Belt spring hinge moment testing apparatus and method

Abstract

The application provides a belt spring hinge torque testing device and method, which comprises a slide rod fixedly installed on a support frame, at least two slide blocks provided on the slide rod, and a rotation driving device and a torsion sensor provided on each of the at least two slide blocks; two ends of a belt spring hinge to be tested are respectively installed on the torsion sensors of any two slide blocks, the rotation driving devices on the two slide blocks on which the belt spring hinge to be tested is installed can drive the corresponding torsion sensors to rotate, and drive one end or both ends of the belt spring hinge to be tested to be bent at a preset angle; clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of a scale knob controls positive or reverse bending of the belt spring, the torque of the belt spring hinge to be tested at a bending angle θ is tested, two scale knobs are adjusted to make the values of the two torque sensors consistent, and the torque of the belt spring hinge to be tested at the bending angle θ is tested.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of band spring hinge testing technology, specifically to a band spring hinge torque testing device and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing maturity of microsatellite technology, the number of microsatellites launched has been increasing year by year in recent years. To meet the energy requirements of microsatellites, their solar panels are all deployable movable components. The solar panels are mounted on the satellite body via hinges, and after the constraints on the solar panels are removed, the hinges allow the solar panels to deploy. Strip spring hinges can be used as deployment or support devices for spacecraft.

[0003] A Chinese patent application with publication number CN206972748U discloses a deployable hinge device based on a strip spring, including a hinge head, a hinge bolt, a strip spring, and a hinge pressure plate. The hinge head has a protruding fixing interface. The two ends of the strip spring are respectively connected to two of the fixing interfaces. Two sets of strip springs are respectively installed on the upper and lower sides of the fixing interfaces. The hinge pressure plate covers the strip spring and is fixed to the fixing interface by the hinge bolt.

[0004] The torque of the existing strip spring hinge affects the deployment time and locking impact performance of the deployment device. Therefore, it is necessary to test its torque characteristics at different angles to provide parameter basis for the design and analysis of space deployment devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a device and method for testing the torque of a band spring hinge.

[0006] A torque testing device for a strip spring hinge according to the present invention includes a support frame, a slide rod, a slider, a rotation drive device, and a torque sensor. The slide rod is fixedly mounted on the support frame. At least two sliders are provided on the slide rod, and each slider slides along the length direction of the slide rod. The rotation drive device and the torsion sensor are each provided on at least two sliders. The two ends of the strip spring hinge to be tested are respectively mounted on the torsion sensors of any two sliders. The rotation drive devices on the two sliders on which the strip spring hinge to be tested are mounted can drive the corresponding torsion sensors to rotate, causing one or both ends of the strip spring hinge to bend at a preset angle.

[0007] Preferably, the rotation drive device includes a steering reduction gearbox and a scale knob, the scale knob being drive-connected to the input end of the steering reduction gearbox; the output end of the steering reduction gearbox is drive-connected to a torque sensor via a coupling and a transition shaft.

[0008] Preferably, the scale of the scale knob allows the output shaft of the steering reduction gearbox to rotate at a proportional angle.

[0009] Preferably, the axis of the output shaft of the scale knob is perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft of the steering reduction gearbox.

[0010] Preferably, the scale knob allows continuous rotation of multiple turns and displays the number of turns and the scale within a single turn, and the scale knob has a function to set the knob to zero at any position.

[0011] Preferably, two sliding rods are arranged parallel to each other on the support frame, and the sliders are arranged correspondingly on the two sliding rods, and the corresponding sliders on the two sliding rods are fixedly connected by a mounting plate.

[0012] Preferably, the torsion sensor is provided with a mounting block, and a pressure block is detachably mounted on the mounting block, the pressure block pressing the strip spring hinge to be tested onto the mounting block.

[0013] Preferably, the mounting block includes a convex cylindrical mounting surface and a concave cylindrical mounting surface, which are used for forward or reverse mounting of the strip spring hinge to be tested, respectively.

[0014] Preferably, the torque sensor is connected to an instrument via a lead wire, and the instrument displays the torque value measured by the torque sensor in real time.

[0015] According to the present invention, a method for testing the torque of a strip spring hinge includes: installing the strip spring hinge to be tested in its naturally straight state onto a testing device; controlling the forward and reverse bending of the strip spring by rotating a scale knob clockwise or counterclockwise; testing the torque of the strip spring hinge at a bending angle θ; simultaneously rotating two scale knobs by the same angle and observing the instruments connected to the two torque sensors; adjusting the two scale knobs so that the readings of the instruments connected to the two torque sensors are consistent; and then the reading is the torque of the strip spring hinge to be tested at a bending angle θ.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. This invention controls the forward and reverse bending of the strip spring by rotating the scale knob clockwise or counterclockwise, and tests the torque of the strip spring hinge under test at the bending angle θ. By adjusting the two scale knobs, the readings of the instruments connected to the two torque sensors are made consistent, thereby realizing the test of the torque of the strip spring hinge under test at the bending angle θ.

