An inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for satellite use

Abstract

An inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for satellite use, which relates to the technical field of hinge design. Two outer lock shaft cylinders are arranged at the connection end of the female hinge, and a first lock groove is machined on the side wall. Two inner lock shaft cylinders are arranged at the connection end of the male hinge, and a second lock groove is machined on the side wall. The two inner lock shaft cylinders are abutted between the two outer lock shaft cylinders and are connected by inserting two pin shafts. The adjacent ends of the pin shafts are connected by a tension spring, and a lock pin is arranged on the side wall of the far end of the pin shaft. In the active state of the hinge, the first lock groove and the second lock groove are misaligned and the lock pin is stuck in the first lock groove. In the locked state of the hinge, the first lock groove and the second lock groove are in the same position and the lock pin slides between the first lock groove and the second lock groove. The female hinge and the male hinge are respectively fixedly connected to the structure, and the inflating mechanism is fixed on the side of the two connection structures. Taking the inflating mechanism as the power source and through the optimization and improvement of the lock shaft, the hinge assembly is effectively simplified, with a small volume and a simple structure, and can be stably deployed and locked, meeting the usage requirements of satellites of various sizes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of hinge design, and specifically to an inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for satellites. Background Art

[0002] Satellites need to use self-locking hinges on foldable structures such as solar panels and antennas to lock the structures in the deployed state. However, in some satellites and scaled models during the verification stage of some satellite solutions, ordinary hinges are not applicable due to their large volume and heavy weight, and ordinary hinges are not convenient for scaling due to their relatively complex structure.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a hinge mechanism for the foldable structure of a satellite that can actively deploy and achieve locking, while ensuring a small volume and a simple structure, so as to meet the folding requirements of satellites of various sizes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the deficiencies in the background art, the present invention provides an inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for satellites. With an inflating mechanism as the power source and through the optimization and improvement of the locking shaft, the hinge components are effectively simplified, with a small volume and a simple structure, and can be stably deployed and locked, meeting the usage requirements of satellites of various sizes.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for satellites includes a hinge mechanism and an inflating mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes a female hinge, a male hinge, a tension spring, and two pin shafts. The main bodies of the female hinge and the male hinge are both flat blade structures with bolt mounting holes. The female hinge integrally and coaxially sets two outer locking shaft cylinders on both sides of the connection end edge. Lock grooves I are respectively machined along the axial direction on the side walls of the two outer locking shaft cylinders. The male hinge integrally and coaxially sets two inner locking shaft cylinders on both sides of the middle of the connection end. Lock grooves II are respectively machined along the axial direction on the side walls of the two inner locking shaft cylinders. When the female hinge and the male hinge are in a connected state, the two inner locking shaft cylinders are respectively abutted between the two outer locking shaft cylinders. The two pin shafts are respectively inserted into the corresponding outer locking shaft cylinders and inner locking shaft cylinders. Hooks are respectively arranged at the adjacent ends of the two pin shafts and are connected by the tension spring. Lock pins are respectively arranged along the axial direction on the side walls of the two pin shafts at the far ends. When the female hinge and the male hinge are in a movable state, the corresponding lock grooves I and lock grooves II on both sides are arranged in a staggered manner, and the lock pins of the two pin shafts are respectively clamped in the two lock grooves I. When the female hinge and the male hinge are in a locked state, the corresponding lock grooves I and lock grooves II on both sides are in the same position. Under the action of the tension spring, the two pin shafts move relatively closer so that the lock pins slide between the corresponding lock grooves I and lock grooves II. The female hinge and the male hinge are respectively fixedly connected by bolt connection structures. The inflating mechanism is fixed on the side of the two connection structures, and provides a power source through inflation to control the two connection structures to deploy around the hinge mechanism in the folded state.

[0006] Further, by adjusting the machining position on the side wall of the inner locking shaft cylinder of the second locking groove, the locking of the mother hinge and the sub-hinge at different angles can be achieved.

[0007] Further, the opening width of the second locking groove near one end of the outer locking shaft cylinder is greater than that of the first locking groove.

[0008] Further, the opening width of the second locking groove away from one end of the outer locking shaft cylinder is smaller than that of the first locking groove.

[0009] Further, blade mounting grooves are machined at corresponding positions on the folding side surfaces of the two connecting structures in cooperation with the corresponding positions of the mother hinge and the sub-hinge body. By adjusting the depth of the blade mounting grooves, the contact of the folding side surfaces in the fully folded state of the two connecting structures can be achieved.

