A highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces

Abstract

This invention proposes a highly reliable miniature point-type electrically driven separation mechanism suitable for small spaces. Through timing control, when the spacecraft performs a separation action, the DC power supply energizes and demagnetizes the de-energized electromagnet. After the ferromagnetic chuck loses its attraction force, it flips upward under the elastic force stored in the torsion spring, simultaneously driving the rotating guide sleeve to flip upward. The rotating guide sleeve continues to drive the unlocking lever to flip upward, causing the locking pin to disengage from the teeth, thereby releasing the circumferential limit on the rotating disk. This allows the rotating disk to rotate rapidly, causing the split nut to gradually change from a locked, tightly closed state to an open state, releasing the docking bolts and achieving unlocking and separation of the electrically driven separation mechanism. This invention has the advantages of redundant unlocking, high unlocking power margin, fewer unlocking action steps, and high unlocking reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a highly reliable miniature point-type electric drive separation mechanism suitable for small spaces, belonging to the field of aerospace point-type connection and separation technology. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of spacecraft and launch vehicles, separation mechanisms are required for various separation processes, including payload connection and separation, fairing connection and separation, module connection and separation, and solar panel clamping and release. During final assembly, the two connected sections are typically docked first, and then the separation mechanism is used to lock the connection. To reduce aerodynamic drag during flight, spacecraft and launch vehicles generally have a closed shell exterior; to provide installation space for the separation mechanism, an access port is usually required in the shell. However, due to structural strength, rigidity, or other technological limitations at the access port, the size of the access port is generally small, especially the axial dimension, which is strictly limited. This makes the installation and operation of separation mechanisms with large structural dimensions extremely inconvenient, and sometimes there are no suitable separation mechanism products available.

[0003] Currently used low-impact separation mechanisms, such as pyrotechnic separation nut devices and electric-driven separation nut mechanisms, are generally composed of three parts: a trigger unlocking unit, an unlocking unit, and a bearing unit. All of them are axially arranged, resulting in a large axial dimension. This makes installation and operation inconvenient when the operating port is small, and sometimes they cannot even be placed into the operating port, which seriously limits their application range. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a highly reliable micro point-driven electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces. It uses a de-energized electromagnet as an unlocking trigger device and achieves the unlocking of the split nut through mechanism transmission.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is:

[0006] A highly reliable miniature point-driven electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces includes: a base, a de-energized electromagnet, a ferromagnetic chuck, a torsion spring, an unlocking lever, a separation nut assembly, a first bracket, a central shaft, a second bracket, a bearing, a third bracket, a permanent magnet, a rotating guide sleeve, and a docking bolt.

[0007] The base serves as the installation foundation, and the de-energized electromagnet, the release nut assembly, the first bracket, the second bracket, and the third bracket are all fixed on the base. The central shaft passes through the second bracket, and the permanent magnet is fixed on the third bracket. Two de-energized electromagnets are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the third bracket.

[0008] The bushing on the ferromagnetic chuck is fitted onto the central shaft and can rotate around the central shaft. The lower surface of the ferromagnetic chuck is engaged with the de-energized electromagnet, and the through hole on the upper surface is hooked to one end of the torsion spring mounted on the central shaft. The other end of the torsion spring is fixed to the second bracket.

[0009] One end of the rotating guide sleeve is fitted onto the central shaft and can rotate around the central shaft, while the other end is attracted to the third bracket by a permanent magnet.

[0010] One end of the unlocking lever is hinged and fixed to the first bracket, and the other end is connected to a bearing and fitted into the guide groove of the rotating guide sleeve. When the unlocking lever slides in the guide groove of the rotating guide sleeve, the rolling of the bearing will reduce resistance and prevent jamming during the sliding process. A locking pin is fixed to the end of the unlocking lever near the separating nut assembly, which is used to lock or unlock the separating nut assembly. The separating nut assembly is used to cooperate with the docking bolt to realize the connection and separation of the mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, there are two de-energized electromagnets, which are directly powered by the DC power supply on the arrow. When not energized, the de-energized electromagnets are magnetic and attract magnetic materials. When energized, the magnetism disappears and the attraction force disappears.

[0012] Furthermore, the upper contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet undergoes anti-cold welding treatment.

[0013] Furthermore, the area in contact between the ferromagnetic chuck and the contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet is disc-shaped, and the size of the disc is not smaller than the size of the contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet.

