A hingeless spiral extension system

Abstract

This invention discloses a hingeless spiral extension system, including a storage cylinder, a hingeless spiral extension arm, and a damping speed stabilizing device. The hingeless spiral extension arm includes an upper end plate, a lower end plate, at least three longitudinal rods, and at least one fork-shaped bracket. The lower end plate is connected to the bottom end of the storage cylinder. One end of each longitudinal rod is rotatably connected to the upper end plate, and the other end is rotatably connected to the lower end plate. The fork-shaped brackets are spaced apart along the length of the longitudinal rods, and the forked ends of the fork-shaped brackets are connected to the longitudinal rods. The damping speed stabilizing device is located at the bottom of the lower end plate, and a first cable is provided on the damping speed stabilizing device, with one end of the first cable connected to the upper end plate. This invention, by providing several fork-shaped brackets as lateral supports within the hingeless spiral extension arm, eliminates the need for the flexible rods arranged in a spiral pattern in the prior art, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the lateral support and the longitudinal rods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace equipment technology, and more specifically to a hingeless disc-wrap extension system. Background Technology

[0002] Space-deployable structures are characterized by their light weight and low complexity, and are often used in the deployment and support mechanisms of deployable antennas and solar arrays. They can also be used in the deployment trusses of space stations and space telescopes.

[0003] Currently, in the aerospace field, the main type of space extension structure used is the hinged, rotating extension structure, which employs a triangular crossbar as lateral support, as shown in the attached diagram in the instruction manual. Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, three hinge blocks 6 on the same horizontal plane are fixed on three longitudinal rods 103 respectively. The end of the flexible rod 5 is connected to the hinge block 6 and is pressed down by bolts. Therefore, the connection between the flexible rod 5 and the hinge block 6 adopts a loose fit.

[0004] However, during the contraction or extension process, both the longitudinal bar 103 and the flexible bar 5 will deform, which will cause the connection between the flexible bar 5 and the hinge block 6 to become loose, resulting in poor stability of the connection between the transverse support and the longitudinal bar 103.

[0005] Therefore, existing technologies still need to be improved and enhanced. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a hingeless disc-wrap extension system, which aims to solve the technical problem of poor stability of the connection between the lateral support and the longitudinal bar in existing spatial extension structures.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve the technical problem is as follows:

[0008] A hingeless, coiled extension system includes a storage cylinder, and the hingeless, coiled extension system further includes:

[0009] A hingeless spiral extension arm includes an upper end plate, a lower end plate, at least three longitudinal rods, and at least one fork-shaped bracket. The lower end plate is connected to the bottom end of the storage tube. One end of each longitudinal rod is rotatably connected to the upper end plate, and the other end is rotatably connected to the lower end plate. The fork-shaped brackets are spaced apart along the length of the longitudinal rods, and the forked ends of the fork-shaped brackets are connected to the longitudinal rods.

[0010] A damping speed stabilizing device is provided at the bottom of the lower end plate. The damping speed stabilizing device is provided with a first cable. One end of the first cable is connected to the upper end plate. By pulling the first cable, the longitudinal rod undergoes elastic deformation in the radial direction, which in turn causes the branches of the fork-shaped bracket to undergo elastic deformation, so as to retract or expand the hingeless coiled extension arm.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution, at least one intermediate crimp joint is fixedly connected to the longitudinal rod. The intermediate crimp joints are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the longitudinal rod, and the intermediate crimp joints are connected to the forked ends of the fork-shaped bracket.

[0012] As a further improved technical solution, the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm also includes:

[0013] At least six hinge structures are evenly distributed at the bottom of the upper end plate and the top of the lower end plate. One end of the longitudinal rod is connected to the hinge structure at the bottom of the upper end plate, and the other end is connected to the hinge structure at the top of the lower end plate.

[0014] As a further improved technical solution, the hinge structure includes:

[0015] Mounting base;

[0016] Two rolling bearings are coaxially arranged on the mounting base;

[0017] A hinged joint is rotatably connected to two rolling bearings and connected to one end of the longitudinal rod;

[0018] An end crimp connector is located on one side of the mounting base.

[0019] As a further improved technical solution, a stay cable is connected between the end crimp joint and the middle crimp joints on both sides.

