Pin pulling releasing mechanism

Abstract

The utility model provides a pin pulling and releasing mechanism, which relates to the technical field of aircraft components and comprises a separating cap, a pin puller and a locking ball. The pin puller comprises a shell, a pin shaft, a plurality of wiring terminals and a plurality of terminal contact pins; an unlocking head is arranged at one end of the shell, and the separation cap is arranged on the unlocking head in a sleeving manner; the pin shaft is arranged in the shell, one end of the pin shaft is inserted into the unlocking head, and the pin shaft can move in the axial direction of the shell; a pin shaft slot is formed in the side surface of the end part, positioned in the unlocking head, of the pin shaft; the locking ball can enter the pin shaft groove position from the locking hole position when the shape memory alloy wire is electrified and contracted and presses the elastic piece. The pin pulling and releasing mechanism can be repeatedly used, the whole pin pulling and releasing mechanism is simple in structure, free of a rotary steering engine of a traditional releasing mechanism, free of control, capable of completing releasing operation only by providing an on-off power source, small in size, light in weight, high in load and suitable for various aviation aircrafts such as unmanned aerial vehicles and manned vehicles and the same type of scenes needing releasing loads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of aircraft component technology, and more specifically, to a pin release mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, release mechanisms include various methods such as pyrotechnic devices and servo motor rotation. Pyrotechnic devices are small in size but not suitable for civilian use, and cannot be reused, resulting in high costs. The release mechanisms of traditional unmanned aerial vehicles are heavy and occupy a certain amount of payload space, which makes traditional unmanned aerial vehicles large in size and weight, increasing the power cost of flight. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention addresses the problem of high costs caused by the non-reusability or large size and weight of release mechanisms.

[0004] To solve the above problems, this utility model provides a pin release mechanism.

[0005] In the first aspect, this utility model provides a pin release mechanism, including a separation cap, a pin puller, and a locking ball;

[0006] The pin puller includes a housing, a pin shaft, multiple terminals, and multiple terminal pins;

[0007] One end of the housing is provided with an unlocking head, and the other end is provided with a terminal block. The release cap is fitted onto the unlocking head. The pin is located in the housing and can move along the axial direction of the pin.

[0008] One end of the pin is fixed with multiple terminal pins, and the other end of the pin is fixed with multiple wiring terminals; an elastic element is provided between the pin and the wiring terminals, with the two ends of the elastic element abutting against the pin and the multiple wiring terminals respectively.

[0009] The unlocking head has a through hole on its side and a conductive element inside. The conductive element is in contact with one end of multiple terminal pins. The other ends of the multiple terminal pins and one end of multiple terminals are connected by shape memory alloy wires, which can retract when energized. The other ends of the multiple terminals are connected to positive or negative electricity respectively.

[0010] The separation cap is provided with a locking hole at the position corresponding to the through hole, and a locking ball is provided in the through hole and the locking hole.

[0011] The pin is located on the side of the end of the unlocking head, and a pin groove is provided; the locking ball can enter the pin groove from the locking hole when the shape memory alloy wire is energized and contracts to compress the elastic element.

[0012] Optionally, it also includes a pin release housing and a pressure cap, the pressure cap being fixed inside the housing to limit the axial movement of the pin, and the pin release housing being located between the unlocking head and the pressure cap to limit the radial position of the pin.

[0013] Optionally, it also includes an end cap, which is disposed on the end of the housing opposite to the separation cap, and has mounting holes for arranging the position of the pin inside the housing.

[0014] Optionally, threaded holes are provided at both ends of the pin for inserting screws to push and pull the pin for positioning.

[0015] Optionally, the elastic element is a spring and is sleeved on the pin.

[0016] Optionally, the pin is provided with a limiting part, which has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. One end of the elastic member abuts against the first end of the limiting part, and the other end of the elastic member extends beyond the end of the pin and abuts against the terminal block.

[0017] Optionally, it also includes a pin socket, wherein a terminal pin is disposed in the pin socket, the terminal pin passes through the pin socket, and one end of the pin socket abuts against the second end of the limiting portion.

