Bidirectional internal locking actuating device and method

Abstract

This invention provides a bidirectional internal locking actuation device and method. The bidirectional internal locking actuation device includes an outer cylinder, a first end cover, a second end cover, a piston rod, a piston head, a first pull rod, a second pull rod, a lower locking pawl, a lower locking floating piston, an upper locking floating piston, a guide member, and an upper locking pawl. The piston rod extends from the first end cover, which has an A port communicating with the rod chamber. The second end cover has a B port communicating with the rodless chamber. The first pull rod is movably connected to the lower locking floating piston. The second pull rod is movably connected to the guide member. The lower locking pawl has a first pawl portion capable of locking onto the piston rod, and the upper locking pawl has a second pawl portion capable of locking onto the upper locking floating piston. This invention simultaneously satisfies the internal locking requirement of the landing gear retraction and extension actuation cylinder during landing gear retraction and extension locking, which is of great significance for improving the safety, reliability, and intelligence level of the landing gear system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, and in particular to a bidirectional internal locking actuation device and method, which is applied to the deployment and retraction systems of aerospace and other engineering equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In modern aviation, aerospace, and marine equipment, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators are widely used in control and drive systems. These actuators typically require locking in specific positions to ensure stability and safety. Traditional actuators employ a unidirectional locking mechanism, providing locking functionality only in one direction and lacking real-time output of lock and unlock signals. However, in certain specific applications, actuators need to be able to lock in both directions and output lock and unlock signals promptly. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is: a bidirectional internal locking actuation device, comprising an outer cylinder, a first end cap installed at one end of the outer cylinder, a second end cap installed at the other end of the outer cylinder, a piston rod reciprocating in the outer cylinder, a piston head fitted on the end of the piston rod, a first pull rod, a second pull rod, a lower locking claw fitted on the piston rod and disposed near the first end cap, a lower locking floating piston fitted on the lower locking claw, an upper locking floating piston installed inside the end of the piston rod facing the rodless cavity, and a piston head installed on the first end cap. The guide member on the inner side of the two end caps and the upper lock claw installed on the inner side of the second end cap; the piston rod passes through the first end cap, the first end cap is provided with an oil port A communicating with the rod chamber, the second end cap is provided with an oil port B communicating with the rodless chamber, the first pull rod is movably connected to the lower lock floating piston; the second pull rod is movably connected to the guide member; the lower lock claw is provided with a first claw portion that can be locked onto the piston rod, and the upper lock claw is provided with a second claw portion that can be locked into the upper lock floating piston.

[0005] Preferably, the piston rod is also fitted 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 onto the piston rod, the end of the lower lock pawl with the first claw extends 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 locking floating piston; when the second claw is locked in the upper locking floating piston, the guide abuts against the locking sleeve.

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

[0008] Preferably, a first spring is fitted around the lower lock claw. When the first claw is locked onto 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, the piston rod is provided with a second spring that abuts against the upper lock floating piston. When the second claw is locked in the upper lock floating piston, the second spring is compressed.

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

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

[0013] The actuator is in an unlocked state;

[0014] When the actuator is fully compressed and extended, the oil enters the rodless chamber through port B. Under the action of hydraulic pressure, the piston head and piston rod are pushed to the left. During the movement of the piston rod, the first claw of the lower lock claw is opened until the first claw is locked onto the piston rod, thus achieving locking. At this time, the lower lock floating piston pushes the first lever to rotate at a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the first lever through the rotating shaft outputs a locking signal.

[0015] When the actuator is fully extended and compressed, oil enters the rod chamber through port A. Under hydraulic pressure, it pushes the piston head and piston rod to the right, and the first claw unlocks the piston rod, thus unlocking. At this time, the lower lock floating piston pushes the first lever to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the first lever outputs an unlocking signal. The piston rod continues to move to the right, pushing the upper lock floating piston into the second claw of the upper lock pawl until the second claw is locked in the upper lock floating piston, thus locking. At this time, the upper lock floating piston pushes the guide and the second lever to rotate at a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the second lever through the rotating shaft outputs a locking signal. Oil enters the rodless chamber through port B. Under hydraulic pressure, it pushes the piston head and piston rod to the left, causing the second claw to disengage from the upper lock floating piston. The guide resets, driving the second lever to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the second lever outputs an unlocking signal.

[0016] Compared with related technologies, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] I. This invention features automatic internal locking at both the extended and retracted positions, and provides real-time feedback on the locking and unlocking status via a signal output interface, thereby improving the system's security, reliability, and intelligence. It can be widely applied to aerospace and other engineering equipment deployment and retraction systems.

