Separation device, trigger device, instrument fixture separator, and spacecraft separation device

Abstract

To enable an upper separation member and a lower separation member to be more reliably separated from each other.SOLUTION: A separation device 20 is used in a spacecraft and configured to release mechanical connection by an electric signal. The device comprises: an upper separation member 30; a lower separation member 40 on which the upper separation member is overlaid; and a first wire 60A and a second wire 60B which are wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member and configured to be fused by energization. The first wire and the second wire are positioned such that the positions of the upper and lower separation members change relatively to each other when one of the first and second wires is fused in a state where a force is applied to the upper or lower separation member in a mutually separating direction, so as to lift the restraint by the other of the first and second wires.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a separation device, a trigger device, an equipment fixture separator, and a spacecraft separation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses that the insulator hub has a central hole and a pair of parallel annular grooves, two fuse wires pass around the pair of annular grooves, a loop end on one end of the tightening string is passed through the central hole, and a hook-shaped released end of the restraining wire is inserted into the loop end on the other end of the tightening string.

[0003] Patent document 1 also discloses that when a current flows through one of the fuse wires, the tension in that fuse wire is released and the insulator hub rotates, causing the hook-shaped released end to slide away from the loop end on the other end of the drawstring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0080547 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the insulator hub rotates, there is a possibility that the hook-shaped released end cannot be separated from the loop end.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to enable the upper separating member and the lower separating member to be separated more reliably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The separation device is used in a spacecraft and is configured to release a mechanical connection by an electrical signal, the separation device comprising: an upper separation member; a lower separation member overlapped on the upper separation member; a first wire wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member to constrain the upper separation member and the lower separation member and configured to melt when an electric current is applied; and a second wire wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member at a position away from the first wire to constrain the upper separation member and the lower separation member and configured to melt when an electric current is applied, the first wire and the second wire being disposed at a position where the upper separation member and the lower separation member are relatively displaced due to melting of one of the first wire and the second wire when the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member is separated from each other, thereby releasing the constraint by the other of the first wire and the second wire.

[0008] The trigger device also includes the above-mentioned separation device, a holder that holds the separation device, a biasing member that biases the lower separating member in a direction away from the upper separating member, and a movable body that is supported by the holder so as to be movable from a first position to a second position, is positioned at the first position while the upper separating member and the lower separating member are restrained, and is configured to move to the second position by the biasing force of the biasing member when the upper separating member and the lower separating member are separated.

[0009] The equipment fixing device separator further comprises an equipment fixing device including an engagement target portion and configured to be connectable to an equipment to be fixed; a locking member including a locking portion that can be engaged with the locking target portion and configured to be movable from an engagement position where the locking portion engages with the locking target portion toward an engagement release position where the locking portion releases its engagement with the locking target portion; a holder configured to be movable from a holding position where the locking member is held to keep the locking member in the engagement position toward a release position where the locking member is released so that the locking member can move from the engagement position to the release position; a biasing member that biases the holder toward the release position; and the above-mentioned separation device configured to hold the holder in the holding position with the upper separating member and the lower separating member restrained, and to allow the holder to move from the holding position to the release position when the restraint of the upper separating member and the lower separating member is released.

[0010] The spacecraft separation device further includes a first spacecraft fixing member fixed to a first spacecraft, a second spacecraft fixing member fixed to a second spacecraft, a band wound around the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member so as to restrain the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member, and biased in a direction to expand from the wound state, a band fixing device including a locking target portion and connected to the band, and a locking member that locks onto the locking target portion so as to maintain the band in a state in which it is wound around the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member, the locking mechanism configured to be able to change its state from an engaged state in which the locking member engages with the locking target portion to an unlocked state in which the locking member releases the engaged state with the locking target portion when it receives a force toward the locking mechanism; and the trigger device configured such that when the movable body is located at the first position, the movable body comes into contact with the locking mechanism to maintain the movable body in the engaged state, and when the movable body moves to the second position, the movable body separates from the locking mechanism to change the locking mechanism from the engaged state to the unlocked state. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to this separating device, the upper separating member and the lower separating member can be separated more reliably.

[0012] Furthermore, with the above-described trigger device, the upper separating member and the lower separating member are separated more reliably, and therefore a more reliable trigger operation is expected.

[0013] Furthermore, with the equipment fixing tool separator, a more reliable separation operation of the equipment fixing tool can be expected due to the separation device which more reliably separates the upper separating member and the lower separating member.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the spacecraft separation device, the upper separation member and the lower separation member are separated more reliably by the trigger device which performs the trigger operation using the separation device, and more reliable separation of the spacecraft is expected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a separation device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the separation device of the same. [Diagram 3] 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the separation device when both wires are melted. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the separation device when one of the wires is melted. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a separation device according to a modified example when both wires are melted. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the separation device when one of the wires is melted. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a trigger device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the trigger device. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the trigger device before the separation device is separated. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the trigger device before the separation device is separated. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cutaway view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an equipment fixing tool separator. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an equipment fixing tool separator. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12. [Figure 15] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 12. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 12. [Figure 17] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the equipment fixing device can be separated, taken along line XIV-XIV. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a spacecraft separation device. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a spacecraft separation device in a separated state. [Figure 20] 19 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX in FIG. 18. [Figure 21] XX-XX line cross section showing the state in which the band fastener is separated. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] {First embodiment} A separation device according to a first embodiment will be described below. The separation device is a device in which a lower separation member and an upper separation member are separated by melting a wire. The separation device is used in a spacecraft that operates in outer space, and is configured to release a mechanical connection by an electric signal. For example, the separation device may be used as a device for separating a satellite or a fairing from a rocket, or as a device that triggers the deployment of solar cells in a satellite from a folded state.

[0017] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an isolation device 20. In Fig. 1, a power supply 10 for applying a voltage to the isolation device and a switch element 12 are shown as functional blocks.

[0018] The following describes the overall configuration of the separating device 20. The separating device 20 includes an upper separating member 30, a lower separating member 40, a first wire 60A, and a second wire 60B.

[0019] The lower separation member 40 is overlapped on the upper separation member 30. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the lower separation member 40 is overlapped on the lower side of the upper separation member 30. The first wire 60A is wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 to restrain the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40. The second wire 60B is also wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 to restrain the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40. Thus, in the initial state, the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are kept in a restrained state by the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B. The terms "upper" and "lower" added to the beginning of the names of the upper separation member and the lower separation member are terms to distinguish between the two members. This does not limit the upper separation member to being located above the lower separation member in the direction of gravity during manufacture, installation, use, etc. of the separation device.

[0020] At least a section of the first wire 60A between the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A, and at least a section of the second wire 60B between the second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B are configured to melt when electricity is passed through them. When both the section between the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A and the section between the second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B are melted, the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are unraveled, and the constraint between the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 is released.

[0021] In addition, when the upper separation member 30 or the lower separation member 40 is subjected to a force in a direction moving them away from each other, if one of the sections between the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A and the section between the second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B melts and one of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B unravels, the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 move in relative position, and the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are positioned such that the constraint by the other of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B is released.

[0022] A more specific example of the configuration of each part will be described.

[0023] For convenience, the lower separating member 40 will be described first, followed by the upper separating member 30. The lower separating member 40 is an elongated member. The lower separating member 40 has a shape, for example, of a rectangular parallelepiped in which two corners corresponding to two adjacent parallel sides are cut off with bevels. The shape of the lower separating member 40 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape that allows the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B to be wound at separate positions and that can receive a force in a direction away from the upper separating member 30.

[0024] It is preferable that the lower separating member 40 is a member having insulating properties at least on the surface of the portion around which the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are wound. The lower separating member 40 may be, for example, a member having an insulating layer formed on a metal surface, or may be made of an insulator such as resin or ceramics.

[0025] A set recess 42 is formed in a portion of the lower separating member 40 on which the upper separating member 30 is overlapped. In the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40, the length dimension of the set recess 42 is set to a size corresponding to the length of the portion of the upper separating member 30 that contacts the lower separating member 40. The upper separating member 30 is overlapped on the lower separating member 40 so as to contact the bottom surface of the set recess 42. In this state, both longitudinal end edge portions of the upper separating member 30 are arranged to face both side surfaces of the set recess 42, and the upper separating member 30 is positioned relative to the lower separating member 40 in the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40.

[0026] In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper separating member 30. The longitudinal directions of the lower separating member 40 and the upper separating member 30 may be understood to be the width direction of the separation device 20. The overlapping direction of the upper separating member 30 relative to the lower separating member 40 may be understood to be the height direction of the separation device 20. The direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the height direction of the separation device 20 may be understood to be the depth direction.

[0027] With the upper separating member 30 overlapped on the lower separating member 40, both longitudinal ends of the lower separating member 40 protrude outward from both longitudinal ends of the upper separating member 30. A force is applied to the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from the upper separating member 30 by utilizing the end of the lower separating member 40 protruding from the upper separating member 30. The setting recess 42 may be omitted.

[0028] The lower separating member 40 has a first groove 44A through which the first wire 60A passes and a second groove 44B through which the second wire 60B passes. The first groove 44A and the second groove 44B are formed in a groove shape along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40, in this case, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in a portion of the lower separating member 40 opposite to the upper separating member 30.

[0029] At least a part of the bottom of the first groove 44A and the second groove 44B may be curved with a curvature center on an axis that runs along the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40 and passes through the lower separating member 40. The first groove 44A and the second groove 44B are formed at a position in the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40 where the end of the upper separating member 30 is disposed.

[0030] By passing the first wire 60A through the first groove 44A and the second wire 60B through the second groove 44B, the wound state of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B with respect to the lower separation member 40 is stabilized. In other words, the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B do not move in the longitudinal direction of the lower separation member 40. The first groove 44A and the second groove 44B may be omitted.

[0031] The upper separating member 30 is an elongated member. The upper separating member 30 is formed, for example, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The shape of the upper separating member 30 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape that can be overlapped with the lower separating member 40, can wind the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B at separate positions, and can receive a force in a direction away from the lower separating member 40.

[0032] Like the lower separating member 40, the upper separating member 30 is preferably made of a member having insulating properties on the surface of at least the portion around which the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are wound.

[0033] As a more specific example, the upper separation member 30 includes a rectangular parallelepiped main body 32 and wire winding portions 34A and 34B.

[0034] The wire winding parts 34A and 34B extend outward along the longitudinal direction of the main body 32 from both longitudinal ends of the main body 32 near the lower separation member 40. The surfaces of the main body 32 and the wire winding parts 34A and 34B on the lower separation member 40 side are connected as one plane. The distance between the outer end faces of the wire winding parts 34A and 34B in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32 is equal to or smaller than the distance between the both side faces of the set recess 42. The upper separation member 30 is placed on the set recess 42 of the lower separation member 40 so that the plane formed by the main body 32 and the wire winding parts 34A and 34B on the lower separation member 40 side is in surface contact with the bottom surface of the set recess 42. In this embodiment, the height of the wire winding parts 34A and 34B relative to the lower separation member 40 is lower than that of the main body 32, but the wire winding parts 34A and 34B may be higher than the main body 32.

[0035] The upper separating member 30 has a first groove 35A through which the first wire 60A passes and a second groove 35B through which the second wire 60B passes. For example, the first groove 35A and the second groove 35B may be formed in a groove shape along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the upper separating member 30, here, a direction perpendicular thereto, in the portions of the wire winding portions 34A, 34B opposite the lower separating member 40.

[0036] At least a part of the bottom of the first groove 35A and the second groove 35B may be curved with a center of curvature that is an axis that runs along the longitudinal direction of the upper separating member 30 and passes through the upper separating member 30. The first groove 35A and the second groove 35B are formed so as to correspond to the position in the longitudinal direction of the upper separating member 30 where the first groove 44A or the second groove 44B is disposed.

[0037] By passing the first wire 60A through the first groove 35A and the second wire 60B through the second groove 35B, the wound state of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B with respect to the upper separating member 30 is stabilized. In other words, the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B do not move in the longitudinal direction of the upper separating member 30.

[0038] Furthermore, by passing the first wire 60A through the first grooves 35A, 44A and the second wire 60B through the second grooves 35B, 44B, the restraint state of the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 by the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B is stabilized.

[0039] The first groove 35A and the second groove 35B may be omitted. Also, the wire winding portions 34A and 34B may be omitted, and the wire may be wound directly around the main body 32 of the upper separating member.

[0040] A support hole 30h is formed in the upper separation member 30. Here, the support hole 30h is formed at the center of the main body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32. The support hole 30h is located equidistant from the first groove 35A and the second groove 35B. Therefore, the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are located equidistant from the support hole 30h.