[0010] Further, counterbores are machined at corresponding positions on the back surfaces of the folding sides of the two connecting structures in cooperation with the bolt mounting positions of the mother hinge and the sub-hinge, so that the bolts are hidden below the back surfaces of the folding sides of the two connecting structures.

[0011] Further, the inflation mechanism can control the unfolding speed of the two connecting structures by adjusting the inflation speed.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention is mainly used for foldable structures such as solar panels and antennas of satellites of various sizes. It uses the inflation mechanism as the power source and optimizes and improves the two-part structure of the locking pin and the shaft of the traditional self-locking hinge into a single locking shaft structure. Through the ingenious application of the locking shaft combined with the tension spring in the hinge, the number of components of the self-locking hinge is reduced. While ensuring a small volume and a simple structure, it can stably achieve the active unfolding and effective locking of the hinge, meeting the folding requirements of satellites of various sizes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism in the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a partially unfolded state of the hinge mechanism in the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the fully folded state of the hinge mechanism in the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the locked state of the hinge mechanism in the fully unfolded state in the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a partially enlarged view of the position of the locking shaft in the

[0018] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the installation of the hinge mechanism and the inflation mechanism in the present invention.

[0019] In the figure: 10, mother hinge; 11, outer lock shaft cylinder; 12, lock groove 1; 20, sub-hinge; 21, inner lock shaft cylinder; 22, lock groove 2; 30, pin shaft; 31, hook; 32, lock pin; 40, tension spring; 50, connection structure 1; 51, blade mounting groove of structure 1; 52, sink groove of structure 1; 60, connection structure 2; 61, blade mounting groove of structure 2; 70, inflation mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an inflatable self-locking hinge folding mechanism used in a satellite includes a hinge mechanism and an inflatable mechanism 70. Since the functions of the two are relatively independent, the two structures are described separately as follows:

[0022] The hinge mechanism includes a mother hinge 10, a sub-hinge 20, a tension spring 40 and two pins 30, Figure 1 As shown, the disassembled structure of each component is displayed. Among them, the main bodies of the mother hinge 10 and the sub-hinge 20 are both flat blade structures with bolt mounting holes. The mother hinge 10 is located on both sides of the edge of the connection end and is coaxially provided with two outer lock shaft cylinders 11. The side walls of the two outer lock shaft cylinders 11 are respectively processed with lock grooves 12 along the axial direction; the sub-hinge 20 is located on both sides of the middle of the connection end and is coaxially provided with two inner lock shaft cylinders 21. The side walls of the two inner lock shaft cylinders 21 are respectively processed with lock grooves 22 along the axial direction. When the mother hinge 10 and the sub-hinge 20 are connected, the two inner lock shaft cylinders 21 are respectively abutted between the two outer lock shaft cylinders 11, and the two pins 30 are respectively inserted into the corresponding outer lock shaft cylinders 11 and inner lock shaft cylinders 21. The two pin shafts 30 are respectively provided with hooks 31 at the adjacent ends and are connected by tension springs 40. The tension provided by the tension springs 40 can ensure that the two pin shafts 30 will not separate from the mother hinge 10 and the child hinge 20, and at the same time provide locking power. The two pin shafts 30 are respectively provided with locking pins 32 along the axial direction on the side walls away from the ends. The locking pins 32 can slide axially inside the locking groove 12 and the locking groove 2 22. The ingenious design of the pin shaft 30 has both the functions of the locking pin and the shaft of the traditional self-locking hinge, which makes the assembly process simpler, simplifies the hinge components, and helps to control the hinge volume.

[0023] In practical applications, the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60 are two structures to be connected. The mother hinge 10 is fixed to the first connecting structure 50 through bolts, and the son hinge 20 is fixed to the second connecting structure 60 through bolts. Combining Figure 2 As shown, a partial unfolded state of the hinge mechanism is presented. At this time, the mother hinge 10 and the son hinge 20 are in a movable state, and the corresponding first locking grooves 12 on both sides are misaligned with the second locking grooves 22. The locking pins 32 of the two pin shafts 30 are respectively clamped in the two first locking grooves 12, allowing relative rotation between the mother hinge 10 and the son hinge 20. During the rotation process, the two pin shafts 30 cannot rotate because the locking pins 32 are limited in the corresponding first locking grooves 12 of the mother hinge 10, but the son hinge 20 is not blocked by the locking pins 32 and can rotate around the cylindrical part of the pin shafts 30. At the same time, the locking pins 32 of the two pin shafts 30 are blocked by the outer end surfaces of the inner locking shaft cylinders 21 of the two son hinges 20 and cannot move relatively closer, so they will not be locked. Among them, a first vane mounting groove 51 can be machined in cooperation with the corresponding position of the mother hinge 10 main body on the folding side surface of the first connecting structure 50, and a second vane mounting groove 61 can be machined in cooperation with the corresponding position of the son hinge 20 main body on the folding side surface of the second connecting structure 60.

