Bidirectional internal lock actuating device and method

Abstract

The invention provides a bidirectional internal lock actuating device and method. The bidirectional inner lock actuating device comprises an outer cylinder, a first end cover, a second end cover, a piston rod, a piston head, a first pulling rod, a second pulling rod, a lower lock clamping jaw, a lower lock floating piston, an upper lock floating piston, a guide piece and an upper lock clamping jaw. The piston rod penetrates out of the first end cover, an oil port A communicated with a rod cavity is formed in the first end cover, an oil port B communicated with a rodless cavity is formed in the second end cover, and the first pulling rod is connected with a floating piston of a lower lock in a pulling mode; the second pulling rod is connected with the guide piece in a pulling manner; the lower lock clamping jaw is provided with a first jaw part capable of being locked on the piston rod, and the upper lock clamping jaw is provided with a second jaw part capable of being locked in the upper lock floating piston. According to the invention, the requirements on the inner lock of the retracting and releasing actuator cylinder when the undercarriage is retracted and released to be locked can be met at the same time, and the device has important significance on improving the safety, reliability and intelligent level of an undercarriage system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, and in particular to a bidirectional internal locking actuation device and method, which are applied to retraction and extension systems of aerospace and other engineering equipment. Background Art

[0002] Hydraulic or pneumatic actuators are widely used in control and drive systems in modern aviation, aerospace, and marine equipment. These actuators often need to be locked in a specific position to ensure stability and safety. Traditional actuators use a one-way locking mechanism, meaning they only lock in one direction and lack real-time output of locking and unlocking signals. However, certain applications require actuators that can lock in both directions and provide timely output of locking and unlocking signals. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bidirectional internal locking actuation device and method, which can simultaneously meet the requirements for internal locking of the retraction and extension actuation cylinder when the landing gear is retracted and lowered, and is of great significance to improving the safety, reliability and intelligence level of the landing gear system.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is: a two-way internal locking actuating device, comprising an outer cylinder, a first end cover mounted on one end of the outer cylinder, a second end cover mounted on the other end of the outer cylinder, a piston rod reciprocating in the outer cylinder, a piston head sleeved on the end of the piston rod, a first pull rod, a second pull rod, a lower lock claw sleeved on the piston rod and arranged close to the first end cover, a lower lock floating piston sleeved on the lower lock claw, an upper lock floating piston mounted inside the end of the piston rod facing the rodless cavity, and a piston head sleeved on the first pull rod. The guide members on the inner side surfaces of the two end covers and the upper locking claw installed on the inner side of the second end cover; the piston rod passes through the first end cover, the first end cover is provided with an A oil port connected to the rod chamber, and the second end cover is provided with a B oil port connected to the rodless chamber, the first pull rod is connected to the lower lock floating piston by pulling; the second pull rod is connected to the guide member by pulling; the lower lock claw is provided with a first claw portion that can be locked on the piston rod, and the upper lock claw is provided with a second claw portion that can be locked in the upper lock floating piston.

[0005] Preferably, the piston rod is also provided with a limiter, which is located between the lower lock floating piston and the piston head, and a third spring is provided between the limiter and the piston head; when the first claw is locked on the piston rod, the end of the first claw of the lower lock claw is provided to extend into the limiter.

[0006] Preferably, the end of the piston rod is provided with a locking sleeve for fixing the piston head and the upper lock floating piston; when the second claw is locked in the upper lock floating piston, the guide member abuts against the locking sleeve.

[0007] Preferably, the guide member is connected to the inner wall of the second end cover via a fourth spring.

[0008] Preferably, a first spring is sleeved on the outside of the lower lock claw. When the first claw is locked on the piston rod, the lower lock floating piston pushes the first spring to compress, and the compressed first spring abuts against the lower lock claw.

[0009] Preferably, a second spring is provided inside the piston rod and contacts the up-lock floating piston. When the second claw is locked in the up-lock floating piston, the second spring is compressed.

[0010] Preferably, an insertion end is provided in the upper lock floating piston, and a lock groove is provided at the root of the insertion end; when locking, the insertion end extends from the interior of the upper lock claw and abuts against the guide member, and the second claw is locked in the lock groove.