[0041] The support hole 30h is a hole through which a support shaft for supporting the upper separating member 30 is inserted. The support hole 30h penetrates in a direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction of the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 and the longitudinal direction of the upper separating member 30. The support shaft is rotatably inserted into the support hole 30h. By inserting the support shaft into the support hole 30h, the upper separating member 30 is supported at a fixed position relative to the support shaft so as to be rotatable around the support shaft. By inserting the support shaft into the support hole 30h and supporting the upper separating member 30 at a fixed position relative to the support shaft, a force acts on the upper separating member 30 in a direction moving relatively away from the lower separating member 40.

[0042] A fastener mounting hole 32h is formed in the main body 32. Here, two fastener mounting holes 32h are formed at both ends of the main body 32. The fastener mounting hole 32h is a hole for fixing the first wire fastener 50A or the second wire fastener 50B. The fastener mounting hole 32h penetrates in the same direction as the support hole 30h. One end of the fastener mounting hole 32h opens larger than the other end. In other words, the diameter of one end of the fastener mounting hole 32h is larger than the diameter of the other end. An annular step portion 32ha facing the other end opening side is formed in the middle of the fastener mounting hole 32h in the longitudinal direction of the fastener mounting hole 32h.

[0043] A recess 32hb is formed between the annular step portion 32ha and the opening on one end side.

[0044] The separation device 20 includes a first wire fastener 50A and a second wire fastener 50B. The first wire fastener 50A and the second wire fastener 50B are inserted through and fixed in the fastener attachment hole 32h.

[0045] The first wire fastener 50A includes a body 51A and a head 52A. The body 51A is formed in an elongated shape that can be inserted into the fastener mounting hole 32h. The head 52A is located on one end side of the body 51A and is formed thicker than the body 51A. For example, when the first wire fastener 50A is viewed from the head 52A, if the cross sections of the body 51A and the head 52A are circular, the cross-sectional diameter of the head 52A is larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the body 51A. The first wire fastener 50A is fixed to the upper separation member 30 with the body 51A inserted through the fastener mounting hole 32h.

[0046] The tip of the other end of the body 51A may be located inside the upper separating member 30. The tip of the other end of the body 51A being located inside the upper separating member 30 means that the body 51A does not protrude from the outward surface of the upper separating member 30.

[0047] For example, the body 51A is inserted from the other end side of the fastener attachment hole 32h until the head 52A contacts the outer surface of the main body 32. The tip of the other end side of the body 51A exceeds the annular step portion 32ha and is crushed toward the annular step portion 32ha. A recess 32hb is formed as a first recess on the side of the fastener attachment hole 32h opposite to the side where the head 52A contacts. The tip of the other end side of the body 51A is plastically deformed so as to be crushed in the recess 32hb, so that the first wire fastener 50A is fixed to the upper separation member 30 without being pulled out. The entirety of the crushed portion of the tip of the body 51A is contained within the recess 32hb. As a result, the tip of the other end side of the body 51A is located within the upper separation member 30 and does not protrude outside the main body 32.

[0048] The second wire fastener 50B, like the first wire fastener 50A, also has a body 51B and a head 52B. Like the first wire fastener 50A, the second wire fastener 50B is fixed to the upper separation member 30. A recess 32hb is formed as a second recess on the side of the fastener attachment hole 32h opposite to the side where the head 52B contacts. The tip of the other end of the body 51B is also plastically deformed so as to be crushed within the recess 32hb, thereby fixing the second wire fastener 50B to the upper separation member 30 so as not to come off.

[0049] The ends of the wire 60A can be fixed by clamping both end portions 61Aa of the wire 60A between the head 52A of the first wire fixture 50A and the main body 32. The ends of the wire 60B can be fixed by clamping both end portions 61Ba of the wire 60B between the head 52B of the second wire fixture 50B and the main body 32.

[0050] The positions of the first wire fixing device 50A and the second wire fixing device 50B are, for example, located on the lower separation member 40 side relative to the electrodes 70A, 72A or electrodes 70B, 72B described later, and are located between the first wire winding portion 34A and the second wire winding portion 34B relative to the first wire winding portion 34A and the second wire winding portion 34B.

[0051] The first wire fastener 50A and the second wire fastener 50B may be components known as rivets.

[0052] The first wire fastener 50A and the second wire fastener 50B may be screws. When the first wire fastener 50A and the second wire fastener 50B are screws, the end of the screw may be screwed into a nut in the recess 32hb. Even in this case, the tip of the body of the screw may be accommodated in the recess 32hb and positioned in the upper separation member. A screw hole may be formed in the upper separation member, and the screw as the first wire fastener and the second wire fastener may be screwed into the screw hole. Even in this case, the tip of the body of the screw may be accommodated in the screw hole and not protrude from the upper separation member. In addition, when a screw hole is formed in the upper separation member, the annular step portion 32ha and the recess 32hb may not be present, and the fastener attachment hole 32h may not be penetrating.

[0053] The first wire fixture 50A and the second wire fixture 50B may be located in the lower separation member 40, as shown in Fig. 1. An example of the wire fixture 150 in this case is illustrated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 1.

[0054] An electrode mounting hole 33h is formed in the main body 32. Here, both end corners of the main body 32 far from the lower separation member 40 are formed into recesses 33 recessed toward the center of the main body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32. The electrode mounting hole 33h is formed in the main body 32 so as to open into the recess 33. The electrode mounting hole 33h is formed in a hole shape that is aligned along the longitudinal direction of the main body 32 and opens outward in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32. In the recess 33, the two electrode mounting holes 33h are aligned along the same direction as the axial direction of the support hole 30h. In this example, the internal space of the electrode mounting hole 33h is connected to the outside of the upper separation member 30 through a slit-shaped opening, but this configuration is not essential.

[0055] An exposure recess 33a is formed in a portion of the recess 33 farther from the lower separating member 40 than the central axis of the electrode mounting hole 33h, and is recessed toward the center of the main body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32 than a portion of the recess 33 closer to the lower separating member 40 than the central axis of the electrode mounting hole 33h. The electrodes 70A, 72A or the electrodes 70B, 72B inserted and held in the electrode mounting hole 33h can be exposed on the side opposite to the lower separating member 40 in the exposure recess 33a.

[0056] The separation device 20 includes a first anode 70A and a first cathode 72A configured to apply a voltage to a partial section of the first wire 60A, and a second anode 70B and a second cathode 72B configured to apply a voltage to a partial section of the second wire 60B. For example, the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A are located at one end of the upper separation member 30 in the longitudinal direction, and the second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B are located at the other end of the upper separation member 30 in the longitudinal direction. When a voltage is applied to the wires 60A and 60B, the one with a relatively higher potential is the anode, and the one with a lower potential is the cathode.

[0057] More specifically, the first anode 70A has a body 70Aa and a head 70Ab. The body 70Aa is formed in an elongated shape that can be inserted into the electrode mounting hole 33h. The head 70Ab is formed in a shape that protrudes from one end of the head 70Ab to the outer periphery. The body 70Aa is inserted into the electrode mounting hole 33h until the head 70Ab contacts the outward surface of the recess 33. The body 70Aa may be press-fitted into the electrode mounting hole 33h, may be fixed by screwing, or may be fixed in the electrode mounting hole 33h by adhesion or the like. In this state, a portion of the body 70Aa close to the head 70Ab is exposed on the opposite side of the lower separation member 40 in the exposure recess 33a.

[0058] The first cathode 72A has a body 72Aa and a head 72Ab, similar to the first anode 70A, and is inserted and fixed into the electrode attachment hole 33h adjacent to the first anode 70A. As a result, the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A are held by the upper separation member 30 in a parallel state with a gap between them.

[0059] The portions of the body 72Aa of the first anode 70A and the body 72Aa of the first cathode 72A exposed in the exposure recess 33a are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the support hole 30h. The exposed portions are located closer to the center of the upper separation member 30 in the longitudinal direction of the upper separation member 30 than the first groove 35A. The exposed portions are located farther from the lower separation member 40 than the first groove 35A. A portion of the first wire 60A is wound around the upper separation member 30 so as to pass over the body portions 70Aa, 72Aa. This allows a voltage to be applied to a portion of the first wire 60A between the contact points with the body portions 70Aa, 72Aa.

[0060] The second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B are fixed to the other longitudinal end of the upper separation member 30 by a structure similar to the fixing structure of the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A.

[0061] The positions of the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A and the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A are not limited to the above examples. These electrodes may be supported by the lower separation member 40 or by other members for holding the electrodes. The voltage may be applied to a wider section of the wires or to more wires, although it is desirable to limit the application range since the wider the application range, the worse the operability becomes (the more power is required for operation).

[0062] The first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are wires that melt due to Joule heat generated by current. Such wires are made of alloys with high volume resistivity that generate large Joule heat, such as stainless steel alloys and nichrome alloys. The first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40, for example, as follows. The winding configuration of the first wire 60A and the winding configuration of the second wire 60B may have plane symmetry with respect to a plane that passes through the center of the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 in the longitudinal direction of the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the following description, the winding configuration of the first wire 60A will be mainly described.

[0063] The first wire 60A is wound multiple times around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40. For example, the first wire 60A is wound multiple times around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 so as to pass through the first grooves 35A, 44A. By adjusting the number of times the first wire 60A is wound, the strength with which the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are restrained can be adjusted. The number of times the first wire 60A is wound may be less than two.

[0064] The first wire 60A includes a first fixed end 60Aa and a second fixed end 60Ab.

[0065] The first fixed end 60Aa is clamped and fixed between the head 52A of the first wire fastener 50A and the outward surface of the main body 32. The fixed position of the first fixed end 60Aa is closer to the center of the main body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32 than the trunk 51A of the wire fastener 50A. As described above, since the middle portion of the first wire 60A passes through the first groove 44A, the portion of the first wire 60A close to the first fixed end 60Aa faces the fixed position of the first fixed end 60Aa while inclining from the first groove 44A toward the upper separation member 30 toward the center of the main body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32.

[0066] The second fixed end 60Ab is clamped and fixed between the head 52A of the first wire fastener 50A and the outward surface of the main body 32. The fixed position of the second fixed end 60Ab is a position on the lower separation member 40 side with respect to the above-mentioned exposed portions of the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A. The fixed position of the second fixed end 60Ab is a position on the outer side of the main body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32 than the trunk portion 51A of the wire fastener 50A. As described above, since the middle portion of the first wire 60A passes through the first groove 44A, the portion of the first wire 60A close to the second fixed end 60Ab is wound around the above-mentioned exposed portions of the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A while inclining toward the center of the main body 32 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32 from the first groove 44A toward the upper separation member 30. Then, the portion of the first wire 60A closer to the second fixed end 60Ab extends from the above-mentioned exposed portions of the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A toward between the head 52A and the main body 32 while maintaining the same position in the longitudinal direction of the main body 32.

[0067] As described above, the first fixed end 60Aa is fixed to the center side of the main body 32 with respect to the trunk portion 51A, and the second fixed end 60Ab is fixed to a position outside the trunk portion 51A. Therefore, the first fixed end 60Aa and the second fixed end 60Ab can be easily arranged so as not to cross each other in the head portion 52A. If the first fixed end 60Aa and the second fixed end 60Ab do not cross each other between the head portion 52A and the lower separation member 40, local clamping force is unlikely to be applied to the first fixed end 60Aa and the second fixed end 60Ab. This makes it easier to clamp and fix the first fixed end 60Aa and the second fixed end 60Ab firmly, compared to when the first fixed end 60Aa and the second fixed end 60Ab cross each other. The above fixing method is one example, and it is not necessary for the first fixed end 60Aa and the second fixed end 60Ab to be fixed by one wire fixture, and they may each be fixed by two wire fixtures.

[0068] Here, the first swing center P1 is the swing center when the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 swing relatively due to the melting of the second wire 60B in a state where the upper separation member 30 or the lower separation member 40 receives a force in a direction away from each other. The second swing center P2 is the swing center when the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 swing relatively due to the melting of the first wire 60A in a state where the upper separation member 30 or the lower separation member 40 receives a force in a direction away from each other. The line or plane that is a set of points equidistant from the swing centers P1 and P2 between the first swing center P1 and the second swing center P2 is the center position M. The center position M is set, for example, to a position passing through the central axis of the support hole 30h. The first swing center P1 is located, for example, at an intersection between the bottom surface and one side surface of the set recess 42, and the second swing center P2 is located, for example, at an intersection between the bottom surface and the other side surface of the set recess 42. Examples of the central position M, the first swing center P1, and the second swing center P2 are shown in Fig. 3, and an example of the first swing center P1 is shown in Fig. 4.

[0069] The first wire 60A may include a first break section 60A1 that passes through a path closer to the central position M than the first oscillation center P1. In this embodiment, the entire first wire 60A is the first break section 60A1 that passes through a path closer to the central position M than the first oscillation center P1.

[0070] For example, when the upper separating member 30 swings around the first swing center P1 relative to the lower separating member 40, the upper separating member 30 moves far away from the lower separating member 40 on the side of the central position M from the first swing center P1. Therefore, the first breaking section 60A1 is pulled farther and is more likely to break than if the wire were positioned at a position passing through the first swing center P1 or on the outside of the first swing center P1.