[0020] As a further improved technical solution, the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm also includes:

[0021] The center buckle is located at the bottom of the upper end plate. The center buckle is connected to the mounting base and to one end of the first cable.

[0022] As a further improved technical solution, the central buckle includes:

[0023] The lower cable connector is located at the bottom of the upper end plate, and the bottom end of the lower cable connector is connected to one end of the first cable.

[0024] The upper cable connector is movably connected to the lower cable connector;

[0025] The first cable crimp joint is evenly distributed around the outer side of the upper cable joint;

[0026] The second cable crimp joint is located on one side of the mounting base and is arranged separately from the end crimp joint;

[0027] The second cable has one end connected to the first cable crimp connector and the other end connected to the second cable crimp connector.

[0028] As a further improved technical solution, the damping speed stabilizing device includes:

[0029] A tray is located at the bottom of the lower end plate;

[0030] A connecting rod, one end of which is connected to the lower end plate and the other end of which is connected to the support plate;

[0031] A winding reel is disposed on the support plate and connected to the end of the first cable away from the upper end plate;

[0032] A speed reducer is mounted on the support plate and connected to the winding wheel to amplify the rotational speed of the winding wheel;

[0033] A damper is mounted on the support plate and connected to the reducer to generate a damping torque opposite to that of the reducer, used to adjust the rotational speed of the winding wheel.

[0034] As a further improved technical solution, the hingeless disc-wrap extension system also includes:

[0035] A locking and releasing device is provided on the side wall of the storage cylinder for locking the hingeless spiral extension arm after it is folded up.

[0036] As a further improved technical solution, the locking and releasing device includes:

[0037] Three locking blocks are evenly distributed around the circumference of the storage tube;

[0038] Three locking buckles, one end of which is connected to the locking block and the other end of which abuts against the top of the upper end plate. The locking buckle has a first groove on the side opposite to the locking block.

[0039] Three metal tubes, which are snapped into the first groove;

[0040] A hot knife support is located on the outside of the storage tube and between the two locking blocks;

[0041] Two limiting blocks are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the storage tube, and the limiting blocks are located between the two locking blocks;

[0042] The tensioning rope passes through three metal tubes, wraps around the hot knife support and two limiting blocks, and is then connected end to end to tension the outside of the storage cylinder.

[0043] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0044] This application provides a hingeless coiled extension system, including a storage cylinder, a hingeless coiled extension arm, and a damping speed stabilizing device. The hingeless coiled extension arm includes an upper end plate, a lower end plate, at least three longitudinal rods, and at least one fork-shaped bracket. The lower end plate is connected to the bottom end of the storage cylinder. One end of each longitudinal rod is rotatably connected to the upper end plate, and the other end is rotatably connected to the lower end plate. The fork-shaped brackets are spaced apart along the length of the longitudinal rods, and the forked ends of the fork-shaped brackets are connected to the longitudinal rods. The damping speed stabilizing device is disposed at the bottom of the lower end plate and has a first cable. One end of the first cable is connected to the upper end plate. By pulling the first cable, the longitudinal rods undergo radial elastic deformation, which in turn causes the branches of the fork-shaped brackets to undergo elastic deformation, thereby retracting or extending the hingeless coiled extension arm. This application improves the stability of the connection between the lateral support and the longitudinal bar by setting several fork-shaped brackets as lateral supports inside the hingeless spiral extension arm, thereby eliminating the flexible rods arranged around the perimeter in the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hingeless, disc-wrap extension system in its unfolded state.

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a partial component of a hingeless, disc-wrap extension arm;

[0047] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a hingeless, disc-less, spiral extension system in its retracted state.

[0048] Figure 4 A half-sectional schematic diagram of a hingeless disc-wound extension system in a retracted state.

[0049] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Top view;

[0050] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the locking block structure;

[0051] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the hot knife support structure;

[0052] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the central cable buckle;

[0053] Figure 9This is an assembly diagram of the hinged structure;

[0054] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the upper cable joint and the first cable compression joint;

[0055] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate section crimp connector;

[0056] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a partial component of a damping speed stabilizing device;

[0057] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the fork-shaped support in the unfolded state of the hingeless disc-wound extension system;

[0058] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the fork-shaped support in the retraction process of a hingeless disc-wound extension system;

[0059] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the fork-shaped support in the fully retracted state of the hingeless disc-wound extension system.