[0024] By adjusting the depths of the two vane mounting grooves, seamless contact of the folding side surfaces of the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60 in the fully folded state can be achieved. Combining Figure 3 As shown, a fully folded state of the hinge mechanism is presented. At this time, the position states of the two pin shafts 30 are the same as those of the mother hinge 10 and the son hinge 20 in the movable state. The two pin shafts 30 are subjected to the pulling force of the tension spring 40 under tension, but since the second locking grooves 22 of the son hinge 20 are not aligned with the first locking grooves 12 of the mother hinge 10, the locking pins 32 of the two pin shafts 30 are blocked by the outer end surfaces of the inner locking shaft cylinders 21 of the two son hinges 20 and cannot move relatively closer, so they will not be locked. In addition, a first counterbore 52 can be machined in cooperation with the corresponding position of the bolt installation of the mother hinge 10 on the back surface of the folding side of the first connecting structure 50, and a first counterbore (the same form as the first counterbore 52, not specifically marked in the figure due to the display angle limitation) can be machined in cooperation with the corresponding position of the bolt installation of the son hinge 20 on the back surface of the folding side of the second connecting structure 60, so that the bolts are hidden below the back surfaces of the folding sides of the two connecting structures, reducing the protruding parts.

[0025] Through the relative rotation of the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60, until the second locking grooves 22 of the son hinge 20 are aligned with the first locking grooves 12 of the mother hinge 10, the locking position is reached. By designing the end configurations of the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60, seamless contact of the end surfaces of the first connecting structure 50 and the second connecting structure 60 in the fully unfolded state can be achieved. Combining Figure 4As shown, the fully unfolded state of the hinge mechanism is presented. At this time, the female hinge 10 and the male hinge 20 are in a locked state. The corresponding locking groove one 12 and the locking groove two 22 on both sides are in the same position. Under the action of the tension spring 40, the two pin shafts 30 approach each other relatively, causing the locking pin 32 to slide between the corresponding locking groove one 12 and the locking groove two 22. That is, a part of the locking pin 32 remains in the locking groove one 12, and at the same time, the other part of the locking pin 32 slides into the locking groove two 22, thereby restricting the relative rotation of the female hinge 10 and the male hinge 20. By adjusting the machining position of the locking groove two 22 on the side wall of the inner locking shaft cylinder 21, the locking of the female hinge 10 and the male hinge 20 at different angles can be achieved according to requirements.

[0026] To avoid the locking pin 32 being difficult to stably slide into the two locking grooves two 22 of the male hinge 20 during the relative approach of the two pin shafts 30, combined with Figure 5 As shown, the enlarged structure of the locking shaft 30 is presented. The opening width of the locking groove two 22 adjacent to one end of the outer locking shaft cylinder 11 can be set to be larger than the opening width of the locking groove one 12, forming a trapezoidal locking groove structure, which helps to ensure that the hinge mechanism can still complete the locking when there is a small precision error. Moreover, when the locking pin 32 moves and contacts the inclined surface of the locking groove two 22, the pin shaft 30 will apply a force perpendicular to the inclined surface direction to the male hinge 20, which can be decomposed and converted into a smaller torque along the rotation direction of the male hinge 20, providing a certain torque to resist the influence brought by the small structural disturbance and helping the male hinge 20 to reach the correct locking position. In addition, the opening width of the locking groove two 22 away from one end of the outer locking shaft cylinder 11 can be further set to be smaller than the opening width of the locking groove one 12, thereby restricting the depth of the locking pin 32 of the pin shaft 30 sliding into the locking groove two 22. To release the lock, simply use a tool to push the locking pins 32 of the two pin shafts 30 out of the locking grooves two 22 of the male hinge 20.