[0071] Similarly, the second wire 60B may include a second break section 60B1 that passes through a path closer to the central position M than the second oscillation center P2. In this embodiment, the entire second wire 60B is the second break section 60B1 that passes through a path closer to the central position M than the second oscillation center P2.

[0072] The first wire 60A may also include a first path winding section 60A2 and a first breakage promotion section 60A3.

[0073] The first path winding section 60A2 may be, for example, a section wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 to form the shortest path. For example, the first path winding section 60A2 is a portion of the first wire 60A wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 through a path perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40. Here, the portion of the first wire 60A wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 to pass through the first grooves 35A, 44A is the first path winding section 60A2.

[0074] The first break promotion section 60A3 is a section that passes through a position closer to the central position M than the first path winding section 60A2. In the present embodiment, the first break promotion section 60A3 is an oblique path section of the first wire 60A that extends from the first groove 44A toward the head 52A.

[0075] Similarly to the above, the second wire 60B may include a second path winding section 60B2 and a second breakage promotion section 60B3.

[0076] An example of assembling the separation device 20 will be described.

[0077] A first wire fastener 50A and a second wire fastener 50B are prepared, which are fixed to or inserted through the upper separating member 30. In the initial stage, a gap may be formed between the heads 52A, 52B and the outer surface of the upper separating member 30 to an extent that the ends of the wires 60A, 60B can be inserted from the outside and sandwiched therebetween.

[0078] The upper separating member 30 is overlapped on the set recess 42 of the lower separating member 40. The first fixed end 60Aa of the first wire 60A is sandwiched and fixed between the head 52A and the upper separating member 30. Then, the first wire 60A is wound around one end of the lower separating member 40 and the first wire winding portion 34A of the upper separating member 30 so as to pass through the first grooves 35A and 44A. After this, the part of the first wire 60A close to the second fixed end 60Ab is placed on the exposed parts of the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A. Then, the second fixed end 60Ab is sandwiched and fixed between the head 52A and the upper separating member 30.

[0079] Thereafter, the head portion 52A may be further pressed toward the upper separating member 30 so that the first fixed end 60Aa and the second fixed end 60Ab are firmly sandwiched and fixed between the head portion 52A and the upper separating member 30.

[0080] The tip of the body 51A may be crushed before or after the first wire 60A is wound. The winding direction of the first wire 60A may be reversed. In other words, after the second fixed end 60Ab is fixed, the first wire 60A may be wound and the first fixed end 60Aa may be fixed.

[0081] The second wire 60B is also wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 in the same manner as the first wire 60A.

[0082] An example of the operation of the separation device 20 will now be described.

[0083] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when both the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are melted.

[0084] In this embodiment, it is assumed that a force acting on the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from the upper separating member 30 acts on the separation device 20. For example, a force F acting on both ends of the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from the upper separating member 30 acts on both ends of the lower separating member 40. A shaft is rotatably inserted into the support hole 30h of the upper separating member 30, and the upper separating member 30 is supported at a fixed position. Note that both ends of the lower separating member 40 may be supported at a fixed position, and a force acting on the shaft inserted into the upper separating member 30 in a direction away from the lower separating member 40 may be applied, so that the upper separating member 30 receives a force acting on the shaft in a direction away from the lower separating member 40. A force acting on both the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from each other may act on both the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40. The force F is generated, for example, by an elastic member such as a coil spring, a magnetic force, gravity, or the like.

[0085] A power source 10 is connected to the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A. A switch element 12 is interposed between the power source 10 and the first anode 70A or the first cathode 72A. The switch element 12 is, for example, an electromagnetic relay or a semiconductor switch. Similarly, the power source 10 is connected to the second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B via the switch element 12.

[0086] When the switch element 12 is switched between the open state and the closed state, a voltage is applied to the section of the first wire 60A between the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A. Similarly, a voltage is applied to the section of the second wire 60B between the second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B. As a result, the section of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B to which the voltage is applied melts down due to Joule heat, and the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are uncoupled.

[0087] When a part of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B melts, the wires are unwound from the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40. This allows the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 to be separated, and the lower separation member 40 moves in a direction away from the upper separation member 30, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0088] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the first wire 60A is not melted and the second wire 60B is melted.

[0089] In this case, the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are kept in contact with each other at the winding portion of the first wire 60A. Also, the relative restraint state between the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 is released at the winding portion of the second wire 60B.

[0090] Therefore, when both ends of the lower separation member 40 are pushed by the force F in a direction away from the upper separation member 30, the first wire winding portion 34A of the upper separation member 30 moves together with the lower separation member 40. Since the second wire winding portion 34B of the upper separation member 30 can move away from the lower separation member 40, the upper separation member 30 rotates around the central axis of the support hole 30h. As a result, the upper separation member 30 is brought into a state of swinging around the first swing center P1 relative to the lower separation member 40.

[0091] As the upper separating member 30 swings around the first swing center P1 relative to the lower separating member 40, a gap is created between the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 on the central position M side of the first swing center P1. As a result, a tension greater than that in the initial state acts on the first break promotion section 60A3 of the first wire 60A, which is closer to the central position M than the first swing center P1. This tension breaks the first break promotion section 60A3.

[0092] In particular, the first break promotion section 60A3 of the first wire 60A is located closer to the central position M than the first path winding section 60A2. Since the gap between the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 becomes larger as it moves away from the first oscillation center P1, a greater tension acts on the first break promotion section 60A3 than on the first path winding section 60A2. Therefore, the first break promotion section 60A3 is more likely to break than the first path winding section 60A2. Moreover, if the first break promotion section 60A3 is a section in which one wire section exists, the tension acts on the single wire section, and from this point of view, the first break promotion section 60A3 is also more likely to break.

[0093] When the first wire 60A is broken by the tension, the relative restraint state between the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 is released also at the wound portion of the first wire 60A. As a result, the lower separating member 40 can move in a direction away from the upper separating member 30, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0094] Even if the second wire 60B does not melt and the first wire 60A melts, the lower separation member 40 can be separated from the upper separation member 30 in the same manner as described above. In this case, the upper separation member 30 is in a state of swinging around the second swing center P2 relative to the lower separation member 40.

[0095] According to the separation device 20 configured as above, the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are wound around the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 so that melting of one of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B causes the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 to move in position relative to each other, and the constraint by the other of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B is released. Therefore, even if one of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B melts, the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 are separated more reliably.

[0096] In addition, each of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B is wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 multiple times. Here, the first path winding section 60A2 and the second path winding section 60B2 are wound around the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 multiple times. Therefore, the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are more likely to be kept in a restrained state than when the wire is wound around the lower separation member and the upper separation member only once. For example, even if the force F is set large for a reliable separation operation, the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are difficult to separate before the first wire 60A or the second wire 60B melts. On the other hand, after the first wire 60A or the second wire 60B melts, the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are easily separated by the large force F.

[0097] Furthermore, a voltage is applied to a portion of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B by the first anode 70A and the first cathode 72A, and the second anode 70B and the second cathode 72B. Compared to a case where a voltage is applied to the entire wire, the portion of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B can generate heat intensively and melt. Therefore, the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B can be easily melted with a small amount of power.

[0098] For example, in a configuration in which the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are wound multiple times, a voltage may be applied to at least a portion of one winding section. In this case, the multiple winding state of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B is released by melting at least a portion of one winding section. This makes it possible to melt the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B with small power, while more reliably maintaining the constraint between the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40.

[0099] In addition, since the first wire 60A includes the first breaking section 60A1 that passes through a path closer to the central position M than the first swing center P1, the first breaking section 60A1 is pulled strongly and easily breaks when the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 swing relatively around the first swing center P1. Since the second wire 60B includes the second breaking section 60B1 that passes through a path closer to the central position M than the second swing center P2, the second breaking section 60B1 is pulled strongly and easily breaks when the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 swing relatively around the second swing center P2. This makes it easier for the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 to separate.

[0100] Moreover, the first wire 60A includes a first path winding section 60A2 and a first break promotion section 60A3. The second wire 60B includes a second path winding section 60B2 and a second break promotion section 60B3. Therefore, the first path winding section 60A2 and the second path winding section 60B2 can easily keep the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 in a restrained state. Furthermore, when the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 swing relatively, the first break promotion section 60A3 and the second break promotion section 60B3 are more likely to be pulled and break than the first path winding section 60A2 and the second path winding section 60B2. This makes it easier for the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 to separate.

[0101] Furthermore, the first wire 60A passes through the first grooves 35A and 44A, and the second wire 60B passes through the second grooves 35B and 44B. This stabilizes the paths of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B, stabilizing the state in which the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 are restrained, and stabilizing the separating operation.

[0102] Furthermore, the ends of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B can be easily fixed by being sandwiched between the heads 52A, 52B of the wire fixing devices 50A, 50B and the upper separating member 30.

[0103] Furthermore, the tips of the bodies 51A, 51B of the wire fasteners 50A, 50B are plastically deformed within the recess 32hb, thereby preventing the wire fasteners 50A, 50B from slipping out of the upper separation member 30. This prevents the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B from coming into contact with the wire fasteners 50A, 50B on the side opposite the heads 52A, 52B. This makes it difficult for a current for melting to unintentionally flow into the wire fasteners 50A, 50B, for example, even if the wire fasteners 50A, 50B are made of metal.

[0104] {Modification of the first embodiment} In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a tension is applied to the wire 60A or the wire 60B by a relative positional change of the upper separating member 30 with respect to the lower separating member 40, thereby breaking the wire 60A or the wire 60B.

[0105] The configuration in which the constraint by the first wire 60A or the second wire 60B is released by a relative positional change of the upper separation member 30 with respect to the lower separation member 40 is not limited to this example.

[0106] In the next modified example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a configuration example is described in which the constraint is released by the first wire 60A or the second wire 60B being detached from the upper separating member 130 and the lower separating member 40 due to a relative positional change of the upper separating member 130 with respect to the lower separating member 40.

[0107] That is, in this modification, the first wire 60A includes a first detachment section 60A5 that passes through a path farther from the central position M than the first oscillation center P1. The second wire 60B includes a second detachment section 60B5 that passes through a path farther from the central position M than the second oscillation center P2.

[0108] More specifically, the separation device 120 according to this modification includes an upper separation member 130 instead of the upper separation member 30 .

[0109] The upper separating member 130 differs from the upper separating member 30 in the following respects. That is, the portions of the upper separating member 130 that extend from the portion 130E in contact with the lower separating member 40 toward both longitudinally outer sides of the upper separating member 130 are obliquely cut. That is, an inclined surface 130F is interposed between the surface of the upper separating member 130 that contacts the lower separating member 40 and the longitudinally opposite outward surfaces of the upper separating member 130. A curved surface may be interposed between the portion 130E in contact with the lower separating member 40 of the upper separating member 130 and the inclined surface 130F. In addition, a step or a curved surface may be formed between the portion 130E in contact with the lower separating member 40 of the upper separating member 130 and the longitudinally opposite outward surfaces of the upper separating member 130.

[0110] In the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40 , the dimension of the set recess 42 in the lower separating member 40 may be set to be the same as or larger than the dimension of the surface of the upper separating member 130 that contacts the lower separating member 40 .

[0111] In this modification, a connection portion 130Ec is present between a portion 130E of the upper separating member 130 that contacts the lower separating member 40 and the inclined surface 130F. The point or line where the connection portion 130Ec and the set recess 42 of the lower separating member 40 contact each other becomes the first swing center P1 and the second swing center P2.

[0112] The first oscillation center P1 is located closer to the central position M than the first wire 60A passing through the first grooves 35A and 44A. The second oscillation center P2 is located closer to the central position M than the second wire 60B passing through the second grooves 35B and 44B.

[0113] The section of the first wire 60A described as the first path winding section 60A2 is the first detached section 60A5 that passes through a path farther from the central position M than the first oscillation center P1. The section of the second wire 60B described as the second path winding section 60B2 is the second detached section 60B5 that passes through a path farther from the central position M than the second oscillation center P2.

[0114] The operation of the separation device 120 according to this modified example will be described.

[0115] 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when both the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are melted. In this case, when a part of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B melts, the wires are unwound from the lower separation member 40 and the upper separation member 130. As a result, the lower separation member 40 and the upper separation member 130 become separable, and the lower separation member 40 moves in a direction away from the upper separation member 130, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5.

[0116] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the first wire 60A is not melted and the second wire 60B is melted.

[0117] In this case, immediately after the second wire 60B melts, the lower separating member 40 and the upper separating member 130 are kept in contact with each other at the wound portion of the first wire 60A. Also, the relative restraint state between the lower separating member 40 and the upper separating member 130 is released at the wound portion of the second wire 60B.

