Unlocking pipe resetting tool

Abstract

The utility model provides an unlocking pipe resetting tool, which adopts an industrial personal computer to control a turn-back type electric cylinder to compress an unlocking pipe so as to realize resetting, and utilizes a laser displacement sensor to monitor the compression amount so as to accurately control the resetting process. The electric cylinder body is arranged below the workbench, the bearing table top is horizontally arranged on the workbench, the supporting frame is fixed to the bearing table top, the upper pressing head is fixed to the supporting frame, the unlocking pipe is arranged between the upper pressing head and the lower pressing head, the lower pressing head is fixed to the top of the electric cylinder piston, and the electric cylinder piston drives the lower pressing head to move upwards and compresses the unlocking pipe to achieve resetting. The laser displacement sensor and the electric cylinder are electrically connected with the industrial personal computer, in the resetting process, the industrial personal computer records data collected by the laser displacement sensor in real time, closed-loop control is formed in the working process of the electric cylinder, and movement of a piston of the electric cylinder is stopped after the reset compression amount reaches a specified value. The device is simple in structure, high in reliability, accurate in compression amount measurement, low in gravity center of the whole structure and safe to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mechanical tooling technology, and in particular to an automated tooling for unlocking tube reset operation. Background Technology

[0002] Memory metal actuators, as a novel unlocking drive element, have seen rapid development in aerospace, industrial automation, and other fields due to their cleanliness, smoothness, speed, and reliability. Among them, the memory metal tube actuator is an intelligent unlocking device that uses an unlocking tube as the driving trigger element. The unlocking tube is a multi-layered tubular structure composed of a memory metal layer and a heating layer stacked inside and outside. During use, the heating layer is energized and heated, causing the memory metal layer to deform and thus output driving force. Memory metal tube actuators have advantages such as high driving force, smooth operation, and reusability, and have been widely used in the field of large-payload release technology for spacecraft. To enable the memory metal tube actuator to drive, an axial compressive load needs to be applied to the unlocking tube before use, causing a certain amount of axial compression in the memory metal layer; this process is called reset.

[0003] Existing technologies often use tensile testing machines to reset the unlocking tube. However, this method is costly, cumbersome, and the tensile testing machine is bulky, making it inconvenient to reset the tube driver after field testing or cyclic testing.

[0004] Utility model patent CN216711473U provides a hydraulic reset fixture, which uses a hydraulic pump to drive a jack and a reset base to move, causing axial compression of the unlocking tube to achieve reset. During the reset process, a hydraulic gauge and a dial indicator monitor the hydraulic pressure and the longitudinal displacement of the reset base, thereby controlling the reset load and axial compression of the unlocking tube. This invention has advantages such as simple structure, easy operation, and controllable reset process. However, due to hydraulic leakage, pressure stability cannot be guaranteed after a period of use, and human error cannot be compensated for, leading to inconsistent reset products. Therefore, there is a need to develop a precise memory metal tube reset device.

[0005] Invention patent application CN118210272A discloses an automated reset fixture for shape memory alloys, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 9 As shown, an electric cylinder 4 drives a reset pressure plate 8 to compress the shape memory alloy tube 10 to achieve its reset. The electric cylinder 4 is driven by a servo driver 3, which is controlled by a PLC module 2. The axial compression of the shape memory alloy tube 10 is detected by a grating ruler 5 and output through the PLC module 2. The PLC module 2 is connected to a host computer 1 to collect data. This invention has a high degree of automation, is easy to operate, has precise control, and produces products with high consistency after reset. However, it also has the following problems:

[0006] (1) The grating ruler 5 of this invention detects the axial compression of the shape memory alloy tube 10 by real-time detection of the extension of the output end of the electric cylinder 4. In fact, the grating ruler 5 measures the displacement of the electric cylinder 4, not the deformation of the shape memory alloy tube 10. Figure 7 The force transmission path shown includes the deformation of the pressure sensor 7, the reset plate 8, and the lower base plate 63 in the actual measured value of the grating ruler 5. This indirect measurement method inevitably has a large error, which affects the reset accuracy of the shape memory alloy tube.

[0007] (2) The invention compresses the memory alloy tube 10 by pushing the reset plate 8 to move through the electric cylinder 4. The movement of the reset plate 8 is guided by four bearings 16. The movement mechanism is complex. The four bearings must ensure high positional accuracy, otherwise they are prone to jamming. In addition, the guide shaft of the four bearings also participates in bearing the force. When the electric cylinder 4 applies force, the guide shaft may deform, which will affect the positional accuracy of the bearings 16, thus increasing the risk of the reset plate 8 jamming and limiting the reliability of the work.