[0060] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a hinged, spiral-extended structure in the prior art.

[0061] Figure 17 for Figure 16 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the triangular crossbar and the triangular hinge joint.

[0062] The numbers in the diagram represent: 1. Hingeless, disc-wrap extension arm; 101. Upper end plate; 102. Hinge structure; 1021. Mounting base; 1022. Hinge joint; 1023. Rolling bearing; 1024. End crimp joint; 103. Longitudinal rod; 104. Middle crimp joint; 1041. Hollow column; 1042. Double crimp joint; 1043. Inner hole; 105. Fork-shaped bracket; 106. Stay cable; 107. Center cable buckle; 1071. First cable crimp joint; 1072. Second cable crimp joint; 1073. Second cable; 1074. Lower cable joint. 1. Head; 1075. Upper cable connector; 108. Lower end plate; 2. Storage tube; 3. Locking release device; 301. Locking block; 3011. Slot; 302. Locking buckle; 303. Metal tube; 304. Limiting block; 305. Hot knife support; 3051. Fixing plate; 3052. Support platform; 3053. Boss; 306. Hot knife; 307. Tensioning rope; 4. Damping speed stabilizing device; 401. Connecting rod; 402. Support plate; 403. Winding wheel; 404. First cable; 405. Reducer; 406. Damper; 5. Flexible rod; 6. Hinge block. Detailed Implementation

[0063] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0064] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0065] It should also be noted that the same or similar reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention correspond to the same or similar components; in the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0066] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0067] Example 1

[0068] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, where, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hingeless, disc-wrap extension system in its unfolded state. Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a partial component of a hingeless coiled extension arm. Specifically, this embodiment provides a hingeless coiled extension system, including a hingeless coiled extension arm 1, a storage cylinder 2, a locking and releasing device 3, and a damping and stabilizing device 4. The storage cylinder 2 is used to store the coiled hingeless coiled extension arm 1 and has an opening at the top. The storage cylinder 2 can be made of aluminum alloy, which is lightweight and has high rigidity. The hingeless coiled extension arm 1 is disposed within the storage cylinder 2 and can coil and unfold within the storage cylinder 2. The elastic strain energy generated in the folded state can... The hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 is self-driven to unfold; the locking and releasing device 3 is disposed on the side wall of the storage cylinder 2, used to lock the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 in the retracted state, and keep the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 relatively stable in the storage cylinder 2, and release the lock after receiving a release command; the damping speed stabilizing device 4 is disposed at the bottom of the storage cylinder 2 and connected to the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1, and under the control of the damping speed stabilizing device 4, the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 can unfold upward smoothly.

[0069] The fixed end of the hingeless spiral extension arm 1 is connected to the storage cylinder 2; the locking release device 3 is located at the upper end of the outer surface of the storage cylinder 2; the hingeless spiral extension arm 1 and the damping speed stabilizing device 4 are concentrically connected by the first cable 404, so that the hingeless spiral extension arm 1 and the damping speed stabilizing device 4 can perform their respective functions without affecting their respective movement space.

[0070] The hingeless spiral extension arm 1 includes an upper end plate 101, a lower end plate 108, three longitudinal rods 103, and at least one fork-shaped bracket 105. The lower end plate 108 is connected to the bottom end of the storage cylinder 2. One end of each longitudinal rod 103 is rotatably connected to the upper end plate 101, and the other end is rotatably connected to the lower end plate 108. All three longitudinal rods 103 are located within the opening. It should be understood that the number of longitudinal rods 103 is not limited to three; there can be more than three. This embodiment does not impose a limitation. The fork-shaped brackets 105 are arranged at equal intervals along the length of the longitudinal rods 103, and the forked ends of the fork-shaped brackets 105 are connected to the longitudinal rods 103. The longitudinal rods 103 provide longitudinal support for the hingeless spiral extension arm 1; the fork-shaped brackets 105 provide lateral support for the hingeless spiral extension arm 1. When the hingeless coiled extension arm 1 is retracted, it coils downwards under the action of external force to generate a certain bending strain energy and has an unfolding tendency.

