Unlocking mechanism, landing gear and operating method

Abstract

The present invention provides an unlocking mechanism, landing gear, and operating method. The unlocking mechanism includes a shell and an emergency valve, a thermal control valve, a coordination valve, and a main valve arranged in the shell. One end of the shell is provided with a port A and a port B connected to the port A, and the other end of the shell is provided with a port E and a port D connected to the port E. The shell is also provided with a port C. The emergency valve is axially displaced to close or connect the ports A and B, and the coordination valve is axially displaced to connect or close the port C, the outside of the coordination valve, and the port B. The thermal control valve is placed in the coordination valve, and the thermal control valve is axially displaced along the coordination valve to connect or close the port C, the inside of the coordination valve, and the port B. The main valve is axially displaced to connect or close the port B, the outside of the coordination valve, and the port C. The present invention improves the existing hydraulic locking mechanism, optimizes the spatial layout, and adds an emergency unlocking function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of landing gear, and in particular to an unlocking mechanism, a landing gear and an operating method. Background Art

[0002] When the landing gear is lowered, the actuator cylinder should become a rigid strut to bear the external load transmitted by the landing gear horizontally. The aircraft landing gear actuator cylinder is equipped with a mechanical lock inside, and at the same time, a hydraulic lock is also provided to ensure safety.

[0003] The existing hydraulic lock and emergency control functions of the actuator are both independent control units and are not integrated with the actuator as a whole. Matching connection devices are required between the various systems, which takes up a large space and has a bulky structure. In addition, the existing hydraulic lock has no emergency unlocking function. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an unlocking mechanism, landing gear and operating method, improve the existing hydraulic locking mechanism, optimize the spatial layout, and add an emergency unlocking function.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is: an unlocking mechanism, including an outer shell and an emergency valve, a thermal control valve, a coordination valve and a main valve arranged in the outer shell, one end of the outer shell is provided with a port A and a port B connected to the port A, the other end of the outer shell is provided with a port E and a port D connected to the port E, and the outer shell is also provided with a port C, the emergency valve is axially displaced to close or connect the port A and the port B, the coordination valve is axially displaced to connect or close the port C, the outside of the coordination valve and the port B, the thermal control valve is placed in the coordination valve, and the thermal control valve is axially displaced along the coordination valve to connect or close the port C, the inside of the coordination valve and the port B, and the main valve is axially displaced to connect or close the port B, the outside of the coordination valve and the port C.

[0006] Preferably, a first cavity, a second cavity and a third cavity are sequentially provided in the outer shell, a first hole is provided on the partition wall between the first cavity and the second cavity, a second hole is provided on the partition wall between the second cavity and the third cavity, the emergency valve is provided in the first cavity, the coordination valve is provided in the second cavity, the main valve is provided in the third cavity, the coordination valve is axially displaced to respectively block the first hole or the second hole, and the first hole can be respectively connected with port A, port B, the outside of the coordination valve, the second hole, and port C.

[0007] Preferably, a second spring is provided between the coordination valve and the housing, and the second spring is used to press the coordination valve against the partition wall forming the second hole.

[0008] Preferably, the emergency valve includes a push rod and a first spring connected between the push rod and the inner wall of the shell, and a side surface of the push rod away from the first spring is adapted to the A port.

[0009] Preferably, a third hole is provided at one end of the coordination valve and a fourth hole is provided at the other end. The thermal control valve can close or open the third hole. One end of the main valve is mounted on the thermal control valve, and this end of the main valve is gap-fitted with the fourth hole.

[0010] Preferably, the thermal control valve includes a steel ball, a push rod and a fourth spring, the push rod includes a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion and a third shaft portion arranged in sequence, the fourth spring is sleeved on the third shaft portion, and the fourth spring is respectively abutted between the second shaft portion and the coordination valve, a steel ball is provided at one end of the first shaft portion, and the steel ball can abut or release against the inner wall of the coordination valve.

[0011] Preferably, a third spring is provided between the main valve and the inner wall of the shell, and the third spring is used to press the main valve against the inner wall of the shell near the D port.

[0012] The present invention also provides a landing gear, including an actuator and the above-mentioned unlocking mechanism, wherein the actuator is provided with a rod cavity interface and a rodless cavity interface, the B port of the unlocking mechanism is connected to the rod cavity interface, and the E port of the unlocking mechanism is connected to the rodless cavity interface.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for operating the landing gear, comprising:

[0014] Hydraulic locking: The coordinating valve fits against the inner wall of the housing, closing port C, the outside of the coordinating valve, and port B. The thermal control valve fits against the coordinating valve to seal port B and the oil circuit outside the coordinating valve, locking the actuator.

