Hatch damper lock device

Abstract

This invention discloses a hatch door damping lock device, comprising: a damping outer box for fixing inside the hatch; a damping inner box housed within the damping outer box; a lock body installed within the damping inner box, configured to move axially relative to a first lateral outlet; a guide assembly configured to engage the damping inner box with the damping outer box; and an adjustment assembly disposed between the damping outer box and the damping inner box for actuating the damping inner box relative to the damping outer box to move axially. The adjustment assembly includes a continuous conveying member connected to the damping inner box and a driving member cooperating with the continuous conveying member, the adjustment assembly being configured to actuate the driving member, causing the continuous conveying member to move the damping inner box axially. This invention overcomes structural gaps by introducing an adjustable adjustment assembly into the hatch door lock body structure, allowing the axial position of the lock body relative to the fuselage latch seat and the damping action state to be adjustable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aircraft door locks, and more specifically, to a cabin door damping lock device. Background Technology

[0002] In existing aircraft, especially civil aircraft, transport aircraft, and business jets, the cabin door is typically closed and locked via a lock body and a latch seat located on the fuselage door frame. To accommodate manufacturing and assembly errors, structural thermal deformation, and load changes during flight, a certain structural gap is usually unavoidable between the cabin door and the door frame.

[0003] After the cabin door is closed and locked, it may be subjected to external forces such as airflow disturbances, airframe vibrations, air pressure changes, or emergency braking when the aircraft is in different operating conditions such as ground operation, takeoff, cruise, or landing. Under these external forces, if the cabin door locking structure only provides rigid constraints and lacks effective damping and buffering capabilities, the cabin door may experience high-frequency micro-displacements between the lock body and the latch seat, which may lead to rigid collisions between the cabin door and the door frame.

[0004] Long-term high-frequency collisions can lead to wear, fatigue cracks and deformation of the hatch and its frame, and may also affect the reliability of the hatch sealing structure, increase noise levels, and even cause hatch safety hazards in extreme cases.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, various damping or buffering solutions have been proposed in the prior art. For example, a spring structure can be incorporated inside the lock body to absorb some energy through elastic deformation; or hydraulic or rubber damping elements can be used to buffer the movement of the door. However, these solutions typically suffer from the following shortcomings: 1. Fixed damping parameters: The damping force is preset by parameters such as spring stiffness and hydraulic damping orifice diameter, which makes it difficult to adapt to the needs of different aircraft models, different door weights or different working conditions; 2. Inconvenient adjustment: If the damping characteristics need to be changed, it is usually necessary to replace the spring, damping components or the entire assembly, which results in high maintenance costs and complicated operation; 3. Low structural integration: Some damping structures are separated from the lock body, which limits installation space and makes it difficult to be compatible with existing door systems; 4. Lack of fine-tuning capability: It is impossible to make precise adjustments to the axial position between the lock body and the latch seat during installation or maintenance, making it difficult to eliminate the effects of manufacturing and assembly errors.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an adjustable door damping lock device that is compact, easy to adjust, has adjustable damping force, and is highly compatible with existing door locking systems, in order to improve the overall safety and reliability of aircraft door systems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main objective of this invention is to provide an adjustable hatch door damping lock device. This device introduces an adjustable adjustment component into the hatch door lock body structure, so that the axial position of the lock body relative to the fuselage latch seat and the damping state can be precisely adjusted, thereby effectively solving the problems of shaking, collision and unadjustable damping force caused by structural gaps after the hatch is locked in the prior art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an adjustable hatch damping lock device, the device comprising: a damping outer box for fixing within the hatch, the damping outer box having a first lateral outlet; a damping inner box housed within the damping outer box, the damping inner box having a second lateral outlet corresponding to the first lateral outlet; a lock body installed within the damping inner box, the lock body configured to move axially relative to the first lateral outlet; a guide assembly configured to engage the damping inner box with the damping outer box; and an adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly is disposed between the outer damping box and the inner damping box for actuating the inner damping box relative to the outer damping box to move along the axial direction; wherein the actuation assembly adjustment assembly includes a continuous conveyor fixed to the outer surface of the inner damping box and connected to the inner damping box, and a drive member disposed on the outer damping box and cooperating with the continuous conveyor; the actuation assembly adjustment assembly is configured to move the continuous conveyor along the axial direction to convey the inner damping box together with the lock body by actuating a portion of the drive member exposed outside the outer damping box from the outside.

[0009] By structurally integrating damping, locking, and adjustable mechanisms, the locking position and damping force of the hatch can be adjusted and controlled, eliminating structural clearance sway after the hatch is closed and improving the stability and safety of the hatch system under flight conditions.

[0010] By fixing the lock body to a damping inner box that can move axially, the locking position of the lock body can be adjusted as a whole with the damping inner box. By setting an adjustment component between the damping outer box and the damping inner box, the controllable axial displacement of the damping inner box relative to the outer box can be achieved, thereby realizing fine adjustment of the lock body position. This allows the device to adapt to different hatch structures, tolerances, and load conditions, and maintain a reliable locking depth under different installation tolerances and hatch states, improving locking reliability and reducing shaking caused by gaps.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the adjustment assembly includes a continuous conveyor fixed to the outer surface of the inner damping box and a drive member disposed on the outer damping box and cooperating with the continuous conveyor. The adjustment assembly is configured to cause the continuous conveyor to transport the inner damping box together with the lock body along the axial direction by externally actuating a portion of the drive member exposed outside the outer damping box.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the guide assembly is disposed on the side of the inner damping box and the outer damping box, which are different from the side where the adjusting assembly is located.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the lock body is configured to abut against a door frame mounted on the body.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the axial direction is the direction of movement of the lock body, that is, the direction perpendicular to the plane where the first lateral outlet or the second lateral outlet is located.

