Cable coupling for transport drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and model aircraft, which is servomotor operated.

Abstract

A cable coupling for transport drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and model aircraft which is servomotor operated, characterized in that a stationary base body(1), viewed in longitudinal section, has a wedge-shaped load wedge(5) after an insertion ramp(4) for a cable loop(3) around which the cable loop(3) wraps.

Description

[0001] Cable couplings for use in transport drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and model aircraft of known design are primarily constructed according to two concept variants.

[0002] Variant 1 consists of a U-shaped contour, the open end of which is closed by a sliding locking pin mounted in bores. A load-bearing cable, with a loop at its end, is inserted into the U-shaped contour and secured against falling out by pushing in the locking pin via a servo drive, thus enabling it to bear a load. When the locking pin is retracted by the servo drive, the cable loop is released.

[0003] Variant 2 consists of a rotatable, hook-shaped locking element mounted in a tubular housing. The axis of rotation of the locking element is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. When a support cable, with a loop attached to its end, is inserted into the housing and the locking element is rotated in the locking direction by a servo drive, the hook-shaped contour of the locking element prevents the support cable from falling out and allows it to bear loads. When the locking element is rotated in the opening direction by the servo drive, the cable loop is released.

[0004] The disadvantage of design variant 1 is that, due to the frictional forces between the locking pin and the rope loop and the friction of the locking pin in its guide holes, it is only possible to release the carrying cable under load with a high degree of force.

[0005] The disadvantage of design variant 2 is that, due to unfavorable leverage during the unlocking process, very high loads can occur on the servo drive when the support cable is released under load. These loads can lead to peak loads on the servo drive during potential load surges and may cause damage. The locking element must be precisely adjusted to ensure secure locking.

[0006] Both design variants share the common feature that powerful servo drives and large opening strokes are required for operation, making the cable coupling correspondingly expensive, heavy, energy-intensive, and sluggish. Furthermore, the relatively small cross-sections of the locking components in both currently available variants lead to significant wear and large deformations of the cable loop, potentially resulting in unusability or breakage.

[0007] A third variant, as described in (DE000007512455U), eliminates wear on the suspension cable by replacing the cable loop with a ball. This ball is secured against falling out by a suitably shaped geometry. However, experience has shown that this design creates burrs at the ball's contact points due to point load peaks, which negatively affect its function.

[0008] The invention addresses the problem of developing a small, lightweight, servo-motor-activated suspension cable coupling that, with small, inexpensive servo drives, can securely hold loads exceeding current limits and release reliably and permanently with minimal material stress. The release travel should be exceptionally short. Furthermore, the suspension cable loop should not be damaged or worn by the coupling, even after repeated use.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention with the features described in the claims.

[0010] The invention allows for loads greater than those previously permissible by known cable couplings, even without the use of large, expensive servo drives. The smaller servo drive is never subjected to excessive loads and is not negatively affected by load shocks. Only minimal opening travel is required. The cable loop is not damaged, and the cable coupling is very inexpensive and responsive due to the small servo drive. Furthermore, alternative arrangement options for the servo drive are possible, allowing for easy adaptation to different installation spaces. Fig. shows a possible fastening method with screw-on flange and the drive arrangement in "piggyback" design. Figure 2 shows the drive arrangement in "tandem" design. Reference symbol list 1 Basic body 2 locking gates 3 carrying cable loops 4. Lead-in ramp 5 load wedge 6 locking wedges 7 Slanted 8 servomotor drive QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 000007512455U

[0007]

Claims

[1] Cable coupling for transport drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and model aircraft, which is servomotor operated, characterized by , that a stationary base body(1), viewed in longitudinal section, has a wedge-shaped load wedge(5) after an insertion ramp(4) for a support rope loop(3) around which the support rope loop(3) wraps. [2] Cable coupling according to claim 1, characterized by , that the load wedge(5) receives the load carried by the support rope loop(3) and introduces it into the base body(1). [3] Cable coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a locking slide (2) prevents the carrying cable loop (3) from falling out in the locked position. [4] Cable coupling according to claim(3), characterized by , that the locking slide(2) is moved by a servo drive(8). [5] Cable coupling according to claim(3), characterized by, that the locking slide (2) has a locking wedge (6) when viewed in longitudinal section. [6] Cable coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the load wedge(5) has a slope(7) at its end on which the support rope loop(3) rests under load and slides off it after release by the locking slide(2). [7] Cable coupling according to claim 6, characterized by , that the slope(7) is designed in its angle such that the downward force generated by the axially acting load is kept very low. [8] Cable coupling according to claim 7, characterized by , that due to the low downhill force on the load wedge(5) only a low frictional force is generated between the support cable loop (3) and the locking slide (2). [9] Cable coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the locking slide (2) only needs to be retracted by the material thickness of the support rope loop (3) to release the load. [10] Cable coupling according to claim 9, characterized by , that the small opening distances mean that only short lever arms are needed on the servo drive(8). Thus, in relation to the load-bearing capacity of the suspension cable coupling, the use of a very small servo drive is made possible. [11] Cable coupling according to claim 9, characterized by , that the small opening distances result in short reaction times of the suspension cable coupling.

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