[0008] (3) The invention uses a direct-connect front flange electric cylinder, which has a long overall structure. The electric cylinder with the largest self-weight (50~100kg) is located at the top of the entire structure, resulting in a high center of gravity of the entire reset device, a high risk of tipping over, and low operational safety. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a tooling for resetting unlocking tubes. This tooling features precise measurement, easy operation, and safety and reliability, and is suitable for the controllable reset of memory metal unlocking tubes.

[0010] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is: a reset fixture for an unlocking tube. It uses an industrial control computer to control an electric cylinder to compress the unlocking tube to achieve reset, and uses a laser displacement sensor to monitor the compression amount, thereby forming a closed-loop control of the electric cylinder's working process.

[0011] The electric cylinder is a reversible type, with its main body positioned below a worktable. A horizontal support table is mounted on the worktable, and a through-hole on the support table allows the cylinder piston to move up and down. A support frame is fixed to the support table, and an upper pressure head is fixed to the support frame. An unlocking tube is placed between the upper and lower pressure heads, with the lower pressure head fixed to the top of the cylinder piston. The cylinder piston passes through the through-hole in the support table and drives the lower pressure head upward, compressing the unlocking tube to achieve a reset. A laser displacement sensor is also fixed to the support frame to monitor the compression of the unlocking tube. Both the laser displacement sensor and the electric cylinder are electrically connected to an industrial control computer. The industrial control computer records the data collected by the laser displacement sensor in real time, forming a closed-loop control of the electric cylinder's operation. The piston stops moving when the reset compression reaches a specified value.

[0012] The supporting frame is a bench-type structure, consisting of four pillars and an upper support plate. The lower ends of the pillars are fixed to the load-bearing table, and the upper ends are connected to the upper support plate.

[0013] The upper support plate has a central hole for bearing the load, and the upper pressure head is fixed on the lower surface of the upper support plate. The upper pressure head and the upper bearing plate have a coaxial central hole for laser ranging.

[0014] The lower end of the lower pressure head is fixed to the top of the electric cylinder piston. The top of the lower pressure head is provided with an extension rod. The diameter of the extension rod is smaller than the inner diameter of the unlocking tube and the diameter of the central through hole of the upper pressure head. During the reset process, the unlocking tube is sleeved on the extension rod. The extension rod can freely pass through the central hole of the upper pressure head and the upper support plate.

[0015] The laser displacement sensor is fixed on the sensor bracket and faces the center hole of the upper support plate and the upper pressure head. The laser beam can pass through the center hole and irradiate the top of the extension rod of the lower pressure head, thereby measuring the displacement of the extension rod and obtaining the compression of the unlocking tube.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper and lower pressure heads are respectively provided with limiting cylinders, the diameter of which matches the inner diameter of the unlocking tube to be reset, to limit the unlocking tube and ensure that the unlocking tube remains vertical during the reset process.

[0017] Furthermore, the lower pressure head is also provided with a frustum, the outer diameter of which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the memory metal layer of the unlocking tube, to support the memory metal layer of the unlocking tube. The flatness and roughness of the frustum surface are strictly controlled to ensure the verticality of the unlocking tube during the reset process and to prevent damage to the end face of the unlocking tube.

[0018] Furthermore, the sensor bracket has an L-shaped structure, with the horizontal section fixed to the upper surface of the upper support plate and the laser displacement sensor installed on the vertical section.

[0019] Furthermore, the vertical section of the sensor bracket is equipped with a laser displacement sensor through two longitudinal waist holes. The position of the laser displacement sensor can be adjusted longitudinally for easy focusing.

[0020] In this utility model, the load-bearing tabletop, upper load-bearing plate, and support column are load-bearing components and need to be made of steel to ensure sufficient strength; the upper pressure head and lower pressure head are the main force transmission components in the resetting process, which are made of high-strength steel and need to be heat-treated to increase the hardness to HRC55 or higher.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0022] (1) Simple structure and high reliability. This utility model directly uses an electric cylinder to drive the lower pressure head to compress the unlocking tube. The structure is simple. The support frame is only used to provide support and does not need to undertake the guiding function, so it is not easy to deform. The upper pressure head and the lower pressure head are force transmission components. Through the features of the limiting cylinder, through hole, extension rod and frustum, they simultaneously realize the functions of transmitting compression force and maintaining direction, which is highly reliable.

[0023] (2) Accurate compression measurement. This utility model uses a laser displacement sensor to directly measure the displacement of the lower pressure head extension rod, thereby obtaining the compression of the unlocking tube, with high measurement accuracy.