[0015] Preferably, the device further includes a stop member disposed on the outer damping box to restrict the movement of the drive member, thereby restricting the movement of the continuous conveyor and the inner damping box, so as to hold the lock body in the desired axial position.

[0016] By limiting the range of motion of the drive components with stop components, the damping inner box and lock body are prevented from retracting, over-adjusting or mis-adjusting, thereby ensuring that the lock body remains stable in the set position for a long time and improving the reliability and vibration resistance after adjustment.

[0017] Preferably, the guide assembly and the adjustment assembly are disposed on the left and right sides of the damping inner box.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the guide assembly includes a bump and a groove, one of the bump and the groove being disposed on the outer surface of the inner damping housing, and the other of the bump and the groove being disposed on the inner surface of the outer damping housing, the groove extending along the axial direction, and the bump being accommodated in the groove and movable along the axial direction of the groove.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the guide assembly includes a protrusion fixed to the outer surface of the inner damping housing and a corresponding groove disposed on the inner surface of the outer damping housing, the groove extending along the axial direction, the protrusion being accommodated in the groove and capable of moving along the axial direction of the groove.

[0020] The guide assembly consisting of protrusions and grooves constrains the movement direction of the damping inner box, ensuring that the damping inner box moves only along the predetermined axial direction, avoiding rotation or offset, and improving the smoothness of the adjustment process and the structural stability.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the number of the guide components is one or more.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the number of guide components is two, and the two guide components are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the damping inner box to achieve symmetrical guidance, balanced force distribution, reduce the risk of local wear, and extend the service life of the device.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the continuous conveying member is a threaded groove segment extending in the axial direction on the outer surface of the damping inner box, and the driving member is a screw that meshes with the threaded groove segment.

[0024] Preferably, the continuous conveying member is a threaded groove segment extending in the axial direction on the outer surface of the damping inner box, and the driving member is a screw that meshes with the threaded groove segment and is installed on the wall where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located.

[0025] By engaging the screw with the threaded groove, the rotational motion is stably converted into linear motion in the axial direction, enabling precise and predictable adjustment of the position of the damping inner box, which facilitates stepless adjustment control.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, each thread on the screw is a full thread, and each thread in the threaded groove is, but is not limited to, a half thread, a full thread, a 3 / 4 thread, or a 1 / 3 thread, as long as it can engage with the thread on the screw, and vice versa.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment, the thread on the screw is a rectangular thread rather than a triangular thread to avoid scratching the inner surface of the damping outer box or other internal components.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, the screw includes a rod body, a nut, and a bearing for connecting the rod body and the nut, wherein the rod body is a rod with threads on its outer peripheral surface that are adapted to the threads of the threaded groove section, the nut is installed to the wall where the first lateral outlet is located, for example by interference fit, adhesive, welding, etc., the inner ring of the bearing is rigidly connected to one end of the rod body, and the outer ring of the bearing is rigidly connected to the central opening of the nut.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the bearing is a rolling bearing, preferably a deep groove ball bearing or a thrust bearing.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment, the nut has a non-circular circumferential profile, such as an elliptical or polygonal outer circumferential shape, like a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, etc., to further restrict the rotation of the nut relative to the wall where the first lateral outlet is located; preferably, it is an equilateral polygonal shape.

[0031] The rigid connection mentioned in this application can be achieved through bonding, welding, fastener connection, etc. The specific design can be carried out by relevant technical personnel according to the actual situation when applying the technical solution disclosed in this application, and will not be described in more detail here.

[0032] By rotating the end of the rod body that is rigidly connected to the bearing, the damping inner box moves along the axial direction through the engagement of the thread on the rod body and the thread in the threaded section.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment, the threaded surface on the rod body and / or the threaded surface in the threaded segment are friction surfaces to reduce or avoid unwanted slippage of the damping inner box relative to the screw.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment, the outermost end of the rod body that is rigidly connected to the bearing is flush with or slightly extends beyond the outer surface of the wall where the first lateral outlet is located.

[0035] In another embodiment, the end of the rod body that is rigidly connected to the bearing is provided with a through hole extending in the diametrical direction. The screw includes a control rod that can pass through the through hole, and the rod body can be rotated by rotating the control rod.

[0036] Preferably, the two ends of the control rod are flexible, and at least one groove for accommodating the control rod and a central groove surrounding the rod body are provided on the outer surface of the wall where the first lateral outlet is located. When the damping inner box does not need to be adjusted, the control rod is embedded in the groove to prevent the screw from rotating accidentally or unintentionally. When the damping inner box needs to be adjusted, the flexible two ends of the control rod are lifted out of the groove, and the control rod is rotated in the central groove by grasping the two ends of the control rod.

[0037] Preferably, the through hole is a relatively long through hole in the axial direction, and at least one groove for accommodating the control rod is provided on the outer surface of the wall where the first lateral outlet is located. When the damping inner box does not need to be adjusted, the control rod moves to the inner end of the through hole and is embedded in the groove to prevent the screw from rotating accidentally or undesirably; when the damping inner box needs to be adjusted, the control rod moves to the outer end of the through hole and disengages from the groove to rotate the control rod.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment, the wall containing the first lateral outlet has a stepped groove, wherein the control rod rotates in an outer groove adjacent to the outer surface of the wall to drive the screw to rotate, and the at least one groove is a further recess away from the outer surface based on the outer groove.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment, there are multiple grooves, which are evenly distributed circumferentially to accommodate different adjustment levels.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment, the control lever cannot or can hardly rotate circumferentially relative to the through hole.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment, the control lever is connected to the wall, for example, by a link, to prevent the control lever from slipping or being lost.