[0011] Preferably, the piston rod is provided with a first boss and a second boss facing opposite to the first boss in the axial direction, and the second boss is adapted to the first claw.

[0012] The present invention also provides a method for operating the above-mentioned bidirectional internal locking actuating device, comprising:

[0013] The actuator is in unlocked state;

[0014] When the actuator is fully compressed and extended, oil enters the rodless chamber through port B. Under the action of hydraulic pressure, the piston head and piston rod move leftward. During the movement of the piston rod, the first claw of the lower lock pawl is stretched open until the first claw locks onto the piston rod, achieving locking. At this time, the lower lock floating piston pushes the first pull rod to rotate a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the first pull rod through the rotating shaft outputs a locking signal.

[0015] When the actuator is fully extended and compressed, the oil enters the rod chamber through the A oil port, and under the action of the hydraulic pressure, the piston head and the piston rod move to the right, and the first claw unlocks the piston rod to achieve unlocking; at this time, the lower lock floating piston pushes the first pull rod to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the first pull rod outputs an unlocking signal; the piston rod continues to move to the right to push the upper lock floating piston into the second claw of the upper lock claw until the second claw is locked in the upper lock floating piston to achieve locking; at this time, the upper lock floating piston pushes the guide and the second pull rod to rotate a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the second pull rod through the rotating shaft outputs a locking signal; the oil enters the rodless chamber through the B oil port, and under the action of the hydraulic pressure, pushes the piston head and the piston rod to move to the left, so that the second claw is disengaged from the upper lock floating piston, the guide resets and drives the second pull rod to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the second pull rod outputs an unlocking signal.

[0016] Compared with the related art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The present invention has the function of automatic internal locking in the extended and retracted positions, and can provide real-time feedback on the locked and unlocked status through a signal output interface, thereby improving the safety, reliability and intelligence level of the system. It can be widely used in the retractable systems of aerospace and other engineering equipment;

[0018] Second, the present invention is simple and reliable, meets the internal locking requirements when the landing gear is retracted and lowered, ensures the compactness of the structure, improves the reliability of the retraction and lowering of the landing gear and the door (guard), and solves the shortcomings of the existing technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the bidirectional inner locking actuating device provided by the present invention and the locking of the lower lock;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the bidirectional inner locking actuating device provided by the present invention when it is unlocked;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the bidirectional inner locking actuating device provided by the present invention and locking of the upper lock.

[0022] In the accompanying drawings: 1. outer cylinder; 101. fourth boss; 2. piston rod; 21. first boss; 22. second boss; 3. first end cover; 4. lower lock claw; 41. first claw; 42. third boss; 5. lower lock floating piston; 51. ring groove; 6. first pull rod; 7. first spring; 8. second spring; 9. limiter; 10. third spring; 11. upper lock floating piston; 111. insertion end; 112. lock groove; 12. upper lock claw; 121. second claw; 13. guide; 131. extraction hole; 14. second pull rod; 15. fourth spring; 16. piston head; 17. locking sleeve; 171. lock channel; 18. second end cover; R, rod chamber; F, rodless chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] 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.

[0024] like Figure 1As shown, a two-way internal locking actuating device provided in this embodiment includes an outer tube 1, a piston rod 2, a first end cover 3, a lower lock claw 4, a lower lock floating piston 5, a first pull rod 6, a first spring 7, a second spring 8, a limiter 9, a third spring 10, an upper lock floating piston 11, an upper lock claw 12, a guide 13, a second pull rod 14, a fourth spring 15, a piston head 16, a locking sleeve 17 and a second end cover 18.

[0025] The first end cap 3 seals one end of the outer tube 1, and the second end cap 18 seals the other end of the outer tube 1. The piston rod 2 extends through the first end cap 3. Axially, the piston rod 2 is fitted with a down-locking claw 4, a stopper 9, a third spring 10, and a piston head 16, sequentially mounted from left to right. One end of the down-locking claw 4 is a flange, the outer surface of which abuts the inner wall of the first end cap 3. The other end of the down-locking claw 4 is a shaft, mounted with a first spring 7 and a down-locking floating piston 5. The end of the shaft is provided with a plurality of expandable first claws 41 arranged around a circumference. A third boss 42 is provided within the inner bore of the down-locking claw 4. The first spring 7 abuts between the flange of the down-locking claw 4 and the down-locking floating piston 5. An annular groove 51 is formed in the down-locking floating piston 5. The first lever 6 is positioned within the outer tube 1, with the distal end of the lever 6 inserted into the annular groove 51. An oil port A is provided on the side wall of the outer cylinder 1 close to the first pull rod 6 , and the oil port A is communicated with the rod cavity R.

