Constant force spring driven antenna hinge

Abstract

The application discloses a constant force spring driven antenna hinge. The application fixes the lock hinge on a spacecraft, assembles an antenna on the slot hinge, and connects the slot hinge and the lock hinge through a hinge shaft. The slot hinge and the lock hinge are respectively provided with a spring hub and a spring shaft sleeve. The two ends of the constant force spring are respectively assembled on the spring hub and the spring shaft sleeve, so that the antenna is unfolded under the action of the constant force spring. After unfolding, the lock pin on the locking slider installed on the lock hinge is inserted into the inner hole of the slot hinge under the action of the lock pin spring, so that the antenna is locked and positioned. The application is suitable for the satellite-borne antenna, has the unfolding and locking functions, and is the unfolding mechanism with simple structure, small unfolding resistance, high positioning precision, easy adjustment and high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aerospace technology, and more specifically to a constant force spring driven antenna hinge. Background Technology

[0002] In the aerospace field, antennas are a crucial piece of equipment on spacecraft. In recent years, with the rapid development of Earth observation and space communication, the demand for various types of antennas, especially data transmission antennas and radar antennas, has increased significantly. Pointing accuracy and stability are important indicators for antennas. Large antennas are retracted onto the spacecraft during launch and then deployed after entering orbit. The antenna deployment mechanism becomes a critical component determining the antenna's pointing accuracy and stability.

[0003] The deployment mechanism, also known as a hinge, has three main functions: connection, deployment, and locking. To achieve high deployment accuracy and high locking stiffness, traditional antenna deployment mechanisms are characterized by their bulky structure. This results in the antenna deployment mechanism consuming a significant amount of transmission resources and leading to high costs, making it difficult to meet the requirements of low-cost mass production applications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative designs of antenna deployment mechanism configurations to achieve lightweight and precise development of spaceborne antenna deployment mechanisms. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a constant force spring driven antenna hinge for connecting antennas and spacecraft, which has high-precision deployment and high-rigidity locking functions, and achieves structural simplification through a unique configuration design.

[0005] The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of the present invention includes: a locking hinge assembly and a slotted hinge assembly; the locking hinge assembly includes a locking hinge, a locking pin, a limiting slider, a locking pin spring, a spring bushing, a bearing, and a bushing; the slotted hinge assembly includes a slotted hinge, a constant force spring, a hinge shaft, and a spring hub.

[0006] The locking hinge assembly and the slot hinge assembly are used to connect the spacecraft and the antenna, respectively. Generally, the locking hinge assembly is connected to the spacecraft and the slot hinge assembly is connected to the antenna, or vice versa. The locking hinge assembly and the slot hinge assembly are connected by bearings and hinge shafts. When the locking hinge assembly is fixed, the slot hinge assembly can rotate around the locking hinge assembly and lock after rotating a certain angle.

[0007] The rotational power of the slotted hinge assembly is provided by a constant force spring; one end of the constant force spring is mounted on a spring hub, which is fixed to the slotted hinge assembly, and the other end of the constant force spring contacts a spring bushing, which is fixed to the locking hinge assembly; the spring bushing causes the constant force spring to undergo elastic deformation to generate an elastic restoring force, which is applied to the spring hub to provide the driving torque for the rotation of the slotted hinge assembly;

[0008] After the slotted hinge assembly rotates to its position, it is locked by a locking pin mounted on the locking hinge assembly. The locking pin is placed in the deep circular hole of the locking hinge, and the clearance fit allows the locking pin to slide axially within the deep circular hole. The sliding power of the locking pin is provided by a locking pin spring, which is a cylindrical helical compression spring. One end of the locking pin spring presses against the bottom of the deep circular hole of the locking hinge, and the other end pushes against the locking pin to drive the locking pin to slide. A limit slider is installed on the locking pin, and the end of the limit slider is stuck on the edge of the spring hub. The edge of the spring hub is provided with a notch. When the locking hinge assembly rotates to its position, the limit slider slides out from the notch, releasing the constraint on the locking pin. The locking pin extends under the action of the locking pin spring, and the front end of the locking pin enters the corresponding groove of the slotted hinge to achieve locking. The spring hub acts as a limit slider, counteracting the thrust of the locking pin spring on the locking pin.

