Mute unlocking mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides a mute unlocking mechanism which comprises a driving device, a separating device and a shell, the driving device and the separating device are arranged in the shell, and the driving device drives the separating device to be in an unlocking state from a pressing state; the driving device comprises a memory alloy driving assembly, a restoring spring, a driving circuit board, a driving block and a driving pin, the driving circuit board is connected with the memory alloy driving assembly, the memory alloy driving assembly drives the driving block to move in the first direction, the restoring spring is used for resetting the driving block, and the driving pin is connected with the driving block; a first semicircular hole and a second semicircular hole are formed in the driving pin; the separating device comprises a ball, a separating nut and a separating spring, one end of the separating spring abuts against the separating nut, the other end of the separating spring abuts against the shell, and an inner groove is formed in the separating nut; in a pressing state, the second semicircular hole and the part, limiting the position of the ball, of the shell are located in the inner groove; and in an unlocking state, the first semicircular hole accommodates the ball, and the ball is separated from the inner groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of unlocking control, and in particular to a silent unlocking mechanism. Background Art

[0002] Unlocking devices are commonly used in the fields of aviation, aerospace, navigation, etc., and are often used for the compression and release of devices such as antennas, two-dimensional turntables, solar panels, and camera lens covers. Existing unlocking devices include pyrotechnic unlocking devices and non-pyrotechnic unlocking devices. Traditional unlocking devices mostly use pyrotechnics, which have the disadvantages of large actuation (unlocking and separation) impact and cannot be reused. In addition, since they contain dangerous goods such as gunpowder, special safety measures are required in all links such as manufacturing, transportation, storage, and use, which significantly increases the production, manufacturing, and use costs.

[0003] The existing Chinese patent with publication number CN105674813A discloses a separation unlocking device, specifically a hot knife type hook lock separation mechanism. It includes a lock hook release mechanism, a hot knife assembly, a fastening rope, a fastening rope guide sleeve, a rope pre-tightening spring and a bottom plate, wherein at least three lock hook release mechanisms are evenly distributed on the bottom plate along the circumferential direction, the rope pre-tightening spring is arranged on the bottom plate, and the two ends are respectively connected to the two ends of the fastening rope circumferentially surrounding the end of the hook on each lock hook release mechanism, the hot knife assembly is arranged on the bottom plate and is located at a position opposite to the rope pre-tightening spring, and is used to fuse the fastening rope. The bottom plate is provided with a fastening rope guide sleeve for guiding the fastening rope.

[0004] Although the non-pyrotechnic unlocking device of the prior art eliminates the gunpowder drive, its restoring force still uses the instantaneous release of the strong preload spring, which still produces impact and noise, and is not suitable for special applications that require silence and no impact. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the defects in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a silent unlocking mechanism.

[0006] A silent unlocking mechanism provided by the present invention comprises a driving device, a separating device and a housing, wherein the driving device and the separating device are respectively arranged in the housing, and the driving device drives the separating device from a compressed state to an unlocked state;

[0007] The driving device comprises a memory alloy driving component, a restoring spring, a driving circuit board, a driving block and a driving pin, wherein the driving circuit board is connected to the memory alloy driving component, the memory alloy driving component drives the driving block to move along a first direction, the restoring spring is used for resetting the driving block, the driving pin is connected to the driving block, and the driving pin is provided with a first semicircular hole and a second semicircular hole;

[0008] The separation device comprises a ball, a separation nut and a separation spring, one end of the separation spring abuts against the separation nut, the other end of the separation spring abuts against the housing, and an inner groove is provided in the separation nut;

[0009] In the compressed state, the second semicircular hole and the outer shell limit the position of the ball part located in the inner groove;

[0010] In the unlocked state, the first semicircular hole accommodates the ball, and the ball is out of the inner groove.

[0011] Preferably, the housing comprises a supporting tube, and the separation nut is sleeved on the supporting tube.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes a guide pin, which is arranged on the driving circuit board and has a non-circular clearance fit with the driving block.