[0026] The piston rod 2 is axially provided with a first boss 21 and a second boss 22 facing oppositely from the first boss 21. The second boss 22 is positioned near the stopper 9. The end of the piston rod 2 extending into the outer tube 1 is provided with, from left to right, a second spring 8, an uplock floating piston 11, and a locking sleeve 17. One end of the locking sleeve 17 extends into the piston rod 2 and abuts against the uplock floating piston 11. The other end of the locking sleeve 17 is positioned outside the piston rod 2, contacting and connecting the locking sleeve 17 with the outer surface of the piston head 16. The third spring 10 abuts between the stopper 9 and the piston head 16.

[0027] The locking sleeve 17 has an internal axial hole. One end of the upper-lock floating piston 11 abuts against the second spring 8. The other end of the upper-lock floating piston 11 has an insertion end 111, and a locking groove 112 is provided at the base of the insertion end 111. The insertion end 111 extends outside the locking sleeve 17. An annular locking path 171 is formed between the inner wall of the axial hole of the locking sleeve 17 and the insertion end 111. The locking path 171 is connected to the locking groove 112.

[0028] The second end cover 18 is provided with an upper locking claw 12, a guide member 13 and a second pull rod 14. The upper locking claw 12 is circumferentially provided with a plurality of retractable second claws 121. The second claw 121 extends into the rodless cavity F. One end of the guide member 13 is arranged toward the rodless cavity F, and the other end of the guide member 13 is connected to the inner wall of the second end cover 18 through the fourth spring 15. A vertical through-hole 131 is provided in the guide member 13. One end of the second pull rod 14 extends into the pull hole 131. An oil port B begins to be provided on the side wall of the second end cover 18, and the oil port B is arranged close to the second pull rod 14.

[0029] The lower lock pawl 4 flexibly engages and seals against the outer diameter of the piston rod 2. A piston head 16 and an upper lock floating piston 11 are mounted on the head of the piston rod 2. The outer diameter of the piston head 16 flexibly engages and seals against the outer cylinder 1, while the outer diameter of the upper lock floating piston 11 flexibly engages and seals against the inner bore of the piston rod 2. The axial movement of the upper lock floating piston 11 is limited and determined by a locking sleeve 17 at one end of the piston rod 2 head and a second spring 8 within the piston rod 2. The outer diameter of the lower lock floating piston 5 flexibly engages and seals against the outer cylinder 1. The axial movement of the lower lock floating piston 5 is limited and determined by a first spring 7 on its left side and a fourth boss 101 within the outer cylinder 1. Under the action of the stopper 9, the lower lock pawl 4 engages the second boss 22 on the outer wall of the piston rod 2, achieving locking. Under the action of the upper lock floating piston 11, the upper lock pawl 12 engages the locking sleeve 17 on the inner wall of the piston rod 2, achieving locking. The lower lock floating piston 5 rotates the first lever 6, outputting locking and unlocking signals. The upper lock floating piston 11 rotates the second lever 14 via a guide 13, outputting locking and unlocking signals. This device automatically locks in both the extended and retracted positions, providing real-time feedback on the locking and unlocking status via a signal output interface.

[0030] The present invention also provides a method for operating the bidirectional internal locking actuating device, comprising the following steps:

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the actuating device is in an unlocked state.