[0118] For this reason, when both ends of the lower separation member 40 are pushed by the force F in a direction away from the upper separation member 130, the first wire winding portion 34A of the upper separation member 130 moves together with the lower separation member 40. Since the second wire winding portion 34B of the upper separation member 130 can move away from the lower separation member 40, the upper separation member 130 rotates around the central axis of the support hole 30h. As a result, the upper separation member 130 is brought into a state of swinging around the first swing center P1 relative to the lower separation member 40.

[0119] As the upper separating member 130 swings around the first swing center P1 relative to the lower separating member 40, the first groove 35A, which is located farther from the central position M than the first swing center P1, approaches the first groove 44A. This can cause slack in the first wire 60A that has been wound to pass through the first grooves 35A, 44A.

[0120] The slack in the first wire 60A allows the upper separation member 130 to swing even more significantly relative to the lower separation member 40. This causes the first wire 60A to slacken even more, and eventually the first wire winding portion 34A can come off the first wire 60A. The lower separation member 40 may break off from the first wire 60A.

[0121] As a result, the relative restraint state between the lower separating member 40 and the upper separating member 130 is released also at the wound portion of the first wire 60A. As a result, the lower separating member 40 can move in a direction away from the upper separating member 130, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0122] Even if the second wire 60B does not melt and the first wire 60A melts, the lower separation member 40 can be separated from the upper separation member 130 in the same manner as described above. In this case, the upper separation member 130 is in a state of swinging around the second swing center P2 relative to the lower separation member 40.

[0123] This modification provides the same effects as the above embodiment, except for the effect that the wires 60A, 60B break due to tension.

[0124] In addition, when the lower separation member 40 and the upper separation member 130 relatively swing around the first swing center P1, the end of the lower separation member 40 and the end of the upper separation member 130 approach each other outside the first swing center P1, and by utilizing this, the first detachment section 60A5 of the first wire 60A is detached from the lower separation member 40 or the upper separation member 130. Similarly, when the lower separation member 40 and the upper separation member 130 relatively swing around the second swing center P2, the end of the lower separation member 40 and the end of the upper separation member 130 approach each other outside the second swing center P2, and by utilizing this, the second detachment section 60B5 of the second wire 60B is detached from the lower separation member 40 or the upper separation member 130. Therefore, the lower separation member 40 and the upper separation member 130 can be separated from each other even if the wires 60A and 60B are not broken by tension.

[0125] The above embodiment and modified example may be combined so that a portion of the wire is easily broken and another portion of the wire is easily pulled out of the separating member due to a relative positional change between the upper and lower separating members.

[0126] The separation device described in the above embodiment and modified examples can be used for various purposes in spacecraft by changing the state of the lower separation member and the upper separation member from a constrained state to a released state.

[0127] For example, the separation device may be used as a constituent device of an apparatus for separating a rocket body from a satellite.

[0128] The separation device may also be used as a component device of an apparatus for separating a portion of a rocket from the remainder.

[0129] The separation device may also be used in a return capsule for retrieving items collected in space back on Earth.

[0130] The separation device may also be used as a component device of an apparatus for opening the lid of a satellite release mechanism.

[0131] The separation device may also be used as a component device of an apparatus for releasing the solar cell paddles. For example, the solar cell paddles are fixed in a folded state by a launch lock device at the time of launch. For an apparatus used in space, the most severe mechanical environment in terms of vibration, shock environment, etc. is the environment during launch into orbit. Therefore, at the time of launch, the solar cell paddles are launch-locked by the launch lock device so as not to vibrate, and when the apparatus carrying the solar cell paddles reaches orbit, the launch lock is released and the solar cell paddles are released.

[0132] It is considered that many devices used in space, including solar array paddles, are fixed by the launch-lock device so as to withstand the mechanical environment during launch. The separation device is not limited to the launch-lock device of the solar array paddles, and may be used as a separation device for releasing the launch-lock device of various devices used in space.

[0133] {Second embodiment} A trigger device according to the second embodiment will now be described. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a trigger device 210. In Fig. 7, an apparatus 200 that operates in response to an operation by the trigger device 210 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the trigger device 210. Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views in which the holder 220 of the trigger device 210 is partially omitted. Fig. 9 shows the state before the separation device 20 is separated, and Fig. 10 shows the state after the separation device 20 is separated.

[0134] The trigger device 210 includes a separating device 20, a holder 220, biasing members 250A and 250B, and a movable body 250. The trigger device 210 may include a separating device 120 instead of the separating device 20.

[0135] The separation device 20 is the device described in the above embodiment. The separation device 20 may be the device described in the modified example.

[0136] The holder 220 is a holder that holds the separation device 20. In this embodiment, the holder 220 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box that houses the separation device 20 and the movable body 250.

[0137] The holder 220 includes, for example, a holder body 222 and a holder lid 226. Each of the holder body 222 and the holder lid 226 may be a part integrally formed from metal or resin.

[0138] The holder body 222 includes a bottom plate portion 223 and four wall portions 224. The bottom plate portion 223 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The four wall portions 224 are formed in plate shapes protruding from the four sides of the bottom plate portion 223 toward one main surface of the bottom plate portion 223. The side of the holder body 222 opposite the bottom plate portion 223 is open. The movable body 250 is accommodated in a space surrounded by the bottom plate portion 223 and the four wall portions 224.

[0139] A through recess 224g penetrating the wall portion 224 from inside to outside is formed at the center of one of the four wall portions 224 in the longitudinal direction of the wall portion 224. A part of the movable body 250 protrudes from the trigger device 210 through the through recess 224g or retracts to the inside of the trigger device 210.

[0140] The holder lid 226 includes a ceiling plate portion 227 and four wall portions 228. The ceiling plate portion 227 is formed in a rectangular plate shape like the bottom plate portion 223. The four wall portions 228 are formed in plate shapes protruding from the four sides of the ceiling plate portion 227 to the holder body 222. The holder lid 226 has an opening on the opposite side to the ceiling plate portion 227. The separation device 20 is accommodated in a space surrounded by the ceiling plate portion 227 and the four wall portions 228. However, the entire separation device may be accommodated in the holder body, or the separation device may be accommodated straddling the holder body and the holder lid.

[0141] A shaft support hole 227h into which the shaft 229 can be inserted is formed in the ceiling plate portion 227. The shaft 229 is a member rotatably inserted into the support hole 30h formed in the upper separation member 30 of the separation device 20. When the shaft 229 is inserted into the support hole 30h and the shaft support hole 227h of the upper separation member 30, the tip of the shaft 229 protrudes from the upper separation member 30. By inserting the tip of the shaft 229 into the shaft support hole 227h, the shaft 229 is supported at a fixed position in the holder 220. As a result, the upper separation member 30 is supported by the holder 220 so as to be rotatable about the rotation center between the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B. The shaft 229 may be configured to be screwed into the shaft support hole 227h, for example, or may be configured to be pressed into the shaft support hole 227h.

[0142] With the separation device 20 housed in the holder lid 226, the lower separating member 40 is disposed at a position farther from the through-hole recess 224g than the upper separating member 30. Therefore, when the lower separating member 40 is separated from the upper separating member 30, the lower separating member 40 moves away from the through-hole recess 224g.

[0143] Holder body 222 and holder lid 226 are joined together with their openings facing each other to form holder 220 in the shape of a rectangular box.

[0144] Since the movable body 250 is housed in the holder body 222 and the separation device 20 is housed in the holder lid 226, the movable body 250 and the separation device 20 can come into contact with each other and act on each other within the holder 220.

[0145] The constraint between the holder body 222 and the holder lid 226 may be maintained by, for example, a screw S, may be maintained by welding, or may be maintained by a locking structure.

[0146] The biasing members 250A and 250B bias the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from the upper separating member 30. In this embodiment, the biasing members 250A and 250B include a first biasing member 250A and a second biasing member 250B. The first biasing member 250A and the second biasing member 250B are coil springs. The biasing members 250A and 250B bias the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from the upper separating member 30 via the movable body 250.

[0147] The biasing member may directly bias the lower separating member. For example, two coil springs may be interposed between both ends of the lower separating member and the wall of the holder lid to directly bias the lower separating member. In this case, the movable body may be configured to move by being pushed by the lower separating member which is biased by the coil spring to move. That is, the biasing member may directly or indirectly bias the movable body. The biasing member may directly or indirectly bias the lower separating member. The biasing member does not have to be a coil spring, and may be a leaf spring, rubber, or the like.

[0148] The movable body 250 is supported by the holder 220 so as to be movable from a first position to a second position. Here, the movable body 250 is supported movably within the holder body 222. When the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are restrained, the movable body 250 is located at the first position. FIG. 9 shows the movable body 250 in the first position. In this state, a part of the movable body 250 protrudes out of the holder 220 through the through recess 224g. When the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are separated, the movable body 250 moves to the second position by the biasing force of the coil springs 250A and 250B. FIG. 10 shows the movable body 250 in the second position. In this state, a part of the movable body 250 is retracted into the through recess 224g. FIG. 11 is a partial cutaway view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 7. In FIG. 11, the holder 220 is shown in cross section and the internal moveable body 250 is shown in side view.

[0149] More specifically, the movable body 250 includes a movable core portion 252, two receiving portions 254, and two pressing pieces 256. The movable body 250 may be, for example, a part integrally formed from metal, resin, or the like.

[0150] The movable core part 252 is formed in an elongated shape, and is disposed along the penetrating direction of the through recess 224g while passing through the through recess 224g. At least a portion of the movable core part 252 is disposed within the holder body 222. One end of the movable core part 252 is a protruding end part 253 that can protrude outside the holder body 222.

[0151] The protruding end 253 has a slit 253S extending from the tip of the protruding end 253 toward the middle of the movable core 252 in the longitudinal direction of the movable core 252. The slit 253S opens to the tip side of the protruding end 253, the bottom plate 223 side, and the holder lid 226 side. Guide rollers 253R and 255R are rotatably arranged in the slit 253S. The guide roller 255R is located closer to the base end of the protruding end 253 than the guide roller 253R. When the protruding end 253 moves in the through recess 224g, the guide rollers 253R and 255R can roll on the surface surrounding the through recess 224g and on the extension of the bottom plate 223. This allows the protruding end 253 to move smoothly in the through recess 224g.

[0152] A slit 252S2 for avoiding interference with the shaft 229 is formed in the middle of the movable core part 252 in the longitudinal direction of the movable core part 252.

[0153] Two receiving portions 254 are formed on both sides of the movable core portion 252. The receiving portion 254 is formed in an elongated shape that is long in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the movable core portion 252. The receiving portion 254 is formed with a biasing member accommodating recess 254g that extends along the longitudinal direction of the receiving portion 254 and opens to the protruding end portion 253 side. The biasing members 250A and 250B are inserted into the biasing member accommodating recess 254g. With the movable body 250 accommodated in the holder main body 222, the biasing members 250A and 250B are interposed in a compressed state between the bottom surface of the biasing member accommodating recess 254g and the inner surface of the wall portion 224 of the holder main body 222 facing the bottom surface. In this embodiment, the biasing members 250A and 250B contact the inner surface of the wall portion 224 on both sides of the through recess 224g. As a result, the biasing members 250A and 250B constantly bias the two receiving portions 254 in directions away from the through-hole recess 224g, respectively.

[0154] A slit 254S is formed at the end of the two receiving parts 254 opposite to the protruding end 253 of the movable core part 252. A guide roller 254R is rotatably supported in the slit 254S. As shown in FIG. 11, when the guide roller 253R receives a load toward the bottom plate part 223 of the holder main body 222, the guide roller 255R becomes a fulcrum and the load is transmitted to the inner wall of the holder main body 222. Then, the guide roller 254R becomes a point of action and the load is transmitted to the inner surface of the holder lid 226. By intentionally making the load transmission point a roller, friction can be reduced, and the movable body 250 can be moved smoothly toward the second position.

[0155] A pressing piece 256 protrudes from each of the receiving parts 254 towards the holder lid 226. When it is assumed that the separation device 20 is supported in the holder lid 226 by the shaft 229 and the movable body 250 is located at the first position, the two pressing pieces 256 are disposed at both ends of the lower separating member 40 in the longitudinal direction, at positions facing the surface on the upper separating member 30 side, so as to come into contact with the lower separating member 40.

[0156] As described above, the biasing members 250A and 250B bias the movable body 250 toward the second position, and therefore the two pressing pieces 256 are also biased toward the second position. Therefore, the two pressing pieces 256 contact both ends of the lower separating member 40 and bias the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from the upper separating member 30.

[0157] That is, the lower separating member 40 includes a first load position Q1 where the lower separating member 40 receives the biasing force of the first biasing member 250A and a second load position Q2 where the lower separating member 40 receives the biasing force of the second biasing member 250B. The first load position Q1 is located away from the rotation center toward the first wire 60A side in the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40. The second load position Q2 is located away from the rotation center toward the second wire 60B side in the longitudinal direction of the lower separating member 40.