[0009] The deployment accuracy of the slot hinge assembly can be precisely adjusted using the adjusting screw. The adjusting screw is installed on the locking hinge, and its extension length can be adjusted as needed. After adjustment, it is fixed by a nut. The slot hinge assembly rotates to contact the adjusting screw and then is in place. The adjustment accuracy of the extension length of the adjusting screw determines the deployment accuracy of the slot hinge assembly. The groove on the slot hinge for locking is a tapered groove, and the front end of the locking pin is also tapered. The tapered fit ensures that when the positioning accuracy of the slot hinge assembly is adjusted within a small range, the locking pin can always adaptively lock by extending its length.

[0010] The locking stiffness of the slotted hinge assembly is mainly determined by the shaft contact stiffness and the locking pin contact stiffness; the shaft system is equipped with paired angular contact ball bearings, which effectively eliminates radial clearance and helps to improve stiffness; the locking pin and the locking hinge have a long mating contact section, which helps to improve stiffness.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes an inner bushing located between the hinge shaft and the bearing.

[0012] Preferably, the inner bushing is equipped with two angular contact ball bearings, which are installed back to back.

[0013] Preferably, one end of the constant force spring is mounted on the spring hub via a spring pressure plate.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a spring pad and a spring pad shaft; wherein the spring pad is mounted on the locking hinge via the spring pad shaft, and the spring bushing is mounted on the spring pad via the spring sleeve shaft.

[0015] A better constant force spring is made of multiple layers of steel sheets.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes an adjusting screw; the adjusting screw is installed on the locking hinge by a nut, and the height of the adjusting screw is adjustable; a pad is installed on the slot hinge, the pad is made of high hardness, high strength and wear-resistant material, which improves the surface contact performance of the slot hinge, and after the hinge is unfolded, the pad presses on the adjusting screw; the adjustment height of the adjusting screw determines the unfolding angle of the slot hinge, realizing precise adjustment of the unfolding angle of the slot hinge.

[0017] Preferably, both the outer circular surface of the locking pin and the inner hole of the slot hinge are made of conical surfaces. The conical surfaces allow the locking pin to passively adapt to the extension length through spring force when the slot hinge unfolding angle is adjusted within a small range, thus ensuring reliable locking.

[0018] Preferably, two sets of constant force springs, spring hubs and spring bushings are symmetrically arranged on two opposite sides of the slotted hinge and the locking hinge.

[0019] Beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. This invention fixes the locking hinge to the spacecraft and assembles the antenna onto the slotted hinge. The slotted hinge and the hinge shaft are connected on one hand by the hinge shaft, and on the other hand, a spring hub and a spring bushing are respectively installed on the slotted hinge and the locking hinge. The two ends of a constant force spring are respectively assembled onto the spring hub and the spring bushing, so that the antenna unfolds under the action of the constant force spring. After unfolding into place, the locking pin on the limiting slider installed on the locking hinge is inserted into the inner hole of the slotted hinge along the spring hub under the action of the locking pin spring, thereby locking and positioning the antenna. This invention is applicable to spaceborne antennas, has unfolding and locking functions, and is a simple, low-resistance, high-positioning-accuracy, easy-to-adjust, and highly reliable unfolding mechanism.

[0021] 2. A locking pin spring is used to push the locking pin, which is inserted into the slotted hinge for locking. The locking pin and the limiting slider are connected by a pin. The limiting slider has a machined boss, which is constrained within the groove of the spring hub. The limiting slider is released only when the slotted hinge rotates the spring hub to a specific position, thereby releasing the locking pin. When the antenna hinge is fully extended, the locking pin, pushed by the locking pin spring, inserts into the inner hole of the slotted hinge, achieving locking and preventing the slotted hinge from rotating. This structure ensures stable and reliable unlocking and locking.

[0022] 3. The unfolding accuracy of the slot hinge is adjusted by using an adjusting screw. The adjusting screw is installed on the locking hinge. By changing the height of the adjusting screw, the stopping position of the slot hinge unfolding can be changed, thereby adjusting the unfolding accuracy.