[0015] Coordinating valve action: When oil is supplied to port C and the pressure reaches the opening pressure of the coordinating valve, the oil drives the coordinating valve to move axially and separate from the inner wall of the housing. The oil then enters the rod chamber of the actuator from the outside of the coordinating valve and port B, pushing the piston rod to move toward the rodless chamber. The oil in the rodless chamber flows back from ports E and D, causing the piston rod in the actuator to retract.

[0016] Main valve action: When oil is not supplied to port C and the coordinating valve is in contact with the housing, when oil is supplied to port D and the pressure reaches the main valve opening pressure, the oil drives the main valve to move axially and pushes the coordinating valve to move together. The hydraulic oil flowing into port D enters the rodless chamber from port E, and the oil in the rod chamber is discharged from port B, the outside of the coordinating valve, and port C, causing the piston rod in the actuator to extend.

[0017] Emergency unlocking action: The air source is introduced into port A, driving the push rod to move axially to open port A. The gas enters the rod cavity from ports A and B, pushing the piston rod to move toward the rodless cavity, causing the piston rod to retract.

[0018] Preferably, the operating method also includes the action of the thermal control valve: the actuator is in a hydraulically controlled locking state, the thermal control valve opening pressure is set, and when the rodless chamber pressure rises and exceeds the set thermal control valve opening pressure, the thermal control valve is axially displaced to open the coordination valve, and the oil at port B enters the interior of the coordination valve and is discharged from port C. When the rodless chamber pressure drops to the set value of the thermal control valve opening pressure, the thermal control valve is driven to close the coordination valve.

[0019] Compared with the related art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. Improve the existing hydraulic locking mechanism and optimize the spatial layout. By providing port A connected to port B on the housing and an emergency valve for blocking or opening port A, the unlocking mechanism is equipped with an emergency unlocking function, achieving a diversified design of the actuator and also realizing the function of isolating the air and oil circuits.

[0021] 2. Improve the existing hydraulic locking mechanism to make the overall layout more compact and the mechanism safer and more reliable;

[0022] 3. The functional units of the unlocking mechanism are integrated into the housing and can be integrated with the actuator, resulting in a compact structure and smaller occupied space.

[0023] 4. Improve the existing hydraulic locking mechanism and add a thermal control valve to enable unloading when the load on the actuator increases due to changes in the external environment, avoiding overpressure damage to the system and other accessories and ensuring safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the unlocking mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the coordinated valve;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the ejector rod;

[0027] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of the actuator provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of hydraulic control locking;

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the coordination valve;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the thermal control valve;

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the working principle of the main valve;

[0032] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the working principle of the emergency valve.

[0033] In the accompanying drawings: 1. unlocking mechanism; 11. housing; 111. first cavity; 112. second cavity; 113. third cavity; 114. first hole; 115. second hole; 12. emergency valve; 121. push rod; 1211. rod; 1212. first head; 122. first spring; 123. vulcanized rubber; 13. thermal control valve; 131. steel ball; 132. push rod; 1321. first shaft; 1322. Second shaft; 1323, third shaft; 1324, first oil circuit; 133, fourth spring; 14, coordinating valve; 141, fourth shaft; 142, second head; 143, fifth shaft; 144, second oil circuit; 145, third hole; 146, fourth hole; 15, main valve; 16, second spring; 17, third spring; 2, actuator; 21, rod chamber interface; 22, rodless chamber interface; 23, piston rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments may be combined unless they conflict. For ease of description, the words "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" appear below merely to indicate the directions of upper, lower, left, and right in the accompanying drawings and do not limit the structure.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the unlocking mechanism 1 provided in this embodiment includes a housing 11 , an emergency valve 12 , a thermal control valve 13 , a coordination valve 14 , a main valve 15 , a second spring 16 and a third spring 17 .

[0036] The shell 11 is provided with a first cavity 111, a second cavity 112 and a third cavity 113 in sequence. A first hole 114 is provided on the partition wall between the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 112, and a second hole 115 is provided on the partition wall between the second cavity 112 and the third cavity 113. One end of the shell 11 is provided with a port A and a port B connected to the port A, and the other end of the shell 11 is provided with a port E and a port D connected to the port E. The shell 11 is also provided with a port C. The ports A and E are both located on the axis of the shell 11, the port B is provided on the outer wall of the first cavity 111, the port C is provided on the outer wall of the third cavity 113, and the port D is vertically connected to the port E.