[0032] When the actuator begins to extend after full compression, oil enters the rodless chamber F of the actuator cylinder. Under the action of hydraulic pressure, the limiter 9 moves to the left along with the piston rod 2. When the first boss 21 on the outer surface of the piston rod 2 passes the first claw 41 of the lower lock claw 4, the multiple first claws 41 arranged in a circumference are forced to expand radially. The piston rod 2 continues to move forward to the left, and then the right end of the lower lock floating piston 5 pushes open the limiter 9 and compresses the third spring 10. When the force of the first spring 7 and the hydraulic oil on the lower lock floating piston 5 is less than the force of the third spring 10 on the limiter 9, the limiter 9 moves to the left under the action of the third spring 10, presses the first claw 41 of the lower lock claw 4 and pushes open the lower lock floating piston 5. The first claw 41 contracts radially and grabs the second boss 22 on the outer wall of the piston rod 2. The first claw 41 is locked by the limiter 9 and cannot move, that is, locking is achieved (such as Figure 1 As shown). The first pull rod 6 is connected to a sensor via a rotating shaft, and the lower lock floating piston 5 drives the first pull rod 6 to move and output a locking signal. When unlocking, the oil enters the rod chamber R of the actuator through the oil port A, pushing the lower lock floating piston 5 and the limiter 9 to move to the right, and the first claw 41 expands radially and exits the second boss 22 on the outer wall of the piston rod 2. The piston rod 2 is unlocked and moves to the right. The first pull rod 6 is connected to the sensor via a rotating shaft. When the lower lock floating piston 5 pushes the limiter 9 to move to the right, it also drives the first pull rod 6 to rotate and output an unlocking signal (as shown). Figure 2 shown).

[0033] When the actuator is fully extended and compressed, oil enters the rod chamber R of the actuator cylinder through port A. Under the action of the hydraulic pressure, the uplock floating piston 11 and the locking sleeve 17 move rightward along with the piston rod 2. When the locking sleeve 17 passes the second claw 121 of the uplock pawl 12, the circumferentially arranged multiple second claws 121 are forced to contract radially, sliding into the locking path 171. The piston rod 2 continues to move forward and rightward, and the right end of the uplock floating piston 11 gradually approaches and contacts the guide member 13. When the force exerted by the second spring 8 on the uplock floating piston 11 is less than the force exerted by the hydraulic oil in the rodless chamber F on the uplock floating piston 11, as well as the force exerted by the fourth spring 15 and the hydraulic oil on the guide member 13, the guide member 13 subsequently pushes the uplock floating piston 11 leftward, compressing the second spring 8. The second claw 121 of the uplock pawl 12 then moves into the lock groove 112 on the left side of the locking sleeve 17. When the hydraulic pressure of the rodless chamber F drops to a certain level, the second spring 8 pushes the upper lock floating piston 11 to continue to move to the right under the action of the hydraulic pressure. Under the action of the upper lock floating piston 11 and the lock groove 112, the second claw 121 immediately opens to the surroundings and grabs the lock sleeve 17. The second claw 121 is locked and cannot move, that is, the locking is achieved (such as Figure 3(as shown). The second lever 14 is connected to the sensor via a rotating shaft. When the upper lock floating piston 11 pushes the guide member 13 and causes the second lever 14 to rotate to a certain angle, the sensor outputs a locking signal in real time. When unlocking, oil enters the rodless chamber of the actuator through oil port B. Under the action of the fourth spring 15 and the hydraulic pressure, the guide member 13 pushes the upper lock floating piston 11 to the left. As the external load acting on the upper lock pawl 12 by the upper lock floating piston 11 and the lock groove 112 disappears, the second pawl 121 radially contracts and exits the lock groove 112. The upper lock floating piston 11 and lock sleeve 17 continue to move leftward with the piston rod 2. The guide member 13 pushes the upper lock floating piston 11 to the left while also causing the second lever 14 to rotate. The sensor outputs an unlocking signal in real time.

[0034] The present invention has the function of realizing automatic internal locking at the extended and retracted positions and providing real-time feedback of the locked and unlocked states through a signal output interface.