[0018] 2. This invention uses a scale knob to drive the steering reduction box, which can measure the pure bending torque of the strip spring hinge under test at any angle within ±180°.

[0019] 3. By setting convex and concave cylindrical mounting surfaces on the mounting block, this invention can adapt to the torque testing requirements of strip spring hinges with different cross-sectional dimensions, and can also perform torque testing on two strip spring hinge groups to be tested simultaneously. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the testing device, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the strip spring hinge to be tested in this invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the rotation drive device, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the mounting block, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the forward and reverse bending angles θ of the strip spring hinge to be tested, which is the main feature of this invention.

[0026] As shown in the figure:

[0027] Support frame 1, scale knob 7

[0028] Mounting bracket 2 Coupling 8

[0029] Slide bar 3 Torque sensor 10

[0030] Slider 4 Mounting Block 11

[0031] Mounting plate 5, pressure block 12

[0032] Steering reduction gearbox 6; Strip spring hinge 13 to be tested Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, a strip spring hinge torque testing device according to the present invention includes a support frame 1, a slide rod 3, a slider 4, a rotation drive device, and a torque sensor 10. The slide rod 3 is fixedly mounted on the support frame 1. At least two sliders 4 are provided on the slide rod 3, and each slider 4 slides along the length direction of the slide rod 3. The rotation drive device and the torque sensor are each provided on at least two sliders 4. The two ends of the strip spring hinge 13 to be tested are respectively mounted on the torque sensors of any two sliders 4. The rotation drive devices on the two sliders 4 on which the strip spring hinge 13 to be tested are mounted can drive the corresponding torque sensors to rotate, causing one or both ends of the strip spring hinge 13 to bend at a preset angle.

[0035] Specifically, the support frame 1 has a certain structural strength and is a semi-enclosed structure. Mounting brackets 2 for fixing the sliding rods 3 are screwed onto the upper ends of both sides of the semi-enclosed structure of the support frame 1. The end of each sliding rod 3 is limited and supported by the mounting bracket 2. The sliding rods 3 are round rods, and two sliding rods 3 are arranged parallel to each other on the support frame 1. Sliding blocks 4 are correspondingly arranged on the two sliding rods 3, and the corresponding sliding blocks 4 on the two sliding rods 3 are fixedly connected by a mounting plate 5. The parallel and spaced sliding rods 3 ensure smooth sliding of the testing device.

[0036] This application proposes a feasible implementation scheme in which two sliders 4 are respectively provided on each of the two sliding rods 3, and two mounting plates 5 are respectively fixedly connected to the two sets of corresponding sliders 4 by screws. The top surfaces of the two mounting plates 5 are located in the same plane and are parallel to each other. A rotation drive device is installed on the top surface of each of the two mounting plates 5, and a torque sensor 10 is vertically installed on the lower side of each of the two mounting plates 5.

[0037] It should be noted that mounting bracket 2, slide bar 3, and slider 4 are all industrial commercial parts, and the specifications can be selected according to the usage requirements. Slider 4 is a linear bearing, which features a low coefficient of friction and smooth sliding.

[0038] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4As shown, the rotation drive device includes a steering reduction gearbox 6 and a scale knob 7, which is connected to the input end of the steering reduction gearbox 6. The output end of the steering reduction gearbox is connected to the torque sensor 10 via a coupling 8 and a transition shaft. The scale of the scale knob 7 allows the output shaft of the steering reduction gearbox 6 to rotate proportionally. The axis of the output shaft of the scale knob 7 is perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft of the steering reduction gearbox 6. The scale knob 7 allows continuous rotation for multiple turns and displays the number of turns and the scale within a single turn, and the scale knob 7 has a zeroing function at any position. The coupling 8 is a swivel coupling 8, placed between the output shaft of the reduction gearbox and the transition shaft of the torque sensor 10, to accommodate assembly form and position errors and reduce installation accuracy requirements.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, a feasible implementation is as follows: when the scale knob 7 is rotated around axis A, the output shaft of the steering reduction box 6 can be rotated around axis B, and the rotation angle between axis A and axis B is proportional. For example, if the reduction ratio is fifty, then when the scale knob 7 rotates one revolution, the output shaft rotates 7.2°.

[0040] It should be noted that the steering reduction gearbox 6 and the scale knob 7 in this application are both mature components that exist in the prior art. For example, the steering reduction gearbox in this application can be a worm gear reducer, and the scale knob 7 in this application can be an imported American BOURNS vertical scale knob H-22-6A.