[0027] The inflation mechanism 70 is fixed to the side of the two connection structures, combined with Figure 6As shown, an example of the installation position of the hinge mechanism and the inflation mechanism 70 is presented. Among them, the inflation mechanism 70 provides a power source through inflation to control the unfolding of two connection structures centered on the hinge mechanism in the folded state. The inflation mechanism 70 can adopt a flexible thin-walled tubular airbag structure, connect to an inflation device, and can control the unfolding speed of the two connection structures by adjusting the inflation speed. Moreover, the airbag structure can absorb slight disturbances on the structure to a certain extent and stabilize the unfolding process. It is fixed to both sides of the connection structure one 50 and the connection structure two 60 by bonding or other means. At the position where the connection structure one 50 and the connection structure two 60 are located at the hinge mechanism, there should be a certain length of the inflation mechanism 70 that is not connected to the connection structure one 50 and the connection structure two 60 to ensure that the inflation mechanism 70 has enough length to bend and fold during folding. When the connection structure one 50 and the connection structure two 60 are in the folded state, the inflation mechanism 70 is in a deflated state, the internal gas volume is very small, and the bending moment generated on the two connection structures is very small, which is not enough to cause the two connection structures to move. When starting to unfold, an appropriate amount of gas is filled into the inflation mechanism 70. At this time, the inflation mechanism 70 applies an unfolding bending moment under the action of air pressure as the unfolding power until it is fully unfolded and reaches the locking position, and the inflation mechanism 70 no longer has a folded part, and the inflation stops.

[0028] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention, the present invention can be implemented in other forms of the device. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent conditions of the claims are intended to be included in the present invention. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claimed claims.

[0029] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative way of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for satellite use, characterized in that: It includes a hinge mechanism and an inflation mechanism (70). The hinge mechanism includes a female hinge (10), a male hinge (20), a tension spring (40) and two pin shafts (30). The main bodies of the female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20) are both flat blade structures with bolt mounting holes. The female hinge (10) is integrally and coaxially provided with two outer locking shaft cylinders (11) on both sides of the edge of the connection end. Lock grooves one (12) are machined along the axial direction on the side walls of the two outer locking shaft cylinders (11). The male hinge (20) is integrally and coaxially provided with two inner locking shaft cylinders (21) on both sides of the middle of the connection end. Lock grooves two (22) are machined along the axial direction on the side walls of the two inner locking shaft cylinders (21). By adjusting the machining position of the lock grooves two (22) on the side walls of the inner locking shaft cylinders (21), the locking of the female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20) at different angles can be realized. The opening width of the end of the lock grooves two (22) adjacent to the outer locking shaft cylinders (11) is greater than the opening width of the lock grooves one (12), and the opening width of the end of the lock grooves two (22) far from the outer locking shaft cylinders (11) is less than the opening width of the lock grooves one (12). When the female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20) are in the connected state, the two inner locking shaft cylinders (21) are respectively abutted between the two outer locking shaft cylinders (11). The two pin shafts (30) are respectively inserted into the corresponding outer locking shaft cylinders (11) and inner locking shaft cylinders (21). Hooks (31) are respectively arranged at the adjacent ends of the two pin shafts (30) and are connected by the tension spring (40). Lock pins (32) are respectively arranged along the axial direction on the side walls of the two pin shafts (30) at the far ends. When the female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20) are in the movable state, the corresponding lock grooves one (12) and lock grooves two (22) on both sides are arranged in a staggered manner, and the lock pins (32) of the two pin shafts (30) are respectively clamped in the two lock grooves one (12). When the female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20) are in the locked state, the corresponding lock grooves one (12) and lock grooves two (22) on both sides are in the same position. Under the action of the tension spring (40), the two pin shafts (30) move relatively closer to make the lock pins (32) slide between the corresponding lock grooves one (12) and lock grooves two (22). The female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20) are respectively fixedly connected by a bolt fixing structure. The inflation mechanism (70) is fixed on the side of the two connection structures, and provides a power source through inflation to control the unfolding of the two connection structures centered on the hinge mechanism in the folded state.

2. The inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for a satellite according to claim 1, wherein: Blade mounting grooves are machined at corresponding positions on the folding side surfaces of the two connection structures and the main bodies of the female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20). By adjusting the depth of the blade mounting grooves, the contact of the folding side surfaces in the completely folded state of the two connection structures can be realized.

3. The inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for a satellite according to claim 1, characterized in that: Counterbores are machined at corresponding positions on the folding side backs of the two connection structures corresponding to the bolt mounting of the female hinge (10) and the male hinge (20), so that the bolts are hidden below the folding side backs of the two connection structures.

4. The inflatable power self-locking hinge folding mechanism for a satellite according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflation mechanism (70) can control the unfolding speed of the two connection structures by adjusting the inflation speed.

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