[0035] 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's 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. A two-way internal locking actuating device, comprising an outer cylinder (1), a first end cover (3) mounted on one end of the outer cylinder (1), a second end cover (18) mounted on the other end of the outer cylinder (1), a piston rod (2) reciprocating in the outer cylinder (1), and a piston head (16) sleeved on the end of the piston rod (2), wherein the piston rod (2) passes through the first end cover (3), the first end cover (3) is provided with an oil port A communicating with a rod chamber (R), and the second end cover (18) is provided with an oil port B communicating with a rodless chamber (F), characterized in that: The invention also includes a first pull rod (6), a second pull rod (14), a lower lock claw (4) mounted on the piston rod (2) and arranged near the first end cover (3), a lower lock floating piston (5) mounted on the lower lock claw (4), an upper lock floating piston (11) mounted inside the end of the piston rod (2) facing the rodless cavity (F), a guide member (13) mounted on the inner side of the second end cover (18), and an upper lock claw (12) mounted on the inner side of the second end cover (18); the first pull rod (6) is connected to the lower lock floating piston (5) by pulling; the second pull rod (14) is connected to the guide member (13) by pulling; the lower lock claw (4) is provided with a first claw portion (41) capable of locking on the piston rod (2), and the upper lock claw (12) is provided with a second claw portion (121) capable of locking in the upper lock floating piston (11).

2. The bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piston rod (2) is also provided with a limiter (9), and the limiter (9) is located between the lower lock floating piston (5) and the piston head (16), and a third spring (10) is provided between the limiter (9) and the piston head (16); when the first claw (41) is locked on the piston rod (2), the lower lock claw (4) is provided with an end portion of the first claw (41) extending into the limiter (9).

3. The bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the piston rod (2) is provided with a locking sleeve (17) for fixing the piston head (16) and the upper lock floating piston (11); when the second claw (121) is locked in the upper lock floating piston (11), the guide member (13) abuts against the locking sleeve (17).

4. The bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide member (13) is connected to the inner wall of the second end cover (18) via a fourth spring (15).

5. The bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer portion of the lower lock claw (4) is sheathed with a first spring (7). When the first claw (41) is locked on the piston rod (2), the lower lock floating piston (5) pushes the first spring (7) to compress, and the compressed first spring (7) abuts against the lower lock claw (4).

6. The bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second spring (8) is provided inside the piston rod (2) and contacts the upper lock floating piston (11). When the second claw (121) is locked in the upper lock floating piston (11), the second spring (8) is compressed.

7. The bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An insertion end (111) is provided in the upper lock floating piston (11), and a locking groove (112) is provided at the root of the insertion end (111); when locking, the insertion end (111) extends from the interior of the upper lock claw (12) and abuts against the guide member (13), and the second claw (121) is locked in the locking groove (112).

8. The bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piston rod (2) is provided with a first boss (21) and a second boss (22) facing opposite to the first boss (21) in the axial direction, and the second boss (22) is adapted to the first claw portion (41).

9. A method for operating the bidirectional internal locking actuating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: include: The actuator is in unlocked state; When the actuator is fully compressed and extended, the oil enters the rodless chamber (F) through the B oil port, and under the action of the hydraulic pressure, pushes the piston head (16) and the piston rod (2) to move to the left; during the movement of the piston rod (2), the first claw (41) of the lower lock claw (4) is stretched open until the first claw (41) is locked on the piston rod (2), thereby achieving locking; at this time, the lower lock floating piston (5) pushes the first pull rod (6) to rotate a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the first pull rod (6) through the rotating shaft outputs a locking signal; When the actuator is fully extended and compressed, the oil enters the rod chamber (R) through the oil port A, and under the action of the hydraulic pressure, the piston head (16) and the piston rod (2) are pushed to the right, and the first claw (41) unlocks the piston rod (2), thereby achieving unlocking; at this time, the lower lock floating piston (5) pushes the first pull rod (6) to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the first pull rod (6) outputs an unlocking signal; the piston rod (2) continues to move right and pushes the upper lock floating piston (11) into the second claw (121) of the upper lock claw (12) until the second claw (121) is locked to the upper lock floating piston. The piston (11) is locked; at this time, the upper lock floating piston (11) pushes the guide member (13) and the second pull rod (14) to rotate a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the second pull rod (14) through the rotating shaft outputs a locking signal; the oil enters the rodless chamber (F) through the B oil port, and under the action of the hydraulic pressure, pushes the piston head (16) and the piston rod (2) to move to the left, so that the second claw (121) is disengaged from the upper lock floating piston (11), the guide member (13) is reset to drive the second pull rod (14) to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the second pull rod (14) outputs an unlocking signal.

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