[0024] (3) Low center of gravity and safe operation. This utility model adopts a folding electric cylinder and arranges the main body of the electric cylinder under the workbench. The center of gravity of the entire reset device is low, and there is no risk of tipping over during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the resetting tooling of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a sectional view of the main structure of the resetting tooling of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall resetting fixture of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the upper support plate structure of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the upper pressure head structure of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the lower pressure head structure of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the laser displacement sensor bracket structure of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the load-bearing desktop structure of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the existing technology;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the existing technology support framework structure.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Sensor bracket; 2. Laser displacement sensor; 3. Upper support plate; 4. Upper pressure head; 5. Support column; 6. Unlocking tube; 7. Lower pressure head; 8. Electric cylinder piston; 9. Support table; 10. Electric cylinder body; 101. Waist hole; 201. Laser beam; 301. Center hole of support plate; 302. Threaded hole; 303. Support column mounting hole; 401. Limiting cylinder A; 402. Center hole of upper pressure head; 701. Extension rod; 702. Limiting cylinder B; 703. Frustum; 901. Piston hole; 902. Support column connecting hole; 903. Electric cylinder connecting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0037] This utility model provides a tooling for resetting an unlocking tube. Figures 1-3 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model is provided. This utility model uses a folding-back electric cylinder to provide the driving force for the reset compression of the unlocking tube 6. The main body 10 of the electric cylinder is placed under a workbench. A horizontal support table 9 is set on the workbench, and a bench-like support frame is fixed on the support table 9. The support frame consists of four pillars 5 and an upper support plate 3. The upper pressure head 4 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper support plate 3. The unlocking tube 6 is placed between the upper pressure head 4 and the lower pressure head 7. The lower pressure head 7 is fixed to the top of the electric cylinder piston 8. The electric cylinder piston 8 passes through a large hole in the support table 9. When the electric cylinder piston 8 moves upward, it drives the lower pressure head 7 to move upward, compressing the unlocking tube 6 to achieve reset. The compression amount of the unlocking tube 6 is monitored by a laser displacement sensor 2. Both the laser displacement sensor 2 and the electric cylinder are electrically connected to an industrial control computer. The industrial control computer records the data collected by the laser displacement sensor 2 in real time, forming a closed-loop control of the electric cylinder's operation. The electric cylinder piston stops moving after the reset compression amount reaches the specified value.

[0038] The structure of the upper support plate 3 is as follows Figure 4 As shown, it has three types of holes. The center is a large diameter support plate center hole 301, which is used for the laser beam 201 to pass through and measure the compression. There are two small threaded holes 302 on both sides of the support plate center hole 301, which are used to fix the sensor bracket 1 to install the laser displacement sensor 2. The upper support plate 3 has support column mounting holes 303 around its perimeter, which are used to fix four support columns 5.

[0039] The structures of the upper pressure head 4 and the lower pressure head 7 are as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown. The upper pressure head 4 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper support plate 3. The upper pressure head 4 has an upper pressure head center hole 402 that is coaxial with the center hole 301 of the support plate. The lower pressure head 7 has an extension rod 701 at its top. The diameter of the extension rod 701 is smaller than the inner diameter of the unlocking tube 6 and the diameter of the center hole 402 of the upper pressure head 4. During the reset process, the unlocking tube 6 is sleeved on the extension rod 701. The extension rod 701 can freely pass through the center hole 402 of the upper pressure head and the center hole 301 of the support plate.

[0040] Preferably, the upper pressure head 4 and the lower pressure head 7 are respectively provided with a limiting cylinder A401 and a limiting cylinder B702. The diameter of the limiting cylinder is matched with the inner diameter of the unlocking tube 6 to be reset, which is used to limit the unlocking tube 6 and ensure that the unlocking tube 6 remains vertical during the reset process.

[0041] Preferably, the pressing head 7 is also provided with a frustum 703. The outer diameter of the frustum 703 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the memory metal layer of the unlocking tube 6. It is used to support the memory metal layer of the unlocking tube 6. The surface of the frustum 703 is horizontal and smooth, which can ensure the verticality of the unlocking tube 6 during the reset process and will not damage the end face of the unlocking tube 6.

[0042] The laser displacement sensor 2 is fixed on the sensor bracket 1, and the structure of the sensor bracket 1 is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, it is generally L-shaped, with the horizontal section fixed to the upper surface of the upper support plate 3 and the laser displacement sensor 2 installed on the vertical section. The laser displacement sensor 2 is directly opposite the center hole 301 of the support plate and the center hole 402 of the upper pressure head. The laser beam 201 can pass through the center hole and irradiate the top of the extension rod 701 of the lower pressure head 7, thereby obtaining the compression amount of the unlocking tube 6 by measuring the displacement of the extension rod 701.

[0043] Preferably, the laser displacement sensor 2 is installed in the vertical section of the sensor bracket 1 through two longitudinal waist holes 101. The position of the laser displacement sensor 2 can be adjusted longitudinally to facilitate focusing.

[0044] The structure of the load-bearing desktop 9 is as follows Figure 8 As shown, its overall structure is a perforated flat plate. At the center is a piston hole 901 that allows the electric cylinder piston 8 to move up and down. Outside the piston hole 901, there are four support connection holes 902 for connecting the support frame and an electric cylinder connection hole 903 for fixing the electric cylinder body 10.

