Projectile Control Surface Deployment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployment devices for projectile control surfaces fail to ensure simultaneous deployment without compromising stability, as they rely on independent springs or toothed mechanisms that can lead to uneven deployment and prevent post-deployment pivoting for motor control.
Innovation Solution
A device using a single spring to drive simultaneous deployment of control surfaces, with a push plate and sliding racks that allow for post-deployment pivoting by a motor, utilizing a ferrule with lugs and internal toothing to ensure synchronized expansion and locking mechanisms to maintain control surface position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If independent springs are used to deploy each control surface, then the deployment mechanism is simple, but the control surfaces cannot deploy simultaneously compromising projectile stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent spring mechanisms into a single common elastic means that simultaneously deploys all control surfaces. The single spring is connected to all control surfaces through a coupling mechanism, ensuring they deploy at the same time and maintain projectile stability while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple independent springs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a toothed-rack ring is used to ensure simultaneous deployment, then all control surfaces deploy simultaneously, but the control surfaces cannot pivot after deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deployment mechanism from the control surface structure. The single spring provides the deployment force, while the control surfaces are designed with pivot joints that allow them to rotate independently after deployment. This segmentation enables both simultaneous deployment and post-deployment pivoting for motor control.
3Reliability
If lever arms with locking means are used for deployment, then control surfaces can be locked in retracted position, but the device becomes axially cumbersome and difficult to integrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the locking mechanism within the existing structure of the control surfaces and support. The locking means are integrated into the pivot joint assembly, using the same structural elements for both pivoting and locking functions. This nesting eliminates axial bulkiness while maintaining reliable locking capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures simultaneous and stable deployment of control surfaces, allowing for accurate piloting after deployment by enabling motor-driven pivoting while avoiding axial bulkiness and interference issues.
Implementation Method 1
each control surface being deployed outwards by the expansion of elastic means
Implementation Method 2
each slide cooperating without slipping with a matching profile integral with a base of the control surface
Data Source
AI summary
A simultaneous deployment device for the control surfaces of a projectile for which each control surface is intended to be pivoted by a motor after its deployment to ensure the piloting, each control surface being held within the projectile and deployed towards the exterior of the projectile by the expansion of elastic means, each control surface being deployed by a rotation with respect to a control surface support and following a deployment axis that is crosswise to that of the projectile, wherein the elastic means are common means to ensure the deployment of all the control surfaces, the expansion of the elastic means generating a push stress directed along the axis of the projectile and being exerted on a push plate which transmits the push stress to as many slides as there are control surfaces to be deployed, each slide cooperating without slipping with a matching profile integral with a base of the control surface to make this pivot with respect to its support and first releasable locking means that maintain the elastic means in the compressed position.