking of the bolt, thereby completing the docking locking of the first docking interface and the second docking surface.

[0013] Preferably, after receiving the unlocking instruction, the electromagnetic driver releases the limit of the outer end of the spiral spring by the limiting structure, and the spiral spring expands under the action of its own elasticity, thereby releasing the split nut, and the split nut opens, releasing the bolt, completing the unlocking and separation of the first docking surface and the second docking surface.

[0014] Preferably, after receiving the reset instruction, the electromagnetic driver limits the outer end of the spiral spring through the limiting structure, and then rotates the petal nut to drive the spiral spring to retract and tighten, and the petal nut is re-tightened into a complete nut, carrying the unlocking component to complete the reset.

[0015] Preferably, the split nut includes an upper part, a middle part and a lower part, the lower part is a plurality of identical split bodies, which are assembled into a cylinder with steps at both ends, the spiral spring is wound around the outer surface of the cylinder, located between the steps at the upper and lower ends, and the inner surface of the cylinder is provided with a thread that cooperates with the bolt; the upper part is a whole, forming a clearance fit with the inner wall of the shell; the middle part is an elastic thin plate structure corresponding to the number of split bodies in the lower part, connecting the upper part and the lower part, and the elastic thin plate structure has an outward expansion tendency.

[0016] Preferably, the number of the split-petal bodies of the split-petal nut is 3.

[0017] Preferably, the difference between the initial thickness of the elastic gasket and the thickness of the rigid gasket is 1.5 mm.

[0018] The advantages of the present invention compared with the prior art are:

[0019] 1) This invention is based on a quick docking and unlocking device for a self-tending flexible split nut. It uses a scroll spring to tighten the flexible split nut and incorporates a ratchet mechanism design that integrates positive preload and reverse limit. This device achieves the integrated functions of quick docking, connection load, and low-impact separation. It features a simple structure, a small footprint, convenient and fast operation, and low-impact release. It can be used alone or in combination with straps, linkage mechanisms, and other devices, achieving the modular design goal of a device with a load capacity of 20-50kN.

[0020] 2) The quick-connection unlocking device of the present invention, based on a self-tending flexible split nut, incorporates an elastic drive function compared to conventional split nut load-bearing structures, providing a redundant design for reliable separation. Furthermore, unlike commonly used stoppers such as bayonet pins and ball bearings, the device utilizes an outer ring tightening scroll spring elastic element based on the orthogonal conversion principle of energy transfer and the Euler principle. This effectively decouples the axial load-bearing force from the circumferential trigger force for unlocking, allowing for unlocking with a low trigger force for various heavy connection loads. This ensures that the unlocking device can withstand ample loads.

[0021] 3) Based on the superelastic properties of memory alloys, the present invention innovatively designs SMA loading structural components for use in load-bearing mechanisms. This ensures constant loading stress within a wide superelastic tolerance range, enabling adaptive force and compensation at the connection interface across the entire flight profile.

[0022] 4) The present invention is based on a quick docking and unlocking device of a self-tending flexible split nut. Based on the large tolerance self-compensation characteristics of the loading component, a quick docking component is designed, and a small displacement-triggered elastic drive limiting method is adopted to design an integrated loading and docking mechanism to achieve the goals of unmanned blind insertion and quick docking. While the quick docking provides technical support and guarantee for ground batch installation, it can also ensure that the adaptive compensation of the preload force remains constant during the entire mission profile of the aircraft, thereby improving the reliability of the flight mission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the unlocking component of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the quick docking assembly of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 (a), (b), and (c) are schematic diagrams of the docking process of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the thread pair state after unlocking of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following detailed description of the present invention will make the features and advantages of the present invention more clear and explicit.

[0030] The present invention provides a quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device consists of two parts: a load-bearing unlocking component and a quick docking component.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the load-bearing unlocking assembly is installed on the projectile docking surface, and the quick docking assembly is installed on the payload docking surface.

[0032] The carrier unlocking component 1 is as follows Figure 3 As shown, it includes an electromagnetic driver 3, a housing 4, a split nut 5, a volute spring 6, a ratchet disc 7, a support disc 8, a bolt 9, a split outer cover 10, a loading assembly 11, and a bearing base 12.

[0033] Specifically, the inner ring of the spiral spring 6 is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the split nut 5, and the outer ring of the spiral spring 6 is limited and prevented from rotating by the electromagnetic driver 3 connected to the housing 4. The split nut 5 is tightly connected to the bolt 9 by the spiral spring 6 and is limited and locked by the electromagnetic driver 3. The bottom end of the split nut 5 is placed on the ratchet disk 7, which is fixedly connected to the support disk 8. The support disk 8 is fixed to the bottom end of the housing 4 with screws. The loading assembly 11 is placed between the support disk 8 and the supporting base 12, and then screwed together with the supporting base 12 through the split outer cover 10. Finally, it is screwed and fixed to the docking surface of the elastic body as a whole.