[0018] Optionally, it also includes a terminal block, in which a wiring terminal is disposed, passing through the terminal block, and the two ends of the elastic member abut against the limiting part and the terminal block respectively.

[0019] Optionally, the through hole on the unlocking head has a tapered structure, and the opening on the outer side of the unlocking head is smaller than the opening on the inner side of the unlocking head.

[0020] Optionally, the conductive element is annular and is disposed on the end face of the unlocking head facing the terminal pin.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this utility model's pin-release mechanism are as follows: the unlocking head can also be cylindrical, with an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer shell. A through hole is provided on its side wall, and a locking ball is installed inside the through hole. One end of the pin extends into the unlocking head, and the other end is supported by an elastic element. When the pin is in the unlocked position, the side wall of the pin abuts against the locking ball to restrict the locking ball within the locking hole of the separating cap, thereby locking the separating cap with the pin puller. The two ends of the shape memory alloy wire are respectively connected to a terminal block and a terminal pin. When some terminals are connected to the positive electrode and some are connected to the negative electrode, the energized terminal pin contacts the conductive element, making the positive and negative electrodes conductive. Electrical stimulation or high-temperature stimulation of the shape memory alloy wire... The shape memory alloy wire contracts, causing the terminal pin to move towards the elastic element. This drives the pin to resist the supporting force of the elastic element, thus driving the pin to move towards the elastic element. Once the pin reaches the predetermined position, i.e., the pin slot reaches the through hole position, the locking ball loses the pressure restriction of the pin and falls into the pin slot from the locking hole. Then, the locking ball releases the restriction on the release cap 1, i.e., the unlocking head unlocks and releases the release cap, completing the release action. At this time, the terminal pin has separated from the conductive element, causing the electrical circuit to break. Simultaneously, the shape memory alloy wire, due to its "memory" function, naturally unfolds and recovers its shape, allowing it to be stretched by the elastic element to return the pin to its original position. At the same time, the locking ball is pushed out of the pin slot and can be used to lock the release cap again. The pin-pulling release mechanism only requires a power supply to release the release cap 1 and can automatically reset for reuse. The entire pin-pulling release mechanism has a simple structure, without the rotating servo motor of traditional release mechanisms, requiring no complex control process. It is small in size and light in weight, with high load capacity, and is suitable for various UAVs, manned aircraft, and other aircraft, as well as similar scenarios requiring load release. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pin release mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, cut along the axis.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the operation of the pin release mechanism after it is powered on, according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1. Separation cap; 2. Unlocking head; 3. Locking ball; 4. Pin socket; 5. Conductive element; 6. Housing; 7. Pull-out pin housing; 8. Shape memory alloy wire; 9. Elastic element; 10. Pressure cap; 11. Terminal block; 12. Wiring terminal; 13. End cap; 14. Pin shaft; 141. Limiting part. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although some embodiments of this utility model are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this utility model can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this utility model. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of this utility model are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0027] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended, meaning "including but not limited to"; the term "based on" means "at least partially based on"; the term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments"; and the term "optionally" means "optional embodiments". Definitions of other terms will be given in the following description. It should be noted that the concepts of "first," "second," etc., mentioned in this utility model are only used to distinguish different devices, modules, or units, and are not used to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules, or units or their interdependencies.

[0028] It should be noted that the terms "one" and "multiple" used in this utility model are illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0029] To address the problems existing in the aforementioned related technologies, this embodiment provides a pin release mechanism.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pin release mechanism, including a separation cap 1, a pin puller, and a locking ball 3;

[0031] The pin puller includes a cylindrical housing 6, a pin 14, multiple terminals 12, and multiple terminal pins;

[0032] The outer casing 6 is provided with an unlocking head 2 at one end, and the separation cap 1 is sleeved on the unlocking head 2; the pin 14 is provided in the outer casing 6 and one end is inserted into the unlocking head 2, and the pin 14 can move along the axial direction of the outer casing 6;

[0033] Multiple terminal pins are fixed at one end of the pin 14 near the unlocking head 2, and multiple wiring terminals 12 are fixed at the other end of the pin 14; an elastic element 9 is provided between the pin 14 and the wiring terminals 12, and the two ends of the elastic element 9 abut against the pin 14 and the multiple wiring terminals 12 respectively.