[0014] Furthermore, both the ferromagnetic chuck and the rotating guide sleeve are made of ferromagnetic materials.

[0015] Furthermore, when the torsion spring is in a free state, the ferromagnetic chuck is in the unlocked position. When the de-energized electromagnet is installed on the base, its own magnetic force attracts the ferromagnetic chuck to flip down and adhere to the contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet. During the downward flip of the ferromagnetic chuck, the torsion spring is subjected to torsional loading, storing the elastic force in the torsion spring. After the de-energized electromagnet is energized, the magnetic force disappears, and it can no longer adhere to the ferromagnetic chuck. The ferromagnetic chuck will then flip back to a free state under the action of the elastic force stored in the torsion spring.

[0016] Furthermore, the split nut assembly includes a split nut, a rotating disk, a housing, a bearing, an outer retaining ring of the bearing, and a retaining ring, wherein the housing is fixed to the base by screws;

[0017] The split nut sits on the base and is composed of a single nut that is divided into several segments along the axial direction. After each segment is tightened back into a single nut, the mating bolt is screwed in and a bolt preload is applied to achieve the connection function. When each segment opens, it will disengage from the mating bolt and release the mating bolt to achieve the separation function.

[0018] The rotating disk is fixed to the housing by bearings and can rotate circumferentially; the outer ring of the bearing is fixed by the outer retaining ring, and the inner ring of the bearing is fixed by the retaining ring; a certain number of teeth are distributed circumferentially on the rotating disk.

[0019] Furthermore, when the locking pin is located between two adjacent teeth, the rotating disk will be circumferentially limited and unable to rotate.

[0020] Furthermore, when the de-energized electromagnet is demagnetized by energizing, the ferromagnetic chuck loses its attraction force and flips upward under the elastic force stored in the torsion spring, causing the rotating guide sleeve to flip upward synchronously. The rotating guide sleeve continues to drive the unlocking lever upward, causing the locking pin to disengage from the teeth. When the locking pin disengages from the teeth, the rotating disk is released from its circumferential limit and rotates rapidly with the bearing, causing the split nut to gradually change from the tight state when locked to the open state, losing its thread engagement with the mating bolt, releasing the bolt preload of the mating bolt, and realizing the unlocking and separation of the electric drive separation mechanism.

[0021] Furthermore, when the power supply system or the de-energized electromagnet malfunctions, resulting in only one de-energized electromagnet operating normally, the ferromagnetic chuck on that side loses its attraction force and will flip upward under the elastic force stored in the torsion spring on that side; the upward flip of any ferromagnetic chuck can drive the unlocking lever to flip upward, causing the locking pin to disengage from the teeth and triggering the release mechanism to unlock.

[0022] The working principle of this invention is as follows: Through timing control, when the spacecraft or launch vehicle needs to perform a separation action, the DC power supply on the spacecraft energizes and demagnetizes the de-energized electromagnet 2. After the ferromagnetic chuck 3 loses its attraction force, it flips upward under the action of the elastic force stored in the torsion spring 4, and drives the rotating guide sleeve 13 to flip upward synchronously. The rotating guide sleeve 13 continues to drive the unlocking lever 5 to flip upward, causing the locking pin 5-1 to disengage from the tooth 6-2-1, thereby releasing the circumferential limit on the rotating disk 6-2, causing the rotating disk 6-2 to rotate rapidly, driving the split nut 6-1 from the locked and tightened state to the open state, and releasing the docking bolt 14, realizing the unlocking and separation of the electric drive separation mechanism. When only one de-energized electromagnet is working, the torsion spring 4 on that side can still pull the ferromagnetic chuck 3 on that side to flip upward, further driving the unlocking lever 5 to flip upward, realizing the redundant unlocking function.

[0023] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0024] Traditional aerospace separation mechanisms have relatively large axial dimensions, often leading to difficulties in installation due to the limited axial dimensions of the operating port, and sometimes even making installation impossible.

[0025] Compared with traditional separation mechanisms, the advantages of this invention are:

[0026] (1) A mechanism configuration with the trigger unlocking unit and the bearing unit arranged in parallel is designed. The overall structure is more compact and the axial dimension of the separation mechanism can be shortened to more than half. It has outstanding application advantages in situations where the installation space is limited and the requirements for the external dimensions of the electric drive separation mechanism are more stringent, thus improving the versatility of the separation mechanism.