[0013] Preferably, the central axis of the guide pin coincides with the central axis of the driving block.

[0014] Preferably, a separation sleeve is further included, wherein the separation sleeve is arranged between the separation nut and the housing, one end of the separation spring abuts against the separation sleeve, and the other end of the separation spring abuts against the housing.

[0015] Preferably, the first semicircular hole and the second semicircular hole are distributed on the driving pin in a stepped manner, and the driving pin cooperates with the ball array open semicircle.

[0016] Preferably, the memory alloy driving assembly comprises a first driving wire and a second driving wire, the first driving wire and the second driving wire serve as backup for each other, and the first driving wire and the second driving wire are respectively arranged in a rotary parallel manner.

[0017] Preferably, the end of the memory alloy driving component is welded and fixed to the driving circuit board by multi-point rotary welding.

[0018] Preferably, the ball includes one or more balls, and the plurality of balls are evenly distributed around the driving pin.

[0019] Preferably, the separation nut further comprises a frustum and a threaded hole, the frustum is arranged at an end of the separation nut away from the housing, and the diameter of the threaded hole is adjustable.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. The present invention adopts shape memory alloy drive, has no impact actuation, high safety, silent unlocking, fast response speed, and can be reused;

[0022] 2. The present invention realizes that the memory alloy wire contracts when it is electrified, driving the driving pin to move downward, thereby releasing the lock on the ball, further releasing the lock on the separation nut, and completing the unlocking under the push of the separation spring;

[0023] 3. The present invention provides a driving pin including a first semicircular hole and a second semicircular hole, and a separation nut is sleeved on the support tube. It is designed that the ball is in a compressed state when it is in the second semicircular hole, and in an unlocked state when it is in the first semicircular hole. By changing the position of the ball, the compression and unlocking states of the separation nut are changed, thereby realizing the unlocking function of the unlocking mechanism;

[0024] 4. The present invention provides a guide pin, which cooperates with the non-circular clearance of the driving block, which is conducive to the driving block moving downward along the guide pin. At the same time, the guide pin limits the axial rotation of the driving block. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a silent unlocking mechanism mainly embodied in the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the compressed state of the silent unlocking mechanism mainly embodied in the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention mainly showing the silent unlocking mechanism in a compressed state;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking state of the silent unlocking mechanism mainly embodied in the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the silent unlocking mechanism of the present invention in an unlocked state;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the third direction of the silent unlocking mechanism of the present invention

[0032] As shown in the figure:

[0033] Drive pin 2 Connecting screw 9 Flange platform 1303

[0034] First semicircular hole 201 Memory alloy drive assembly 10 Separation sleeve 14

[0035] Second semicircular hole 202 First drive wire 1001 Ball 15

[0036] Separation spring 3 Second drive wire 1002 Separation nut 16

[0037] Limit screw 4 Wire 11 Cone 1602

[0038] Restoring spring 5 Driving block 12 Threaded hole 1603

[0039] Guide pin 6 Housing 13 Inner groove 1604

[0040] Driving circuit board 7 Support cylinder 1302 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, several changes and improvements can also be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, a silent unlocking mechanism provided according to the present invention includes a driving device, a separating device and a housing 13, wherein the driving device and the separating device are respectively arranged in the housing 13, and the driving device drives the separating device from a compressed state to an unlocked state. The driving device includes a memory alloy driving component 10, a restoring spring 5, a driving circuit board 7, a driving block 12 and a driving pin 2, wherein the driving circuit board 7 is connected to the memory alloy driving component 10, the memory alloy driving component 10 drives the driving block 12 to move in a first direction, the restoring spring 5 is used for resetting the driving block 12, the driving pin 2 is connected to the driving block 12, and the driving pin 2 is provided with a first semicircular hole 201 and a second semicircular hole 202. The separation device includes a ball 15, a separation nut 16 and a separation spring 3, one end of the separation spring 3 abuts against the separation nut 16, the other end of the separation spring 3 abuts against the housing 13, and an inner groove 1604 is provided in the separation nut 16; in the compressed state, the second semicircular hole 202 and the housing 13 limit the position of the ball 15 to be located in the inner groove 1604; in the unlocked state, the first semicircular hole 201 accommodates the ball, and the ball 15 is separated from the inner groove 1604. The memory alloy driving assembly 10 drives the driving block 12 to move along the first direction. In the embodiment of the present invention, the first direction refers to the axial direction of the driving block 12, that is, the memory alloy driving assembly 10 drives the driving block 12 to move along the axial direction of the driving block 12.