[0158] In a state before the separation device 20 is separated, the two biasing members 250A, 250B bias the two receiving portions 254 toward the second position. The biasing forces of the two biasing members 250A, 250B always act on the first load position Q1 and the second load position Q2 at both ends of the lower separation member 40 via the pressing piece 256. Since the upper separation member 30 is held at a fixed position in the holder 220 by the shaft 229, the lower separation member 40 restrained relative to the upper separation member 30 is also held at a fixed position in the holder 220. Therefore, the biasing forces of the two biasing members 250A, 250B are received by the first load position Q1 and the second load position Q2 at both ends of the lower separation member 40 located at a fixed position. Therefore, the movable body 250 is kept in a state of being located at the first position. In this state, the protruding end 253 protrudes outward from the through recess 224g.

[0159] When both the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are melted by energization, the lower separating member 40 can move in a direction away from the upper separating member 30. The biasing forces of the two biasing members 250A, 250B act on the first load position Q1 and the second load position Q2 at both ends of the lower separating member 40 via the pressing piece 256. Therefore, the movable body 250 moves from the first position to the second position while moving the lower separating member 40 in a direction away from the upper separating member 30 by the biasing forces of the two biasing members 250A, 250B. As a result, the protruding end 253 retreats into the through recess 224g.

[0160] When one of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B is melted by energization, one end of the lower separating member 40 can separate from the upper separating member 30, and the other end of the lower separating member 40 is kept in a restrained state with respect to the upper separating member 30. The upper separating member 30 can rotate around the shaft 229. Therefore, by the biasing forces of the two biasing members 250A, 250B, both ends of the lower separating member 40 can be translated in a direction away from the shaft 229 while rotating the upper separating member 30 around the shaft 229.

[0161] 4, the upper separating member 30 is swung relative to the lower separating member 40 around the first swing center P1 or the second swing center P2. Thus, as described in the embodiment, the other of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B is broken by tension, and the entire lower separating member 40 can move in a direction away from the upper separating member 30. As in the case where both the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B are melted by energization, the movable body 250 moves from the first position to the second position, and the protruding end 253 retreats into the through recess 224g.

[0162] In the above example, the protruding end 253 is retracted by the separation of the separation device 20, but if a protruding end is provided on the opposite side of the movable body, the protruding end can be protruded by the separation of the separation device.

[0163] By changing the state of the protruding end 253 of the trigger device 210 from a protruding state to a retracted state, or from the retracted state to a protruding state, the movement of the protruding end 253 can be used to trigger an operation of the device 200. For example, a mechanical lock of the device 200 can be released, or a switch operation of the device 200 can be performed.

[0164] According to the present embodiment, the movable body 250 can move to the second position by separating the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40. The movement of the movable body 250 to the second position can be used as an operation trigger for various devices.

[0165] In addition, by rotating the upper separating member 30, when one of the first wire 60A and the second wire 60B melts, the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 tend to be in a positional relationship in which they swing relative to each other. Therefore, the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 tend to separate from each other.

[0166] In addition, the lower separation member 40 receives the biasing force of the first biasing member 250A at the first load position Q1, and receives the biasing force of the second biasing member 250B at the second load position Q2. Therefore, the lower separation member 40 receives the biasing force at both ends in the longitudinal direction and tends to move in the same posture. The movable body 250 moved by the first biasing member 250A and the second biasing member 250B can also move smoothly from the first position to the second position in the same posture.

[0167] {Third embodiment} An equipment fixing device separator according to the third embodiment will be described. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an equipment fixing device separator 320. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing an equipment fixing device separator 320. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in Fig. 12. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 12. Figs. 12 to 16 show a state before the equipment fixing device 326 is separated. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV showing a state in which the equipment fixing device 326 can be separated.

[0168] The equipment fixing tool separator 320 includes an equipment fixing tool 326, a locking member 340, a holder 350, a coil spring 360 as a biasing member, and the separation device 20.

[0169] The equipment fixture 326 includes a locking target portion 328 and is configured to be connectable to the fixed target equipment 310. The fixed target equipment 310 is a part of a spacecraft. The locking member 340, the holder 350, the coil spring 360, and the separation device 20 are fixed to another part of the spacecraft, for example, the base equipment 312. When the equipment fixture 326 is separated from the locking member 340, the holder 350, the coil spring 360, and the separation device 20, the fixed target equipment 310 is separated from the base equipment 312. The fixed target equipment 310 or the base equipment 312 is, for example, equipment such as a rocket, an artificial satellite, a solar panel paddle, a robot arm, or a landing leg.

[0170] The equipment fixing device 326 is formed, for example, in a long and thin rod shape. In this embodiment, the equipment fixing device 326 includes a shaft portion 327 and a locking target portion 328. The shaft portion 327 is formed in a long and thin rod shape. The locking target portion 328 protrudes outward from one end of the shaft portion 327. The locking target portion 328 is an annular protrusion protruding outward from the entire circumferential direction of the shaft portion 327. A restricting guide surface 328f that gradually becomes larger toward the center of the shaft portion 327 may be formed on the surface of the locking target portion 328 from which the shaft portion 327 protrudes.

[0171] An end of the equipment fixing tool 326 opposite to the locking target portion 328 is connected to the fixed target equipment 310. The equipment fixing tool 326 may be, for example, a bolt having a spherical washer attached to the head thereof.

[0172] Locking member 340 includes locking portion 342 that can be locked to locking target portion 328, and is configured to be movable from a locking position to an unlocked position. The locking position is a position where locking portion 342 locks to locking target portion 328. The unlocked position is a position where locking portion 342 releases its engagement with locking target portion 328.

[0173] In this embodiment, the equipment fastener separator 320 includes two locking members 340. The equipment fastener separator 320 may include one or more locking members.

[0174] The locking member 340 includes a semi-cylindrical portion 341 and a swing support portion 344 .

[0175] Semi-cylinder portion 341 has a shape obtained by dividing a cylinder in half along its central axis direction. Locking portion 342 that can be locked to locking target portion 328 is located in the middle of the inner periphery of semi-cylinder portion 341 in the longitudinal direction.

[0176] The locking portion 342 is a portion having a semicircular inner peripheral edge. In this embodiment, the locking portion 342 is located in a portion of the semi-cylindrical portion 341 near one end. The radius of curvature of the locking portion 342 is equal to or larger than the radius of the shaft portion 327, and is smaller than the radius of the locking target portion 328. The portion of the locking member 340 from the locking portion 342 toward the outside of one end of the semi-cylindrical portion 341 is formed with an inner surface 341f that gradually expands toward the outside. The portion of the locking member 340 from the locking portion 342 toward the other end of the semi-cylindrical portion 341 is formed in a tapered shape that gradually expands in diameter toward the other end. Note that one end of the semi-cylindrical portion 341 is an end facing the lid portion 308, and the other end of the semi-cylindrical portion 341 is an end facing the bottom of the case main body 332.

[0177] With the two semi-cylinder portions 341 united to form a cylinder, the inner peripheral edges of the two locking portions 342 form a through hole through which the shaft portion 327 can pass. The inner diameter of the through hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the locking target portion 328. Therefore, the equipment fixing device 326 is incorporated between the two locking members 340 so that the shaft portion 327 passes between the two locking portions 342 and the locking target portion 328 faces the restriction guide surface 328f.

[0178] In this state, the locking target portion 328 cannot slip out between the two locking portions 342. Therefore, by keeping the two semi-cylindrical portions 341 in a restrained state, the equipment fixing device 326 is restricted from slipping out from the locking member 340 to the side from which the shaft portion 327 extends.

[0179] Furthermore, when the two semi-cylindrical portions 341 are released and the two locking portions 342 open, the locking target portion 328 can slip through between the two locking portions 342. This allows the equipment fixing device 326 to slip out from the locking member 340 to the side from which the shaft portion 327 extends.

[0180] The position of locking member 340 where two half cylinder portions 341 are united and locking portion 342 is locked to locking target portion 328 is defined as the locking position. The position of locking member 340 where two half cylinder portions 341 move away from each other and locking portion 342 is released from locking target portion 328 is defined as the unlocking position. Locking member 340 is configured to be movable from the locking position to the unlocking position.

[0181] In this embodiment, the locking target portion 328 is a protrusion, but the locking target portion may be a recess. In this case, the locking portion of the locking member only needs to have a protruding shape that fits into the recessed locking target portion.

[0182] In this embodiment, the swing support part 344 is supported by the case 330, thereby movably supporting the locking member 340. That is, the swing support part 344 protrudes from the other end of the semi-cylindrical part 341 toward both outsides. The longitudinal direction of the swing support part 344 is along the direction of the combined surface of the two semi-cylindrical parts 341 and perpendicular to the axis of the semi-cylindrical parts 341. Both ends of the swing support part 344 have a partially circumferential surface that curves with the axis along the longitudinal direction of the swing support part 344 as the center of curvature.

[0183] Case 330 includes case body 332 and lid 308. Case body 332 is box-shaped and opens on one side. Lid 308 is shaped to close the opening of case body 332.

[0184] A swing support recess 333 is formed on each of two opposing edge portions of the opening periphery of the case body 332. The swing support recess 333 is formed in a recessed shape that supports the ends of the two swing support parts 344 so that they can swing around an axis along the longitudinal direction of the swing support parts 344.

[0185] One end of each of the swing support portions 344 of the two locking members 340 is swingably supported in one of the swing support recesses 333, and the other end of each of the swing support portions 344 of the two locking members 340 is swingably supported in the other of the swing support recesses 333. The two locking members 340 swing around an axis along the longitudinal direction of the swing support portions 344, and are supported movably between an locked position and an unlocked position.

[0186] The lid 308 is formed in a rectangular plate shape capable of closing the opening of the case body 332. The lid 308 is fixed to the edge of the opening of the case body 332 by screws or the like. When the opening of the case body 332 is closed with the lid 308, the ends of the two swing support parts 344 are held so as not to come off the swing support recesses 333. The lid 308 is formed with a through hole having a diameter that allows the equipment fixing tool 326 to pass through.

[0187] Each of the swing support parts 344 has a receiving projection 345 projecting in a direction opposite to the opposing swing support part 344. The receiving projection 345 can receive the force of a coil spring 360 serving as a biasing member, which will be described later. The biasing force of the coil spring 360 biases the two locking members 340 toward the locking position.

[0188] The holder 350 is configured to be movable between a holding position and a release position. The holding position is a position for holding the locking member 340 in the above-mentioned locking position. The release position is a position for releasing the hold of the locking member 340 so that the locking member 340 can move from the locking position to the unlocked position.

[0189] More specifically, the holder 350 includes a holder body 351 having a holding recess 352. The holding recess 352 is a recess capable of accommodating the two combined semi-cylindrical portions 341, and is formed in the shape of a through hole in this case. The inner peripheral surface of the holding recess 352 is formed in a shape capable of contacting the outer peripheral surfaces of the two combined semi-cylindrical portions 341. The two combined semi-cylindrical portions 341 are restrained by being placed in the holding recess 352. The two combined semi-cylindrical portions 341 are pulled out of the holding recess 352, and thus the two semi-cylindrical portions 341 can be separated and moved to the unlocked position.

[0190] The holder 350 is disposed in the case 330 and is disposed so as to be movable between a holding position and a release position. The holding position is a position farther from the bottom surface of the case 330 than the release position. In other words, the holder 350 holds the two locking members 340 in the holding position at a position farther from the bottom surface of the case 330. When the holder 350 approaches the bottom surface of the case 330 from this state, the holder 350 releases the hold of the two locking members 340.

[0191] Coil spring 360 as a biasing member biases holder 350 toward the release position. Here, spring set recess 353 is formed in holder 350. More specifically, holder body 351 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped block shape. Spring set recess 353 is formed at each corner of holder body 351 at a position on the outer periphery side of holding recess 352. Spring set recess 353 opens to the opening side of case body 332. Receiving protrusion 345 of swing support part 344 is disposed outside the opening of spring set recess 353.

[0192] The coil spring 360 is set in the spring set recess 353 and is disposed in a compressed state between the bottom surface of the spring set recess 353 and the receiving protrusion 345. The holder 350 is urged toward the release position by the urging force of the coil spring 360 attempting to expand. In this embodiment, the urging force of the coil spring 360 urges the receiving protrusion 345 in a direction away from the holder 350. As a result, the locking member 340 is urged toward the unlocked position.

[0193] The locking member 340 and the holder 350 may be biased by separate biasing members.

[0194] The separation device 20 is as described in the above-mentioned first embodiment. The separation device 20 may be the separation device 120 described in the modified example of the first embodiment.

[0195] The holder 350 is held in the holding position by the restraint between the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 of the separation device 20. When the restraint between the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 is released, the holder 350 is allowed to move from the holding position to the released position.