[0027] (2) The unlocking lever is a lever mechanism, which can further reduce the unlocking force requirement by increasing the length of the lever arm, thereby improving the unlocking power margin; at the same time, it also reduces the requirement for the output power of the triggering electromagnet, thus achieving the effect of reducing the size of the de-energized electromagnet.

[0028] (3) The unlocking function is completed by directly adsorbing the lever mechanism to complete the unlocking function using a de-energized electromagnet. The de-energized electromagnet controls the release of the unlocking lever through magnetic force. The de-energized electromagnet itself does not move, so that the unlocking of the separation mechanism can be triggered by only one transmission link. This reduces the number of links and parts in the unlocking transmission link of the separation mechanism, resulting in higher unlocking reliability and stronger product environmental adaptability.

[0029] (4) A redundant unlocking design is adopted, which can still ensure that the separation mechanism can be unlocked smoothly when one of the de-energized electromagnets fails, further improving the reliability and safety of the product unlocking. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 Diagram showing the locked state of the electric drive separation mechanism;

[0031] Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the electric drive separation mechanism in the locked state;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the unlocked state of the electric drive separation mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, this invention proposes a highly reliable micro-point-driven electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces. The mechanism includes a base 1, a de-energized electromagnet 2, a ferromagnetic chuck 3, a torsion spring 4, an unlocking lever 5, a separation nut assembly 6, a first bracket 7, a central shaft 8, a second bracket 9, a bearing 10, a third bracket 11, a permanent magnet 12, a rotating guide sleeve 13, and a connecting bolt 14.

[0035] The base 1 serves as the mounting base for all components. The de-energized electromagnet 2, the release nut assembly 6, the first bracket 7, the second bracket 9, and the third bracket 11 are all fixed to the base 1 with screws. The central shaft 8 passes through the second bracket 9 and is fixed to the third bracket 11 by the permanent magnet 12.

[0036] There are two de-energized electromagnets 2, which can be directly powered by the DC power supply on the arrow. Their characteristic is that they are magnetic when not energized, and can attract magnetic materials; when energized, the magnetism disappears, and the attraction force vanishes. The upper contact surface must be treated with anti-cold welding, and the lower surface is symmetrically mounted on both sides of the base 1 with screws.

[0037] The ferromagnetic chuck 3 is made of ferromagnetic material. The area in contact with the contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet 2 is disc-shaped, and the size of the disc is not smaller than the size of the contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet 2. The other end is fitted onto the central shaft 8 and can rotate around the central shaft 8, with its back side hooked to the torsion spring 4.

[0038] There are two torsion springs 4, symmetrically installed on both sides of the central shaft 8. One end of the torsion spring 4 is fixed to the second bracket 9, and the other end is hooked into the through hole on the back of the ferromagnetic chuck 3. When the torsion spring 4 is in the free state, the ferromagnetic chuck 3 is in the unlocked position. When the de-energized electromagnet 2 is installed on the base 1, its own magnetic force attracts the ferromagnetic chuck 3 to flip down and adhere to the attraction surface of the de-energized electromagnet 2. During the downward flipping process, the ferromagnetic chuck 3 will torsionally load the torsion spring 4, storing the elastic force in the torsion spring 4. After the de-energized electromagnet 2 is energized, the magnetic force disappears, and it can no longer attract the ferromagnetic chuck 3. The ferromagnetic chuck 3 will flip back to the free state under the action of the elastic force stored in the torsion spring 4.

[0039] The rotating guide sleeve 13 is made of ferromagnetic material. One end is fitted on the central shaft 8 and can rotate around the central shaft 8. The other end is attracted to the third support 11 by the permanent magnet 12.

[0040] One end of the unlocking lever 5 is hinged to the first bracket 7, and the other end is connected to a bearing 10 and fitted into the guide groove of the rotating guide sleeve 13. When the unlocking lever 5 slides in the guide groove of the rotating guide sleeve 13, the rolling of the bearing will reduce resistance and prevent jamming during the sliding process. A locking pin 5-1 is fixed to the end of the unlocking lever 5 near the separating nut assembly 6.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the split nut assembly 6 mainly consists of a split nut 6-1, a rotating disk 6-2, a housing 6-3, a bearing 6-4, a bearing outer retaining ring 6-5, and a retaining ring 6-6, wherein the housing 6-3 is fixed to the base 1 by screws.

