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EP-4741292-A1 - HOLDING SYSTEM

EP4741292A1EP 4741292 A1EP4741292 A1EP 4741292A1EP-4741292-A1

Abstract

A holding system for the detachable fastening of payload consists of four detachably connected assemblies, namely two longitudinal beams and two crossbeams, on which at least three adjustable brackets between a release position and a locking position are mounted.

Inventors

  • STERNHARZ, Dmitriy
  • SCHWARZ, PETER
  • GRUBER, JOHANNES

Assignees

  • EXOLAUNCH GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241111

Claims (15)

  1. Holding system (10) for detachably fastening payload, consisting of four detachably connected assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b), namely two longitudinal beams (11a, 11b) and two transverse beams (13a, 13b), wherein at least three adjustable supports (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are mounted on the assemblies between a release position and a locking position.
  2. Holding system (10) according to claim 1, wherein for synchronous adjustment of all brackets (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) each bracket (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is connected to each adjacent bracket (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d).
  3. Holding system (10) according to claim 2, wherein each support (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is connected to a first adjacent support (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a first linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) and to a second adjacent support (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a second linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d).
  4. Holding system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) and/or the second linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) has a deflection lever (23) which is pivotably mounted on at least one of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b).
  5. Holding system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b) are provided with guides (67a, 67b) for the linkages (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d).
  6. Holding system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) can be pre-tensioned into the release position and the holding system (10) has a release unit (15) which in a locking state holds the holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) in the locking position against the pre-tension force and in a release state releases the holders (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) for adjustment into the release position.
  7. Holding system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each holder (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is assigned its own pre-tensioned release lever (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d).
  8. Holding system (10) according to claim 7, including a synchronization mechanism for synchronous release of the release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d).
  9. Holding system (10) according to claim 8, wherein for synchronous adjustment of all brackets (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) each bracket (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is connected to each adjacent bracket (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) via a linkage (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d), and wherein the synchronization mechanism is decoupled from the linkages (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d).
  10. Holding system (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the synchronization mechanism has a pull rope (33, 34) which engages at least two release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for the synchronous triggering of release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d), wherein the pull rope (33, 34) is deflected by means of pulleys (37) to synchronize release movements so that it crosses itself at least once.
  11. Holding system according to claim 10, comprising a component (57) through which intersecting sections of the haul rope (33, 34) are guided through separate planes or channels.
  12. Holding system (10) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the pull rope (33, 34) is tensioned by at least one rope tensioner (35).
  13. Holding system (10) according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein two assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b) each have two release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) and the synchronization mechanism on each crossbeam (13a, 13b) has a transverse synchronization mechanism (29) for synchronous release of the two release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) of one of the two assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b), and wherein the synchronization mechanism on the longitudinal beams (11a, 11b) has a longitudinal synchronization mechanism (31) for synchronous release of the release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) of the two assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b).
  14. Holding system (10) according to claim 13, wherein the release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) are coupled to the longitudinal synchronization mechanism (31) via rods (39) guided on one of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b).
  15. Holding system (10) according to one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the release levers (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) each have two scissor levers (53, 55), a first bearing section (41) on which one end of a first scissor lever (53) is pivotally mounted, and a second bearing section (43) on which one end of a second scissor lever (55) is pivotally mounted, and wherein the first bearing section (41) is fixedly mounted on one of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b) and the second bearing section (43) is linearly movable on one of the assemblies (11a, 11b, 13a, 13b). is, and wherein the second bearing section (43) is connected to the synchronization mechanism for synchronous release.

Description

The invention relates to a holding system for the detachable attachment of payloads. Such holding systems are used in space travel to transport payloads, such as satellites, into a specific orbit by attaching them to a launch vehicle, and then detach and release them there. If the payload exceeds a certain size, the manufacturing, transport, and assembly of such a holding system can be problematic. The object of the present invention is to propose a holding system for the detachable fastening of payloads, in which manufacturing, transport and assembly are simplified even with large payloads. This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are defined in the dependent claims and also result from the description and the drawings. The holding system according to the invention serves for the detachable fastening of payloads and consists of four detachably connected assemblies, namely two longitudinal beams and two transverse beams. At least three adjustable brackets, which can be set between a release position and a locking position, are mounted on the assemblies. Each assembly can have a mounting bracket. However, it is also possible for an assembly to have no mounting bracket or more than one bracket. The longitudinal beams and the crossbeams can extend at right angles to each other, so that the support system has a square or rectangular shape in plan view. The longitudinal beams on the one hand and the crossbeams on the other. On the other hand, they can be of different lengths. It is also possible for the longitudinal and transverse beams to be the same length, resulting in a square shape when viewed from above. The longitudinal and transverse beams are separate components, i.e., individual, pre-assembled or pre-assemblable modules, which are connected to each other in a detachable manner, for example, by screws. This results in a modular design of the support system, whose individual modules are relatively compact and therefore comparatively easy to manufacture, transport, assemble, and handle. The modular design of the support system significantly simplifies its handling, as it is not the entire support system that needs to be transported, but rather the individual, much more compact modules. An example of a payload is a satellite that is attached to a launch vehicle via the holding system, transported by the vehicle into a specific orbit, and can be released from the launch vehicle by moving the clamps from the locking position to the release position. The clamps couple or hold the payload to the holding system when they are in the locking position and release the payload from the holding system when they are in the release position. For synchronous adjustment of all brackets, each bracket can be connected to each adjacent bracket via a linkage. When a bracket is moved from the locking position to the release position, this movement can be transmitted via the linkage to the adjacent bracket(s), ensuring that all brackets are adjusted synchronously. Each bracket can be connected, in particular, to a first adjacent bracket via a first linkage and to a second adjacent bracket via a second linkage. In this case, the brackets of the The holding system is mechanically connected in series to achieve synchronous adjustment of all holders. The first linkage and/or the second linkage can have one or more, for example, two, deflection levers. The deflection lever(s) can be pivotally mounted on at least one of the assemblies, such as a crossbeam. A deflection lever can, in particular, deflect or reverse the direction of the adjustment movement from one support to its adjacent upstream or downstream support. Specifically, the respective linkage can consist of a first deflection lever and a second deflection lever, as well as a rigid rod between the two deflection levers. The deflection levers can each be connected to one of the two supports and to one of the ends of the rigid rod. The assemblies can be equipped with guides for the linkages, so that the movement of the linkages is clearly defined. The brackets can be pre-tensioned into the release position, and the holding system can include a release unit that, in a locked state, holds the brackets in the locking position against the pre-tension force and, in a released state, releases the brackets for adjustment to the release position. The pre-tension can be provided, for example, by springs, such as compression springs. As long as the release unit is in the locked state, it prevents any movement from the locking position to the release position against the spring pre-tension force. When the release unit is activated, it releases the brackets, allowing them to move from the locking position to the release position due to the pre-tension force. The release unit can engage the linkage, for example one of the rigid rods of the linkage, and hold the linkage in place, thus preventing the brackets from being moved into the rel