DE102015224949A1 - Coupling device for a detachable plug connection between a towed antenna and a watercraft - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device for a detachable plug connection between a towed antenna and a watercraft, comprising a first plug element and a second plug element for coupling the towed antenna and watercraft, a locking system, via which the one plug element of the first and second plug elements between an unlocked position and a locking position can be converted and wherein the locking system acts on the one plug element via a first and a second locking element in the locking position.

Description

The invention relates to a coupling device for a detachable plug connection between a towed antenna and a watercraft, with a first plug element and a second plug element for towing antenna and watercraft, a locking system via which the one plug element of the first and second connector elements between an unlocked position and a locking position can be transferred and wherein the locking system acts on the one plug element via a first and a second locking element in the locking position.

It is state of the art watercraft, especially submarines to equip with guided in the water towed antennas. For this purpose, systems are known to attach towed antennas to the vehicle, deploy and catch up. These systems include plug-in and disconnectable marine connectors for a signal-carrying connection between the vehicle and the towed antenna. For such a system, for example so-called clip-on connectors are used in which the towed antenna is coupled via a cable with the associated signal transmission system of the vehicle. A clip-on connector is located in the exterior of the vehicle, for example in the outer shell of a submarine. The clip-on connector is ultimately a coupling device.

A plug connection consists of two plug elements which are connected or coupled together. A plug element can also be referred to as a plug half. A connection of the two connector elements via screw or bayonet locks is not suitable for towing antennas, since there may be situations, so-called overload situations, in which the connector must be solved quickly. This is not possible with screw connections or bayonet locks.

The tow antenna side connector element is located at one end of the tow antenna cable and is releasably held or locked via a locking system on the clip-on connector. For this purpose, the tow antenna side connector element forms suitable holding means, which may be formed, for example, as laterally arranged locking lugs of the plug element. By means of this holding means, the plug element is held over the locking elements of the locking system in the clip-on connector. The vehicle-side connector element may be referred to as an integral part of the clip-on connector, in that the vehicle-side connector element can be acted upon by means of an actuating device for coupling with the tow antenna side connector element.

A basic requirement that must meet the plug connection, is that it must be so stable that the two connector elements do not move against each other due to vehicle movements, otherwise there may be interference in the signal transmission. The signal transmission can be done for example via optical fibers. In addition, the tow antenna side plug element must not tilt due to varying tensile forces through the towed antenna in the locking system of the clip-on connector. Uncritical, however, are small movements of the two connector elements in the axial direction of the coupling device to one another, since they can be compensated by the actuating device, which acts on the vehicle-side connector element in the direction of the tow antenna side connector element. However, in an overload situation caused by the towing antenna cable, it is necessary for the coupling device to release the tow antenna side plug element in order to prevent damage.

A coupling device for a detachable plug connection between a towed antenna and a submarine shows the DE 10 2005 045 843 A1 , In this plug connection is considered disadvantageous that the required in an overload situation release of schleppantennenseitigen plug element must be made by manual interaction. This is no defined and always consistent overload condition for the release of schleppantennenseitigen plug element can be displayed.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device that allows an independent and defined release of the tow antenna side connector element in an overload situation.