[0042] The split nut 6-1 sits on the base 1 and is divided into 3 or 4 segments along the axial direction from a single nut. After each segment is tightened back into a single nut, the mating bolt 14 can be screwed in and a bolt preload can be applied to achieve the connection function. When each segment opens, it will disengage from the mating bolt 14 and release the mating bolt 14 to achieve the separation function.

[0043] The rotating disk 6-2 is fixed to the housing 6-3 by bearing 6-4 and can rotate circumferentially. The outer ring of bearing 6-4 is fixed by bearing outer retaining ring 6-5, and the inner ring of bearing 6-4 is fixed by retaining ring 6-6.

[0044] The rotating disk 6-2 has a certain number of teeth 6-2-1 distributed circumferentially. When the locking pin 5-1 is between two adjacent teeth 6-2-1, the rotating disk 6-2 will be circumferentially limited and cannot rotate. When the locking pin 5-1 disengages from the teeth 6-2-1, the rotating disk 6-2 is released from circumferential limitation and rotates rapidly with the bearing 6-4, causing the split nut 6-1 to gradually change from the locked state to the open state, losing its thread engagement with the mating bolt 14, releasing the bolt preload of the mating bolt 14, and realizing the unlocking and separation of the electric drive separation mechanism.

[0045] The mechanism of this invention uses a de-energized electromagnet as the unlocking trigger device, and realizes the unlocking of the split nut through mechanism transmission. It has the advantages of compact structure, suitable for installation in small axial spaces, convenient operation, fewer unlocking action steps, and high unlocking reliability.

[0046] Unlocking process

[0047] The unlocking process is as follows: the de-energized electromagnet 2 is demagnetized by energizing it. After the ferromagnetic chuck 3 loses its attraction force, it flips upward under the action of the elastic force stored in the torsion spring 4, and drives the rotating guide sleeve 13 to flip upward in sync. The rotating guide sleeve 13 continues to drive the unlocking swing arm 5 to flip upward, so that the locking pin 5-1 disengages from the tooth 6-2-1, thereby releasing the circumferential limit on the rotating disk 6-2, causing the rotating disk 6-2 to rotate rapidly, driving the split nut 6-1 to gradually change from the tight state when locked to the open state, and releasing the docking bolt 14, thus realizing the unlocking and separation of the electric drive separation mechanism.

[0048] Redundant unlocking

[0049] This invention features redundant unlocking, improving unlocking reliability. The detailed process is as follows: When the power supply system or the de-energized electromagnet 2 malfunctions, resulting in only one de-energized electromagnet 2 functioning normally, the ferromagnetic chuck 3 on that side loses its attraction force and flips upwards under the elastic force stored in the torsion spring 4 on that side. The upward flipping of either ferromagnetic chuck 3 causes the unlocking lever 5 to flip upwards, disengaging the locking pin 5-1 from the tooth 6-2-1, triggering the separation mechanism to unlock.

[0050] The mechanism of this invention has a small axial dimension and a compact structure, which can meet the strict limitations of the axial dimension of the separation mechanism for small operating windows, improve adaptability to installation space, and meet the needs of more models. The mechanism of this invention has the advantages of redundant unlocking, high unlocking power margin, fewer unlocking action steps, and high unlocking reliability.