[0041] A mounting block 11 is provided at the lower end of the torsion sensor, and a pressure block 12 is detachably mounted on the mounting block 11. The pressure block 12 presses the strip spring hinge 13 to be tested onto the mounting block 11. Further, the mounting block 11 includes a convex cylindrical mounting surface and a concave cylindrical mounting surface, which are used for forward or reverse mounting of the strip spring hinge 13 to be tested, respectively.

[0042] It should be further explained that the torque sensor 10 is a static torque sensor 10. The torque sensor 10 is connected to the instrument through leads, and the instrument displays the torque value measured by the torque sensor 10 in real time.

[0043] This invention also provides a method for testing the torque of a strip spring hinge, using the aforementioned strip spring hinge torque testing device. The testing method includes: initially adjusting the orientation of the two scale knobs 7 and the mounting block 11 to ensure that the strip spring hinge 13 to be tested is installed in a naturally straight state. At this time, the readings of the two torque sensors 10 are both zero, and the two scale knobs 7 are set to zero. The forward and reverse bending of the strip spring is controlled by rotating the scale knobs 7 clockwise or counterclockwise. To measure the torque of the strip spring hinge 13 under bending angle θ, if the reduction ratio of the steering reduction box 6 is i, then the two scale knobs 7 are rotated by an angle of (i×θ) / 2 simultaneously, and the instruments connected to the two torque sensors 10 are observed. The two scale knobs 7 are finely adjusted until the readings are consistent, and this reading is the torque of the strip spring hinge 13 under bending angle θ.

[0044] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, the definition of reverse bending and bending angle θ of a strip spring are shown in (ai), (a.ii), and (a.iii), and the definition of forward bending and bending angle θ are shown in (bi), (b.ii), and (b.iii).

[0045] This invention is simple to operate, the knob can be steplessly adjusted, and the pure bending torque of the strip spring hinge at any angle within the range of ±180° can be measured. By changing the size of the strip spring hinge mounting block 11 and the pressure block 12, it can adapt to the torque testing requirements of strip spring hinges with different cross-sectional sizes.

[0046] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", 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 this application 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, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0047] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A device for testing the torque of a strip spring hinge, characterized in that, The system includes a support frame (1), a slide bar (3), a slider (4), a rotation drive device, and a torque sensor (10). The slide bar (3) is fixedly installed on the support frame (1). At least two sliders (4) are provided on the slide bar (3), and each slider (4) slides along the length of the slide bar (3). The rotation drive device and the torque sensor are each provided on at least two sliders (4). The two ends of the strip spring hinge (13) to be tested are respectively installed on the torsion sensors of any two sliders (4). The rotation drive devices on the two sliders (4) on which the strip spring hinge (13) to be tested is installed can drive the corresponding torsion sensor to rotate, causing one or both ends of the strip spring hinge (13) to be tested to bend at a preset angle. The rotation drive device includes a steering reduction box (6) and a scale knob (7), and the scale knob (7) is connected to the input end of the steering reduction box (6). The output end of the steering decelerator is connected to the torque sensor (10) via a coupling (8) and a transfer shaft; The torsion sensor is provided with a mounting block (11), and a pressure block (12) is detachably mounted on the mounting block (11). The pressure block (12) presses the strip spring hinge (13) to be tested onto the mounting block (11). The mounting block (11) includes a convex cylindrical mounting surface and a concave cylindrical mounting surface, which are used for the forward or reverse mounting of the strip spring hinge (13) to be tested, respectively.

2. The band spring hinge torque testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The scale of the scale knob (7) allows the output shaft of the steering reduction box (6) to rotate proportionally.

3. The band spring hinge torque testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The axis of the output shaft of the scale knob (7) is perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft of the steering reduction box (6).

4. The band spring hinge torque testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The scale knob (7) allows continuous rotation of multiple turns and displays the number of turns and the scale within a single turn, and the scale knob (7) has the function of setting the zero position at any location.

5. The band spring hinge torque testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Two sliding rods (3) are arranged parallel to each other on the support frame (1). The sliders (4) are arranged correspondingly on the two sliding rods (3), and the sliders (4) arranged correspondingly on the two sliding rods (3) are fixedly connected by the mounting plate (5).

6. The band spring hinge torque testing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The torque sensor (10) is connected to the instrument via a lead wire, and the instrument displays the torque value measured by the torque sensor (10) in real time.

7. A method for testing the torque of a band spring hinge, characterized in that, The test method using the strip spring hinge torque testing device according to claim 1 includes: installing the strip spring hinge (13) to be tested in a naturally straight state onto the testing device, controlling the forward and reverse bending of the strip spring by rotating the scale knob (7) clockwise or counterclockwise, testing the torque of the strip spring hinge (13) under bending angle θ, simultaneously rotating the two scale knobs (7) by the same angle, and observing the instruments connected to the two torque sensors (10), adjusting the two scale knobs (7) so that the readings of the instruments connected to the two torque sensors (10) are consistent, and then the reading is the torque of the strip spring hinge (13) under bending angle θ.

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