Unfolding and locking joint for space elements

US5393018A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Deutsche Aerospace AG · DE

Inventors

• Martin Roth · Starnberg, DE
• Helmut Kiendl · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 10, 1993
• Grant date: Feb 28, 1995
• Expiry date: Nov 10, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S136/292
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A joint is provided for the unfolding and locking of space elements, such as solar generator panels. On one joint half, a detent lever is swivellably connected having a clamping nose as well as a finger as the guiding element. During the unfolding operation, the finger slides on a guiding contour of the other joint half. Shortly before the fully unfolded condition is reached, the finger engages in a depression, and the clamping nose runs up onto a cam and clamps down on the latter under the effect of the spring tension directed to the common axis of rotation. A movable stop element, e.g. universal ball joint, simultaneously presses against a stop surface so that both joint halves are braced with respect to one another. An arrangement of high stiffness which is as free from play as possible results.