[0051] The parts of this invention not described in detail are common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A highly reliable miniature point-driven electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces, characterized in that... include: Base (1), de-energized electromagnet (2), ferromagnetic chuck (3), torsion spring (4), unlocking lever (5), separation nut assembly (6), first bracket (7), central shaft (8), second bracket (9), first bearing (10), third bracket (11), permanent magnet (12), rotating guide sleeve (13), and connecting bolt (14); The base (1) serves as the mounting base. The de-energized electromagnet (2), the separation nut assembly (6), the first bracket (7), the second bracket (9), and the third bracket (11) are all fixed on the base (1). The central shaft (8) passes through the second bracket (9), and the permanent magnet (12) is fixed on the third bracket (11). The two de-energized electromagnets (2) are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the third bracket (11). The bushing on the ferromagnetic chuck (3) is fitted onto the central shaft (8) and can rotate around the central shaft (8). The lower surface of the ferromagnetic chuck (3) is engaged with the de-energized electromagnet (2), and the through hole on the upper surface is hooked to one end of the torsion spring (4) installed on the central shaft (8). The other end of the torsion spring (4) is fixed on the second bracket (9). One end of the rotating guide sleeve (13) is fitted onto the central shaft (8) and can rotate around the central shaft (8), while the other end is attracted to the third bracket (11) by the permanent magnet (12); One end of the unlocking lever (5) is hinged and fixed to the first bracket (7), and the other end is connected to the first bearing (10) and fitted into the guide groove of the rotating guide sleeve (13). When the unlocking lever (5) slides in the guide groove of the rotating guide sleeve (13), the rolling of the first bearing will reduce the resistance and prevent jamming during the sliding process. A locking pin (5-1) is fixed at one end of the unlocking lever (5) near the separating nut assembly (6) for locking or unlocking the separating nut assembly (6). The separating nut assembly (6) is used to cooperate with the docking bolt (14) to realize the connection and separation of the mechanism. There are two de-energized electromagnets (2), which are directly powered by the DC power supply on the arrow. When not energized, the de-energized electromagnet (2) is magnetic and attracts magnetic materials. When energized, the magnetism disappears and the attraction force disappears. The split nut assembly (6) includes a split nut (6-1), a rotating disk (6-2), a housing (6-3), a second bearing (6-4), an outer bearing retaining ring (6-5), and a retaining ring (6-6), wherein the housing (6-3) is fixed to the base (1) by screws; The split nut (6-1) sits on the base (1). It is divided into several segments along the axial direction from a complete nut. After each segment is tightened back into a nut, the connecting bolt (14) is screwed in and the bolt preload is applied to achieve the connection function. When each segment opens, it will disengage from the connecting bolt (14) and release the connecting bolt (14) to achieve the separation function. The rotating disk (6-2) is fixed to the housing (6-3) by the second bearing (6-4) and can rotate in the circumferential direction; the outer ring of the second bearing (6-4) is fixed by the outer bearing retaining ring (6-5), and the inner ring of the second bearing (6-4) is fixed by the retaining ring (6-6); a certain number of teeth (6-2-1) are distributed in the circumferential direction on the rotating disk (6-2).

2. The highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet (2) is subjected to anti-cold welding treatment.

3. The highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The area in contact between the ferromagnetic chuck (3) and the contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet (2) is disc-shaped, and the size of the disc is not smaller than the size of the contact surface of the de-energized electromagnet (2).

4. The highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces according to claim 3, characterized in that: Both the ferromagnetic chuck (3) and the rotating guide sleeve (13) are made of ferromagnetic materials.

5. A highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the torsion spring (4) is in a free state, the ferromagnetic chuck (3) is in the unlocked position. When the de-energized electromagnet (2) is installed on the base (1), the ferromagnetic chuck (3) is attracted to flip down and adsorb onto the adsorption surface of the de-energized electromagnet (2) under its own magnetic force. During the flip-down process, the ferromagnetic chuck (3) will torsionally load the torsion spring (4) and store the elastic force in the torsion spring (4). After the de-energized electromagnet (2) is energized, the magnetic force disappears and it can no longer adsorb the ferromagnetic chuck (3). The ferromagnetic chuck (3) will flip up again to a free state under the action of the elastic force stored in the torsion spring (4).

6. The highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the locking pin (5-1) is located between two adjacent teeth (6-2-1), the rotating disk (6-2) will be circumferentially limited and cannot rotate.

7. A highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the de-energized electromagnet (2) is demagnetized by energizing, the ferromagnetic chuck (3) loses its attraction force and flips up under the elastic force stored in the torsion spring (4), and drives the rotating guide sleeve (13) to flip up synchronously. The rotating guide sleeve (13) continues to drive the unlocking lever (5) to flip up, so that the locking pin (5-1) disengages from the tooth (6-2-1). When the locking pin (5-1) disengages from the tooth (6-2-1), the rotating disk (6-2) is released from the circumferential limit and rotates rapidly with the second bearing (6-4), which drives the split nut (6-1) to gradually change from the tight state when locked to the open state, loses the thread engagement with the docking bolt (14), releases the bolt preload of the docking bolt (14), and realizes the unlocking and separation of the electric drive separation mechanism.

8. A highly reliable miniature point-drive electric separation mechanism suitable for small spaces according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the power supply system or the de-energized electromagnet (2) fails, resulting in only one de-energized electromagnet (2) working normally, the ferromagnetic chuck (3) on that side loses its attraction force and will flip upward under the action of the elastic force stored in the torsion spring (4) on that side; the flipping of any ferromagnetic chuck (3) can drive the unlocking lever (5) to flip upward, causing the locking pin (5-1) to disengage from the tooth (6-2-1), triggering the release mechanism to unlock.

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