[0196] Here, the separation device 20 is disposed on the inside of one of the four side surfaces of the case body 332. A shaft 334 is held penetrating the case body 332. The shaft 334 is inserted into a support hole 30h of the upper separation member 30, whereby the upper separation member 30 is supported by the case body 332 to be swingable around the shaft 334.

[0197] Position restriction arms 356 are located on both side surfaces of holder body 351. Position restriction arms 356 are formed in a shape that protrudes from holder body 351. Here, position restriction arm 356 is formed in an elongated shape with both ends protruding from holder body 351. A support shaft portion protruding from the side surface of holder body 351 is fitted into a hole perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of position restriction arm 356. As a result, position restriction arm 356 is supported to be swingable with respect to holder body 351.

[0198] Support protrusions 335 are provided at both corners of the inner surface of the case body 332 located opposite the separation device 20. The surface of the support protrusions 335 facing the opening of the case body 332 is located on the bottom side of the opening of the case body 332.

[0199] With the holder 350 disposed at the holding position of the case body 332, one ends of the two position restriction arms 356 contact both longitudinal ends of the lower separation member 40. The other ends of the two position restriction arms 356 contact the surfaces of the support protrusions 335 that face the opening of the case body. The holder 350 is supported at the holding position by both ends of the position restriction arms 356 contacting the ends of the lower separation member 40 and the support protrusions 335 from the opening side of the case body 332.

[0200] When the equipment fixing device separator 320 is in an operationally assembled state, the two locking members 340 are united and positioned at the locking position. The locking target portion 328 is locked to the locking portion 342, so that the equipment fixing device 326 is prevented from slipping out between the two locking portions 342 toward the shaft portion 327.

[0201] The two semi-cylinder portions 341 are held in the locking position by being fitted into and held in the holding recesses 352 of the holder 350 located in the holding position. In this state, the surface of the swing support portion 344 facing the lid portion 308 is inclined so as to move away from the lid portion 308 as it moves away from the swing support portion 344. The locking member 340 can move from the holding position to the unlocking position so as to reduce the gap between the surface of the swing support portion 344 facing the lid portion 308 and the lid portion 308.

[0202] Since a coil spring 360 is interposed in a compressed state between the holder 350 and the swing support portion 344, the holder 350 is biased toward the release position, and the locking member 340 is biased toward the unlocked position.

[0203] The position restricting arm 356 of the holder 350 comes into contact with the supporting protrusion 335 and the end of the lower separating member 40, thereby restricting the holder 350 from moving to the release position.

[0204] The biasing force of the coil spring 360 is transmitted to both ends of the lower separating member 40 via the position restricting arm 356. The biasing force acts as a force that separates both ends of the lower separating member 40 from the upper separating member 30. Therefore, as described in the first embodiment, when the wire is melted, the lower separating member 40 can be separated from the upper separating member 30 and move in a direction away from the upper separating member 30. In addition, since the upper separating member 30 is supported swingably around the shaft 334, the lower separating member 40 can be smoothly separated from the upper separating member 30 even if one of the wires is melted.

[0205] When the lower separation member 40 moves in a direction away from the upper separation member 30, the position restriction arm 356 swings around a support shaft protruding from a side surface of the holder main body 351, as shown in Figures 15 and 17. The end of the position restriction arm 356 on the lower separation member 40 side moves to the bottom side of the case main body 332, and the end of the position restriction arm 356 on the support protrusion 335 side moves to the opening side of the case main body 332. As a result, the position restriction arm 356 moves out of the face of the support protrusion 335 facing the opening of the case main body, and the holder 350 supporting the position restriction arm 356 can also move to the bottom side of the case main body 332.

[0206] 15, when holder 350 moves to the bottom side of case body 332, two semi-cylindrical portions 341 come out of holding recesses 352 of holder 350. This allows two locking members 340 to move to the unlocked position. Here, the biasing force of coil spring 360 presses receiving protrusion 345 in a direction away from holder 350, so that locking members 340 are biased toward the unlocked position and move smoothly toward the unlocked position.

[0207] When the locking member 340 moves to the unlocked position, the locking target portion 328 and the locking portion 342 are unlocked, and the equipment fixing device 326 can be pulled out to the side from which the shaft portion 327 extends. In particular, since the restricting guide surface 328f of the locking target portion 328 contacts the locking portion 342, the locking target portion 328 and the locking portion 342 are less likely to get caught on each other.

[0208] When the equipment fixing device 326 is released from the locking member 340 , the fixed target equipment 310 to which the equipment fixing device 326 is fixed can be separated from the base equipment 312 .

[0209] According to the equipment fixing device separator 320 configured in this manner, when the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40 are separated, the holder 350 moves to the release position, and the locking member 340 becomes able to move to the unlocked position. This releases the locking of the equipment fixing device 326 by the locking member 340. This separates the equipment fixing device 326 from the locking member 340, and the fixed state of the fixing target device 310 is released.

[0210] By using the separation devices 20, 120 described in the first embodiment or its modified example as the separation device 20 including the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40, the operation can be performed more reliably.

[0211] It should be noted that the separation devices 20, 120 are not limited to the above configurations and can be used as devices for operating equipment fixture separators of various configurations.

[0212] {Fourth embodiment} A spacecraft separation device according to a fourth embodiment will be described. Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a spacecraft separation device 420. Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the spacecraft separation device 420 in a separated state. Fig. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in Fig. 18. Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a band fastener 456 is separated in the cross-section taken along line XX-XX.

[0213] The spacecraft separation device 420 is a device that restrains the first spacecraft 412 and the second spacecraft 414 at launch and separates the first spacecraft 412 and the second spacecraft 414 in space. For example, the first spacecraft 412 is a rocket, and the second spacecraft 414 is an artificial satellite launched by the first spacecraft 412.

[0214] The spacecraft separation device 420 includes a first spacecraft fixing member 430 , a second spacecraft fixing member 440 , a band 450 , a band fixing member 456 , a locking mechanism 460 , and the trigger device 210 .

[0215] The first spacecraft fixing member 430 is fixed to the first spacecraft 412. The second spacecraft fixing member 440 is fixed to the second spacecraft 414.

[0216] The first spacecraft fixing member 430 comprises an annular portion 431, an outer flange portion 432, and a combination flange portion 433. The annular portion 431 is formed in a short cylindrical shape. The outer flange portion 432 is formed so as to protrude outward from the peripheral edge of one axial end side of the annular portion 431. The outer flange portion 432 is fixed to the first spacecraft 412 by screws, welding, or the like. The combination flange portion 433 is formed so as to protrude outward from the peripheral edge of the other axial end side of the annular portion 431.

[0217] The band holding parts 444 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the first spacecraft fixing member 430. The band holding parts 444 include a first side part extending radially outward from a position on the outer peripheral surface of the annular part 431 near the outer flange part 432, a separation prevention part extending from the tip of the first side part toward the combination flange part 433 side, and a second side part extending radially inward from the tip of the separation prevention part. The first side part faces the annular part 441 of the second spacecraft fixing member 440, but is not fixed to the annular part 441. Therefore, the band holding parts 444 are supported in a cantilever manner by the first spacecraft fixing member 430, and remain on the first spacecraft fixing member 430 side when the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 are separated. The band holding parts may remain on either the first spacecraft fixing member or the first spacecraft fixing member.

[0218] The first spacecraft fixing member 430 includes a separation annular member 447 and a coil spring 448 as a biasing member. The separation annular member 447 is located between the second spacecraft fixing member 440 and a main body unit including the annular portion 431, the outer flange portion 432, and the combination flange portion 433 of the first spacecraft fixing member 430, while being in contact with the second spacecraft fixing member 440.

[0219] The coil spring 448 biases the separation annular member 447 toward the second spacecraft fixing member 440. Here, multiple coil springs 448 are arranged on the inner circumferential side of the annular portion 431 of the first spacecraft fixing member 430. A spring receiving piece 432p protrudes from the inner circumferential side of the annular portion 431, and the coil spring 448 is interposed in a compressed state between the spring receiving piece 432p and the separation annular member 447. With the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 constrained, the second spacecraft fixing member 440 is biased in a direction away from the first spacecraft fixing member 430 by the elastic force of the coil spring 448. Since the biasing force of the multiple coil springs 448 is transmitted to the second spacecraft fixing member 440 via the separation annular member 447, the entire circumferential direction of the second spacecraft fixing member 440 is biased in a direction away from the first spacecraft fixing member 430, making it easy to separate the second spacecraft fixing member 440 in a stable manner.

[0220] The second spacecraft fixing member 440 includes an annular portion 441, an outer flange portion 442, and a combination flange portion 443. The annular portion 441 is formed in a short cylindrical shape. The outer flange portion 442 is formed so as to protrude outward from the peripheral edge of one axial end side of the annular portion 441. The outer flange portion 442 is fixed to the second spacecraft 414 by screwing, welding, or the like.

[0221] A combining flange 443 is formed so as to protrude outward from the peripheral edge on the other axial end side of the annular portion 441. The combining flange 443 has the same outer diameter as the combining flange 433. The first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 are constrained so that the combining flanges 433, 443 face each other.

[0222] The band 450 is wound around the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 so as to restrain the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440. In the wound state, the band 450 is biased in the direction of spreading. Here, the band 450 is made of spring steel or the like. The initial inner diameter of the band 450 is set to a value larger than the outer diameter of the joining flange 433. The band 450 is wound around the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 so as to reduce its diameter. The band 450 is biased in the direction of spreading by its own elastic force that tries to return to its original shape.

[0223] The band 450 is wound around the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 via a combined maintaining member 458 .

[0224] The combination maintaining member 458 includes an arc-shaped plate portion 458a that is curved in an arc shape so as to be wound around the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440, and protruding edges 458b that protrude from both side edges of the inner peripheral surface of the arc-shaped plate portion 458a toward the inner peripheral side. A plurality of combination maintaining members 458 are attached to the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 in a divided manner in the circumferential direction, which are in a constrained state. The arc-shaped plate portion 458a of each combination maintaining member 458 is located on the outer periphery side of the combination flange portion 433 of the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the combination flange portion 433 of the second spacecraft fixing member 440, and the protruding edges 458b on both sides of the arc-shaped plate portion 458a sandwich the opposing combination flange portions 433, 443. The pair of protruding edges sandwich the opposing combination flanges 433, 443, thereby maintaining the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 in a constrained state. Note that in the description of this embodiment, when the outer circumferential side or the inner circumferential side is simply mentioned, it means the outer circumferential side or the inner circumferential side based on the band 450 that is wound around to form a ring.

[0225] The band 450 is wound around the outer circumference of a plurality of combined-up maintaining members 458. By keeping the band 450 in a wound state, the combined-up maintaining members 458 keep the first spacecraft fixing member 430 and the second spacecraft fixing member 440 in a fixed state. When the band 450 spreads, the combined-up maintaining members 458 can move in a direction away from the spacecraft fixing members 430, 440, and the spacecraft fixing members 430, 440 can be separated. Here, the combined-up maintaining members 458 are fixed to the inner circumference of the band 450 by means of screws or the like, and when the band 450 spreads, the combined-up maintaining members 458 move to the outer circumference side of the spacecraft fixing members 430, 440. Since the band 450 is located inside the band holding portion 444, it remains on the first spacecraft fixing member 430 side even when the band 450 spreads.

[0226] A band fastener 456 is connected to the band 450. The band fastener 456 includes a locking target portion 456b. The locking target portion 456b is locked to a locking mechanism 460, thereby keeping the band 450 in a wound state.

[0227] More specifically, the band fixture 456 is formed in a long and thin rod shape. In this embodiment, the band fixture 456 includes a shaft portion 456a and a locking target portion 456b. The shaft portion 456a is formed in a long and thin rod shape. The locking target portion 456b protrudes outward from one end of the shaft portion 456a. The locking target portion 456b is an annular protrusion protruding outward from the entire circumferential direction of the shaft portion 456a. The surface of the locking target portion 456b on the side where the shaft portion 456a protrudes may be formed into a regulating guide surface 456bf that is inclined so as to gradually become smaller toward the central axis of the shaft portion 456a.

[0228] The band fixing device 456 is supported so as to be movable forward and backward by a support member 457 attached to one end of the band 450. The support member 457 includes a base plate portion 457a fixed to one end of the band 450, a front plate portion 457b protruding from a tip portion of the base plate portion 457a toward the outer periphery, and a pair of side walls 457c protruding from both sides of the base plate portion 457a toward the outer periphery.

[0229] A through hole through which the shaft portion 456a can be inserted is formed in the front plate portion 457b. A retaining portion 456c is located at the end of the shaft portion 456a opposite to the locking target portion 456b.

[0230] The shaft portion 456a is passed through the through hole of the front plate portion 457b such that the locking target portion 456b is disposed on the outer side of the end of the band 450 relative to the front plate portion 457b, and the retaining portion 456c is disposed on the middle side of the band 450 relative to the front plate portion 457b. As a result, the band fixing device 456 is supported so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the end of the band 450 within a range where the locking target portion 456b and the retaining portion 456c contact the front plate portion 457b so as to prevent the band 450 from slipping off.