[0045] Preferably, the top of the electric cylinder piston 8 is provided with a groove, the shape of which matches the lower end of the lower pressure head 7, for supporting and positioning the lower pressure head 7. This assembly method facilitates the replacement of the lower pressure head 7 to match different specifications of unlocking tubes for reset operations. Similarly, the upper pressure head 4 can also be replaced according to the specific structure of the unlocking tube to be reset, thereby adapting to various specifications of unlocking tubes.

[0046] The techniques not described in detail in this utility model are known in the field.

[0047] The above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the principles and technical essence of this utility model shall still fall within the scope of this utility model's technical solution.

Claims

1. An unlock tube reset tool, characterized by, The work process of the electric cylinder is closed loop controlled by using an industrial computer to control the electric cylinder to compress the unlocking pipe to reset and using a laser displacement sensor to monitor the compression amount. The electric cylinder is a folding electric cylinder, the electric cylinder body (10) is placed under the workbench, the bearing table top (9) is horizontally arranged on the workbench, the supporting frame is fixed on the bearing table top (9), the upper pressing head (4) is fixed on the supporting frame, the unlocking pipe (6) is placed between the upper pressing head (4) and the lower pressing head (7), the lower pressing head (7) is fixed on the top of the electric cylinder piston (8), the electric cylinder piston (8) penetrates through the through hole of the bearing table top (9), the electric cylinder piston (8) drives the lower pressing head (7) to move upward, and the unlocking pipe (6) is compressed to reset. The supporting frame is also fixed with the laser displacement sensor (2) for monitoring the compression amount of the unlocking pipe (6), the laser displacement sensor (2) and the electric cylinder are electrically connected with the industrial computer, the industrial computer records the data collected by the laser displacement sensor (2) in real time, the work process of the electric cylinder is closed loop controlled, and the movement of the electric cylinder piston (8) is stopped when the reset compression amount reaches the specified value.

2. The unlock tube reset tool of claim 1, wherein, The supporting frame is a stool type structure and is composed of four supporting columns (5) and an upper supporting plate (3), the lower end of the supporting column (5) is fixed on the bearing table top (9), and the upper end is connected with the upper supporting plate (3).

3. The unlock tube reset tool of claim 2, wherein, The upper supporting plate (3) is provided with a bearing plate center hole (301), the upper pressing head (4) is fixed on the lower surface of the upper supporting plate (3), and the upper pressing head (4) is provided with an upper pressing head center hole (402) coaxial with the bearing plate center hole (301) and used for laser ranging.

4. The unlock tube reset tool of claim 3, wherein, The lower pressing head (7) is provided with an extension rod (701) at the top, the diameter of the extension rod (701) is smaller than the inner diameter of the unlocking pipe (6) and the diameter of the upper pressing head center hole (402), the unlocking pipe (6) is sleeved on the extension rod (701) during the reset process, and the extension rod (701) can freely penetrate through the upper pressing head center hole (402) and the bearing plate center hole (301).

5. The unlock tube reset tool of claim 4, wherein, The laser displacement sensor (2) is fixed on the sensor support (1), the laser displacement sensor (2) faces the upper pressing head center hole (402) and the bearing plate center hole (301), a laser beam penetrates through the center holes and irradiates on the top of the extension rod (701), so that the displacement of the extension rod (701) is measured, and the compression amount of the unlocking pipe (6) is obtained.

6. The unlocking pipe resetting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Limiting cylinders are arranged on the upper pressing head (4) and the lower pressing head (7) respectively, the diameters of the limiting cylinders are matched with the inner diameter of the unlocking pipe (6) to be reset, the unlocking pipe (6) is limited, and it is ensured that the unlocking pipe (6) remains vertical during the reset process.

7. The unlocking pipe resetting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The lower pressing head (7) is also provided with a circular table (703), the outer diameter of the circular table (703) is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the memory metal layer of the unlocking pipe (6), and the circular table (703) is used for supporting the memory metal layer of the unlocking pipe (6).

8. The unlock tube reset tool of claim 5, wherein, The sensor support (1) is of an L-shaped structure, the horizontal section is fixed on the upper surface of the upper supporting plate (3), and the vertical section is provided with the laser displacement sensor (2).

9. The unlock tube reset tool of claim 8, wherein, The vertical section of the sensor support (1) is provided with two longitudinal waist holes for mounting the laser displacement sensor, the position of the laser displacement sensor can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction, and the focusing is facilitated.

10. The unlock tube reset tool of claim 1, wherein, The top end of the electric cylinder piston (8) is provided with a groove, the shape of which matches the shape of the lower end of the lower pressing head (7), and is used for supporting and positioning the lower pressing head (7).

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