[0034] The unlocking head 2 has a through hole on its side. The inner side of the outer shell 6 near the unlocking head 2 has a conductive element 5. The conductive element 5 is used to contact one end of multiple terminal pins. The other end of the multiple terminal pins and multiple terminals 12 are respectively connected by shape memory alloy wires 8. The shape memory alloy wires 8 are used to retract when energized. The multiple terminals 12 are used to connect to positive or negative electricity respectively.

[0035] The separating cap 1 has a locking hole at the position corresponding to the through hole, and the locking ball 3 is set in the through hole and used to be inserted into the locking hole.

[0036] The pin 14 is located on the side of the end of the unlocking head 2 and has a pin groove; the locking ball 3 is used to enter the pin groove from the locking hole when the shape memory alloy wire 8 is energized and contracts to compress the elastic element 9.

[0037] In this embodiment, the unlocking head 2 can also be cylindrical, with an inner diameter smaller than that of the outer shell 6. A through hole is provided on its side wall, and a locking ball 3 is located within the through hole. One end of the pin 14 extends into the unlocking head 2, and the other end is supported by an elastic element 9. When the pin 14 is in the unlocked position, the side wall of the pin 14 abuts against the locking ball 3 to restrict the locking ball 3 within the locking hole of the separating cap 1, thereby locking the separating cap 1 with the pin puller. The two ends of the shape memory alloy wire 8 are respectively connected to the terminal 12 and the terminal pin. When some terminals 12 are connected to the positive electrode and some are connected to the negative electrode, the charged terminal pin contacts the conductive element 5, making the positive and negative electrodes conductive. Electrical stimulation or high-temperature stimulation from electrothermal generation stimulates the shape memory alloy wire 8, causing it to contract and move the terminal pin towards the elastic element 9. Figure 2 In the middle action ①; the shape memory alloy wire 8 drives the pin 14 to resist the supporting force of the elastic element 9, thereby driving the pin 14 to move towards the elastic element 9, as shown. Figure 2 Action ②: When pin 14 reaches the predetermined position, i.e., when the pin groove reaches the through hole position, the locking ball 3 loses the pressure restraint of pin 14 and falls into the pin groove from the locking hole position, as shown. Figure 2 Action ③; then, locking ball 3 releases the restriction on separation cap 1, that is, unlocking head 2 unlocks and releases separation cap 1 to complete the release action, as shown. Figure 2Action ④: At this point, the terminal pin has separated from the conductive element 5, causing the electrical circuit to break. Simultaneously, the shape memory alloy wire 8, due to its "memory" function, naturally unfolds and recovers its shape, allowing it to be stretched by the elastic element 9 to return the pin 14 to its original position. At the same time, the locking ball 3 is pushed out of the pin slot, enabling it to lock the release cap 1 again. In summary, the pin release mechanism of this embodiment only requires a power supply to release the release cap 1 and can automatically reset for reuse. The entire pin release mechanism has a simple structure, without the rotating servo motor of traditional release mechanisms, requiring no complex control process. It is small in size and light in weight, with high load capacity, and is suitable for various UAVs, manned aircraft, and other aircraft, as well as similar scenarios requiring load release.

[0038] Specifically, shape memory alloys (SMA) exhibit shape memory effect (SME) through thermoelastic and martensitic phase transformation and its inverse. The shape memory alloy wire 8 is composed of materials with two or more metallic elements. The shape memory alloy wire 8 is the material with the best shape memory performance among shape memory materials. It can deform upon application of heat, electricity, or electromagnetic stimulation, and recover its shape after the stimulation is removed due to its "memory" function.

[0039] Specifically, the terminals 12, shape memory alloy wires 8, and terminal pins can be in a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, the number of terminals 12, shape memory alloy wires 8, and terminal pins is the same, and the number of terminals 12, shape memory alloy wires 8, and terminal pins is preferably even, so that the number of positive and negative electrodes connected is the same.