[0231] The band fastener 456 may be, for example, a bolt having a spherical washer attached to the head thereof, and a nut fastened to the tip of the threaded shaft of the bolt.

[0232] Coil spring 454 as a biasing member biases band fixing device 456 toward the middle side of band 450. Here, coil spring 454 is fitted onto shaft portion 456a so as to be compressed between front plate portion 457b and retaining portion 456c. Band fixing device 456 is biased toward the middle side of band 450 by the biasing force of coil spring 454 tending to expand.

[0233] It is not essential that the band fixing device 456 be supported so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the band 450, and it may be fixed at a fixed position with respect to the band 450.

[0234] The locking mechanism 460 includes a locking member 461 that locks to the locking target portion 456b of the band fixing device 456 so as to maintain the band 450 in the above-mentioned wound state. The locking mechanism 460 is also configured to be able to change its state from an locked state in which the locking member 461 locks to the locking target portion 456b to an unlocked state in which the locked state is released, when the locking mechanism 460 receives a force in a direction in which the band 450 spreads.

[0235] More specifically, the locking mechanism 460 includes a support member 462 supported on the other end of the band 450. The support member 462 includes a base plate portion 462a and a pair of side walls 463 protruding from both side edges of the base plate portion 462a toward the outer periphery. The base plate portion 462a is fixed to the other end of the band 450 by screws or the like.

[0236] With the band 450 wound around the spacecraft fixing members 430 and 440 , the locking target portion 456 b of the band fixing device 456 is disposed between the pair of side wall portions 463 .

[0237] A locking member 461 is movably supported by the pair of side walls 463. Here, the locking member 461 is movably supported via a first link 464 and a second link 465.

[0238] More specifically, the locking member 461 is an elongated member, and has a locking recess 461a in the middle of the locking member 461 in the longitudinal direction.

[0239] The first link 464 is a long member. One end of the first link 464 is rotatably supported by one end side portion of the pair of side wall portions 463 of the band 450. The position at which the one end of the first link 464 is supported is a position on the inner circumferential side of the band fastener 456. The first link 464 is located on the outer side of the pair of side wall portions 463. Therefore, the first link 464 crosses the band fastener 456, so that the other end of the first link 464 can be located on the outer circumferential side of the band fastener 456.

[0240] The other end of the first link 464 is rotatably supported on one end of the locking member 461 via a side wall portion 463 .

[0241] The second link 465 is a long member. The second link 465 is located between the pair of side wall portions 463. One end of the second link 465 is rotatably supported by one end side portion of the band 450 of the pair of side wall portions 463. The position where the one end of the second link 465 is supported is a position on the outer circumferential side of the band fixing device 456.

[0242] The other end of the second link 465 is rotatably supported by the other end of the locking member 461. One end of the locking member 461 is rotatably supported by the first link 464, and the other end of the locking member 461 is rotatably supported by the other end of the second link 465. Therefore, the locking member 461 is also one of the links that make up the link mechanism.

[0243] When the band 450 is wound around the spacecraft fixing members 430, 440, the band fixing device 456 is inserted and positioned between a pair of side wall portions 463, between the support position on one end side of the first link 464 and the support position on one end side of the second link 465.

[0244] The length of the first link 464 is greater than the connection length between the second link 465 and the locking member 461. Therefore, the locking member 461 can be disposed at a position closer to the support position of one end of the second link 465 than to the support position of one end of the first link 464. The locking member 461 is located on the outer circumferential side of the locking target portion 456b.

[0245] The locking member 461 can be locked to the locking target portion 456b by positioning the locking recess 461a of the locking member 461 on the side where the shaft portion 456a extends relative to the locking target portion 456b. The band fixing device 456 is biased in a pull-out direction, which is a direction in which the band 450 is pulled out from the locking member 461 toward one end side of the band 450, by the elastic force of the band 450 or the elastic force of the coil spring 454. Therefore, by pressing the locking target portion 456b against the locking member 461, a force is constantly acting to push the locking recess 461a in the pull-out direction of the band fixing device 456. The other end of the second link 465 is biased toward the outer periphery by this force.

[0246] A base side locking protrusion 462ap may be provided on the base plate portion 462a. The base side locking protrusion 462ap may be locked to the locking target portion 456b from the side opposite to the locking member 461.

[0247] A restricting lever piece 465p protrudes from the other end of the second link 465 so as to avoid the outer circumferential side of the connection point between the other end of the second link 465 and the other end of the locking member 461. As described above, since the other end of the second link 465 is biased toward the outer circumferential side, the tip of the restricting lever piece 465p is also biased toward the outer circumferential side.

[0248] Both ends of the locking member 461 are connected to the free ends of the first link 464 and the second link 465. If the swinging of the first link 464 or the second link 465 is not restricted, the locking member 461 cannot maintain the state in which it is locked to the locking target portion 456b.

[0249] The trigger device 210 plays a role in maintaining the state in which the locking member 461 is locked to the locking target portion 456b. That is, when the protruding end portion 253 of the movable body 250 of the trigger device 210 is located at the first position, the protruding end portion 253 comes into contact with the restricting lever piece 465p of the locking mechanism 460 to maintain the state in which the locking member 461 is locked to the locking target portion 456b. When the protruding end portion 253 of the movable body 250 is moved to the second position, the protruding end portion 253 is allowed to move in a direction away from the restricting lever piece 465p of the locking mechanism 460 to change the state so as to release the locked state.

[0250] More specifically, the holder 220 of the trigger device 210 is supported by the support member 462. The support position of the trigger device 210 is a position on the middle side of the band 450 relative to the second link 465. The support posture of the trigger device 210 is a posture in which the protruding end 253 of the trigger device 210 protrudes from the holder 220 toward the second link 465. Due to the separation operation of the separation device 20, the protruding end 253 retracts in a direction away from the second link 465.

[0251] With the locking recess 461a of the locking member 461 locked to the locking target portion 456b of the band fastener 456, a line connecting the rotation center of one end of the locking member 461, the rotation center of the other end of the second link 465, and the rotation center of one end of the second link 465 extends in a straight line. The restricting lever piece 465p of the second link 465 detours around the connection point between the second link 465 and the locking member 461 to the outer periphery and faces the middle side of the band 450. The tip of the restricting lever piece 465p passes over the locking member 461 and faces the middle side of the band 450.

[0252] The tip of the restricting lever piece 465p is located on the inner periphery side with respect to the protruding end 253 of the trigger device 210. As described above, since the band fixing device 456 is biased in the pulling-out direction, the locking member 461 is biased so as to press the connection portion with the second link 465 toward the outer periphery side. Since the other end of the second link 465 is biased toward the outer periphery side, the tip of the restricting lever piece 465p is also biased toward the outer periphery side and is biased toward the protruding end 253.

[0253] When the protruding end 253 protrudes from the holder 220, the tip of the restricting lever piece 465p is restricted from moving outward. Therefore, the connection point between the locking member 461 and the second link 465 is restricted from being displaced outward, and the locking recess 461a of the locking member 461 is kept in a state of being locked to the locking target portion 456b.

[0254] As shown by arrow F1 in FIG. 20, when the protruding end 253 is retracted by the separation operation of the separation device 20, the position restriction of the restricting lever piece 465p is released. As a result, the locking recess 461a of the locking member 461 is pushed in the direction in which the band fastener 456 is pulled out. As a result, the locking member 461 rotates around the connection point between the locking member 461 and the first link 464 as shown by arrow F2, and can release the locking state with the locking target portion 456b. At the same time, as shown by arrow F3, the second link 465 swings so that the tip of the restricting lever piece 465p moves to the outer periphery. Then, as shown by arrow F4, the connection point between the second link 465 and the locking member 461 moves to the outer periphery, and the locking member 461 moves away from the locking target portion 456b to the outer periphery. The movement of the locking member 461 toward the outer periphery also releases the locked state between the locking member 461 and the locking target portion 456b.

[0255] That is, when the locking target portion 456b presses the locking recess 461a in the pull-out direction, the locking recess 461a moves in the pull-out direction and toward the outer periphery as shown by the arrow F5. This makes it easier for the locking target portion 456b and the locking member 461 to be released from their locked state.

[0256] When the band fixing device 456 is released from the locked state by the locking mechanism 460, the band 450 spreads, and the binding of the binding flanges 433, 443 by the binding maintaining member 458 is released. This allows the second spacecraft fixing member 440 and the first spacecraft fixing member 430 to be separated.

[0257] According to the spacecraft separation device 420 configured as above, when the upper separation member 30 and the lower separation member 40 are separated, the protruding end 253 of the movable body 250 moves from the first position to the second position. This movement of the movable body 250 spreads the wound state of the band 450, so that the first spacecraft 412 and the second spacecraft 414 can be separated.

[0258] By using the separation devices 20, 120 described in the first embodiment or its modified example as the separation device 20 including the upper separating member 30 and the lower separating member 40, the operation can be performed more reliably.

[0259] The separation device 20, 120 or the trigger device 210 is not limited to the above configuration and can be used as a spacecraft separation device of various configurations.

[0260] {Additional Note} The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0261] The present specification and drawings disclose the following aspects.

[0262] A first aspect is a separation device used in a spacecraft and configured to release a mechanical connection by an electrical signal, the separation device comprising: an upper separation member; a lower separation member overlapped on the upper separation member; a first wire wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member to constrain the upper separation member and the lower separation member and configured to melt when an electric current is applied; and a second wire wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member at a position away from the first wire to constrain the upper separation member and the lower separation member and configured to melt when an electric current is applied, the first wire and the second wire being disposed at a position where the upper separation member and the lower separation member are relatively displaced due to melting of one of the first wire and the second wire when the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member is moved away from each other, thereby releasing the constraint by the other of the first wire and the second wire.

[0263] According to this separation device, when the upper separating member or the lower separating member is subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separating member or the lower separating member moves away from the lower separating member, the upper separating member and the lower separating member are displaced relative to each other by melting one of the first wire and the second wire, and the upper separating member and the lower separating member are positioned so that the restraint by the other of the first wire and the second wire is released. Therefore, even if one of the first wire and the second wire melts, the upper separating member and the lower separating member are separated more reliably.

[0264] A second aspect is a separation device according to the first aspect, wherein each of the first wire and the second wire is wound multiple times around the upper separation member and the lower separation member.

[0265] In this case, since the first wire and the second wire are each wound multiple times around the upper and lower separating members, the upper and lower separating members are likely to be kept in a restrained state.

[0266] A third aspect is a separation device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a first anode and a first cathode configured to apply a voltage to a section of the first wire, and a second anode and a second cathode configured to apply a voltage to a section of the second wire.

[0267] In this case, since a voltage is applied to a partial section of the first wire and the second wire, the first wire and the second wire are likely to be reliably melted.

[0268] A fourth aspect is a separation device according to the second aspect, further comprising a first anode and a first cathode configured to apply a voltage to at least a portion of one winding section of the first wire, and a second anode and a second cathode configured to apply a voltage to at least a portion of one winding section of the second wire.

[0269] In this case, even if the first wire and the second wire are wound multiple times, by applying a voltage to at least a part of one winding section, the first wire and the second wire melt, and the constraint between the upper separation member and the lower separation member is easily released.

[0270] A fifth aspect is a separation device that is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein when the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction moving them away from each other, a first oscillation center is defined as a oscillation center when the upper separation member and the lower separation member oscillate relatively due to the melting of the second wire, and when the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction moving them away from each other, a second oscillation center is defined as a oscillation center when the upper separation member and the lower separation member oscillate relatively due to the melting of the first wire, and when the center between the first oscillation center and the second oscillation center is defined as a central position, the separation device includes a first fracture section in which the first wire passes through a path closer to the central position than the first oscillation center, and a second fracture section in which the second wire passes through a path closer to the central position than the second oscillation center.

[0271] In this case, since the first wire includes a first breaking section passing through a path closer to the central position than the first swing center, the first breaking section is pulled strongly and easily breaks when the upper and lower separating members swing relatively around the first swing center. Since the second wire includes a second breaking section passing through a path closer to the central position than the second swing center, the second breaking section is pulled strongly and easily breaks when the upper and lower separating members swing relatively around the second swing center.

[0272] A sixth aspect is a separation device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the first wire includes a first path winding section wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member, and a first break promotion section passing through a position closer to the central position than the first path winding section, and the second wire may include a second path winding section wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member, and a second break promotion section passing through a position closer to the central position than the second path winding section.

[0273] In this case, the upper separation member and the lower separation member are easily kept in a restrained state by the first path winding section and the second path winding section. When the upper separation member and the lower separation member swing relative to each other, the first breakage promotion section and the second breakage promotion section are more likely to be pulled than the first path winding section and the second path winding section, and are more likely to break.