[0071] At least six hinge structures 102 are provided. It should be noted that the number of hinge structures 102 is an even number, six or more. Three of the hinge structures 102 are provided at the bottom end of the upper end plate 101, and the other three are provided at the top end of the lower end plate 108. The hinge structures 102 of the upper end plate 101 and the hinge structures 102 of the lower end plate 108 are symmetrical. Three of the hinge structures 102 are radially arranged at the bottom end of the upper end plate 101, and the distance between any one hinge structure 102 and any two adjacent hinge structures 102 is equal. The hinge structures 102 of the upper end plate 101 are connected to the top end of the longitudinal rod 103. The other three hinge structures 102 are radially arranged at the top end of the lower end plate 108, and the distance between any one hinge structure 102 and any two adjacent hinge structures 102 is equal. The hinge structures 102 of the lower end plate 108 are connected to the bottom end of the longitudinal rod 103. In other words, a concentric circle is drawn with the center point of the upper end plate 101 as the center, in which the three hinge structures 102 are evenly distributed on the concentric circle of the upper end plate 101; a concentric circle is drawn with the center point of the lower end plate 108 as the center, in which the other three hinge structures 102 are evenly distributed on the concentric circle of the lower end plate 108.

[0072] like Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9 This is an assembly diagram of the hinge structure. The hinge structure 102 includes a mounting base 1021, two rolling bearings 1023, a hinge joint 1022, and an end pressure joint 1024. The mounting base 1021 is fixedly connected to the upper end plate 101 or the lower end plate 108, specifically by bolts. The two rolling bearings 1023 are coaxially arranged on the mounting base 1021, and the arrangement direction of the two rolling bearings 1023 is radially arranged along the end face of the upper end plate 101 or the end face of the lower end plate 108. The hinge joint 1022 is rotatably connected to the two rolling bearings 1023 and connected to one end of the longitudinal rod 103. Of course, it should be understood that the two coaxially arranged rolling bearings 1023 can also be replaced with a rotating shaft, and the hinge joint 1022 is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft; the end pressure joint 1024 is located on the side of the mounting base 1021 near the center of the upper end plate 101 or on the side of the mounting base 1021 near the center of the lower end plate 108.

[0073] It should be noted that when the longitudinal rod 103 is compressed by an external force or unfolded under elastic restoring force, the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal rod 103 can rotate radially.

[0074] The longitudinal rod 103 is provided with a plurality of intermediate crimp joints 104 along its length, and the plurality of intermediate crimp joints 104 are arranged at equal intervals on the longitudinal rod 103.

[0075] The forked ends of the fork-shaped bracket 105 are connected to the middle section crimp joint 104, providing lateral support for the hingeless, spiral-wound extension arm 1. Specifically, the fork-shaped bracket 105 is a three-pronged bracket and is connected to three longitudinal bars 103. Of course, it should be understood that the fork-shaped bracket 105 is not limited to a three-pronged shape and can also be other shapes, which are not limited in this embodiment.

[0076] It should be noted that the fork shape specifically refers to a main body extending outwards in all directions on a plane, forming a tree-like structure. In this embodiment, the three-pronged bracket has two branches extending from a main rod on a horizontal plane. When the hingeless disc-shaped extension arm 1 is in a fully retracted state, the fork-shaped brackets 105 are stacked in the height direction.

[0077] like Figure 11 As shown, Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the mid-section crimp connector. The mid-section crimp connector 104 includes a hollow column 1041 and two double crimp connectors 1042. The hollow column 1041 has a through-hole 1043 in the middle. The longitudinal rod 103 passes through the through-hole 1043 and is fixedly connected to the hollow column 1041. One of the two double crimp connectors 1042 is connected to the upper end of the hollow column 1041, and the other of the two double crimp connectors 1042 is connected to the lower end of the hollow column 1041. The double crimp connectors 1042 are located on adjacent sides of the hingeless spiral extension arm 1.

[0078] It should be noted that the end crimp connector 1024 is only connected to the upper double crimp connector 1042 of the middle crimp connector 104 at the top of the longitudinal rod 103 and the lower double crimp connector 1042 of the middle crimp connector 104 at the bottom of the longitudinal rod 103. Specifically, the end crimp connector 1024 is connected to the double crimp connectors 1042 on both sides by a stay cable 106. In addition, along the diagonal direction, the stay cable 106 is connected between the lower double crimp connector 1042 of one middle crimp connector 104 and the upper double crimp connectors 1042 of the other two middle crimp connectors 104; the stay cable 106 is also connected between the upper double crimp connector 1042 of one middle crimp connector 104 and the lower double crimp connectors 1042 of the other two middle crimp connectors 104.