[0040] Specifically, the unlocking ball, through hole, locking hole and pin groove are in a one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, the number of unlocking balls, through holes, locking holes and pin grooves is the same. In addition, the number of unlocking balls, through holes, locking holes and pin grooves is preferably even and they are arranged opposite each other in the radial direction, so that the separation cap 1 and the unlocking head 2 are locked at two or more ends opposite each other in the radial direction, and the locking relationship is firm.

[0041] Optionally, the terminal pins may be made of flexible material to avoid damage to the conductive element 5 due to hard contact, and also to avoid bending of the pins due to prolonged contact, which could lead to a break in the conductive circuit.

[0042] Optionally, it also includes a pin release housing 7 and a pressure cap 10. The pressure cap 10 is fixed to the inside of the housing 6 and close to the end of the housing 6 away from the unlocking head 2, for limiting the axial movement position of the pin 14. The pin release housing 7 is located between the unlocking head 2 and the pressure cap 10, for limiting the radial position of the pin 14.

[0043] In this optional embodiment, the pin-removing housing 7 can be cylindrical, which restricts the pin 14 from passing through the pin-removing housing 7, and fixes the axial and radial positions of the pin 14 to prevent the misalignment of the pin 14 from causing the separation cap 1 to be accidentally unlocked and disengaged.

[0044] Optionally, it also includes an end cap 13, which is disposed on the end of the housing 6 opposite to the separation cap 1, and the end cap 13 is provided with a mounting hole.

[0045] In this optional embodiment, the pin release mechanism can be mounted on an aircraft or other device through the mounting hole, and the axial position of the pin 14 can be adjusted through the mounting hole so that the terminal pin just contacts the conductive element 5.

[0046] Optionally, threaded holes are provided at both ends of the pin 14 for inserting screws to push and pull the pin 14 for positioning.

[0047] In this optional embodiment, a screw is inserted into the threaded hole, and the exposed part of the screw is held by hand. The screw is pushed and pulled to achieve axial positioning of the pin 14, so that the terminal pin just contacts the conductive element 5.

[0048] Optionally, the elastic element 9 is a spring and is sleeved on the pin 14.

[0049] In this optional embodiment, the spring is sleeved on the pin 14 and supports the pin 14 in the axial direction. After the shape memory alloy wire 8 recovers its shape due to its "memory" function, the spring can stretch the pin 14 to return the pin 14 to its original position, so as to realize the repeatable operation.

[0050] Optionally, a limiting part 141 is provided on the side wall of the pin 14. The limiting part 141 has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. One end of the elastic member 9 abuts against the first end of the limiting part 141, and the other end of the elastic member 9 extends beyond the end of the pin 14 and abuts against the terminal 12.

[0051] In this optional embodiment, the terminal pin and the elastic member 9 can respectively abut against the second end and the first end of the limiting part 141, so that when the terminal pin presses the pin 14 to move, the limiting part 141 also presses the elastic member 9 to move, so that the terminal pin, the pin 14 and the elastic member 9 are displaced synchronously.

[0052] Optionally, it also includes a pin socket 4, in which a terminal pin is disposed, passes through the pin socket 4, and one end of the pin socket 4 abuts against the second end of the limiting part 141.

[0053] In this optional embodiment, the pin holder 4 contacts the limiting part 141 to increase the contact area and prevent the terminal pin from bending due to excessive pressure between the terminal pin and the limiting part 141 when the terminal pin presses the pin shaft 14 to move.

[0054] Optionally, it also includes a terminal block 11, with a wiring terminal 12 disposed in the terminal block 11 and passing through the terminal block 11. The two ends of the elastic member 9 abut against the limiting part 141 and the terminal block 11, respectively.

[0055] In this optional embodiment, the terminal block 11 contacts the elastic member 9 to withstand the pressure of the elastic member 9, so as to avoid the terminal block 12 being directly pressed by the elastic member 9 and being damaged by excessive pressure.

[0056] Optionally, the through hole on the unlocking head 2 has a tapered structure, with the opening at the end of the through hole near the outer side of the unlocking head 2 being smaller than the opening at the end near the inner side of the unlocking head 2.