[0018] Second, the present invention provides a simple and reliable method to meet the internal locking requirements when the landing gear is retracted and lowered, ensuring a compact structure, improving the reliability of the landing gear and cabin door (panel) retraction and lowering, and overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the bidirectional internal locking actuation device provided by the present invention and the locking of the lower lock;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the result of the bidirectional internal locking actuation device provided by the present invention not being locked.

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

[0022] In the attached diagram: 1. Outer cylinder; 101. Fourth boss; 2. Piston rod; 21. First boss; 22. Second boss; 3. First end cap; 4. Lower lock claw; 41. First claw portion; 42. Third boss; 5. Lower lock floating piston; 51. Annular 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 portion; 13. Guide; 131. Pull hole; 14. Second pull rod; 15. Fourth spring; 16. Piston head; 17. Lock sleeve; 171. Locking channel; 18. Second end cap; R. Rod chamber; F. Rodless chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other. For ease of description, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" used below only indicate that they correspond to the upper, lower, left, and right directions in the accompanying drawings and do not limit the structure.

[0024] like Figure 1As shown, the bidirectional internal locking actuation device provided in this embodiment includes an outer cylinder 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 lock sleeve 17, and a second end cover 18.

[0025] The first end cap 3 covers one end of the outer cylinder 1, and the second end cap 18 covers the other end of the outer cylinder 1. The piston rod 2 extends into the first end cap 3. A lower locking claw 4, a limiter 9, a third spring 10, and a piston head 16 are sequentially mounted on the piston rod 2 from left to right along its axial direction. One end of the lower locking claw 4 is a flange, the outer surface of which abuts against the inner wall of the first end cap 3. The other end of the lower locking claw 4 is a shaft, on which a first spring 7 and a lower locking floating piston 5 are mounted. The end of the shaft has multiple circumferentially arranged, openable first claw portions 41. A third boss 42 is provided in the inner hole of the lower locking claw 4. The first spring 7 abuts between the flange of the lower locking claw 4 and the lower locking floating piston 5. The lower locking floating piston 5 has an annular groove 51, and the first pull rod 6 is placed in the outer cylinder 1, with the end of the first pull rod 6 inserted into the annular groove 51. The outer cylinder 1 has an oil port A on its side wall near the first pull rod 6, and the oil port A is connected to the rod cavity R.

[0026] The piston rod 2 has a first boss 21 and a second boss 22 facing opposite directions to the first boss 21 along its axial direction. The second boss 22 is located near the limiter 9. From left to right, a second spring 8, an upper locking floating piston 11, and a locking sleeve 17 are sequentially arranged inside the end of the piston rod 2 that extends into the outer cylinder 1. One end of the locking sleeve 17 extends into the piston rod 2 and abuts against the upper locking floating piston 11, while the other end of the locking sleeve 17 is located outside the piston rod 2, allowing the locking sleeve 17 to contact and connect with the outer surface of the piston head 16. The third spring 10 abuts between the limiter 9 and the piston head 16.

[0027] The locking sleeve 17 has an internal shaft hole. One end of the upper locking floating piston 11 abuts against the second spring 8, and the other end of the upper locking floating piston 11 has an insertion end 111. A locking groove 112 is provided at the root of the insertion end 111. The insertion end 111 extends to the outside of the locking sleeve 17. An annular locking channel 171 is formed between the inner wall of the shaft hole of the locking sleeve 17 and the insertion end 111, and the locking channel 171 communicates with the locking groove 112.

[0028] The second end cap 18 is provided with an upper locking claw 12, a guide 13, and a second pull rod 14. The upper locking claw 12 has multiple retractable second claw portions 121 arranged circumferentially. The second claw portions 121 extend into the rodless cavity F. One end of the guide 13 faces the rodless cavity F, and the other end of the guide 13 is connected to the inner wall of the second end cap 18 via a fourth spring 15. The guide 13 has a vertically penetrating pull hole 131. One end of the second pull rod 14 extends into the pull hole 131. A B-type oil port is located on the side wall of the second end cap 18, close to the second pull rod 14.