[0079] like Figure 14 As shown, Figure 14This is a schematic diagram of the fork-shaped support structure of the hingeless coiled extension system during the retraction process. When the hingeless coiled extension arm 1 is in the retraction process, the longitudinal rod 103 coils and bends downwards. At the same time, the fork-shaped support 105 is constrained by the inclined cable 106 and undergoes compression bending upwards or downwards. Due to the existence of elastic strain energy in the hingeless coiled extension arm 1, the hingeless coiled extension arm 1 is self-driven to unfold under the action of elastic strain energy.

[0080] like Figure 15 As shown, Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the fork-shaped support structure of the hingeless coiled extension system in its fully retracted state. The fork-shaped support 105 is constrained by the inclined cable 106, and after being compressed and bent upwards or downwards, it undergoes torsional deformation. The three longitudinal rods 103 are coiled and bent and located inside the storage cylinder 2.

[0081] During the unfolding process of the hingeless coiled extension arm 1, the longitudinal rod 103 gradually returns from the coiled state to the straightened state, and the fork-shaped bracket 105 gradually returns to its initial state in the radial direction. On the same side of the hingeless coiled extension arm 1, of the two inclined cables 106 between two adjacent fork-shaped brackets 105, one remains taut while the other remains slack.

[0082] like Figure 13 As shown, Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the fork-shaped bracket in the unfolded state of the hingeless disc-wrap extension system. In the unfolded state, the three longitudinal bars 103 remain vertical, providing longitudinal support for the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1; the fork-shaped bracket 105 returns to its initial state, providing lateral support for the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1.

[0083] like Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, where, Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the central cable buckle; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the upper cable connector and the first cable crimp connector. A central cable buckle 107 is provided at the bottom center of the upper end plate 101. The central cable buckle 107 is connected to three mounting seats 1021, and the bottom end of the central cable buckle 107 is connected to one end of the first cable 404.

[0084] Specifically, the central cable buckle 107 includes a lower cable connector 1074, an upper cable connector 1075, a first cable crimp connector 1071, a second cable crimp connector 1072, and a second cable 1073. The lower cable connector 1074 is located at the bottom center of the upper end plate 101, and its bottom end is connected to one end of the first cable 404. The upper cable connector 1075 is a circular ring structure and is movably connected to the lower cable connector 1074. The first cable crimp connectors 1071 are evenly distributed around the outer side of the upper cable connector 1075, wherein any branch is connected to two adjacent branches. The included angles between the branches are equal, so that each branch direction can correspond to the second cable crimp joint 1072, thereby enabling the damping speed stabilizing device 4 to control the axial movement of the hingeless disc-shaped extension arm 1 and release the rotational freedom of the central cable buckle 107 in the vertical direction; the second cable crimp joint 1072 is located on the side of the mounting base 1021 near the center of the upper end plate 101 and is arranged separately from the end crimp joint 1024; one end of the second cable 1073 is connected to the first cable crimp joint 1071, and the other end is connected to the second cable crimp joint 1072.

[0085] like Figure 12 As shown, Figure 12 This is a partial schematic diagram of the damping speed stabilizing device. Specifically, the damping speed stabilizing device 4 is provided at the bottom of the lower end plate 108. The damping speed stabilizing device 4 is provided with a first cable 404. One end of the first cable 404 passes through the storage cylinder 2 and is connected to the upper end plate 101. By pulling the first cable 404, the longitudinal rod 103 undergoes radial elastic deformation, which in turn causes the fork-shaped bracket 105 to undergo elastic deformation, thereby retracting or extending the hingeless coiled extension arm 1.