[0057] In this optional embodiment, after the pin groove reaches the through hole position, the locking ball 3 loses the restriction of the pin 14. When the opening on the outside of the unlocking head 2 is smaller than the opening on the inside of the unlocking head 2, the unlocking head 2 tends to move in the direction of the larger opening and fall from the locking hole into the pin groove.

[0058] Optionally, the conductive element 5 is annular and is disposed on the end face of the unlocking head 2 facing the terminal pin.

[0059] In this optional embodiment, the conductive element 5 is annular, which allows multiple terminal pins to be connected to the same conductive element 5, thereby achieving electrical conduction between the positive and negative terminals of the connection terminal 12.

[0060] Although the present invention has been disclosed above, its protection scope is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such changes and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pin-release mechanism, characterized in that, Includes a release cap (1), a pull pin, and a locking ball (3); The pin puller includes a cylindrical housing (6), a pin shaft (14), multiple terminals (12), and multiple terminal pins; The outer casing (6) is provided with an unlocking head (2) at one end, and the separation cap (1) is sleeved on the unlocking head (2); the pin (14) is provided in the outer casing (6) and one end is inserted into the unlocking head (2), and the pin (14) can move along the axial direction of the outer casing (6); The pin (14) is fixed with a plurality of terminal pins at one end near the unlocking head (2), and a plurality of terminals (12) are fixed at the other end of the pin (14); an elastic element (9) is provided between the pin (14) and the terminals (12), and the two ends of the elastic element (9) abut against the pin (14) and the plurality of terminals (12) respectively; The unlocking head (2) has a through hole on its side. The inner side of the outer shell (6) near the unlocking head (2) has a conductive element (5). The conductive element (5) is used to contact one end of the plurality of terminal pins. The other ends of the plurality of terminal pins and the plurality of terminals (12) are respectively connected by shape memory alloy wires (8). The shape memory alloy wires (8) are used to retract when energized. The plurality of terminals (12) are used to connect to positive or negative electrodes respectively. The separating cap (1) is provided with a locking hole at the position corresponding to the through hole, and the locking ball (3) is disposed in the through hole and is used to be inserted into the locking hole; The pin (14) is provided with a pin groove on the side of the end of the unlocking head (2); the locking ball (3) is used to enter the pin groove from the locking hole when the shape memory alloy wire (8) is energized and contracts and compresses the elastic element (9).

2. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a pin release housing (7) and a pressure cap (10), the pressure cap (10) being fixed to the inside of the housing (6) and near the end of the housing (6) away from the unlocking head (2) to limit the axial movement of the pin (14), and the pin release housing (7) being located between the unlocking head (2) and the pressure cap (10) to limit the radial position of the pin (14).

3. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an end cap (13), which is disposed on the end of the outer shell (6) opposite to the separation cap (1), and the end cap (13) is provided with mounting holes.

4. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pin (14) has threaded holes at both ends for inserting screws to push and pull the pin (14) for positioning.

5. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element (9) is a spring and is sleeved on the pin (14).

6. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pin (14) has a limiting part (141) on its side wall. The limiting part (141) has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. One end of the elastic member (9) abuts against the first end of the limiting part (141), and the other end of the elastic member (9) extends beyond the end of the pin (14) and abuts against the terminal (12).

7. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a pin holder (4), in which the terminal pin is disposed, the terminal pin passes through the pin holder (4), and one end of the pin holder (4) abuts against the second end of the limiting part (141).

8. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a terminal block (11), in which the wiring terminal (12) is disposed, and the wiring terminal (12) passes through the terminal block (11). The two ends of the elastic member (9) abut against the limiting part (141) and the terminal block (11) respectively.

9. The pin-release mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The through hole on the unlocking head (2) has a tapered structure, and the opening at the end of the through hole near the outside of the unlocking head (2) is smaller than the opening at the end near the inside of the unlocking head (2).

10. The pin-release mechanism according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The conductive element (5) is annular and is disposed on the end face of the unlocking head (2) facing the terminal pin.

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