[0037] The emergency valve 12 is disposed in the first cavity 111. The emergency valve 12 is axially displaced to close or connect the A and B ports, isolating the system air and oil circuits and acting on the actuator cylinder. The coordination valve 14 is disposed in the second cavity 112. The coordination valve 14 is axially displaced to connect or close the C port, the exterior of the coordination valve 14, and the B port. The thermal control valve 13 is disposed within the coordination valve 14. The thermal control valve 13 is axially displaced along the coordination valve 14 to connect or close the C port, the interior of the coordination valve 14, and the B port. The main valve 15 is axially displaced to connect or close the B port, the exterior of the coordination valve 14, and the C port.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the emergency valve 12 includes a push rod 121, a first spring 122, and a vulcanized rubber 123. The push rod 121 has a stem 1211 and a first head 1212. The first spring 122 is mounted on the stem 1211 and abuts between the first head 1212 and the inner wall of the housing 11. The head is positioned near port A, and the outer surface of the first head 1212 is embedded with a vulcanized rubber 123 that abuts the inner surface of port A. The diameter of the vulcanized rubber 123 is larger than that of port A. The distal end of the stem 1211 of the push rod 121 fits into the first hole 114.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the coordination valve 14 includes a fourth shaft portion 141, a second head portion 142 provided at one end of the fourth shaft portion 141, and a fifth shaft portion 143 provided on the fourth shaft portion 141. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, a mounting cavity for mounting the thermal control valve 13 is provided inside the fourth shaft portion 141 , and the mounting cavity passes through one end of the fourth shaft portion 141 to form a third hole 145 , and the mounting cavity passes through the other end of the fourth shaft portion 141 to form a fourth hole 146 , and the fourth hole 146 is located in the second head portion 142 .

[0040] The second head portion 142 and the fifth shaft portion 143 are adapted to the inner wall of the second cavity 112. A plurality of second oil passages 144 are circumferentially defined on the second head portion 142 and the fifth shaft portion 143, and axially extend through the second oil passages 144. The second spring 16 is sleeved onto the fourth shaft portion 141 and abuts between the fifth shaft portion 143 and the inner wall of the housing 11 defining the first hole 114.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the thermal control valve 13 includes a steel ball 131, a push rod 132 and a fourth spring 133. Figure 3As shown, the push rod 132 includes a first shaft portion 1321, a second shaft portion 1322 and a third shaft portion 1323 arranged in sequence. Figure 1 、 Figure 3 As shown, the fourth spring 133 is sleeved on the third shaft portion 1323, and the fourth spring 133 is respectively in contact between the second shaft portion 1322 and the inner wall of the second head portion 142 of the coordination valve 14. A steel ball 131 is provided at one end of the first shaft portion 1321. Under the action of the fourth spring 133, the push rod 132 pushes the steel ball 131 through the first shaft portion 1321 to block the third hole 145. If oil enters the third hole 145, the steel ball 131 is pushed to open the third hole 145. At this time, the push rod 132 moves to the right and compresses the fourth spring 133. To allow the oil to reach the C port from the third hole 145, the second shaft portion 1322 is circumferentially arranged with multiple first oil passages 1324, and the first oil passages 1324 are axially continuous.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, one end of the main valve 15 is clearance-fitted with the fourth hole 146. This clearance allows the interior of the coordination valve 14 to communicate with the third cavity 113. Furthermore, the end of the main valve 15 that is clearance-fitted with the fourth hole 146 is inserted into the third shaft portion 1323 of the push rod 132. The third spring 17 is sleeved onto the main valve 15 and abuts against both the main valve 15 and the inner wall of the second hole 115 formed in the housing 11. The third spring 17 is used to abut the main valve 15 against the inner wall of the housing 11.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, the present invention also provides a landing gear, including an actuator 2 and the above-mentioned unlocking mechanism 1, wherein a piston rod 23 is provided in the actuator 2 to divide the actuator 2 into a rod chamber and a rodless chamber. The actuator 2 is provided with a rod chamber interface 21 connected to the rod chamber and a rodless chamber interface 22 connected to the rodless chamber. The B port is connected to the rod chamber interface 21 through an oil pipe, and the E port is connected to the rodless chamber interface 22 through an oil pipe. The outer shell 11 is provided with a mounting seat that can be connected to the outer wall of the actuator 2, and the mounting seat is detachably connected to the actuator 2 to enable integration. The C port is connected to the system hydraulic loading device, and the D port is connected to the system hydraulic loading device.