[0023] 4. Both the outer circular surface of the locking pin and the inner hole of the slot hinge are conical surfaces, ensuring effective locking at different heights when they mate. This structure simultaneously satisfies the requirements of precise antenna height adjustment and reliable locking.

[0024] 5. The antenna hinge uses a constant force spring, which is made of multiple layers of steel sheets. By changing the number of layers, the restoring force of the constant force spring can be adjusted, ensuring that the load on the antenna is controllable and easy to adjust during deployment. Even better, an assembly method with one constant force spring on each side is used to achieve uniform load distribution during operation.

[0025] 6. The locking pin spring of the antenna hinge is a compression spring, located between the locking hinge housing and the locking pin. When the antenna is pressed, the compression spring is in a compressed state. When the antenna is unfolded into place, the locking pin is released along with the release of the limit slider, and then the compression spring extends.

[0026] 7. The slotted hinge is mounted on the locking hinge via a hinge shaft. The hinge shaft passes through the inside of the inner bushing, which is equipped with two bearings. This structure can effectively reduce hinge resistance and facilitate unfolding. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna hinge of the present invention in the unfolded and locked state;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a half-sectional view of the antenna hinge of the present invention in the unfolded and locked state;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna hinge of the present invention in the compressed state;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the limit slider and the spring hub.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the outer conical surface of the locking pin and the inner conical surface of the slotted hinge.

[0032] Among them, 1-slot hinge, 2-limit slider, 3-pin, 4-locking pin, 5-constant force spring, 6-pad, 7-adjusting screw, 8-nut, 9-locking hinge, 10-spring pressure plate, 11-spring substrate, 12-hinge shaft, 13-spring hub, 14-spring sleeve shaft, 15-spring pad, 16-spring pad shaft, 17-shield, 18-bearing, 19-locking pin spring, 20-spring bushing. Detailed Implementation

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

[0034] This embodiment provides a constant force spring-driven antenna hinge, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the antenna hinge can be divided into two main parts: a locking hinge assembly and a slot hinge assembly. The locking hinge assembly consists of a limiting slider 2, a pin 3, a locking pin 4, a pad 6, a nut 8, an adjusting screw 7, a locking hinge 9, a spring sleeve shaft 14, a spring pad 15, a spring pad shaft 16, a locking pin spring 19, and a spring bushing 20. The slot hinge assembly consists of a slot hinge 1, a constant force spring 5, a spring pressure plate 10, a spring substrate 11, a hinge shaft 12, a spring hub 13, an inner bushing 17, and a bearing 18.

[0035] The slotted hinge 1 and the locking hinge 9 are connected by a hinge shaft 12. The hinge shaft 12 is mounted on the locking hinge 9 via a bearing 18 and an inner bushing 17, allowing the slotted hinge 1 to rotate with the hinge shaft 12. A constant force spring 5 is mounted on a spring hub 13 via a spring pressure plate 10 and a spring base 11. The spring hub 13 is mounted on the slotted hinge 1. The other end of the constant force spring 5 passes around a spring bushing 20, which is mounted on the locking hinge via a spring washer. Simultaneously, the adjusting screw 7 and the nut 8 are mounted together on the locking hinge 9. The locking pin 4 and the limiting slider 2 are mounted inside the locking hinge 9 via a pin 3. The locking pin spring 19 presses against the root of the locking pin 4. The washer 6 is mounted on the slotted hinge.

[0036] Antenna clamping state as follows Figure 3 As shown, the locking hinge 9 is connected to the base by four screws. The antenna is mounted on the slot hinge 1 and simultaneously pressed against the satellite by a locking and releasing mechanism. When the antenna needs to be released, the locking and releasing mechanism releases the antenna, while the constant force spring 5 remains tightened. Under the action of the constant force spring 5, the slot hinge 1 drives the antenna to rotate until the pad 6 presses against the adjusting screw 7. A spring hub 13 is mounted on the slot hinge 1 and rotates together with it. The spring hub 13 has a groove engraved inside, and the boss of the limiting slider 2 is engaged in the groove of the spring hub 13. When the antenna is deployed to the designated position, the spring hub also rotates to the designated position, and the boss of the limiting slider slides out from the groove of the spring hub, releasing the limiting slider 2. Under the action of the locking pin spring, the limiting slider 2 and the locking pin 4 slide out together, and the locking pin 4 inserts into the cylindrical hole of the slot hinge 1, thus locking and positioning the antenna. At the same time, the positioning height of the antenna can be adjusted by adjusting the screw.

