Holding system

Abstract

A holding system is provided for securing a payload in a releaseable manner. [Solution] The holding system consists of four assemblies, namely two vertical members and two horizontal members, which are releasably connected to each other, and each assembly is fitted with at least three holders that are adjustable between a released position and a locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a retention system for releasably securing a payload.

Background Art

[0002] Such a retention system is used in space travel to secure a payload such as a satellite to a launch rocket and transport it to a specific orbit, where the payload is then separated and released. If the payload exceeds a certain size, problems can arise in the manufacture, transportation, and installation of such a retention system.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to propose a retention system for releasably securing a payload, which simplifies the manufacture, transportation, and assembly even for large-sized payloads.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are defined in the dependent claims and are also apparent from the description and the drawings.

[0005] The retention system according to the present invention serves to releasably secure a payload and is composed of four assemblies that are releasably connected to each other, namely two vertical members and two horizontal members. At least three holders that are adjustable between a release position and a lock position are attached to those assemblies.

[0006] [[ID=3,7]]In this regard, a holder can be provided for each assembly. However, it is also possible that no holder is provided for one assembly or one or more holders are provided.

[0007] In particular, the vertical and horizontal members can extend perpendicular to each other, thereby giving the retaining system a basic square or rectangular shape in plan view. One vertical member and the other horizontal member may be of different lengths. Alternatively, the vertical and horizontal members can be of the same length, resulting in a basic square shape in plan view. The vertical and horizontal members are separate individual parts, i.e., separate, pre-assembled, or pre-assembleable assemblies that are particularly releasably connected to each other, for example, by screwing them together. This enables a modular design of the retaining system, making the individual assemblies relatively compact and relatively easy to manufacture, transport, assemble, and handle. The modular design of the retaining system makes handling significantly easier because it is the individual, more compact assemblies, rather than the entire retaining system, that need to be transported.

[0008] An example of a payload is a satellite that can be attached to a carrier rocket via a holding system, transported to a specific orbit by the carrier rocket, and then released from the carrier rocket by adjusting the holder from a locked position to a released position. The holder connects to or holds the payload in the holding system when in the locked position, and releases the payload from the holding system when in the released position.

[0009] To synchronize the adjustment of all holders, each holder can be connected to each adjacent holder via a linkage. When adjusting a holder from the locked position to the unlocked position, this adjustment action is transmitted via the linkage to one or more adjacent holders, so that all holders are adjusted synchronously.

[0010] Each holder is connected to a first adjacent holder, specifically via a first linkage, and to a second adjacent holder, specifically via a second linkage. In this case, the multiple holders of the holding system are mechanically connected in series to achieve synchronous adjustment of all holders.

[0011] The first and / or second linkage may have one or more pivot levers, for example, two. One or more pivot levers may, in particular, be pivotably supported on at least one of the assembly, for example, a transverse member. The pivot levers may, in particular, redirect or reverse the direction of adjustment movement from one holder to its adjacent upstream or downstream holder. In particular, each linkage may consist of a first pivot lever, a second pivot lever, and a rigid rod between the two pivot levers. Each pivot lever may be connected to one of the two holders and to one end of the rigid rod.

[0012] The assembly may be provided with guides for the linkages so that the movement of the linkages is clearly defined.

[0013] The holder can be preloaded to the released position, and the holding system may include a release unit that, in the locked state, holds the holder in the locked position against the preload, and in the released state, releases the holder for adjustment to the released position. The preload can be provided by a spring, such as a compression spring. As long as the release unit is in the locked state, the release unit prevents adjustment from the locked position to the released position against the spring preload. When the release unit is set to the released position by the release means, the release unit releases the holder, allowing the preload to adjust the holder from the locked position to the released position.

[0014] The release unit can prevent the holder from being adjusted to the release position by engaging with the linkage, for example, one of the rigid rods of the linkage, and holding the linkage in place. The release unit can be controlled to release the linkage when the desired trajectory is reached.

[0015] Each holder can be assigned a pre-pressurized eject lever. Therefore, the number of eject levers corresponds to at least the number of holders. During release, i.e., when adjusting the holder to the release position, the eject levers are suitable for actively releasing components attached to the payload and pre-locked in each holder in the locked position, thereby freeing the payload from the holding system.

[0016] A synchronization mechanism can be provided for the synchronous release of the eject levers. The synchronization mechanism comprises a traction cable that engages with at least two eject levers to synchronously release them, the traction cable being deflected by a pulley to synchronize the release action, thereby crossing at least once. Where different parts of the traction cable intersect, those parts are guided through a component that allows those parts of the traction cable to slide, in particular to avoid contact between the cable parts and the resulting friction. For this purpose, this component may have different planes or channels, and the intersecting cable parts are guided through the different planes or channels. This component may be configured, for example, as a housing or a box.

