DEVICE FOR LOCKING ARTICULATION UNIT Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: locks for developed position of swivel structural members of satellite, solar battery panels or antennae.

SUBSTANCE: proposed device includes articulation with leaf spring secured on its part; spring has hole in its free end; secured as cantilever on other part is rod whose free end may be engageable with hole of leaf spring. Parts are provided with two stops for their engagement in fixed position; one stop is rigid for limitation of relative rotation of parts during opposite motion; other stop is spring-loaded for avoidance of backlash in joints of articulation unit due to elastic forces. As a result, damage of leaf spring is excluded at autonomous opening of swivel structural members at high rotational speeds.

EFFECT: avoidance of backlash in joints of articulation unit.

2 dwg