[0029] The lower locking claw 4 is movably engaged with and sealed to the outer circumference of the piston rod 2. A piston head 16 and an upper locking floating piston 11 are mounted on the head of the piston rod 2. The outer circumference of the piston head 16 is movably engaged with and sealed to the outer cylinder 1, and the outer circumference of the upper locking floating piston 11 is movably engaged with and sealed to the inner hole of the piston rod 2. The axial movement range of the upper locking floating piston 11 is limited and determined by the locking sleeve 17 at one end of the piston rod 2 head and the second spring 8 inside the piston rod 2. The outer circumference of the lower locking floating piston 5 is movably engaged with and sealed to the outer cylinder 1. The axial movement range of the lower locking floating piston 5 is limited and determined by the first spring 7 on its left side and the fourth boss 101 inside the outer cylinder 1. The lower locking claw 4, under the action of the limiter 9, grips the second boss 22 on the outer wall of the piston rod 2 to achieve locking. The upper locking claw 12, under the action of the upper locking floating piston 11, grips the locking sleeve 17 on the inner wall of the piston rod 2 to achieve locking. The lower lock floating piston 5 drives the first lever 6 to rotate, outputting lock and unlock signals. The upper lock floating piston 11 drives the second lever 14 to rotate via the guide 13, outputting lock and unlock signals. This invention has the function of automatically locking internally in the extended and retracted positions, and providing real-time feedback on the lock and unlock status through a signal output interface.

[0030] The present invention also provides a method for operating the above-mentioned bidirectional internal locking actuation 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 during full compression, hydraulic fluid enters the rodless chamber F of the actuator cylinder. Under hydraulic pressure, the limiter 9 moves to the left along with the piston rod 2. When the first protrusion 21 on the outer surface of the piston rod 2 passes the first claw portion 41 of the lower locking claw 4, the multiple circumferentially arranged first claw portions 41 are forced to expand radially. The piston rod 2 continues to move forward to the left, and then the right end of the lower locking floating piston 5 pushes open the limiter 9 and compresses the third spring 10. When the force of the first spring 7 and hydraulic oil acting on the lower locking floating piston 5 is less than the force of the third spring 10 acting on the limiter 9, the limiter 9 moves to the left under the action of the third spring 10, pressing down on the first claw portion 41 of the lower locking claw 4 and pushing open the lower locking floating piston 5. The first claw portion 41 contracts radially and grabs the second protrusion 22 on the outer wall of the piston rod 2. The first claw portion 41 is locked by the limiter 9 and cannot move, thus achieving locking (as shown in the image). Figure 1 (As shown). The first lever 6 is connected to a sensor via a rotating shaft. The lower lock floating piston 5 drives the first lever 6 to move and outputs a locking signal. When unlocking, oil enters the rod chamber R of the actuator cylinder through oil port A, pushing the lower lock floating piston 5 and the limiter 9 to move to the right. The first claw 41 expands radially and exits the second protrusion 22 on the outer wall of the piston rod 2, and the piston rod 2 unlocks and moves to the right. The first lever 6 is connected to the sensor via a rotating shaft. While the lower lock floating piston 5 pushes the limiter 9 to move to the right, it also drives the first lever 6 to rotate and outputs an unlocking signal (as shown). Figure 2 (As shown).

[0033] When the actuating device is fully extended and compressed, oil enters the rod chamber R of the actuating cylinder through oil port A. Under hydraulic action, the upper lock floating piston 11 and the locking sleeve 17 move to the right with the piston rod 2. When the locking sleeve 17 passes the second claw portion 121 of the upper lock pawl 12, the multiple circumferentially arranged second claw portions 121 are forced to contract radially, and the second claw portions 121 slide into the locking channel 171. The piston rod 2 continues to move forward and to the right, and the right end of the upper lock floating piston 11 gradually approaches and contacts the guide member 13. When the force of the second spring 8 acting on the upper lock floating piston 11 is less than the force of the hydraulic oil in the rodless chamber F acting on the upper lock floating piston 11, and the force of the fourth spring 15 and the hydraulic oil acting on the guide member 13, the guide member 13 then pushes the upper lock floating piston 11 to the left and compresses the second spring 8. The second claw portion 121 of the upper lock pawl 12 then moves into the locking groove 112 located on the left side of the locking sleeve 17. When the hydraulic pressure in the rodless chamber F drops to a certain level, the second spring 8, under the action of hydraulic pressure, pushes the upper lock floating piston 11 to continue moving to the right. Under the action of the upper lock floating piston 11 and the lock groove 112, the second claw 121 immediately opens to all sides and grabs the lock sleeve 17. The second claw 121 is locked and cannot move, thus achieving locking (e.g. 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 13 and drives the second lever 14 to rotate to a certain angle, the sensor will output 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 hydraulic pressure, the guide 13 pushes the upper lock floating piston 11 to move to the left. Since the external load on the upper lock claw 12 caused by the upper lock floating piston 11 and the lock groove 112 disappears, the second claw 121 retracts radially and exits the lock groove 112. The upper lock floating piston 11 and the lock sleeve 17 continue to move to the left with the piston rod 2. At the same time, the guide 13 pushes the upper lock floating piston 11 to move to the left, which also drives the second lever 14 to rotate. The sensor outputs an unlocking signal in real time.