[0034] Quick docking assembly 2 Figure 4 As shown, it includes a quick docking seat 13, a connecting tube 14, a torsion spring 15, a support washer 16, a washer stop pin 17, a thrust spring 18, and an end cap 19. The load-bearing unlocking assembly 1 includes: an electromagnetic driver 3, a housing 4, a split nut 5, a scroll spring 6, a ratchet disc 7, a support disc 8, a bolt 9, a split outer cover 10, a loading assembly 11, and a load-bearing base 12.

[0035] Specifically, the end cap 19 is fixedly connected to the quick docking seat 13 via the connecting tube 14. The internal gasket stop pin 17 is limited in axial movement by the thrust spring 18. The support gasket 16 is connected to the quick mounting seat 13 via the torsion spring 15. The gasket stop pin 17 is inserted into the support gasket 16 to limit its circumferential rotation.

[0036] After the load unlocking assembly 1 of the body docking surface is assembled, the split nut and the bolt 9 are tightly connected by the spiral spring and the electromagnetic drive is used to limit the locking. Insert the bolt 9 through the load docking surface into the quick docking seat 13 in the quick docking assembly 2, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 As shown in (a), then, under the condition of ensuring the full contact between the mating surfaces, the upper end gasket 20 of the loading component 11 is compressed by the tooling in the load-bearing unlocking component 1, and the force is transmitted to the lower end gasket 23 through the inner ring SMA gasket 21. The inner ring SMA gasket 21 is deformed and compressed H to the same height as the outer ring rigid gasket 22 under the superelastic property, indicating that the loading is in place. In this way, the bolt 9 will penetrate the top of the end cover 19 by a distance H, pushing the gasket limit pin 17, and releasing the rotation limit of the support gasket 16, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 As shown in (b), the support washer 16 rotates 90 degrees under the action of the torsion spring 15 to the bottom of the square head of the bolt 9 to support the axial return of the bolt 9, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (c), the load applied to the loading component 11 is then removed, and the bolt 9 is elastically stretched by the preload force applied under the superelastic stress of the inner ring SMA gasket 21 in the loading component 11, thereby completing the fixing and preload loading of the entire device, connecting the quick docking component 2, the separation interface and the load-bearing unlocking component 1 as a whole to realize the load-bearing connection of the device.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, the inner SMA washer 21 initially has an outer diameter of 34mm and a height of 6mm, while the rigid washer 22 has an inner diameter of 38mm and a height of 4.5mm. After preload is applied, the inner SMA washer 21 has an outer diameter of 35.8mm and a height of 4.5mm. The matching design of the inner and outer rings ensures that the axial heights of the two are equal after preload is applied, ensuring that the preload is applied properly and within the required range.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, when the present invention is unlocked and released, after the electromagnetic driver 3 is triggered by power (SMA or other triggering forms such as motors are also acceptable), the outer ring limit of the spiral spring 6 is unlocked, and the spiral spring 6 automatically expands to release the radial positioning of the petal nut 5. Figure 6 As shown, the split nut 5 is radially separated under the driving force of the bolt 9 to restore its deformation and its own elastic expansion force, thereby releasing the bolt 9, releasing the axial constraint of the separation device, and achieving the release goal of the connected parts.

[0039] When the split nut 5 is in the unlocked state, the electromagnetic driver 3 limits the outer end of the spiral spring 6 through the limiting structure after receiving the reset instruction, and then uses the reset tool to rotate the split nut 5 counterclockwise through the reset hole on the upper part, driving the spiral spring 6 to shrink and tighten, so that the split body at the lower part of the split nut 5 becomes a whole again and cooperates with the thread of the bolt 9. The entire device is reset, thereby achieving reusability.