The object is achieved by a coupling device for a detachable plug connection between a towed antenna and a watercraft, comprising a first plug element and a second plug element for towing antenna and watercraft, a locking system, via which the one plug element of the first and second plug elements between an unlocked position and a Locking position can be transferred, wherein the locking system acts on a plug element via a first and a second locking element in the locking position and the first and second locking element, starting from the locking position of the locking system in one by the presence of an overload condition on the one plug element Triggered release position can be transferred. It can be provided that the first connector element is arranged schleppantennenseitig and the second connector element is arranged on the vehicle side. These assignments are considered below for the purposes of this description only. In principle, a distinction is made according to the invention between the locking position of the locking system and the release position of the first and second locking elements, wherein this release position can be assumed while the locking system is in the locking position. An overload condition may be present on the one plug element, for example, if a load above a previously defined limit value is introduced into the plug element via the towing antenna cable. The overload condition therefore preferably comprises a load component acting on the locking system from the locking position into the unlocked position. In particular, this load component is caused or characterized by a tensile force of the towed antenna. A "coupling" may refer to mechanical, optical and / or electrical coupling. An optical coupling can be carried out in particular via optical waveguides.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the first and the second locking element are drivingly connected to each other via a driving shaft, wherein an actuating mechanism of the locking system engages indirectly via the first locking element on the driving shaft. This makes it possible to arrange the actuating mechanism space saving to one side of the coupling device.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the torsional stiffness of the first locking element relative to a point of application of the actuating mechanism on the first locking element at least approximately corresponds to the torsional stiffness of the second locking element based on the point of application of the actuating mechanism on the first locking element. Since the tensile force of the towed antenna is transmitted to the first and the second locking element as half support force by the first plug element, the coordination of the torsional rigidity of the two control elements ensures that the respective half support force leads to a degree of yielding of the locking elements , This in turn ensures that tilting of the first plug element with respect to the second plug element is avoided and only a slight movement of the first plug element in the axial direction of the coupling device is permitted. An impairment of the signal transmission is thus excluded or reduced to a minimum.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the first and second locking element are formed in two parts, wherein each locking element comprises a latching on a base body in the release position latch finger. As a result, the function of the overload protection is realized in an advantageous manner directly to the locking elements. This simple embodiment of the two-part locking elements with pivoting locking fingers, it is possible to ensure a defined and consistent overload condition in an overload situation for both locking elements. In particular, it is preferred that the locking finger is held on a shear pin on the base body in a non-pivoted initial position. Thus, each locking finger can be pivoted to the respective base body between a unverschwenkten initial position and a release position, wherein the locking finger, however, initially held on the shear pin in the starting position and pivoted after shearing the shear pin due to an overload situation in the release position. Also results from the interpretation of equal torsional stiffness of the two locking elements relative to the point of action of the actuating mechanism in combination with the release of the locking fingers on shear pins in an overload situation a very uniform load on the shear pin due to a tensile force through the towed antenna. This ensures a very uniform and clearly defined release threshold or failure threshold of the shear pins.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the locking finger of the first of the two locking elements forms a substantially radially extending to the driving shaft and a deformation of the locking finger permitting deformation region. By means of this deformation region, the torsional rigidity of the first locking element can advantageously be adapted to the torsional stiffness of the second locking element, which is connected to the point of application of the actuating mechanism via the driving shaft permitting the deformation. Over the deformation range, a reduction in the torsional stiffness is deliberately imposed on the first locking element. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation region is formed by a slit extending in the radial and in the axial direction to the drive shaft slot in the locking finger. This slot in production technology easily representable. Also, the slot offers the advantage that the two separated by the slot parts of the locking finger, go to block to each other from a certain load height, so that no weakening of the locking finger itself arises.

The object is further achieved by the use of an inventive Coupling device for a detachable plug connection between a towed antenna and a watercraft, in particular a submarine.

The invention is explained below with further features, details and advantages with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures illustrate only an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Show here

1 a coupling device according to the invention in a side view;

2 a coupling device according to the invention in a further side view;

3 a view of a detail of a coupling device according to the invention;

4 a view of a further detail of a Kupplungsvor device according to the invention and

5a . 5b Views of a further detail of a coupling device according to the invention.

The 1 shows a detachable plug connection 12 between a towed antenna, not shown, and a watercraft, not shown, and a coupling device 10 for the plug connection 12 , The vessel may be a submarine.

The coupling device 10 initially has a frame element 14 on. The frame element 14 is attached in a manner not shown in the region of an outer skin of the vessel. On the frame element 14 is at least indirectly the plug connection 12 which is a first connector element 20 and a second plug element 22 has held. Here is the second plug element 22 via an actuator 16 movable on the frame element 14 and the first connector element 20 via a locking system 30 detachable on the frame element 14 held. The locking system 30 is in the 1 only in the one side view of the coupling device 10 shown. The figure described below shows the coupling device 10 in the opposite side view. In particular, the first plug element 20 over the locking system 30 from an unlocked position to a locked position and vice versa with respect to the frame member 14 the coupling device 10 be transferred. A detailed description of the kinematics, as the second connector element 22 by means of the actuator 16 between one with the first connector element 20 coupled and uncoupled position can be moved should not occur at this point.