[0274] A seventh aspect is a separation device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein when a force is applied in a direction moving the upper separation member or the lower separation member away from each other, the upper separation member and the lower separation member oscillate relatively due to the melting of the second wire, which is a first oscillation center, when a force is applied in a direction moving the upper separation member or the lower separation member away from each other, the upper separation member and the lower separation member oscillate relatively due to the melting of the first wire, which is a second oscillation center, and when the center between the first oscillation center and the second oscillation center is a central position, the separation device may include a first removal section in which the first wire passes through a path farther from the central position than the first oscillation center, and a second removal section in which the second wire passes through a path farther from the central position than the second oscillation center.

[0275] In this case, when the upper separating member and the lower separating member swing relatively around the first swing center, the end of the upper separating member and the end of the lower separating member approach each other outside the first swing center. Therefore, the first separation section is likely to separate from the upper separating member or the lower separating member. When the upper separating member and the lower separating member swing relatively around the second swing center, the end of the upper separating member and the end of the lower separating member approach each other outside the second swing center. Therefore, the second separation section is likely to separate from the upper separating member or the lower separating member.

[0276] An eighth aspect is a separation device relating to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein at least one of the upper separation member and the lower separation member may have a first groove through which the first wire passes and a second groove through which the second wire passes.

[0277] In this case, the first groove and the second groove stabilize the paths of the first wire and the second wire.

[0278] A ninth aspect is a separation device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, each of which includes a body and a head protruding radially outward from the body, and further includes a first wire fixing device and a second wire fixing device fixed to the upper separation member or the lower separation member, the first wire including an end portion sandwiched and fixed between the head of the first wire fixing device and the upper separation member or the lower separation member, and the second wire including an end portion sandwiched and fixed between the head of the second wire fixing device and the upper separation member or the lower separation member.

[0279] In this case, one end of the first wire and one end of the second wire can be easily fixed.

[0280] A tenth aspect is a separation device according to the ninth aspect, wherein a tip of the body of the first wire fixing device is positioned within the upper separation member or the lower separation member, and a tip of the body of the second wire fixing device is positioned within the upper separation member or the lower separation member.

[0281] In this case, the first wire and the second wire are prevented from contacting the tip of the body on the opposite side to the head.

[0282] An eleventh aspect is a trigger device comprising: a separation device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects; a holder for holding the separation device; a biasing member for biasing the lower separating member in a direction away from the upper separating member; and a movable body supported by the holder for movement from a first position to a second position, positioned at the first position while the upper separating member and the lower separating member are restrained, and configured to move to the second position by the biasing force of the biasing member upon separation of the upper separating member and the lower separating member.

[0283] According to this trigger device, when the upper separating member and the lower separating member are separated, the movable body moves to the second position. The movement of the movable body to the second position can be used as an operation trigger for various devices.

[0284] A twelfth aspect is a trigger device related to the eleventh aspect, wherein the upper separation member is supported on the holder so as to be rotatable with a rotation center between the first wire and the second wire, the biasing member includes a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the lower separation member includes a first load position receiving the biasing force of the first biasing member and a second load position receiving the biasing force of the second biasing member, the first load position is located away from the rotation center toward the first wire in the direction connecting the first wire and the second wire, and the second load position is located away from the rotation center toward the second wire in the direction connecting the first wire and the second wire.

[0285] In this case, when one of the first wire and the second wire melts, the upper separation member rotates, so that the upper separation member and the lower separation member are likely to be in a positional relationship in which they swing relative to each other, making it easy for the upper separation member and the lower separation member to separate.

[0286] The lower separation member receives a biasing force from the first biasing member at the first load position, and receives a biasing force from the second biasing member at the second load position. Therefore, the lower separation member is likely to move in the same position. The movable body moved by the first biasing member and the second biasing member can also move smoothly from the first position to the second position in the same position.

[0287] A thirteenth aspect is an equipment fixing device separator comprising: an equipment fixing device including an engagement target portion and configured to be connectable to an equipment to be fixed; a locking member including an engagement portion capable of being engaged with the locking target portion and configured to be movable from an engagement position where the locking portion engages with the locking target portion toward an engagement release position where the locking portion releases the engagement with the locking target portion; a holder configured to be movable from a holding position where the locking member is held to keep the locking member in the engagement position toward a release position where the locking member is released so that the locking member can move from the engagement position to the release position; a biasing member that biases the holder toward the release position; and a separation device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, configured to hold the holder in the holding position with the upper separating member and the lower separating member restrained, and to allow the holder to move from the holding position to the release position when the restraint of the upper separating member and the lower separating member is released.

[0288] According to this equipment fixing device separator, when the upper and lower separating members are separated, the holder moves to the release position and the locking member can move to the unlocked position. This releases the locking of the equipment fixing device by the locking member. This separates the equipment fixing device from the locking member and releases the fixed state of the target equipment.

[0289] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention includes a first spacecraft fixing member fixed to a first spacecraft, a second spacecraft fixing member fixed to a second spacecraft, a band wound around the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member so as to restrain the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member and biased in a direction to expand from the wound state, a band fixing device including a locking target portion and connected to the band, and a locking member that locks onto the locking target portion so as to maintain the band in a state in which it is wound around the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member, a locking mechanism configured to be able to change a state from an engaged state in which the locking member engages with the locking target portion to an unlocked state in which the locking member releases the engaged state with the locking target portion; and the trigger device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein when the movable body is located at the first position, the movable body contacts the locking mechanism to maintain the movable body in the engaged state, and when the movable body moves to the second position, the movable body separates from the locking mechanism, causing the locking mechanism to change its state from the engaged state to the unlocked state.

[0290] According to this spacecraft separation device, when the upper separation member and the lower separation member are separated, the movable body moves from the first position to the second position. This movement of the movable body spreads the wound state of the band, and the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft are separated.

[0291] The above description is illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be assumed without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0292] 20, 120 Separation Device 30, 130 Upper separation member 35A, 44A 1st groove 35B, 44B 2nd groove 40 Lower separation member 50A First Wire Fixture 50B Second wire fixture 51A, 51B Torso 52A, 52B head 60A 1st Wire 60A1 First break section 60A2 First path winding section 60A3 First fracture promotion section 60A5 First Exit Section 60B 2nd Wire 60B1 Second break section 60B2 Second path winding section 60B3 Second breakage promotion section 60B5 2nd exit section 70A 1st anode 70B 2nd anode 72A 1st cathode 72B 2nd cathode 150 Wire Fixture 210 Trigger Device 220 Holder 250 Movable body 250A First biasing member 250B second biasing member 310 Fixed target equipment 320 Equipment Fixture Separator 326 Equipment Fixtures 328 Locking part 340 Locking member 342 Locking part 350 Holder 360 Coil Spring 412 First Spacecraft 414 Second Spacecraft 420 Spacecraft Separation Device 430 First Spacecraft Fixing Member 440 Second Spacecraft Fixing Member 450 Band 456 Band Fixture 456b Locking part 460 Locking mechanism 461 Locking member M center position P1 First swing center P2 Second swing center Q1 First load position Q2 Second load position

Claims

1. 1. A separation device for use in a spacecraft, the separation device being configured to release a mechanical coupling by an electrical signal, the separation device comprising: An upper separation member; a lower separation member overlapped on the upper separation member; a first wire wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member to restrain the upper separation member and the lower separation member, and configured to melt when energized; a second wire wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member at a position spaced apart from the first wire to restrain the upper separation member and the lower separation member and configured to melt when energized; Equipped with A separation device in which, when the first wire and the second wire are subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member moves away from each other, one of the first wire and the second wire melts, causing the upper separation member and the lower separation member to move in relative position, and the first wire and the second wire are positioned at a position where they are no longer restrained by the other of the first wire and the second wire.

2. 2. The separation device of claim 1, a separation device, wherein each of the first wire and the second wire is wrapped around the upper and lower separation members multiple times.

3. A separation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, a first anode and a first cathode configured to apply a voltage to a section of the first wire; a second anode and a second cathode configured to apply a voltage to a section of the second wire; The separation device further comprises:

4. 3. The separation device of claim 2, a first anode and a first cathode configured to apply a voltage to at least a portion of one winding section of the first wire; a second anode and a second cathode configured to apply a voltage to at least a portion of one winding section of the second wire; The separation device further comprises:

5. A separation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, a first swing center is a swing center when the upper separation member and the lower separation member swing relatively due to melting of the second wire in a state in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member swings away from each other; a second swing center is a swing center when the upper separation member and the lower separation member swing relatively due to melting of the first wire in a state in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member swings away from each other; When the center between the first swing center and the second swing center is set as a center position, the first wire includes a first break section passing through a path closer to the central position than the first swing center, A separation device including a second break section, the second wire passing through a path closer to the central location than the second pivot center.

6. 6. The separation device of claim 5, the first wire includes a first path winding section wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member, and a first breakage promotion section passing through a position closer to the central position than the first path winding section, A separation device, wherein the second wire includes a second path winding section wound around the upper separation member and the lower separation member, and a second break promotion section passing through a position closer to the central position than the second path winding section.

7. A separation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, a first swing center is a swing center when the upper separation member and the lower separation member swing relatively due to melting of the second wire in a state in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member swings away from each other; a second swing center is a swing center when the upper separation member and the lower separation member swing relatively due to melting of the first wire in a state in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member is subjected to a force in a direction in which the upper separation member or the lower separation member swings away from each other; When the center between the first swing center and the second swing center is set as a center position, the first wire includes a first separation section passing through a path farther from the central position than the first swing center; a second breakaway section in which the second wire traverses a path farther from the central position than the second pivot center;

8. A separation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A separation device, wherein at least one of the upper separation member and the lower separation member has a first groove through which the first wire passes and a second groove through which the second wire passes.

9. A separation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, a first wire fixing device and a second wire fixing device each including a body portion and a head portion protruding from the body portion to an outer circumferential side, the body portion being fixed to the upper separating member or the lower separating member; the first wire includes an end portion that is sandwiched and fixed between the head portion of the first wire fixing device and the upper separating member or the lower separating member, A separation device, wherein the second wire includes an end portion that is sandwiched and fixed between the head of the second wire fixture and the upper separation member or the lower separation member.

10. 10. The separation device of claim 9, a tip end of the body portion of the first wire fastener is located within the upper separation member or the lower separation member, A separation device, wherein a tip of the body of the second wire fastener is positioned within the upper separation member or the lower separation member.

11. A separation device according to claim 1 or 2; A holder for holding the separation device; a biasing member that biases the lower separating member in a direction away from the upper separating member; a movable body supported by the holder so as to be movable from a first position to a second position, the movable body being positioned at the first position in a state in which the upper separating member and the lower separating member are restrained, and being configured to move to the second position by the biasing force of the biasing member when the upper separating member and the lower separating member are separated; A trigger device comprising:

12. 12. The trigger device of claim 11, the upper separating member is supported by the holder so as to be rotatable about a rotation center between the first wire and the second wire, the biasing member includes a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the lower separation member includes a first load position receiving a biasing force of the first biasing member and a second load position receiving a biasing force of the second biasing member, the first load position is located away from the rotation center toward the first wire in a direction connecting the first wire and the second wire, A trigger device, wherein the second load position is located away from the pivot center toward the second wire in a direction connecting the first wire and the second wire.

13. An equipment fixing tool including a locking target portion and configured to be connectable to a fixed target equipment; a locking member including a locking portion that can be locked to the locking target portion, the locking portion being configured to be movable from a locking position where the locking portion is locked to the locking target portion toward a release position where the locking portion is released from the locking target portion; a holder configured to be movable from a holding position that holds the locking member so as to keep the locking member at the locking position to a release position that releases the hold of the locking member so that the locking member can move from the locking position to the unlocked position; a biasing member that biases the holder toward the release position; 3. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the separation device is configured to hold the holder at the holding position in a state where the upper separating member and the lower separating member are constrained, and to allow the holder to move from the holding position to the release position when the constraint of the upper separating member and the lower separating member is released; An equipment fixture separator comprising:

14. a first spacecraft fixing member fixed to the first spacecraft; a second spacecraft fixing member fixed to the second spacecraft; a band that is wound around the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member so as to restrain the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member, and that is biased in a direction that expands from the wound state; A band fastener including a locking target portion and connected to the band; a locking mechanism including a locking member that locks onto the locking target portion so that the band is maintained in a state wound around the first spacecraft fixing member and the second spacecraft fixing member, the locking mechanism being configured to be able to change its state from a locked state in which the locking member locks onto the locking target portion to a released state in which the locking member releases the locked state with the locking target portion when a force is applied in a direction in which the band spreads; 12. The trigger device according to claim 11, wherein when the movable body is located at the first position, the movable body is in contact with the locking mechanism to maintain the movable body in the locked state, and when the movable body moves to the second position, the movable body is separated from the locking mechanism, and the locking mechanism changes from the locked state to the unlocked state; and A spacecraft separation device comprising:

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