[0044] The present invention also provides a method for operating the landing gear, including the following methods:

[0045] like Figure 5As shown, hydraulic locking: When actuator 2 moves to the retracted or lowered position, the system stops supplying oil. Second spring 16 forces coordinating valve 14 to abut against the inner wall of second hole 115 in housing 11, sealing the oil passage. Fourth spring 133 forces steel ball 131 to block third hole 145, thereby sealing the oil passage to the rod chamber of actuator 2 and locking actuator 2 in position, achieving hydraulic locking.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, the coordinating valve operates as follows: oil is passed to port C through the system hydraulic loading device. The oil enters the third cavity 113 and then the second hole 115, acting on the coordinating valve 14. When the oil pressure reaches the opening pressure of the coordinating valve 14, the hydraulic force overcomes the second spring 16, causing the coordinating valve 14 to move to the left, opening the second hole 115. The oil enters the second cavity 112 from the second hole 115 (i.e., outside the coordinating valve 14, via the second oil path 144), and then enters the rod chamber from the first hole 114 and port B. The oil pushes the piston rod 23 toward the rodless chamber. The oil in the rodless chamber then flows back through ports E and D into the system hydraulic loading device, causing the piston rod 23 in the actuator 2 to retract.

[0047] like Figure 7 As shown, the working principle of the thermal control valve is: when the coordination valve 14 and the housing 11 are fitted together to form a closed oil circuit, when the ambient temperature rises or the load on the actuator 2 increases, causing the pressure in the rod chamber of the actuator 2 connected to port B to rise to the preset opening pressure of the push rod 132, the hydraulic pressure of the oil acting on the steel ball 131 overcomes the spring force of the fourth spring 133, causing the steel ball 131 to break away from the third hole 145. The oil at port B passes through the third hole 145, the interior of the coordination valve 14 (via the first oil circuit 1324), the gap between the main valve 15 and the fourth hole 146, the third cavity 113, and finally discharged from port C and refluxes to the system hydraulic loading device. Figure 7 As shown, when the push rod 132 moves to the right, the third shaft portion 1323 and the main valve 15 are connected by Figure 5 There is a gap and then there is no gap. Figure 5 The gap is the right movement stroke of the push rod 132.

[0048] When the oil pressure in the rod chamber drops to the set value for the opening pressure of thermal control valve 13, push rod 132 returns to its original position under the action of fourth spring 133, and steel ball 131 re-blocks third hole 145. This ensures that the oil pressure in the rod chamber does not exceed the set value, preventing overpressure from damaging other system accessories and ensuring safety.

[0049] like Figure 8As shown, the main valve operates as follows: With no oil supplied to port C, the coordinating valve 14 abuts against the housing 11, closing the oil circuit. When oil is supplied to port D and the oil pressure exceeds the opening pressure of the main valve 15, the hydraulic pressure of the oil on the main valve 15 overcomes the third spring 17, causing the main valve 15 to move leftward. At this point, the main valve 15 abuts the third shaft 1323 of the push rod 132, pushing the push rod 132 leftward against the force of the second spring 16. This, in turn, pushes the coordinating valve 14 leftward, opening the second hole 115. Oil entering port D enters the rodless chamber through port E, pushing the piston rod 23 toward the rod chamber. The oil in the rod chamber then flows sequentially through port B, the first hole 114, the second cavity 112 (outside the coordinating valve 14), the third cavity 113, and finally discharges from port C into the system's hydraulic loading device, extending the piston rod 23 of the actuator 2.

[0050] like Figure 9 As shown, the emergency unlocking action: Port A is connected to the system's emergency air source. Under normal circumstances, the first head portion 1212 of the push rod 121, under the action of the first spring 122, seals port A through the vulcanized rubber 123, disconnecting port A from the oil circuit in the first cavity 111. When port C is unable to normally supply hydraulic oil to the rod chamber of the actuator 2, the hydraulic system cannot control the piston rod 23 of the actuator 2 to move toward the rodless chamber. The emergency air source connected to port A is opened, and when the emergency working medium pressure reaches the opening pressure of the push rod 121, the push rod 121 overcomes the spring force of the first spring 122 and moves to the right. The emergency gas enters the first cavity 111 from port A and the rod chamber from port B, thereby pushing the piston rod 23 toward the rodless chamber, ensuring smooth retraction of the piston rod 23. At this time, the end of the rod portion 1211 blocks the first hole 114, preventing gas from entering the second cavity 112.