[0086] Specifically, the damping speed stabilizing device 4 includes a connecting rod 401, a support plate 402, a winding wheel 403, a reducer 405, and a damper 406. One end of the connecting rod 401 is connected to the lower end plate 108, and the other end is connected to the support plate 402. The winding wheel 403, the reducer 405, and the damper 406 are all mounted on the support plate 402. The winding wheel 403 is connected to the end of the first cable 404 away from the upper end plate 101. The reducer 405 is connected to the winding wheel 403 to increase the rotational speed of the winding wheel 403. The damper 406 is connected to the reducer 405 to generate a damping torque opposite to that of the reducer 405, thereby adjusting the rotational speed of the winding wheel 403. In other words, the winding wheel 403 is connected to the input end of the reducer 405, and the damper 406 is connected to the output end of the reducer 405. The rotational speed of the winding wheel 403 is amplified by the reducer 405, and the damper 406 generates a damping torque opposite to that of the reducer 405, thereby controlling the smooth unfolding of the hingeless winding extension arm 1.

[0087] It should be noted that the lower end plate 108 or the support plate 402 is used for mounting on a supporting structure, such as a platform or vehicle. That is, the lower end plate 108 or the support plate 402 is fixed at a fixed point, which can be fixed relative to the ground or can move relative to the ground.

[0088] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, where, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a hingeless, disc-less, spiral extension system in its retracted state. Figure 4 A half-sectional schematic diagram of a hingeless disc-wound extension system in a retracted state. Figure 5 for Figure 3 A top view. Specifically, a locking and releasing device 3 is provided on the side wall of the storage cylinder 2 to lock the hingeless spiral extension arm 1 after it is folded up.

[0089] Specifically, the locking and releasing device 3 includes three locking blocks 301, three locking buckles 302, three metal tubes 303, a hot knife support 305, two limiting blocks 304, and a tensioning rope 307. The three locking blocks 301 are evenly distributed around the outer side of the storage cylinder 2. One end of each locking buckle 302 is connected to a locking block 301, and the other end abuts against the top of the upper end plate 101. A first locking buckle is provided on the side of the locking buckle 302 opposite to the locking block 301. A groove; the metal tube 303 is snapped into the first groove; the hot knife support 305 is disposed on the outside of the storage tube 2 and located between the two locking blocks 301; two limiting blocks 304 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the storage tube 2, and the limiting blocks 304 are located between the two locking blocks 301; the tensioning rope 307 passes through the three metal tubes 303, and after passing around the hot knife support 305 and the two limiting blocks 304, the ends are connected and tensioned on the outside of the storage tube 2.

[0090] It should be noted that the two limiting blocks 304 help to tension the tensioning rope 307. The longer metal tube 303 allows the tensioning rope 307 to provide greater radial pressure to the storage cylinder 2, thereby pressing the bottom end of the locking buckle 302 against the locking block 301 and tightly fastening the top end to the upper end plate 101, so that the hingeless coiled extension arm 1 is in a relatively stable retracted state. The tensioning rope 307 is close to the hot knife 306 on the hot knife support 305. When the hot knife 306 is heated, it melts the tensioning rope 307, the locking buckle 302 loosens, and springs open under the unfolding force of the hingeless coiled extension arm 1, so that the hingeless coiled extension arm 1 can be released.

[0091] Please continue to refer to Figure 5 Three sets of locking blocks 301 are evenly distributed around the outer surface of the storage tube 2. A set of hot knife supports 305 is arranged opposite one set of locking blocks 301, and a hot knife 306 is provided on the hot knife support 305. A limiting block 304 is arranged between the hot knife support 301 and the other two sets of locking blocks 301. The tensioning rope 307 passes through three metal tubes 303 and wraps around the hot knife support 305 and the two limiting blocks 304 to tension the outer surface of the storage tube 2.

[0092] like Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the locking block structure. Specifically, the front of the locking block 301 is provided with a slot 3011, and the sidewall of the slot 3011 is inclined towards the center of the locking block 301 at a small angle. The upper end of the back of the locking block 301 is machined to ensure that it does not affect the movement of the upper end plate 101. One side of the locking buckle 302 is provided with a protrusion that matches the slot 3011. The protrusion can be inserted into the slot 3011. At the same time, the small angle of inclination of the protrusion ensures that the horizontal component of the locking buckle 302 is small when subjected to unfolding force, thus ensuring that the tensioning rope 307 has sufficient strength.