[0017] To keep the cable under constant tension, the traction cable can be tensioned by at least one cable tensioner. The cable tensioner can be configured as a cable pulley and may be either spring-loaded or non-spring-loaded.

[0018] In one embodiment, two assemblies each have two eject levers, and the synchronization mechanism may include a lateral synchronization mechanism on each lateral member for synchronously releasing the two eject levers of one of the two assemblies. The synchronization mechanism may further include a longitudinal synchronization mechanism on the longitudinal member for synchronously releasing the eject levers of the two assemblies. In other words, the two lateral synchronization mechanisms play a role in synchronously operating the two eject levers of the assemblies. On the other hand, the longitudinal synchronization mechanism plays a role in synchronizing the eject levers of the two assemblies with each other, so that all eject levers can be released synchronously. Thus, the lateral and longitudinal synchronization mechanisms have similar functions and can have generally similar designs.

[0019] The eject lever can be connected to a longitudinal synchronous mechanism via a rod that is linearly guided at one end of the assembly. The rod can be fixed, for example, to a traction cable of the longitudinal synchronous mechanism and move along with the respective traction cable.

[0020] The eject lever may have two scissor levers formed in a scissor shape and articulated with each other. Furthermore, each eject lever may have a first bearing section and a second bearing section, to which one end of the two scissor levers is articulated. In this regard, the first bearing section may be fixedly supported on one side of the assembly, and the second bearing section may be guided to move linearly on the other side of the assembly. The second bearing section may be connected to a synchronization mechanism, particularly a longitudinal synchronization mechanism and a corresponding lateral synchronization mechanism, for desynchronization.

[0021] The present invention will be described below purely illustratively with reference to embodiments schematically shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the holding system of the embodiment. [Figure 2]It is a bottom perspective view of the holding system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a detailed perspective view from below of the holder, linkage, and eject lever of the holding system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the lower surface of the horizontal member of the holding system of FIG. 1 where the holder is in the locked position. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of FIG. 4 where the holder is in the released position. [Figure 6] It is a detailed perspective view of the upper surfaces of the holder and eject lever of the holding system of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a detailed perspective view of FIG. 6 where the horizontal member is masked. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of the bearing portion of the eject lever of the holding system of FIG. 1 and the guiding portion by its horizontal member.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] In FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective views of the holding system 10 are shown. FIG. 1 shows the upper side of the holding system 10, and FIG. 2 shows the lower side of the holding system 10. This holding system is composed of two vertical members 11a, 11b arranged in parallel at intervals from each other, and two horizontal members 13a, 13b arranged in parallel at intervals from each other. Since the vertical members 11a, 11b extend at right angles to the horizontal members 13a, 13b, the holding system 10 has a basic rectangular shape in plan view, and also has a basic rectangular shape in the illustrated embodiment. The vertical members 11a, 11b and the horizontal members 13a, 13b are separate modules, that is, assemblies, and are particularly removably connected to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the assemblies are screwed through screw connection portions 59a, 59b, 59c, 59d, but of course, other and non-removable connection means are also possible. In the present embodiment, the vertical members 11a, 11b and the horizontal members 13a, 13b are each characterized by a tabular design.

[0024] Assemblies 11a, 11b, 13a, and 13b are fitted with four identical holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d that are adjustable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d are configured, as is commonly known, so that when each holder 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d is in the locked position, the payload holding components 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d are fixed to the holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, and are released from the holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d when each holder 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d is in the unlocked position. The four holding components 18a, 18b, 18c, and 18d are attached to the payload, so that the entire holding system 10, including the payload, can be transported to a specific orbit by a carrier rocket. By moving holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d from the locked position to the released position, the payload can be released and ejected.

[0025] Referring to Figures 3-6, the basic design of the holders will be described below using two holders 17a and 17b. Each of these holders has locking units 63a and 63b fixedly attached to each assembly 11a, 11b, 13a, and 13b, and frame-shaped release elements 65a and 65b that are translationally movable relative to each locking unit 63a and 63b. Movement between the two end positions of the release elements 65a and 65b corresponds to an adjustment operation from the locked position to the released position, or vice versa. Therefore, this movement leads to the locking or unlocking of the locking units 63a and 63b, and the locking units 63a and 63b are provided with a locking mechanism, which is not shown or described in detail, that locks each fixed component of the payload in the locked position and unlocks it in the released position. The release elements 65a and 65b, and by extension the holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, are prepressurized to the released position by a compression spring 51 (Figure 5).