[0042] In another embodiment, a dial wheel is provided on the end of the screw extending from the damping outer box. The dial wheel has multiple circumferential grooves on its outer periphery. Correspondingly, a movable lever is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located. The lever has a certain degree of freedom of movement, for example, through a hinged connection or link. The connection point between the lever and the wall surface where the first lateral outlet is located is located above the dial wheel in the vertical direction. By letting the lever fall into the groove, the dial wheel is stuck and cannot move. By lifting the lever out of the groove, the dial wheel can rotate.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment, one end of the lever is movably mounted to the wall surface of the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box by means of hinge, sleeve, ring connection or other means, and the other end of the lever can be inserted into the tooth groove to control the rotation of the dial wheel.

[0044] In another preferred embodiment, a groove is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet is located, the groove being used to accommodate the lever, such that when the dial is rotated, the lever is placed in the groove without obstructing the rotation of the dial.

[0045] In another preferred embodiment, a first screw hole is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located, the first threaded hole accommodates a first bearing, and the screw is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the first bearing at one end.

[0046] In another preferred embodiment, a second screw hole is provided on the side plate of the damping outer box opposite to the first lateral outlet. A second bearing is accommodated in the second threaded hole, and the screw is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the second bearing at the other end opposite to the first end.

[0047] By supporting the screw with double-end bearings, the axial stability of the screw is improved, avoiding bending or shaking, thereby improving the reliability of the adjustment structure in a vibration environment.

[0048] In another preferred embodiment, the screw is fixed to the inner ring of the first bearing and / or the inner ring of the second bearing by welding, bonding or interference fit.

[0049] The screw is held in place by a first bearing and an optional second bearing, such that the screw can be actuated to rotate without axial movement.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment, the threaded groove is a fully threaded groove that completely surrounds the screw.

[0051] Preferably, the fully threaded groove is disposed within an additional protrusion that protrudes and is fixed to the outer surface of the damping inner box. More preferably, an additional sliding groove is correspondingly provided on the inner surface of the damping outer box, the additional sliding groove extending along the axial direction, and a portion of the additional protrusion is accommodated in the additional sliding groove, allowing it to move along the axial direction of the additional sliding groove. The additional protrusion and the additional sliding groove together serve as the guide assembly.

[0052] In another preferred embodiment, the threaded groove is a semi-threaded groove that partially surrounds the screw.

[0053] In another preferred embodiment, the threaded groove is a straight threaded groove that engages with the screw.

[0054] By rotating the screw, which rotates but does not move axially, the threaded groove that meshes with the screw, together with the damping inner box, moves axially to control the distance between the lock body and the latch seat.

[0055] Preferably, the end of the screw extending from the damping outer box is provided with a dial wheel, the outer circumference of which is provided with multiple circumferential grooves. Correspondingly, a movable lever is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located. This lever has a certain degree of freedom of movement, for example, through a hinged connection or link. The lever is positioned above the dial wheel. By allowing the lever to fall into the grooves, the dial wheel is locked and cannot move. By lifting the lever from the grooves, the dial wheel can rotate. The dial wheel and the lever serve as the stop.

[0056] In another preferred embodiment, the dial and the screw are arranged concentrically.

[0057] In another preferred embodiment, multiple circumferential tooth grooves are evenly spaced circumferentially.

[0058] To facilitate the operator in adjusting and locking the adjustment components without disassembling the hatch structure, and to further improve the stability after adjustment, the lever is set on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located.

[0059] The free end of the lever can be arranged close to and aligned with the outer periphery of the drive unit without obstructing the first lateral outlet, so that the lever can directly interact with the drive unit in space, while avoiding interference with the axial movement path of the lock body.

[0060] In another preferred embodiment, one end of the lever is connected to the damping housing in a rotatable or elastically deformable manner, for example, by means of a pivot, hinge, elastic arm, or sheet elastic structure, thereby forming the fulcrum of the lever; the other end of the lever is positioned toward the drive member and configured to selectively engage with a toothed groove, notch, or wheel structure on the drive member.

[0061] In another preferred embodiment, the damping outer box has a lever mounting hole or lever receiving groove on the wall surface forming the first lateral outlet, along the axial direction of the first lateral outlet or adjacent to the rotation axis of the drive member. The lever is mounted on the damping outer box through the lever mounting hole or lever receiving groove and is capable of swinging or elastic displacement relative to the damping outer box.

[0062] In some embodiments, the lever extends partially or is flush with the wall surface perpendicular to the first lateral outlet, allowing the operator to operate the lever from the inside of the hatch or the maintenance side without entering the damping housing, thereby improving the convenience of adjustment and maintenance.

[0063] When the operator needs to adjust the adjustment component, the lever can be temporarily disengaged from the tooth groove or notch of the drive component by external force, allowing the drive component to rotate freely; after the adjustment is completed and the lever is released, the lever re-engages with the drive component under the action of gravity, thereby locking the drive component at the current angle position, and thus restricting the axial position of the damping inner box and the lock body.

[0064] By setting the lever on the wall where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located, not only can the adjustment component be reliably locked, but the space around the first lateral outlet can also be fully utilized in the structure, so that the adjustment and locking structure and the extension direction of the lock body form a compact layout, thereby avoiding additional occupation of the internal space of the hatch and improving the integration of the overall structure.