[0093] like Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the hot knife support structure. Specifically, the hot knife support 305 includes a hot knife 306, a fixing plate 3051, two support platforms 3052, and two bosses 3053. The fixing plate 3051 has two symmetrical support platforms 3052 at both ends. Each support platform 3052 has a second groove at its top for supporting the tension rope 307. The bottom surface of the second groove is arc-shaped and used to pass around the tension rope 307. The two bosses 3053 are located on the fixing plate 3051 between the two support platforms 3052. The arrangement direction of the two bosses 3053 is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two support platforms 3052. The support platforms 3052 are higher than the bosses 3053. The top of each boss 3053 has a threaded hole. The two ends of the hot knife 306 are threadedly connected to the bosses 3053 to melt and cut off the tension rope 307 at the top.

[0094] The working principle of the hingeless disc-wrap extension system provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0095] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, during the retraction process, the longitudinal rod 103 coils and bends, and the forked end of the fork-shaped bracket 105 is stretched radially under the action of the longitudinal rod 103, thereby generating elastic strain energy in the longitudinal rod 103 and the fork-shaped bracket 105, giving the hingeless coiled extension arm 1 a self-driving deployment characteristic. At the same time, the locking buckle 302 tightly locks the upper end plate 101 under the action of the tension rope 307.

[0096] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, during the unfolding process of the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1, the locking release device 3 releases its lock after receiving a release command, and the longitudinal rod 103 and the fork-shaped bracket 105 return to their initial state. The elastic restoring force of the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 pulls the first cable 404, causing the winding wheel 403 to rotate. The speed of the winding wheel 403 is amplified by the reducer 405 and transmitted to the damper 406 to generate a damping force opposite to that of the reducer 405. Under the interaction of the damping force and the elastic restoring force, the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 unfolds smoothly.

[0097] The hingeless disc-wrap extension system provided in this embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0098] (1) The damping speed stabilizing device 4 is connected to the hingeless disc-wound extension arm 1, so that the elastic strain energy of the hingeless disc-wound extension arm 1 is released slowly, thereby realizing the smooth unfolding of the hingeless disc-wound extension arm 1.

[0099] (2) The damping speed stabilizing device 4 is connected to the hingeless disc-wound extension arm 1, which avoids the use of motors and corresponding controllers and reduces the complexity of controlling the retraction and extension of the hingeless disc-wound extension arm 1.

[0100] (3) By setting several fork-shaped brackets 105 inside the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 as lateral supports, the flexible rods 5 arranged around the lateral in the prior art are eliminated, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the lateral support and the longitudinal rod 103. Since the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1 uses fork-shaped brackets 105 without hinges, there is no hinge loosening during the retraction and extension of the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1, thereby improving the installation accuracy of the hingeless disc-wrap extension arm 1. Moreover, the structure is simple and easy to process and install.

[0101] This application provides a hingeless spiral extension system, including a storage cylinder 2, a hingeless spiral extension arm 1, and a damping speed stabilizing device 4. The hingeless spiral extension arm 1 includes an upper end plate 101, a lower end plate 108, at least three longitudinal rods 103, and at least one fork-shaped bracket 105. The lower end plate 108 is connected to the bottom end of the storage cylinder 2. One end of each longitudinal rod 103 is rotatably connected to the upper end plate 101, and the other end is rotatably connected to the lower end plate 108. The fork-shaped bracket 105 extends along the longitudinal rod 103. The forked supports 105 are arranged at intervals along their length, and the forked ends of the forked supports 105 are connected to the longitudinal rod 103. The damping speed stabilizing device 4 is located at the bottom of the lower end plate 108, and a first cable 404 is provided on the damping speed stabilizing device 4. One end of the first cable 404 is connected to the upper end plate 101. By pulling the first cable 404, the longitudinal rod 103 undergoes elastic deformation in the radial direction, which in turn causes the branches of the forked supports 105 to undergo elastic deformation, thereby retracting or extending the hingeless coiled extension arm 1. This application eliminates the need for the flexible rod 5 arranged in a circular pattern in the prior art by providing a plurality of forked supports 105 as lateral supports in the hingeless coiled extension arm 1, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the lateral support and the longitudinal rod 103.

[0102] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the solutions disclosed herein. This invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the claims.