[0026] To ensure trouble-free release of the payload, the adjustments of holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d are performed synchronously. In this case, each holder 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d is connected to two adjacent holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d via linkages 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d, respectively. The linkages 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d are configured and connected to the holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, thereby transmitting the adjustment operation of each holder 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d from the locked position to the unlocked position to both adjacent holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d. This mechanically forced connection results in the time-synchronized release, i.e., simultaneous release, of all four holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d.

[0027] In this embodiment, four linkages 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d are provided, corresponding to the number of holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d. Two linkages 19c and 19d extend parallel to two horizontal members 13a and 13b, while the other two linkages 19a and 19b extend parallel to two vertical members 11a and 11b.

[0028] Two linkages 19a and 19b, extending parallel to the vertical members 11a and 11b, each consist of rigid rods 21a and 21b, whose ends are connected to two holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, and which are linearly guided by the guides 67a of the vertical members 11a and 11b.

[0029] Two linkages 19c and 19d extending parallel to the transverse members 13a and 13b also have rigid rods 21c and 21d. The rods 21c and 21d of these two linkages 19c and 19d are linearly guided by the guides 67b of the transverse members 13a and 13b, and both ends are articulated to one end of a pivot lever 23, as shown in particular in Figure 3. The pivot lever 23 is pivotably supported on each transverse member 13 by a bolt or pin 27 and has two legs extending away from the axis of the bolt or pin 27, the free ends of which are articulated to the respective rods 21c and 21d, or to the holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d. The adjustment operation of adjacent rods, for example rods 21c and 21d, can be reversed by the pivot lever 23. In other words, when rod 21a is pushed in, rod 21d performs a pulling motion, and the adjustment movements of the holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d of the opposing vertical members 11a and 11b are directed in the opposite direction.

[0030] Figures 4 and 5 show a lower plan view of the transverse member 13b of the holding system 10, where the two holders 17a and 17b are shown in the locked position in Figure 4 and the released position in Figure 5. The holders 17a and 17b are preloaded in the released position by a relaxed compression spring 51, as shown in Figure 5. An electrically controllable release unit 15 is provided to release the payload, which engages with a rod 21d of a linkage connecting the two holders 17a and 17b, and in the uncontrolled state, fixes the rod 21d against the preload of the compression spring 51 (see Figure 4). When the release unit 15 is controlled, the rod 21d is released. The preload of the compression spring 51 adjusts the holders 17a and 17b or their release elements 65a and 65b to the released position, thereby opening the locking mechanism of the locking units 63a and 63b as described above, and releasing each fixing component of the payload. In this way, the linkage simultaneously releases the payload fixed to the holder.

[0031] In this embodiment, the holding system 10 further includes four eject levers 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d, i.e., eject levers 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d positioned next to the holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, respectively. Each eject lever 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d is formed in a scissor shape with two scissor levers 53 and 55, respectively, and when released, moves to the release position shown in Figures 6 and 7, where the free outer end of the scissor lever 55 contacts the payload, applying force to the payload during release.

[0032] In particular, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, each eject lever 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d has a first bearing portion 41 fixedly supported on the corresponding transverse members 13a and 13b, and a second bearing portion 43 that is linearly movable on the respective transverse members 13a and 13b. One scissor lever 53 is fixed to the first bearing portion 41, and the other scissor lever 55 is fixed to the second bearing portion 43. The bearing portions 41 and 43 are pre-pressurized to the release position shown in Figures 6 and 7 by tension springs 45, and are held in the position shown in Figure 4 against the pre-pressurized position before release or ejection by the payload. In particular, as shown in Figure 8, the second bearing portion 43 is linearly guided by rollers 47 on the rail-shaped portion 49 of each transverse member 13. When holders 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d are adjusted to the release position, the pre-pressurized eject levers 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d are released, allowing a release impulse to be applied to the payload.

[0033] To release the eject levers 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d in a synchronized manner, each horizontal member 13a, 13b is further provided with a lateral synchronization mechanism 29, and each vertical member 11a, 11b is further provided with a vertical synchronization mechanism 31a, 31b.

[0034] In particular, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a lateral synchronization mechanism 29 is shown for the transverse member 13b, and the other transverse member 13a is provided with a lateral synchronization mechanism of the same design. The lateral synchronization mechanism 29 synchronizes the movement of the two eject levers 25 of the transverse member 13b. For this purpose, the lateral synchronization mechanism 29 includes an endless traction cable 33 which is deflected by a pulley 37 and fixed to the second bearing portion 43 of the two eject levers 25, and moves with them. To synchronize the release operation, the cable 33 is deflected to cross once. At the crossing point, the endless traction cable 33 is guided through a component designed as a box 57, which is merely illustrative in this embodiment. Each section of the traction cable 33 can slide along the component 57. Inside the box 57, separate planes or channels are provided to prevent friction between the crossing sections of the traction cable 33.

