Catapult

Abstract

A catapult comprises a first catapulting device and a catapulting carrier, the catapulting carrier is used for loading a machine body to be catapulted, one end of the catapulting carrier extends into the first catapulting device and can slide in the first catapulting device, the first catapulting device comprises a spring part and a guiding assembly, the spring part is used for providing mechanical energy, and the guiding assembly is used for guiding the catapulting carrier to slide in the first catapulting device. And the guide assembly is used for providing sliding guide for the ejection carrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of catapult technology, and in particular to a catapult. Background Technology

[0002] Catapult launch is a launch method for aircraft and spacecraft, and is also commonly used in small fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Specifically, it refers to using various means to generate mechanical energy to accelerate the aircraft along a limited trajectory to a safe takeoff speed and enter a predetermined flight path. Catapult systems typically need to possess maneuverability, stability, and continuous launch capability. However, currently common catapult systems have many problems. For example, traditional hydraulic and pneumatic catapult systems occupy a large area and are difficult to deploy and retract; traditional rocket booster systems are very complex to control and adjust and have poor reusability; and the cost of these traditional catapult systems is generally high. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a catapult that generates mechanical energy at low cost to launch a flying aircraft. It includes a first catapult device and a catapult carrier. The catapult carrier is used to load the aircraft to be launched. One end of the catapult carrier extends into the first catapult device and can slide within the first catapult device. The first catapult device includes a spring part and a guide assembly. The spring part is used to provide mechanical energy to launch the catapult carrier, and the guide assembly is used to provide sliding guidance for the catapult carrier.

[0004] Furthermore, the spring portion includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end of the spring portion is integrally connected to the guide assembly. The second end of the spring portion is used to abut against the ejector carrier. The spring portion can store elastic force when the second end of the spring portion approaches the first end of the spring portion. The spring portion can also release elastic force to push the ejector carrier away from the first end of the spring portion along the guide assembly.

[0005] Furthermore, the spring portion includes a first conical segment and a second conical segment. The first conical segment includes a first wide portion and a first narrow portion, and the diameter of the first conical segment gradually decreases from the first wide portion to the first narrow portion. The second conical segment includes a second wide portion and a second narrow portion, and the diameter of the second conical segment gradually decreases from the second wide portion to the second narrow portion. The first narrow portion and the second narrow portion are integrated.

[0006] Furthermore, when the first conical segment is pressed together along its length, it forms a single-layer disc-shaped structure.

[0007] Furthermore, the guide assembly includes a mounting base, a guide ring, and a support column. The mounting base is located at the first end of the spring portion and the spring portion is fixedly connected. The guide ring is sleeved on the outside of the ejector carrier, and the ejector carrier can slide relative to the guide ring within the guide ring. The support column is connected between the mounting base and the guide ring.

[0008] Furthermore, the ejection carrier includes a main body and a loading guide rail. The main body extends into the first ejection device and can slide within the first ejection device. The loading guide rail is disposed on the upper surface of the main body and extends along the length direction of the main body. The loading guide rail is used to load the body to be ejected.

[0009] Furthermore, the ejection carrier also includes a baffle plate, which protrudes from the upper surface of the main body and the rear of the ejection body. The baffle plate is used to abut against the rear end of the ejection body to prevent the ejection body from sliding backward.

[0010] Furthermore, the ejector carrier also includes a connecting boss, which protrudes from the main body on the side facing the spring portion, and the connecting boss is used to abut and position itself against the spring portion.

[0011] Furthermore, the ejection carrier also includes a magnetic attraction device disposed within the main body. The magnetic attraction device is used to attract the object to be ejected onto the ejection carrier, and the magnetic attraction device is also used to release the attraction between the ejection carrier and the object to be ejected.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a locking device disposed on the first ejection device, the locking device being used to lock the ejection carrier at a set position on the first ejection device, or to unlock the ejection carrier from the first ejection device.