[0034] This invention features automatic internal locking in both extended and retracted positions, and provides real-time feedback on the locking and unlocking status via a signal output interface.

[0035] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bidirectional internal locking actuation device, comprising an outer cylinder (1), a first end cap (3) installed at one end of the outer cylinder (1), a second end cap (18) installed at the other end of the outer cylinder (1), a piston rod (2) reciprocating in the outer cylinder (1), and a piston head (16) fitted onto the end of the piston rod (2), wherein the piston rod (2) extends through the first end cap (3), the first end cap (3) is provided with an A port communicating with a rod chamber (R), and the second end cap (18) is provided with a B port communicating with a rodless chamber (F), characterized in that, It also includes a first pull rod (6), a second pull rod (14), a lower locking claw (4) fitted on the piston rod (2) and located near the first end cover (3), a lower locking floating piston (5) fitted on the lower locking claw (4), an upper locking floating piston (11) installed inside the end of the piston rod (2) facing the rodless cavity (F), a guide (13) installed on the inner side of the second end cover (18), and an upper locking claw (12) installed on the inner side of the second end cover (18); the first pull rod (6) is pulled connected to the lower locking floating piston (5); the second pull rod (14) is pulled connected to the guide (13); the lower locking claw (4) is provided with a first claw portion (41) that can be locked on the piston rod (2), and the upper locking claw (12) is provided with a second claw portion (121) that can be locked in the upper locking floating piston (11). The piston rod (2) is also fitted with a limiter (9), which is located between the lower locking floating piston (5) and the piston head (16). 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 end of the first claw (41) of the lower locking claw (4) extends into the limiter (9). A second spring (8) is provided inside the piston rod (2) to abut against the upper locking floating piston (11). When the second claw (121) is locked in the upper locking floating piston (11), the second spring (8) is compressed.

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

3. The bidirectional internal locking actuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide (13) is connected to the inner wall of the second end cap (18) by a fourth spring (15).

4. The bidirectional internal locking actuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower locking claw (4) is fitted with a first spring (7). When the first claw (41) is locked onto the piston rod (2), the lower locking floating piston (5) pushes the first spring (7) to compress, and the compressed first spring (7) abuts against the lower locking claw (4).

5. The bidirectional internal locking actuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper lock floating piston (11) is provided with an insertion end (111), and the root of the insertion end (111) is provided with a lock groove (112); when locked, the insertion end (111) extends into the upper lock claw (12) and abuts against the guide (13), and the second claw (121) is locked in the lock groove (112).

6. The bidirectional internal locking actuation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston rod (2) has a first boss (21) and a second boss (22) facing opposite to the first boss (21) in the axial direction. The second boss (22) is adapted to the first claw (41).

7. A method of operating the bidirectional internal locking actuation device as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: The actuator is in an unlocked state; When the actuator is fully compressed and extended, the oil enters the rodless chamber (F) through port B. Under the action of hydraulic pressure, the piston head (16) and piston rod (2) are pushed to the left. During the movement of the piston rod (2), the first claw (41) of the lower lock claw (4) is opened until the first claw (41) is locked on the piston rod (2) to achieve locking. At this time, the lower lock floating piston (5) pushes the first pull rod (6) to rotate at a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the first pull rod (6) through the rotating shaft outputs the locking signal. When the actuator is fully extended and compressed, the oil enters the rod chamber (R) through port A. Under hydraulic pressure, it pushes the piston head (16) and piston rod (2) to move to the right. The first claw (41) unlocks the piston rod (2), thus unlocking. At this time, the lower lock floating piston (5) pushes the first lever (6) to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the first lever (6) outputs an unlocking signal. The piston rod (2) continues to move to the right, pushing the upper lock floating piston (11) to extend into the second claw (121) of the upper lock pawl (12) until the second claw (121) locks the upper lock floating piston. In the piston (11), locking is achieved; at this time, the upper lock floating piston (11) pushes the guide (13) and the second lever (14) to rotate at a certain angle, and the sensor connected to the second lever (14) through the rotating shaft outputs the locking signal; the oil enters the rodless chamber (F) through the B oil port, and under the action of hydraulic pressure, pushes the piston head (16) and 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 (13) resets and drives the second lever (14) to rotate in the opposite direction, and the sensor connected to the second lever (14) outputs the unlocking signal.

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