[0035] During the release of the second bearing section 43 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5 and the associated movement, the traction cable 33 moves accordingly to synchronize the release of the eject lever 25 located on the transverse member 13b.

[0036] Similarly, longitudinal synchronization mechanisms 31a and 31b are provided to synchronize the movement of the eject levers 25 of the two transverse members 13a and 13b. The longitudinal synchronization mechanism 31 also includes a traction cable 34 deflected by a pulley 37, which also has crossing sections passing through separate planes or channels in a part similar to or identical to the aforementioned sliding part 57. The traction cables 34 of the longitudinal synchronization mechanisms 31a and 31b are fixedly attached to rods 39 that are guided to move linearly in the longitudinal members 11a and 11b, so that the movement of the rods 39 causes the corresponding movement of the traction cables 34, and vice versa. The rods 39 are fixedly attached to the second bearing portion 43 of each eject lever 25.

[0037] To keep the traction cables 33 and 34 of the synchronization mechanism constantly under tension, spring-type cable pulleys 35 (Figure 7) are provided along which each traction cable 33 and 34 is positioned. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 10…Retention system 11a, 11b... Longitudinal member 13a, 13b... Transverse member 15…Liberation Unit 17a~17d...Holder 18a~18d... Retaining parts 19a~19d...Linkage 21a~21d...Rod 23... Pivot Lever 25a~25d... Eject lever 27...pin 29…Lateral synchronization mechanism 31a, 31b... Vertical synchronization mechanism 33... Towing cable 34... Towing cable 35… Cable pulley 37...Pulley 39... Rod 41...Bearing part 43...Bearing part 45...Tension spring 47…Laura 49… Rail geometry 51... Compression spring 53...Scissor lever 55...Scissor lever 57... Box 59a~59d... Screws 63a, 63b… Lock Unit 65a,65b…Release element 67a, 67b… Guide

Claims

1. A retaining system (10) for releasably securing a payload, the retaining system (10) is composed of four assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b) releasably connected to one another, namely two vertical members (11a, 11b) and two horizontal members (13a, 13b), A retaining system (10) is attached to the assembly, comprising at least three holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) that are adjustable between a released position and a locked position.

2. The holding system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is connected to each adjacent holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) in order to synchronize all holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d).

3. The holding system (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that each holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is connected to a first adjacent holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a first linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) and to a second adjacent holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a second linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d).

4. The retaining system according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the first linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) and the second linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) has a pivot lever (23) pivotably supported in particular on at least one of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b).

5. The retaining system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the assembly (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b) is provided with guides (67a, 67b) for the linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d).

6. The holding system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are capable of being preloaded to the release position, and the holding system (10) includes a release unit (15) that, in the locked state, holds the holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) in the locked position against the force of the preload, and in the release state, releases the holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) for adjustment to the release position.

7. The holding system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is assigned an eject lever (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) that is preloaded.

8. The holding system (10) according to claim 7, further comprising a synchronization mechanism for synchronously releasing the eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d).

9. The holding system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, in order to synchronize and adjust all the holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d), each holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is connected to each adjacent holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d), and the synchronization mechanism is disconnected from the linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d).

10. The holding system (10) according to 8 or 9, wherein the synchronization mechanism has traction cables (33, 34) that engage with at least two eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) to release the eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) synchronously, and the traction cables (33, 34) are deflected by a pulley (37) to synchronize the release operation, thereby crossing the traction cables (33, 34) at least once.

11. The holding system (10) according to claim 10, further comprising a component (57) for guiding the intersection of the traction cables (33, 34) through separate planes or channels.

12. The holding system (10) according to 10 or 11, characterized in that the traction cables (33, 34) are tensioned by at least one cable tensioner (35).

13. The holding system (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that two assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b) each have two eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d), the synchronization mechanism has a lateral synchronization mechanism (29) on each lateral member (13a, 13b) for synchronously releasing two eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) of one of the two assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b), and the synchronization mechanism has a longitudinal synchronization mechanism (31) on the vertical member (11a, 11b) for synchronously releasing the eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) of the two assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b).

14. The holding system (10) according to 13, characterized in that the eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) are connected to the longitudinal synchronization mechanism (31) via a rod (39) guided in any of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b).

15. Each of the eject levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) has two scissor levers (53, 55), a first bearing portion (41) to which one end of the first scissor lever (53) is articulated, and a second bearing portion (43) to which one end of the second scissor lever (55) is articulated. The first bearing portion (41) is fixedly supported in one of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b), and the second bearing portion (43) is guided to move linearly in one of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b). The holding system (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the second bearing portion (43) is connected to the synchronous mechanism for synchronous release.

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