The 2 shows the locking system 30 in the too 1 opposite side view. The locking system 30 should first be based on the 1 and 2 to be discribed. The locking system 30 may first be designed as a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit Betätigungsaktuator 32 and an actuating mechanism 40 include, both on the frame element 14 are fixed. The actuating mechanism 40 in turn, a toggle lever assembly 42 comprise, at least indirectly via a piston rod as the piston-cylinder unit 32 trained push-pull element 34 can be operated. The toggle lever arrangement 42 on the one hand on the frame element 14 held on the other hand via a lever arm 44 a rotary motion on a driver shaft 46 one. In particular, the rotational movement is at one end or at least at an end portion of the driving shaft 46 over the lever arm 44 initiated. This results in a particularly advantageous space-saving arrangement of the unit consisting of actuating mechanism 40 and actuation actuator 32 such that these on one side of the frame element 14 are arranged.

At the end or the end of the driver shaft 46 at which the lever arm 44 is held against rotation, is still a first locking element 50 held against rotation. Furthermore, at the opposite end or end region of the driver shaft 46 a second locking element 52 rotatably held, as in the 1 shown. A rotary movement of the driving shaft 46 about an axis A can therefore in a pivoting movement of the two locking elements 50 . 52 be transmitted. About this pivoting of the two locking elements 50 . 52 can the locking system 30 indirectly via the locking elements 50 . 52 the first plug element 20 from an unlocked position to a locked position and vice versa, which will be described in detail below.

The frame element 14 has a recording area 18 on, in which the first plug element 20 can be taken to over the locking system 30 to be releasably locked. The recording area 18 forms guides on both sides 24 ₁ , 24 ₂ , which preferably as breakthroughs in the wall of the receiving area 18 are formed. As a counterpart to the guides 24 ₁ , 24 ₂ forms the first connector element 20 first and second guide tabs on both sides 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ off, for inclusion in the guides 24 ₁ , 24 _{2 of} the recording area 14 , In particular, it is provided that the guide lugs 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ have such a dimension that they are in the receiving area 18 inserted plug element 20 over an outer surface of the frame member 14 survive outside, leaving the guide lugs 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ with the locking elements 50 . 52 can enter or be brought into an operative connection. About this operative connection, it is possible that the first connector element 20 After it is initial in the recording area in unspecified manner 18 was introduced, from a then present unlocking position by means of the locking system 30 can be brought into a locking position and locked in this.

The 3 shows a detail of a coupling device 10 , in particular of the first locking element 50 , The second locking element 52 is largely the same as the first locking element 50 carried out, taking into account the difference at a suitable location. The locking element 50 was through the toggle assembly 42 , the lever arm 44 and the takeaway wave 46 pivoted clockwise, so that the first plug element 20 in the locked position. The locking element 50 includes a main body 54 , a latch finger 56 and a counter-latch finger 58 , The locking element 50 acted on the latch finger 56 the guide nose 26 _{1 of} the first connector element 20 in the locking position. About the counter latch finger 58 can the locking element 50 the first plug element 20 act in an unlocked position.

The latch finger 56 is about a pivot axis S via a suitable bearing assembly 60 pivotable on the body 54 held, with the latch finger 56 with an offset to the pivot axis S and between the locking finger 56 and the body 54 arranged shear pin 62 is prevented from pivoting. Is it due to an overload situation of the first connector element 20 to a corresponding shearing of the shear pin 62 , is the latch finger 56 able to pivot about the pivot axis S and thus the locking element 50 in a release position to convict. In the release position, the first plug element 20 take the unlocking position, so that the overload situation is eliminated. In a conceivable other embodiment, the function of shearing in an overload situation can also be realized by other suitable triggering means. Continue lets 3 recognize that the latch finger 56 a deformation area 64 having in the form of a slot. Here is the slot 64 essentially radially with respect to the axis A of the driving shaft 46 ,

The 4 shows a part of the locking system 30 in a cut-out illustration. Shown are the driver shaft 46 and on this held two locking elements 50 . 52 , To recognize are the main body 54 ₁ , 54 _{2 of} the locking elements 50 . 52 and the pivotable on the basic bodies 54 ₁ , 54 ₂ held latch fingers 56 ₁ , 56 ₂ , but over the shear pins 62 ₁ , 62 ₂ are prevented from pivoting, as long as they are not sheared due to an overload situation. Not shown is the on the body 54 ₁ attacking lever arm 44 ,