[0013] The catapult provided by this utility model provides mechanical energy to the catapult carrier through a spring part that stores and releases elastic force. This utility model also provides sliding guidance to the catapult carrier through a guide assembly, so as to eject and separate the catapult body with a small disturbance angular velocity, making the direction of the catapult body accurate when ejected. The structure is simple and the cost is low. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the catapult provided by this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the spring part and guide assembly in this utility model.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the catapult carrier in this utility model.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first conical segment in this utility model.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first conical segment being pressed together in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this utility model in order to achieve the intended purpose of the invention, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0020] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., in the specification and claims of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0021] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The catapult provided by this utility model includes a first catapult device 2 and a catapult carrier 1. The catapult carrier 1 is used to load the aircraft to be catapulted. One end of the catapult carrier 1 extends into the first catapult device 2 and can slide within the first catapult device 2. The first catapult device 2 includes a spring part 21 for storing and / or releasing elastic force and a guide assembly 22 for providing sliding guidance for the catapult carrier 1. Specifically, in this embodiment, the aircraft to be catapulted can be various types of aircraft that can carry vehicles, such as drones, spacecraft, etc. The spring part 21 includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end of the spring part 21 is fixedly connected to the guide assembly 22, and the second end of the spring part 21 is used to abut against the catapult carrier 1. The spring part 21 can store elastic force when the second end of the spring part 21 is close to the first end of the spring part 21. The spring part 21 can also release elastic force to push the catapult carrier 1 away from the first end of the spring part 21 along the guide assembly 22. More specifically, when the spring section 21 is compressed and stores elastic force, the ejector carrier 1 approaches the first end of the spring section 21; when the spring section 21 returns to its original position and releases elastic force, the ejector carrier 1 is pushed away from the first end of the spring section 21. This invention provides mechanical energy to the ejector carrier 1 through the spring section 21 that stores and releases elastic force. Furthermore, this invention provides sliding guidance for the ejector carrier 1 through the guide assembly 22, enabling the ejection of the target body with a relatively small disturbance angular velocity, resulting in precise ejection direction, a simplified structure, and lower cost.

[0022] Please refer to the following: Figure 4Furthermore, the spring portion 21 includes a first conical segment 211 and a second conical segment 212. The first conical segment 211 includes a first wide portion 211a and a first narrow portion 211b, the diameter of which gradually decreases from the first wide portion 211a to the first narrow portion 211b. The second conical segment 212 includes a second wide portion 212a and a second narrow portion 212b, the diameter of which gradually decreases from the second wide portion 212a to the second narrow portion 212b. The first narrow portion 211b and the second narrow portion 212b are integrally connected. The first wide portion 211a is located at the first end of the spring portion 21, the first narrow portion 211b and the second narrow portion 212b are located in the middle of the spring portion 21, and the second wide portion 212a is located at the second end of the spring portion 21. Specifically, in this embodiment, two spring sections 21 are arranged side by side within the first ejection device 2. Each spring section 21 is a double-conical helical spring, meaning the first conical segment 211 and the second conical segment 212 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the midpoint of the spring section 21. They form an hourglass-shaped structure with two narrow sections connected and two wide sections located at both ends. The first wide section 211a abuts against the guide assembly 22, and the second wide section 212a abuts against the ejection carrier 1. The double-conical helical spring composed of the first conical segment 211 and the second conical segment 212 has strong lateral stability. Furthermore, it exhibits different characteristic curves before and after the second wide section 212a contacts the ejection carrier 1. Specifically, after the second wide section 212a contacts the ejection carrier 1, as the spring section 21 is compressed and shortened, the effective number of coils of the spring section 21 gradually decreases, and the spring stiffness gradually increases, thereby effectively reducing the occurrence of spring resonance. Please refer to [further details omitted]. Figure 5 , Figure 5 The diagram shows the shape of the first conical segment 211 after compression in this embodiment. Its interior is a first narrow portion 211b, and its exterior is a first wide portion 211a. When the first conical segment 211 is compressed along its length, it forms a single-layer disc-shaped structure. In this embodiment, R2 is the diameter of the first wide portion 211a, R1 is the diameter of the first narrow portion 211b, and d' is the pitch when the first conical segment 211 is compressed. The condition R2-R1>nd, i.e., d'=0, is satisfied so that the fully compressed first conical segment 211 forms a single-layer disc-shaped structure, making the spring portion 21 more compact and increasing the effective volume of the catapult.