[0043] The present invention is a silent unlocking mechanism based on memory alloy drive, which is applicable to remote unlocking control technology fields such as aerospace, ships, drones, robots, smart homes, etc. Compared with traditional pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic unlocking devices, the present invention adopts shape memory alloy drive, has no impact actuation, has many advantages such as high safety, silent unlocking, fast response speed, and reusability, and has good use value and economic benefits. It is especially suitable for unlocking and releasing high-precision payloads, separating small satellites from rockets, separating deep-sea devices, and separating special silent scenes.

[0044] The driving device also includes a guide pin 6, which is arranged on the driving circuit board 7. The guide pin 6 and the driving block 12 are matched with a non-circular gap. Preferably, the central axis of the guide pin 6 coincides with the central axis of the driving block 12. The guide pin 6 and the driving block 12 adopt a non-circular shaft hole matching method. When the driving block 12 is driven to move downward, it moves downward along the guide pin 6. The guide pin 6 limits the axial rotation of the driving block 12.

[0045] The separation device also includes a separation sleeve 14, which is arranged between the separation nut 16 and the housing 13, one end of the separation spring 3 abuts against the separation sleeve 14, and the other end of the separation spring 3 abuts against the housing 13. When the memory alloy drive assembly 10 is energized and contracted, the drive block 12 is driven to move downward, and then the drive pin 2 is driven to move downward, and the position of the ball 15 is moved from the second semicircular hole 202 to the first semicircular hole 201. The first semicircular hole 201 of the drive pin 2 releases the radial restriction on the ball 15, and the ball 15 moves inward and disengages from the inner groove 1604 of the separation nut 16, thereby unlocking the separation nut 16. The separation nut 16 is separated under the joint action of the separation spring 3 and the separation sleeve 14. The thrust acting on the separation nut 16 can be provided by the separation sleeve 14 and the separation spring 3 together, or by the separation spring 3 alone.

[0046] Specifically, the separation nut 16 and the housing 13 adopt a sleeve-type matching design. The housing 13 includes a support tube 1302. The separation nut 16 is sleeved on the support tube 1302. The driving pin 2, the support tube 1302 and the separation nut 16 form a radial motion track for the ball 15. In order to expand the motion space of the ball 15 and enable the position of the ball 15 to be partially located in the inner groove 1604, a small opening can be provided in the portion of the support tube 1302 close to the ball 15. The diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the ball 15, and the ball 15 will not come out of the support tube 1302. The separation nut 16 includes an inner groove 1604, a cone 1602 and a threaded hole 1603. The inner groove 1604 is provided on the inner side of the separation nut 16. The design of the inner groove 1604 satisfies that the position of the ball 15 can be partially located in the inner groove 1604 under the restriction of the support tube 1302 and the second semicircular hole 202, so as to limit the position of the separation nut 16. The cone 1602 is arranged at the end of the separation nut 16 away from the housing 13. The shape design of the cone 1602 helps to improve the locking and unlocking performance of the separation nut 16. In the locked state, the cone 1602 can interact with other structural elements to provide a more stable locking force. In the unlocking process, the design of the cone 1602 may also help to release the locking force more smoothly, so that the separation nut 16 can be separated from the parent body more easily. The diameter of the threaded hole 1603 is adjustable, and the diameter size of the threaded hole 1603 can be adjusted to match the drive pins 2 of different sizes.