[0040] The contents not described in detail in the specification of the present invention belong to the common knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut, characterized in that: It comprises a load-bearing unlocking component (1) arranged on a first docking surface and a quick docking component (2) arranged on a second docking surface; The load-bearing unlocking assembly (1) comprises an electromagnetic driver (3), a housing (4), a split nut (5), a volute spring (6), a ratchet disc (7), a support disc (8), a bolt (9), an outer cover (10), a loading assembly (11) and a load-bearing base (12); The vortex spring (6) is wound around the split nut (5), the inner end of which is fixed to the split nut (5), and the outer end is connected to the limiting structure driven by the electromagnetic driver (3); the split nut (5) is tightened into a complete nut by the vortex spring (6); the split nut (5) is connected to the ratchet disc (7), and the bottom of the split nut (5) is provided with a pawl that matches the ratchet disc (7) for rotationally limiting the split nut (5); the ratchet disc (7) is fixed to the support disc (8), and the support disc (8) is installed on the loading component (11), and the loading component (11) is an elastic member that generates deformation and elastic restoring force under the action of external force; the loading component (11) ) is mounted on a bearing base (12), and the bearing base (12) is fixedly mounted on the first docking surface; the shell (4) is fixed on the support plate (8), and the cover is arranged on the outside of the split nut (5), the volute spring (6), and the ratchet plate (7); the outer cover (10) is arranged on the outside of the support plate (8) and the loading assembly (11), and is fixed on the bearing base (12); the ratchet plate (7), the support plate (8), the loading assembly (11), the bearing base (12) and the first docking surface are provided with a through hole for accommodating the bolt rod of the bolt (9) to pass through, and the bolt rod of the bolt (9) passes through the through hole and cooperates with the threaded portion of the split nut (5) through the threaded portion on the bolt rod; The quick docking assembly (2) includes a quick docking seat (13), a connecting tube (14), a torsion spring (15), a support gasket (16), a gasket stop pin (17), a thrust spring (18) and an end cover (19); The quick docking seat (13) is fixedly mounted on the second docking surface, the support gasket (16) is connected to the quick docking seat (13) via a torsion spring (15), the torsion spring provides torsional force to the support gasket (16) by torsional deformation, and the support gasket (16) is provided with a pin hole matching the gasket limit pin (17); the end cover (19) is fixedly connected to the quick docking seat (13) via a connecting tube (14) provided on the outside of the quick docking seat (13), and the end cover (19) is provided with a boss, and a thrust spring is sleeved on the boss (18), the thrust spring (18) overlaps with the gasket limiting pin (17), and provides the gasket limiting pin (17) with a force to move toward the support gasket (16) through pre-deformation, so that the gasket limiting pin (17) performs rotational limiting on the support gasket (16); a through hole for accommodating the head of the bolt (9) is provided on the second docking surface, a cavity for accommodating the head of the bolt (9) is provided in the quick docking seat (13), and a through hole matching the shape and size of the head of the bolt (9) is provided on the support gasket (16); The loading assembly (11) comprises an upper gasket (20), an elastic gasket (21), a lower gasket (23) and a rigid gasket (22). The upper gasket (20) and the lower gasket (23) are respectively connected to the support plate (8) and the bearing base (12) for transmitting the force and protecting the elastic gasket (21) arranged therebetween. The rigid gasket (22) is arranged on the lower surface of the upper gasket (20) or the upper surface of the lower gasket (23) and is located outside the elastic gasket (21). The thickness of the rigid gasket (22) is less than the initial thickness of the elastic gasket (21) and is used to control the deformation of the elastic gasket (21).

2. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic gasket (21) is made of shape memory alloy.

3. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the first docking surface and the second docking surface are in contact with each other, the head of the bolt (9) passes through the through hole on the second docking surface and the cavity in the quick docking seat (13), and is located in the through hole on the support gasket (16), applying a loading force to the shell (4), and then loading the elastic gasket (21) through the support plate (8) and the upper gasket (20) to cause compression deformation. The support plate (8) and the split nut (5) move toward the first docking surface as a whole, driving the head of the bolt (9) to move the same distance toward the end cover (19), pass through the through hole on the support gasket (16), squeeze the thrust spring (18), release the rotation limit of the gasket limit pin (17) on the support gasket (16), and the support gasket (16) rotates a certain angle so that the head of the bolt (9) cannot pass through the through hole on the support gasket (16), completing the locking of the bolt (9), thereby completing the docking locking of the first docking interface and the second docking surface.

4. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to claim 3, characterized in that: After receiving the unlocking instruction, the electromagnetic driver (3) releases the limit structure on the outer end of the spiral spring (6), and the spiral spring (6) expands under the action of its own elasticity, thereby releasing the petal nut (5), and the petal nut (5) opens, releasing the bolt (9), completing the unlocking and separation of the first docking surface and the second docking surface.

5. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to claim 4, characterized in that: After receiving the reset instruction, the electromagnetic driver (3) limits the outer end of the scroll spring (6) through the limiting structure, and then rotates the petal nut (5) to drive the scroll spring (6) to be retracted and tightened, and the petal nut (5) is tightened again to form a complete nut, carrying the unlocking component (1) to complete the reset.

6. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The split nut (5) includes an upper part, a middle part and a lower part, the lower part is a plurality of identical split bodies, which are assembled into a cylinder with steps at both ends, the scroll spring (6) is wound around the outer surface of the cylinder, located between the steps at the upper and lower ends, and the inner surface of the cylinder is provided with a thread that cooperates with the bolt (9); the upper part is a whole, forming a clearance fit with the inner wall of the shell (4); the middle part is an elastic thin plate structure corresponding to the number of the split bodies in the lower part, connecting the upper part and the lower part, and the elastic thin plate structure has an outward expansion tendency.

7. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of the petal bodies of the petal nut (5) is 3.

8. A quick docking and unlocking device based on a self-tending flexible split nut according to claim 7, characterized in that: The difference between the initial thickness of the elastic gasket (21) and the thickness of the rigid gasket (22) is 1.5 mm.

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