[0023] Furthermore, the guide assembly 22 in this utility model includes a mounting base 221, a support column 223, and a guide ring 222. The mounting base 221 is located at the first end of the spring part 21 and is fixedly connected to the first wide part 211a. The guide ring 222 is sleeved on the outside of the ejector carrier 1, and the ejector carrier 1 can slide relative to the guide ring 222 inside the guide ring 222. The support column 223 is disposed between the mounting base 221 and the guide ring 222 and is fixedly connected to the mounting base 221 and the guide ring 222 respectively. Specifically, in this embodiment, the mounting base 221, support columns 223, and guide ring 222 are fixedly connected. The mounting base 221 is fixedly connected to the first wide portion 211a. When the spring portion 21 is compressed and the ejector carrier 1 approaches the mounting base 221, the guide ring 222 is sleeved on the outside of the ejector carrier 1 to prevent the ejector carrier 1 from detaching from the first ejection device 2. The ejector carrier 1 can slide relative to the guide ring 222 when the spring portion 21 releases its elastic force until it detaches from the guide ring 222. In other words, the guide ring 222 provides sliding guidance for the ejector carrier 1. More specifically, in this embodiment, the mounting base 221 is a rectangular solid plate structure, and the guide ring 222 is a rectangular ring structure. Four support columns 223 are respectively provided at the four corners of the mounting base 221 and fixedly connected to the four corners of the ring-shaped guide ring 222.

[0024] Furthermore, the ejector in this utility model also includes a locking device 3, which is disposed on the first ejector device 2. The locking device 3 is used to lock the ejector carrier 1 at a set position on the first ejector device 2, or to unlock the ejector carrier 1 from the first ejector device 2. Specifically, the locking device 3 is disposed on the guide ring 222, and is used to lock the first ejector device 2 and the ejector carrier 1, so that the ejector carrier 1 cannot slide relative to the guide assembly 22. In other preferred embodiments of this utility model, the locking device 3 is an electromagnetic lock mechanism with signal transmission and reception functions. The locking device 3 includes a relay, an electromagnetic lock body, and an electromagnetic lock core. The relay is used to control the electromagnetic lock body, and the electromagnetic lock body is used to lock or release the electromagnetic lock core. One of the electromagnetic lock body and the electromagnetic lock core is disposed on the ejector carrier 1, and the other of the electromagnetic lock body and the electromagnetic lock core is disposed on the guide ring 222. The electromagnetic lock core locks the ejector carrier 1 and the first ejector device 2 relative to each other by locking relative to the electromagnetic lock body. When the locking device 3 is locked, the ejector carrier 1 is located near the mounting base 221, and the spring part 21 is compressed and stores elastic force. When the locking device 3 is unlocked, the spring part 21 returns to its original state, releasing the elastic force, and the ejector carrier 1 is pushed away from the mounting base 221. Furthermore, since the locking device 3 in this embodiment is configured as an electromagnetic lock mechanism with signal transmission and reception functions, the connection and disconnection between the electromagnetic lock body and the electromagnetic lock core can be controlled remotely or via a wired button. This utility model achieves ejection control of the first ejection device 2 through the locking device 3, thus realizing electronic control of the ejection of the machine body to be ejected. The combination of the electromagnetic lock body and the electromagnetic lock core effectively reduces the motion interference of the mechanical lock device on the ejector carrier 1 during the unlocking process, resulting in a good ejection effect. In addition, the electromagnetic lock body and the electromagnetic lock core are also easy to reuse multiple times, making it easy to use the same ejector carrier 1 to eject multiple machines to be ejected multiple times.

[0025] Furthermore, the ejection carrier 1 of this utility model includes a main body 11, a loading guide rail 12, a baffle 13, a connecting boss 14, and a magnetic suction device. The main body 11 extends into the first ejection device 2 and can slide within the first ejection device 2. The loading guide rail 12 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 11. The loading guide rail 12 is used to load the ejection body, allowing the ejection body to slide along the length direction of the loading guide rail 12. The baffle 13 protrudes from the upper surface of the main body 11 and abuts against the ejection body, limiting the ejection body along the length direction of the loading guide rail 12 and preventing the ejection body from sliding along the length direction of the main body 11. The connecting boss 14 protrudes from the side of the main body 11 facing the spring part 21 and abuts against the spring part 21. A magnetic attraction device is disposed within the main body 11. The magnetic attraction device is used to attract the ejector body to the ejection carrier 1, and also to release the attraction between the ejection carrier 1 and the ejector body. Specifically, in this embodiment, the main body 11 extends into the guide ring 222 and can slide within the guide assembly 22; the loading guide rail 12 is a groove recessed on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the main body 11 and extends along the length direction of the main body 11. The ejector body can be placed in the loading guide rail 12 and slide along the loading guide rail 12 by inertia when the ejection carrier 1 is ejected; the baffle 13 extends along the width direction of the main body 11, and by abutting against the tail end of the ejector body, it prevents the ejector body from detaching from the loading guide rail 12 along its length direction, that is, prevents the ejector body from detaching rearward; The connecting boss 14 is located on the side of the main body 11 facing the second wide portion 212a. When the connecting boss 14 abuts against the second wide portion 212a through its end face, the connecting boss 14 also extends partially into the second wide portion 212a and is positioned relative to it, compressing the first conical segment 211 and the second conical segment 212. The magnetic attraction device is used to keep the ejector carrier 1 and the ejector body relatively fixed during the sliding process. Therefore, the ejector body is also provided with a mechanism that can be attracted by the magnetic attraction device, such as a metal base. The magnetic attraction device can prevent the ejector body from detaching from the ejector carrier 1 prematurely during the sliding process. It is easy to understand that the magnetic attraction device can also be configured to lose its attraction force when the ejector carrier 1 slides to a set position. For example, the magnetic attraction device can be set as an electromagnetic attraction device based on an electromagnet, and a corresponding sensor can be set to cut off the power when the ejector carrier 1 is detected to have slid to the set position, so as to lose its electromagnetic attraction force, thereby further ensuring the ejection effect of the ejector body.