[0037] The diagram showing the interaction between the limit slider 2 and the spring hub 13 is shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the boss of the limiting slider 2 is stuck in the groove of the spring hub 13. A notch is machined in the circumferential direction of the groove of the spring hub 13. When the antenna is deployed, the spring hub 13 rotates to the position where the notch is directly opposite the boss of the limiting slider 2, so that the limiting slider 2 can slide out of the spring hub 13, releasing the limiting constraint on the locking pin 4. Under the pressure of the locking pin spring 19, the locking pin 4 extends out from the locking hinge 9.

[0038] A schematic diagram of the fit between the outer conical surface of locking pin 4 and the inner conical surface of slot hinge 1 is shown below. Figure 5 As shown, by using two conical surfaces to engage, locking of different axes can be achieved, making it easy to adjust the accuracy of the antenna deployment.

[0039] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A constant force spring driven antenna hinge, characterized by, It comprises: Lock hinge assembly and slot hinge assembly; the lock hinge assembly comprises lock hinge (9), limit slider (2), lock pin (4), lock pin spring (19) and spring shaft sleeve (20); the slot hinge assembly comprises slot hinge (1), constant force spring (5), hinge shaft (12) and spring hub (13); wherein, the lock hinge (9) is fixed on the spacecraft; the hinge shaft (12) is installed on the lock hinge (9) through the bearing (18); the slot hinge (1) is fixed on the hinge shaft (12) and rotates with the hinge shaft (12); the antenna is assembled on the slot hinge (1); the spring hub (13) is installed on the slot hinge (1), the spring shaft sleeve (20) is installed on the lock hinge (9), one end of the constant force spring (5) is assembled on the spring hub (13), and the other end is pressed on the spring shaft sleeve (20); the lock pin (4) is assembled in the lock hinge (9), one end of the lock pin (4) is pressed on the lock pin spring (19) pre-pressed in the lock hinge (9), the lock pin (4) is connected with the limit slider (2) through the pin (3), and the limit slider (2) is provided with a boss which is clamped on the spring hub (13); when the spring hub (13) rotates a preset angle under the drive of the constant force spring (5), the limit slider (2) is separated from the gap on the spring hub (13), the constraint of the spring hub (13) to the limit slider (2) is released, and the lock pin (4) is stretched out under the pushing action of the lock pin spring (19); the slot hinge (1) is provided with a groove matched with the lock pin (4), the end of the lock pin (4) enters the groove in the slot hinge (1) after being stretched out from the lock hinge (9), and the slot hinge (1) is locked.

2. The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of claim 1, wherein, It also comprises an inner bushing (17) located between the hinge shaft (12) and the bearing (18).

3. The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of claim 2, wherein, Two bearings (18) are installed on the inner bushing (17).

4. The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of claim 1, wherein, One end of the constant force spring (5) is assembled on the spring hub (13) through a spring pressing plate (10).

5. The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of claim 1, wherein, It also comprises a spring pad (15) and a spring pad shaft (16); wherein, the spring pad (15) is installed on the lock hinge (9) through the spring pad shaft (16), and the spring shaft sleeve (20) is installed on the spring pad (15) through a spring sleeve shaft (14).

6. The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of claim 1, wherein, The constant force spring (5) is made of multiple layers of steel sheets.

7. Constant force spring driven antenna hinge according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that It also comprises an adjusting screw (7); the adjusting screw (7) is installed on the lock hinge (9) through a nut (8), and the height of the adjusting screw (7) is adjustable; a backing plate (6) is installed on the slot hinge (1), and the backing plate (6) is pressed on the adjusting screw (7) after the hinge is unfolded.

8. The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of claim 1, wherein, The outer cylindrical surface of the lock pin (4) and the groove of the slot hinge (1) are both conical surfaces.

9. The constant force spring driven antenna hinge of claim 1, wherein, Two groups of constant force springs (5), spring hubs (13) and spring shaft sleeves (20) are symmetrically arranged on the opposite two sides of the slot hinge (1) and the lock hinge (9).

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