[0065] In addition, this configuration ensures that the lever is functionally independent from the lock body and the damping inner box: the lever only acts on the rotation of the drive component and does not directly bear the axial load generated by the lock body under stress, thereby reducing the stress level on the lever and improving its long-term reliability.

[0066] In another preferred embodiment, the continuous conveying member is a rack extending in the axial direction disposed on the outer surface of the first side plate, and the driving member is a gear meshing with the rack.

[0067] Preferably, the continuous conveying member is a rack extending in the axial direction on the outer surface of the damping inner box, and the driving member is a gear that meshes with the rack and is mounted to the wall of the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box.

[0068] In another preferred embodiment, a channel for accommodating the gear is provided on the wall where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located, the gear being able to rotate by being held by the channel, for example via a gear shaft and bearings.

[0069] In another preferred embodiment, the rotatable gear shaft is held by an extension wall forming the channel, and the gear is fixedly disposed about the gear shaft.

[0070] In another preferred embodiment, a first opening is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located, and a gear shaft is provided in the first opening, the gear being sleeved on the gear shaft by a gear bearing.

[0071] In another preferred embodiment, the outer ring of the gear bearing is fixedly connected to the gear, and the inner ring of the gear bearing is fixedly connected to the gear shaft.

[0072] By rotating the gear, the rack moves axially, which in turn moves the damping inner box axially to control the distance between the lock body and the latch seat.

[0073] In another preferred embodiment, a movable lever is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located. The lever has a certain degree of freedom of movement, for example, through a hinged connection or link. The connection point between the lever and the wall surface where the first lateral outlet is located is located horizontally on one side of the gear. By causing the lever to fall into the gear groove of the gear, the gear is stuck and cannot move. By lifting the lever from the gear groove, the gear can rotate.

[0074] In another preferred embodiment, one end of the lever is movably mounted to the wall surface of the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box by means of hinge, sleeve, ring connection or other means, and the other end of the lever can be inserted into the tooth groove to control the rotation of the dial wheel.

[0075] In another preferred embodiment, during the rotation of the dial, the lever can hang down naturally without interfering with the movement of the dial; during the braking of the dial, the other end of the lever is engaged in the gear groove of the gear for braking.

[0076] Preferably, in another preferred embodiment, the continuous conveyor includes a drive roller, a driven roller, and a conveyor belt arranged axially around the drive roller and the driven roller, the damping inner box portion is fixed to the conveyor belt, and the driving member is a drive gear, wherein the drive gear is coaxially and fixedly connected to the drive roller.

[0077] Preferably, the continuous conveyor includes an active roller, a driven roller, and a conveyor belt arranged axially around the active roller and the driven roller, all mounted on the outer damping box. The inner damping box is partially fixed to the conveyor belt. The driving member is a drive gear, wherein the drive gear is mounted in a channel in the wall where the first lateral outlet of the outer damping box is located and is coaxially fixedly connected to the active roller. The support shaft where both are located is held by an extension wall forming the channel.

[0078] Flexible transmission is achieved through a conveyor belt structure, reducing impact and noise, making it suitable for applications requiring high smoothness of motion.

[0079] In another preferred embodiment, a movable lever is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located. The lever has a certain degree of freedom of movement, for example, through a hinged connection or link. The connection point between the lever and the wall surface where the first lateral outlet is located is located above the drive gear in the vertical direction. By causing the lever to fall into the tooth groove of the drive gear, the drive gear is stuck and cannot move. By lifting the lever out of the tooth groove of the drive gear, the drive gear can rotate.

[0080] In another preferred embodiment, one end of the lever is movably mounted to the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located by means of hinge, sleeve, ring connection, etc., and the other end of the lever can be engaged in the tooth groove of the drive gear to control the rotation of the drive gear.

[0081] In another preferred embodiment, a groove is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet is located, the groove being used to accommodate the lever, such that when the drive gear is rotated, the lever is placed in the groove without obstructing the rotation of the gear wheel.

[0082] In another preferred embodiment, the guide assembly and the adjustment assembly are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the damping inner box, which are arranged parallel to the axial direction.

[0083] In another preferred embodiment, a second opening is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located, and a support shaft is provided in the second opening, with the drive gear sleeved on the support shaft via a drive gear bearing.

[0084] In another preferred embodiment, the outer ring of the drive gear bearing is fixedly connected to the drive gear, and the inner ring of the drive gear bearing is fixedly connected to the support shaft.

[0085] By rotating the drive gear, the active roller is driven to rotate, which in turn drives the surgical transmission belt and the driven roller to rotate, thereby causing the damping inner box to move in the axial direction, so as to control the distance between the lock body and the locking seat.

[0086] In another preferred embodiment, a movable lever is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located. The lever has a certain degree of freedom of movement, for example, through a hinged connection or link. The lever is positioned above the drive gear. By causing the lever to fall into the gear slot of the drive gear, the drive gear is stuck and cannot move. By lifting the lever from the gear slot, the drive gear can rotate.

[0087] In another preferred embodiment, the damping inner box includes a first side plate, a second side plate opposite to the first side plate, and a third side plate that connects the first side plate and the second side plate and is disposed opposite to the second lateral outlet.

[0088] In another preferred embodiment, the lock body includes a damping block and a spring, the damping block and the spring being housed in the damping inner box, one end of the spring abutting against the damping inner box, preferably the third side plate, and the other end abutting against the damping block, the damping block being configured to extend or retract through the second lateral outlet and the first lateral outlet.

[0089] The damping block and spring work together to form an elastic buffer between the lock body and the latch seat, absorbing the kinetic energy generated by airflow or vibration in the hatch and avoiding rigid collisions.