Claims

1. A reel-less extension system comprising a stowable drum, characterized in that, The hingeless coiled stretching system further comprises: a hingeless coiled stretching arm, which comprises an upper end plate, a lower end plate, at least three longitudinal rods and at least one fork-shaped support, the lower end plate is connected with the bottom end of the storage cylinder, one end of the longitudinal rod is rotatably connected with the upper end plate, the other end is rotatably connected with the lower end plate, the fork-shaped supports are arranged along the length direction of the longitudinal rod, and the forked ends of the fork-shaped supports are connected with the longitudinal rod; a damping speed stabilizing device, which is arranged at the bottom of the lower end plate, a first cable is arranged on the damping speed stabilizing device, one end of the first cable is connected with the upper end plate, by pulling the first cable, the longitudinal rod is elastically deformed along the radial direction, and the branches of the fork-shaped supports are elastically deformed to fold or unfold the hingeless coiled stretching arm; the damping speed stabilizing device comprises: a supporting plate, which is arranged at the bottom of the lower end plate; a connecting rod, one end of the connecting rod is connected with the lower end plate, and the other end is connected with the supporting plate; a winding wheel, which is arranged on the supporting plate and connected with one end of the first cable away from the upper end plate; a speed reducer, which is arranged on the supporting plate and connected with the winding wheel to amplify the rotating speed of the winding wheel; and a damper, which is arranged on the supporting plate and connected with the speed reducer to generate a damping torque opposite to the speed reducer for adjusting the rotating speed of the winding wheel; at least one middle segment compression joint is fixedly connected with the longitudinal rod, the middle segment compression joints are arranged along the length direction of the longitudinal rod, and the middle segment compression joints are connected with the forked ends of the fork-shaped supports; the middle segment compression joint comprises a hollow cylinder and two double compression joints, the middle part of the hollow cylinder is provided with a through hole, the longitudinal rod passes through the through hole and is fixedly connected with the hollow cylinder, one of the two double compression joints is connected with the upper end of the hollow cylinder, the other of the two double compression joints is connected with the lower end of the hollow cylinder, and the double compression joints are arranged on the adjacent two sides of the hingeless coiled stretching arm.

2. The hingeless stretch system of claim 1, wherein, The hingeless coiled stretching arm further comprises: at least six hinge structures, which are evenly distributed at the bottom end of the upper end plate and the top end of the lower end plate, one end of the longitudinal rod is connected with the hinge structure at the bottom end of the upper end plate, and the other end is connected with the hinge structure at the top end of the lower end plate.

3. The hingeless stretch system of claim 2, wherein, The hinge structure comprises: a mounting seat; two rolling bearings, which are coaxially arranged on the mounting seat; a hinge joint, which is rotatably connected with the two rolling bearings and connected with one end of the longitudinal rod; an end compression joint, which is arranged on one side of the mounting seat.

4. The hingeless stretch system of claim 3, wherein, The end compression joint is connected with the middle segment compression joints on both sides through a stay cable.

5. The hingeless stretch system of claim 3, wherein, The hingeless coiled stretching arm further comprises: a central cable buckle, which is arranged at the bottom of the upper end plate, the central cable buckle is connected with the mounting seat and one end of the first cable.

6. The hingeless stretch system of claim 5, wherein, The central cable buckle comprises: a lower cable joint, which is arranged at the bottom of the upper end plate, the bottom end of the lower cable joint is connected with one end of the first cable; an upper cable joint, which is movably connected with the lower cable joint; a first cable compression joint, which is circumferentially arranged on the outer side of the upper cable joint. A second cable press joint is arranged on one side of the mounting base and separated from the end press joint; A second cable is connected to the first cable press joint at one end and connected to the second cable press joint at the other end.

7. The hangerless expansion system of claim 1, wherein, The hingeless winding stretching system further comprises: A locking release device is arranged on the side wall of the storage cylinder for locking the folded hingeless winding stretching arm.

8. The hingeless expansion system of claim 7, wherein, The locking release device comprises: Three locking blocks are circumferentially arranged on the outside of the storage cylinder; Three locking buckles are connected to the locking blocks at one end and abut the top of the upper end plate at the other end, and a first groove is arranged on the side of the locking buckle away from the locking block; Three metal pipes are clamped in the first groove; A hot knife support is arranged on the outside of the storage cylinder between the two locking blocks; Two limiting blocks are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the storage cylinder, and the limiting blocks are located between the two locking blocks; A tensioning rope is connected end to end after passing through the three metal pipes, the hot knife support and the two limiting blocks and is tensioned on the outside of the storage cylinder.

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