[0047] More specifically, the silent unlocking device of the present invention includes two major parts: a driving device and a separating device.

[0048] The driving device includes a memory alloy driving assembly 10 , a restoring spring 5 , a driving circuit board 7 , a guide pin 6 , a driving block 12 and a driving pin 2 . The driving device adopts a memory alloy driving component 10 as a silent drive. The end of the memory alloy driving component 10 is welded and fixed to the driving circuit board 7 by a multi-point rotary welding method. The memory alloy driving component 10 includes a first driving wire 1001 and a second driving wire 1002. The first driving wire 1001 and the second driving wire 1002 respectively adopt a rotary parallel layout to realize parallel output force and series circuit connection. At the same time, the first driving wire 1001 and the second driving wire 1002 are backed up by each other. Parts of the first driving wire 1001 and the second driving wire 1002 are evenly arranged on the upper plane of the driving block 12. The ends of the first driving wire 1001 and the second driving wire 1002 are welded and fixed to the driving circuit board 7. The driving circuit board 7 is connected to the power supply by a wire 11. When the driving circuit board 7 is energized, the first driving wire 1001 and the second driving wire 1002 shrink after being energized, driving the driving block 12 to move downward, and the driving block 12 moves downward along the guide pin 6, while pressing the recovery spring 5, and the driving block 12 drives the driving pin 2 to move downward.

[0049] The separation device includes a ball 15, a separation nut 16, a separation spring 3 and a separation sleeve 14. Figure 2 and 3 As shown, in the compressed state, the second semicircular hole 202 of the driving pin 2 and the support cylinder 1302 restrict part of the ball 15 to the inner groove 1604 of the separation nut 16, thereby locking the separation nut 16. When the memory alloy driving assembly 10 is energized and contracted, the driving pin 2 is driven to move downward, and the first semicircular hole 201 of the driving pin 2 releases the radial restriction on the ball 15, and the ball 15 moves inward and disengages from the inner groove 1604, thereby unlocking the separation nut 16. The separation nut 16 is separated under the joint action of the separation spring 3 and the separation sleeve 14, and the separation device is in the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first semicircular hole 201 accommodates the ball 15, and the ball 15 is separated from the inner groove 1604. The diameter of the first semicircular hole 201 along the radial direction of the driving pin 2 is greater than the diameter of the second semicircular hole 202 along the radial direction of the driving pin 2. Preferably, the first semicircular hole 201 and the second semicircular hole 202 are distributed on the driving pin 2 in a stepped manner, and the driving pin 2 and the ball 15 adopt an array-type open semicircular matching design. When the driving pin 2 moves downward, the ball 15 originally restricted in the second semicircular hole 202 moves to the first semicircular hole 201. Since the diameter of the first semicircular hole is greater than that of the second semicircular hole, the ball will move toward the axial direction of the driving pin 2, that is, move inward. The ball 15 includes one or more, and the plurality of balls 15 are evenly distributed around the driving pin 2.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the silent unlocking mechanism of the present invention can be connected to other structures using a flange platform 1303, and a connecting screw 9 can be used to fix the driving circuit board 7. In addition, a limit screw 4 can be used to assemble the guide pin 6. After the guide pin 6 is assembled, the limit screw 4 is removed.

[0051] The working process of the silent unlocking device of the present invention includes:

[0052] The second semicircular hole 202 and the support cylinder 1302 restrict the ball 15 in the inner groove 1604, thereby locking the separation nut 16. When the memory alloy driving assembly 10 is powered on and retracted, the driving pin 2 is driven to move downward, and the first semicircular hole 201 releases the radial restriction on the ball 15, and the ball 15 moves inward and disengages from the inner groove 1604, thereby unlocking the separation nut 16. The separation nut 16 is separated under the joint action of the separation spring 3 and the separation sleeve 14.