[0090] It should be noted that the term "damping block" can also be called "locking tongue".

[0091] Preferably, the damping inner box includes a fourth side plate parallel to the axial direction that connects the first side plate, the second side plate, and the third side plate.

[0092] In another preferred embodiment, the damping block and the spring are disposed in a space enclosed by the first side plate, the second side plate, the third side plate, and optionally the fourth side plate.

[0093] In another preferred embodiment, the damping outer box includes a damping box body and a damping cover.

[0094] In another preferred embodiment, the damping box and the damping cover are integrally formed.

[0095] In another preferred embodiment, the damping cover is removably fixed to the damping box body by means of bolt fastening, snap-fit ​​engagement, or other methods.

[0096] In another preferred embodiment, a spring guide is provided on the third side plate, and the spring is sleeved on the spring guide to guide the deformation direction of the spring, realize stable compression in the axial direction, prevent the spring from deflecting, and improve the consistency and repeatability of the damping force output.

[0097] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: 1. Dual Adjustable Damping and Position: The axial direction of the damping inner box and the lock body can be adjusted through the adjustment component, so that the distance between the lock body and the lock seat can be finely adjusted according to actual needs; 2. Mechanical adjustment method without replacing parts: Adjustment can be completed by rotating or turning the drive component, avoiding frequent replacement of springs or damping components and reducing maintenance costs; 3. Buffering collisions and improving safety: The damping lock provides elastic and damping buffering when the hatch is subjected to external forces, significantly reducing the risk of rigid collisions; 4. High modularity and compatibility: The damping outer box, damping inner box, and adjustment components adopt a modular design, which is easy to integrate with existing hatch structures; 5. High reliability: It adopts a purely mechanical adjustment structure and does not rely on electronic control systems, making it suitable for applications with high reliability requirements in aircraft. Attached Figure Description

[0098] For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 An exploded view of an adjustable hatch damping lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 3D view of the intermediate damping kit; Figure 3 for Figure 1 3D view of the middle damping outer box; Figure 4 An exploded view of an adjustable hatch damping lock device according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 for Figure 4 An exploded view of the adjustable hatch damping lock device from another direction; Figure 6 This is a perspective view of an adjustable hatch damping lock device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a stop portion according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a perspective view of an adjustment component portion according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1-Damping outer casing; 2-Damping kit; 3-Screw; 4-Damping box cover; 5- Bolt and nut kit; 6-Damping block; 7-Spring; 8-Spring guide; 9-Bump; 10-Threaded groove section; 11-First hole; 12-Slide groove; 13-Second hole; 14 - First side exit; 15 - Screw hole; 16 - Second side exit; 17-Damping inner box; 18-First side panel; 19-Second side panel; 20 - Third side panel; 21-Fourth side panel; 22-Additional bumps; 23-Additional slide; 24-Damping housing; 25 - Drive roller; 26 - Driven roller; 27-Conveyor belt; 28 - Drive gear; 29-Support shaft; 30-Lever; x-axis direction. Detailed Implementation

[0100] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. More details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can obviously be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions and derivations based on actual application situations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0101] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the claims and description shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application description and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as “comprising” or “including” indicate that the elements or objects preceding “comprising” or “including” encompass the elements or objects listed following “comprising” or “including” and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects.

[0102] like Figure 1-8 As shown, the adjustable door damping lock device in this embodiment is entirely installed inside the aircraft door to hold the door in place and prevent it from shaking, rather than for opening the door. It is preferably installed near the edge of the door, corresponding to the fuselage door frame latch attachment. The device mainly includes a damping outer box 1, a damping inner box 17, a lock body, and an adjustment assembly.

[0103] In actual installation, the damping outer box 1 is fixed to the reinforcing ribs or load-bearing frame inside the hatch using methods such as screws, riveting, welding, or structural adhesive bonding. For example, it is screwed or riveted to the hatch through the first hole 11, thereby ensuring that the damping outer box 1 maintains a stable position relative to the fuselage during hatch opening, closing, and flight. The first lateral outlet 14 of the damping outer box 1 is oriented towards the fuselage door frame, allowing the lock body to extend when the hatch is closed and reliably engage with the latch seat on the fuselage. Through the above structural arrangement, the damping lock device of this embodiment can be integrated with the existing hatch system without changing the original overall structural layout of the hatch, exhibiting good engineering adaptability.

[0104] The damping outer box 1, as the external load-bearing structure of this embodiment, is preferably made of metal materials (such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel or titanium alloy) or high-strength composite materials to meet the requirements of aircraft in terms of weight, strength and durability.

[0105] The outer damping housing 1 includes a damping housing body 24 and a damping housing cover 4, which are fixed together by bolts and nuts 5 passing through a second hole 13. The outer damping housing 1 has a box-like structure, with an internal mounting cavity for accommodating the inner damping housing 17. This mounting cavity allows the inner damping housing 17 to move within it in the axial direction x. The first lateral outlet 14 of the outer damping housing 1 is located on the side facing the fuselage door frame, and its size and shape match the second lateral outlet 16 of the inner damping housing 17 and the shape of the lock body, thereby ensuring that the inner damping housing 17 and the damping block 6 of the lock body are not interfered with during extension or retraction.

[0106] The inner damping box 17 is disposed inside the outer damping box 1 and engages with the outer damping box 1 in a manner movable along the axial direction x. The inner damping box 17 includes a first side plate 18, a second side plate 19, a third side plate 20, and a fourth side plate 21. The side plates enclose an internal space for accommodating the damping block 6 and the spring 7 of the lock body. Specifically, the first side plate 18 and the second side plate 19 are arranged opposite each other along the axial direction x, and the third side plate 20 connects the first side plate 18 and the second side plate 19 and is arranged opposite to the second lateral outlet 16. The fourth side plate 21 is used to connect the first side plate 18, the second side plate 19, and the third side plate 20, and is arranged parallel to the axial direction x, thereby forming an integral rigid structure.