[0026] In summary, the catapult of this invention provides mechanical energy to the catapult carrier through a spring section that stores and releases elastic force. This invention also provides sliding guidance to the catapult carrier through a guide assembly, so as to eject and separate the catapult body with a small disturbance angular velocity, making the direction of the catapult body accurate when ejected. The structure is simple and the cost is low.

[0027] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A catapult, characterized in that: The device includes a first ejection device (2) and an ejection carrier (1). The ejection carrier (1) is used to load the body to be ejected. One end of the ejection carrier (1) extends into the first ejection device (2) and can slide within the first ejection device (2). The first ejection device (2) includes a spring part (21) and a guide assembly (22). The spring part (21) is used to provide mechanical energy to eject the ejection carrier (1). The guide assembly (22) is used to provide sliding guidance for the ejection carrier (1).

2. The catapult as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The spring part (21) includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end of the spring part (21) is integrally connected to the guide assembly (22). The second end of the spring part (21) is used to abut against the ejector carrier (1). The spring part (21) can store elastic force when the second end of the spring part (21) is close to the first end of the spring part (21). The spring part (21) can also release elastic force to push the ejector carrier (1) away from the first end of the spring part (21) along the guide assembly (22).

3. The catapult as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The spring section (21) includes a first conical section (211) and a second conical section (212). The first conical section (211) includes a first wide portion (211a) and a first narrow portion (211b). The diameter of the first conical section (211) gradually decreases from the first wide portion (211a) to the first narrow portion (211b). The second conical section (212) includes a second wide portion (212a) and a second narrow portion (212b). The diameter of the second conical section (212) gradually decreases from the second wide portion (212a) to the second narrow portion (212b). The first narrow portion (211b) and the second narrow portion (212b) are integrated.

4. The catapult as described in claim 3, characterized in that: When the first conical segment (211) is pressed together along its length, it forms a single-layer disc-shaped structure.

5. The catapult as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The guide assembly (22) includes a mounting base (221), a guide ring (222), and a support column (223). The mounting base (221) is located at the first end of the spring part (21) and the spring part (21) is fixedly connected. The guide ring (222) is sleeved on the outside of the ejector carrier (1). The ejector carrier (1) can slide relative to the guide ring (222) inside the guide ring (222). The support column (223) is connected between the mounting base (221) and the guide ring (222).

6. The catapult as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The ejection carrier (1) includes a main body (11) and a loading guide rail (12). The main body (11) extends into the first ejection device (2) and can slide within the first ejection device (2). The loading guide rail (12) is located on the upper surface of the main body (11) and extends along the length of the main body (11). The loading guide rail (12) is used to load the body to be ejected.

7. The catapult as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The ejection carrier (1) also includes a baffle (13), which protrudes from the upper surface of the main body (11) and behind the ejection body. The baffle (13) is used to abut against the rear end of the ejection body to prevent the ejection body from sliding backward.

8. The catapult as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The ejector carrier (1) further includes a connecting boss (14), which protrudes from the main body (11) on the side facing the spring (21) and is used to abut and position against the spring (21).

9. The catapult as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The ejection carrier (1) also includes a magnetic attraction device, which is disposed in the main body (11). The magnetic attraction device is used to attract the body to be ejected onto the ejection carrier (1). The magnetic attraction device is also used to release the attraction between the ejection carrier (1) and the body to be ejected.

10. The catapult as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a locking device (3), which is disposed on the first ejection device (2). The locking device (3) is used to lock the ejection carrier (1) at a set position on the first ejection device (2) or to unlock the ejection carrier (1) from the first ejection device (2).

Images