[0053] When the power is off and reset, the separation nut 16 is manually pressed onto the support tube 1302, the memory alloy drive assembly 10 is extended, the drive block 12 is reset under the action of the return spring 5, the separation nut 16 is reset, and the ball 15 returns to the second semicircular hole 202. Under the restriction of the support tube 1302 and the second semicircular hole 202, part of the ball 15 is located in the inner groove of the separation nut 16, and the separation nut 16 is locked.

[0054] The silent unlocking mechanism provided by the present invention not only has a simple structure and can realize extremely simple control, has good use value and economic benefits, but also can realize impact-free and ultra-quiet actuation, and has many advantages such as high safety, fast response speed, and reusability.

[0055] Compared with traditional pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic unlocking devices, the present application adopts shape memory alloy drive and impact-free actuation. It has many advantages such as high safety, silent unlocking, fast response speed in milliseconds, and reusability. It has good use value and economic benefits, and is especially suitable for the unlocking and release of high-precision payloads, separation of small satellites, separation of deep-sea devices, and separation in special silent scenarios.

[0056] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0057] The above describes the specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which does not affect the essence of the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

Claims

1. A silent unlocking mechanism, characterized in that: It comprises a driving device, a separating device and a housing (13), wherein the driving device and the separating device are respectively arranged in the housing (13), and the driving device drives the separating device from a compressed state to an unlocked state; The driving device comprises a memory alloy driving component (10), a restoring spring (5), a driving circuit board (7), a driving block (12) and a driving pin (2); the driving circuit board (7) is connected to the memory alloy driving component (10); the memory alloy driving component (10) drives the driving block (12) to move along a first direction; the restoring spring (5) is used for resetting the driving block (12); the driving pin (2) is connected to the driving block (12); and the driving pin (2) is provided with a first semicircular hole (201) and a second semicircular hole (202); The separation device comprises a ball (15), a separation nut (16) and a separation spring (3); one end of the separation spring (3) abuts against the separation nut (16), the other end of the separation spring (3) abuts against the housing (13), and an inner groove (1604) is provided in the separation nut (16); In the compressed state, the second semicircular hole (202) and the outer shell (13) limit the position of the ball (15) to be located partially in the inner groove (1604); In the unlocked state, the first semicircular hole (201) accommodates the ball (15), and the ball (15) is disengaged from the inner groove (1604).

2. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (13) comprises a support tube (1302), and the separation nut (16) is sleeved on the support tube (1302).

3. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a guide pin (6), which is arranged on a driving circuit board (7), and the guide pin (6) is matched with a non-circular clearance of a driving block (12).

4. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The central axis of the guide pin (6) coincides with the central axis of the driving block (12).

5. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a separation sleeve (14), which is arranged between the separation nut (16) and the housing (13), one end of the separation spring (3) abuts against the separation sleeve (14), and the other end of the separation spring (3) abuts against the housing (13).

6. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first semicircular hole (201) and the second semicircular hole (202) are distributed on the driving pin (2) in a stepped manner, and the driving pin (2) is matched with the ball (15) in an open semicircular array.

7. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The memory alloy driving component (10) comprises a first driving wire (1001) and a second driving wire (1002), wherein the first driving wire (1001) and the second driving wire (1002) serve as backup for each other, and the first driving wire (1001) and the second driving wire (1002) are respectively arranged in a rotating parallel manner.

8. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the memory alloy driving component (10) is welded and fixed to the driving circuit board (7) by means of multi-point rotary welding.

9. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The balls (15) include one or more balls, and the plurality of balls (15) are evenly distributed around the driving pin (2).

10. The silent unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separation nut (16) further comprises a frustum (1602) and a threaded hole (1603), wherein the frustum (1602) is arranged at an end of the separation nut (16) away from the housing (13), and the diameter of the threaded hole (1603) is adjustable.

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