[0107] In this embodiment, the lock body is a conventional lock body, which may include other components in addition to the damping block 6 and spring 7 housed in the damping outer box 1. The damping block 6 is preferably made of wear-resistant, high-strength material, one end of which can be inserted into and locked into the latch seat of the fuselage; the other end abuts against the spring 7. One end of the spring 7 abuts against the third side plate 20 of the damping inner box 17, and the other end abuts against the damping block 6. When the lock body is in the locked state, the spring 7 is in a compressed state, thereby applying a continuous elastic thrust to the damping block 6. With the above structure, when the hatch attempts to make a small displacement relative to the fuselage under the action of external force, the relative movement between the latch and the latch seat will be transmitted to the spring 7 through the damping block 6, causing the spring 7 to undergo elastic deformation, thereby absorbing part of the kinetic energy and playing a buffering and damping role. A spring guide 8 is provided on the third side plate 20. The spring 7 is sleeved on the spring guide 8. The spring guide 8 guides the deformation direction of the spring 7, realizes stable compression in the axial direction, prevents the spring 7 from deflecting, and improves the consistency and repeatability of the damping force output.

[0108] The inner wall of the damping outer box 1 is provided with at least one guide groove extending in the axial direction x. The guide groove cooperates with the guide protrusion 9 on the outer side of the damping inner box 17 to restrict the damping inner box 17 to move only in the axial direction x, and prevent it from rotating or tilting during axial movement.

[0109] In some embodiments, a friction damping structure may also be provided between the damping block 6 and the damping inner box 17, for example by providing a damping pad or friction layer on the contact surface to further enhance the energy dissipation effect.

[0110] An adjustment assembly is disposed between the outer damping housing 1 and the inner damping housing 17 for actuating the inner damping housing 17 relative to the outer damping housing 1 in the axial direction x along the first lateral outlet 14 and / or the second lateral outlet 16. The adjustment assembly includes a continuous conveyor fixed to the outer surface of the inner damping housing 17 and a drive member disposed on the outer damping housing 1 that cooperates with the continuous conveyor. The adjustment assembly is configured to actuate a portion of the drive member exposed outside the outer damping housing 1 from the outside, causing the continuous conveyor to transport the inner damping housing 17 along with the locking body in the axial direction x, enabling the inner damping housing 17 to move precisely in the axial direction x under the actuation of the drive member.

[0111] The adjustment component can have a variety of implementations.

[0112] In one embodiment, the adjusting component can be implemented as a threaded adjustment component. That is, the adjusting component adopts a threaded drive structure.

[0113] The adjustment assembly includes a continuous conveyor disposed on the outer surface of the inner damping housing 17 and a drive component disposed on the outer damping housing 1 that cooperates with the continuous conveyor. The continuous conveyor is a threaded groove segment 10 extending in the axial direction x, and the drive component is a screw 3 that meshes with the threaded groove segment 10.

[0114] Specifically, such as Figure 4-5 As shown, the threaded groove segment 10 can be configured as a fully threaded groove segment surrounding the screw 3, preferably formed within the additional protrusion 22 protruding and fixed to the outer surface of the damping inner box 17. Correspondingly, an additional sliding groove 23 extending in the axial direction x is provided on the inner surface of the damping outer box 1. The additional protrusion 22 is partially accommodated in the additional sliding groove 23 and can move along the axial direction of the additional sliding groove 23, thereby guiding and constraining the movement direction of the damping inner box 17 while realizing threaded transmission. The additional protrusion 22 and the additional sliding groove 23 here, together with the protrusion 9 and the sliding groove 12 mentioned above, can respectively form guide components provided on both sides of the damping inner box 17 to achieve symmetrical guidance, balanced force distribution, reduce the risk of local wear, and extend the service life of the device.

[0115] In another embodiment, the threaded groove section 10 can also be configured as a straight threaded groove section that meshes with the screw 3, such as... Figure 1-3 As shown, or a semi-threaded groove section that partially surrounds the screw 3, etc., to reduce processing difficulty or reduce assembly space occupation while meeting structural strength requirements.

[0116] Among them, the damping block 6, spring 7, spring guide 8, protrusion 9 and threaded groove section 10 are collectively referred to as damping kit 2.

[0117] In this embodiment, the screw 3 includes a rod body, a nut, and a bearing for connecting the rod body and the nut. The rod body is a rod with threads on its outer circumferential surface that are adapted to the threads of the threaded groove section 10. The nut is installed into the first screw hole 15 in the wall where the first lateral outlet 14 is located, for example, through interference fit, adhesive, welding, etc. The inner ring of the bearing is rigidly connected to one end of the rod body, and the outer ring of the bearing is rigidly connected to the central opening of the nut. Preferably, the screw 3 is rotatably supported on the damping outer box 1 via a first bearing and an optional second bearing. The first screw hole 15 accommodates the first bearing; a second screw hole is provided on the side plate of the damping outer box 1 opposite to the first lateral outlet 14, and the second screw hole accommodates the second bearing. The bearing can be a rolling bearing, preferably a deep groove ball bearing or a thrust bearing. By supporting the screw with double-end bearings, the screw 3 can rotate only without axial movement, thereby stably converting the rotational motion into the axial linear motion of the damping inner box 17. The nut has a non-circular circumferential profile, such as an elliptical or polygonal outer circumferential shape, like a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, etc., to further restrict the rotation of the nut relative to the wall where the first lateral outlet is located; preferably, it is an equilateral polygonal shape. The outermost end of the rod body, which is rigidly connected to the bearing, is flush with or slightly protrudes from the outer surface of the wall where the first lateral outlet is located, so as not to affect the opening and closing of the hatch.