[0051] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An unlocking mechanism, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell and an emergency valve, a thermal control valve, a coordination valve and a main valve arranged in the shell. One end of the shell is provided with a port A and a port B connected to the port A, and the other end of the shell is provided with a port E and a port D connected to the port E. The shell is also provided with a port C. The emergency valve is axially displaced to close or connect the ports A and B. The coordination valve is axially displaced to connect or close the port C, the outside of the coordination valve and the port B. The thermal control valve is placed in the coordination valve, and the thermal control valve is axially displaced along the coordination valve to connect or close the port C, the inside of the coordination valve and the port B. The main valve is axially displaced to connect or close port B, the outside of the coordination valve and port C; a first cavity, a second cavity and a third cavity are sequentially provided in the outer shell, a first hole is provided on the partition wall between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a second hole is provided on the partition wall between the second cavity and the third cavity. The emergency valve is provided in the first cavity, the coordination valve is provided in the second cavity, and the main valve is provided in the third cavity. The coordination valve is axially displaced to respectively block the first hole or the second hole, and the first hole can be respectively connected with port A, port B, the outside of the coordination valve, the second hole and port C.

2. The unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second spring is provided between the coordination valve and the shell, and the second spring is used for pressing the coordination valve against the partition wall forming the second hole.

3. The unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The emergency valve includes a push rod and a first spring connected between the push rod and the inner wall of the shell, and a side surface of the push rod away from the first spring is adapted to the A port.

4. The unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third hole is provided at one end of the coordination valve and a fourth hole is provided at the other end. The thermal control valve can close or open the third hole. One end of the main valve is sleeved on the thermal control valve, and this end of the main valve is gap-fitted with the fourth hole.

5. The unlocking mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thermal control valve includes a steel ball, a push rod and a fourth spring. The push rod includes a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion and a third shaft portion arranged in sequence. The fourth spring is sleeved on the third shaft portion, and the fourth spring is respectively abutted between the second shaft portion and the coordination valve. A steel ball is provided at one end of the first shaft portion, and the steel ball can abut or release against the inner wall of the coordination valve.

6. The unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third spring is provided between the main valve and the inner wall of the shell, and the third spring is used to press the main valve against the inner wall of the shell near the D port.

7. A landing gear, comprising an actuator, wherein the actuator is provided with a rod cavity interface and a rodless cavity interface, wherein: It also includes the unlocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the B port of the unlocking mechanism is connected to the rod cavity interface, and the E port of the unlocking mechanism is connected to the rodless cavity interface.

8. A method for operating a landing gear according to claim 7, characterized in that: include: Hydraulic locking: The coordinating valve fits against the inner wall of the housing, closing port C, the outside of the coordinating valve, and port B. The thermal control valve fits against the coordinating valve to seal port B and the oil circuit outside the coordinating valve, locking the actuator. Coordinating valve action: When oil is supplied to port C and the pressure reaches the opening pressure of the coordinating valve, the oil drives the coordinating valve to move axially and separate from the inner wall of the housing. The oil then enters the rod chamber of the actuator from the outside of the coordinating valve and port B, pushing the piston rod to move toward the rodless chamber. The oil in the rodless chamber flows back from ports E and D, causing the piston rod in the actuator to retract. Main valve action: When oil is not supplied to port C and the coordinating valve is in contact with the housing, when oil is supplied to port D and the pressure reaches the main valve opening pressure, the oil drives the main valve to move axially and pushes the coordinating valve to move together. The hydraulic oil flowing into port D enters the rodless chamber from port E, and the oil in the rod chamber is discharged from port B, the outside of the coordinating valve, and port C, causing the piston rod in the actuator to extend. Emergency unlocking action: The air source is introduced into port A, driving the push rod to move axially to open port A. The gas enters the rod cavity from ports A and B, pushing the piston rod to move toward the rodless cavity, causing the piston rod to retract.

9. The operating method according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes the action of the thermal control valve: the actuator is in the hydraulically controlled locking state, and the thermal control valve opening pressure is set. When the rodless chamber pressure rises and exceeds the set thermal control valve opening pressure, the thermal control valve is axially displaced to open the coordination valve, and the oil in port B enters the inside of the coordination valve and is discharged from port C. When the rodless chamber pressure drops to the set value of the thermal control valve opening pressure, the thermal control valve is driven to close the coordination valve.

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