[0118] Preferably, the threaded surface on the rod body and / or the threaded surface in the threaded segment are friction surfaces to reduce or avoid unwanted slippage of the damping inner box relative to the screw.

[0119] To further prevent the screw 3 from rotating unexpectedly due to vibration or external force after adjustment, a stop is provided in this embodiment.

[0120] In one embodiment, the stop is implemented as a rod body with a through hole extending diametrically through the end that is rigidly connected to the bearing. The screw includes a control rod that can pass through the through hole, and rotating the control rod causes the rod body to rotate. The control rod cannot or can hardly rotate circumferentially relative to the through hole. Preferably, the control rod is connected to a wall, for example, by a link, to prevent the control rod from slipping or being lost.

[0121] In a preferred embodiment, the two ends of the control rod are flexible, and at least one groove for accommodating the control rod and a central groove surrounding the rod body are provided on the outer surface of the wall where the first lateral outlet is located. When the damping inner box does not need to be adjusted, the control rod is embedded in the groove to prevent the screw from rotating accidentally or unintentionally. When the damping inner box needs to be adjusted, the flexible ends of the control rod are lifted out of the groove, and the control rod is rotated in the central groove by grasping the two ends of the control rod.

[0122] In another preferred embodiment, the through hole is a relatively long through-hole in the axial direction, and at least one groove for receiving a control rod is provided on the outer surface of the wall where the first lateral outlet is located. When the damping inner box does not need adjustment, the control rod moves to the inner end of the through-hole and is embedded in the groove to prevent the screw from rotating accidentally or undesirably; when the damping inner box needs adjustment, the control rod moves to the outer end of the through-hole and disengages from the groove to rotate the control rod. Preferably, the wall where the first lateral outlet is located has a stepped groove, wherein the control rod rotates in an outer groove on the outer surface adjacent to the wall to drive the screw to rotate, and the at least one groove is a further recess away from the outer surface based on the outer groove.

[0123] Preferably, there are multiple grooves, which are evenly distributed circumferentially to accommodate different adjustment levels.

[0124] In another embodiment, the stop is implemented as a dial-lever type stop.

[0125] Specifically, a dial wheel is provided at the end of the screw 3 extending out of the damping outer box 1. The dial wheel is concentrically arranged with the screw 3, and its outer circumference has multiple circumferentially evenly spaced toothed grooves. Correspondingly, a movable lever is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet 14 of the damping outer box 1 is located. The lever has a certain degree of freedom of movement, for example, through a hinged connection or link. The lever is located radially outside or above the dial wheel.

[0126] When the free end of the lever falls into the tooth groove of the dial wheel, the dial wheel is locked and cannot rotate, thereby restricting the rotation of the screw 3, and thus keeping the damping inner box 17 and the lock body in the set axial position. When the operator needs to make adjustments, the lever can be lifted out of the tooth groove by external force to restore the dial wheel to a rotatable state. After the adjustment is completed, the lever is released, and the lever re-engages with the tooth groove under the action of gravity or its own elasticity to achieve automatic locking.

[0127] The above structure achieves a high degree of integration of actuation and stop functions, allowing the lock body position to be adjusted and locked without disassembling the door structure, significantly improving the convenience of maintenance and assembly.

[0128] In another embodiment, the adjustment component may be implemented as a gear-rack type adjustment component.

[0129] The continuous conveying component is configured as a rack extending in the axial direction x, and the rack is fixed on the outer surface of the first side plate 18 of the damping inner box 17; the driving component is a gear that meshes with the rack.

[0130] Specifically, a first opening is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet 14 of the damping outer box 1 is located. A gear shaft is provided in the first opening, and the gear is sleeved on the gear shaft through a gear bearing. The outer ring of the gear bearing is fixedly connected to the gear, and the inner ring is fixedly connected to the gear shaft, so that the gear can rotate smoothly around the gear shaft. Alternatively, the gear shaft can be rotatable, for example, the gear is fixed to the support shaft 29 via a bearing, etc., as long as the rotation of the gear can be achieved.

[0131] By rotating the gear, the gear meshes with the rack, thereby moving the rack and the damping inner box 17 fixed to it along the axial direction x, thus adjusting the position of the lock body. Compared with threaded transmission, this implementation method has a more intuitive structure and higher transmission efficiency, and is suitable for applications with a large adjustment stroke or high adjustment speed requirements.

[0132] In this embodiment, a lever 30 is also provided as a stop on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet 14 of the damping outer box 1 is located. The lever 30 is configured to selectively fall into the tooth groove of the gear. When the lever 30 engages with the tooth groove, the gear is restricted from rotating, thereby fixing the rack and the damping inner box 17 in the current axial direction position. When the lever 30 is lifted, the gear returns to a rotatable state, allowing for readjustment.

[0133] In another implementation, the regulating component may be implemented as a conveyor belt regulating component, such as... Figure 6-8 As shown.

[0134] The continuous conveyor includes a drive roller 25, a driven roller 26, and a conveyor belt 28 arranged in the axial direction x, wound around the drive roller 25 and the driven roller 26. The damping inner box 17 is partially fixed to the conveyor belt 28, for example, via an intermediate connector. The driving element is a drive gear 29, which is coaxially and fixedly connected to the drive roller 25.

[0135] In this embodiment, a second opening is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet 14 of the damping outer box 1 is located. A fixed support shaft 29 is provided in the second opening. The drive gear 29 is sleeved on the support shaft 29 through a drive gear bearing, wherein the outer ring of the bearing is fixedly connected to the drive gear 29, and the inner ring is fixedly connected to the support shaft 29. By rotating the drive gear 29, the driving roller 25 is driven to rotate, which in turn drives the driven roller 26 to rotate through the conveyor belt 28, causing the damping inner box 17 fixed on the conveyor belt 28 to move in the axial direction x. Alternatively, it can be implemented such that the support shaft 29 where the drive gear 29 and the driving roller 25 are located is rotatable, for example, the drive gear 29 and the driving roller 25 are coaxially fixed on the support shaft 29 through a bearing, etc., as long as the drive gear 29 and the driving roller 25 can rotate together.

[0136] Flexible transmission is achieved through the conveyor belt 28 structure, which can effectively reduce impact and noise, improve the smoothness of the adjustment process, and is suitable for application environments with high requirements for vibration isolation and noise control.

[0137] In this embodiment, a lever 30 can also be provided on the wall where the first lateral outlet 14 is located as a stop. The lever 30 is configured to engage with the tooth groove of the drive gear 29, thereby limiting the movement of the drive roller 25 and the conveyor belt 28 by blocking the rotation of the drive gear 29, so as to stably keep the damping inner box 17 and the lock body in the set position.

[0138] During use, after installation and initial debugging, the operator can use the external operating drive to move the damping inner box 17 and the lock body along the axial direction x until the lock body and the fuselage locking seat form an ideal fit. This adjustment process does not require disassembling the hatch or replacing parts, making it convenient to operate.

[0139] Once the hatch is closed and locked, the lock body, under the action of the elastic element, applies continuous pressure to the latch seat, creating a flexible connection between the hatch and the frame. During flight, when the hatch is subjected to airflow or vibration, the lock body and damping components can absorb relative kinetic energy, thereby significantly reducing hatch sway and structural impact.

[0140] Through the aforementioned structure and operating method, the adjustable door damping lock device of the present invention not only enables fine adjustment of the door locking position but also provides effective damping and buffering in the locked state. This device is compact, flexible in adjustment, and highly reliable, making it particularly suitable for aircraft door systems with extremely high safety and stability requirements.

[0141] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hatch door damping lock device, characterized in that, The device includes: A damping outer box, the damping outer box being fixed inside the hatch, the damping outer box having a first lateral outlet; A damping inner box is housed within the damping outer box, and the damping inner box is provided with a second lateral outlet corresponding to the first lateral outlet; A lock body, the lock body being installed within the damping inner box, the lock body being configured to move axially relative to the first lateral outlet; Guide assembly, the guide assembly being configured to engage the inner damping housing to the outer damping housing; and An adjustment assembly is disposed between the outer damping box and the inner damping box for actuating the inner damping box relative to the outer damping box to move along the axial direction; wherein the adjustment assembly includes a continuous conveyor connected to the inner damping box and a drive member cooperating with the continuous conveyor, the adjustment assembly being configured to actuate the drive member such that the continuous conveyor moves the inner damping box along the axial direction.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The continuous conveying component is a threaded groove segment extending in the axial direction on the outer surface of the inner damping box, and the driving component is a screw that meshes with the threaded groove segment and is installed on the wall where the first lateral outlet of the outer damping box is located.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The screw includes a rod body, a nut, and a bearing for connecting the rod body and the nut. The rod body is a rod with threads on its outer circumferential surface that are adapted to the threads of the threaded groove section. The nut is installed on the wall where the first lateral outlet is located. The inner ring of the bearing is rigidly connected to one end of the rod body, and the outer ring of the bearing is rigidly connected to the central opening of the nut.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The continuous conveying component is a rack extending in the axial direction on the outer surface of the inner damping box, and the driving component is a gear that meshes with the rack and is mounted on the wall where the first lateral outlet of the outer damping box is located.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 4, characterized in that, A channel for accommodating the gear is provided on the wall where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located, and the gear can rotate by being held by the channel.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The continuous conveyor includes an active roller, a driven roller, and a conveyor belt arranged axially around the active roller and the driven roller, all mounted on the outer damping box. The inner damping box is partially fixed to the conveyor belt. The driving element is a drive gear, which is mounted in a channel in the wall where the first lateral outlet of the outer damping box is located and is coaxially fixedly connected to the active roller. The support shaft where both are located is held by an extension wall forming the channel.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, A movable lever is provided on the wall surface where the first lateral outlet of the damping outer box is located. The connection between the lever and the wall surface where the first lateral outlet is located is located above the drive gear in the vertical direction. By causing the lever to fall into the tooth groove of the drive gear, the drive gear is stuck and cannot move. By lifting the lever out of the tooth groove of the drive gear, the drive gear can rotate.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The guide assembly and the adjustment assembly are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the damping inner box, which are arranged parallel to the axial direction.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The lock body includes a damping block and a spring, which are housed in the damping inner box. One end of the spring abuts against the damping inner box, and the other end abuts against the damping block. The damping block is configured to extend or retract through the second lateral outlet and the first lateral outlet.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The guide assembly includes a protrusion and a groove. One of the protrusion and the groove is disposed on the outer surface of the inner damping box, and the other of the protrusion and the groove is disposed on the inner surface of the outer damping box. The groove extends along the axial direction, and the protrusion is accommodated in the groove and is movable along the axial direction of the groove.

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