One aspect of the coupling device according to the invention will be described below with reference to FIGS 4 with simultaneous reference to the other figures: In the locking system 30 is in the locking position of the first connector element 20 the locking element 50 directly via the actuation mechanism 40 locked. The respective half holding force for the first plug element 20 is about the respective latch finger 56 ₁ , 56 _{2 of} the two locking elements 50 . 52 transfer. The two half holding forces add up to the point of action of the lever arm 44 on the body 54 _{1 of} the first locking element 50 , Starting from this point of attack is half the holding force of the second locking element 52 accordingly over the entire driving wave 46 transferred, whereas half the holding force of the first locking element 50 from the point of attack directly on its body 54 _{1 is} transmitted. The takeaway wave 46 acts as a kind of torsion spring in this transfer. As a result of these transfer ratios causes half the holding force of the second locking element 52 a larger displacement of the latch finger 56 ₂ opposite to the holding force, as half the holding force of the first locking element 50 a shift of the latch finger 56 ₁ opposite to the holding force causes. To this uneven displacement of the latch fingers 56 ₁ , 56 ₂ compensate due to the respective half holding force, according to one aspect of the invention, the locking finger 56 ₁ , which is inherently the locking finger with the shorter transmission path of the holding force, with a deformation range 64 designed, which is preferably designed as already described as a slot. Through this deformation area 64 of the latch finger 56 ₁ becomes the first locking element 50 imprinted an artificial or desired elasticity or reduced torsional stiffness, which is tuned in an optimal manner such that it the elasticity or torsional stiffness of the second locking element 52 which this about the takeaway 46 imprinted, is exactly aligned. According to a further aspect of the invention, it is ensured that the first plug element 20 upon application of a tensile force by the towed antenna cable, not within the coupling device 10 or within the second connector element 22 tilted so that the signal transmission through the plug connection 12 unimpaired. By this aspect of the invention is further ensured that the shear pins 62 ₁ , 62 _{2 are} not unevenly loaded in an overload situation. Only the same load of shear pins 62 ₁ , 62 ₂ ensures that both shear pins 62 ₁ , 62 ₂ in one Overload situation are equally brought to their load limit and fail at the same time.

The 5a and 5b show schematically the transition of the first locking element 50 in the release position by shearing the shear pin 62 ₁ in an overload situation of the first connector element 20 , The 5a shows the latch finger 56 ₁ initially in a relation to the main body 54 unverschwenkten position in which the latch finger 56 ₁ via the bearing arrangement 60 on the body 54 is held. The 5b shows the latch finger 56 ₁ in a pivoted position, which is the release position of the first locking element 50 is where the shear pin is 62 _{1 is} sheared off and the latch finger 56 ₁ only about the bearing assembly 60 pivoted on the body 54 is held.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

coupling device

12

plug connection

14

frame element

16

actuator

18

reception area

20

male member

22

male member

24

guide

26

guide nose

30

locking system

32

Betätigungsaktuator

34

Thrust-train element

40

actuating mechanism

42

Toggle assembly

44

lever arm

46

clutch shaft

50

locking element

52

locking element

54

body

56

locking finger

58

Against locking finger

60

bearing arrangement

62

shear pin

64

deformation zone

S

swivel axis

A

axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005045843 A1 [0006]

Claims (9)

Coupling device ( 10 ) for a detachable plug connection ( 12 ) between a towed antenna and a watercraft, comprising a first plug element ( 20 ) and a second plug element ( 22 ) for coupling the towing antenna and watercraft, a locking system ( 30 ), via which the one plug element ( 20 ) of the first and second connector elements ( 20 . 22 ) between an unlocked position and a locking position can be transferred, wherein the locking system ( 30 ) the one plug element ( 20 ) via a first and a second locking element ( 50 . 52 ) acted upon in the locking position and the first and second locking element ( 50 . 52 ) starting from the locking position of the locking system ( 30 ) in one by the presence of an overload condition on the one plug element ( 20 ) triggered release position can be transferred. Coupling device ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the overload condition is a locking system ( 30 ) from the locking position in the unlocking position acting load component, in particular caused by a tensile force of the towed antenna comprises. Coupling device ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and the second locking element ( 50 . 52 ) via a driver shaft ( 46 ) are drivingly connected to each other, wherein an actuating mechanism ( 40 ) of the locking system ( 30 ) indirectly via the first locking element ( 50 ) on the driver shaft ( 46 ) attacks. Coupling device ( 10 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the torsional rigidity of the first locking element ( 50 ) relative to a point of application of the actuating mechanism ( 40 ) on the first locking element ( 50 ) at least approximately the torsional rigidity of the second locking element ( 52 ) relative to the point of application of the actuating mechanism ( 40 ) on the first locking element ( 50 ) corresponds. Coupling device ( 10 ) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first and second locking element ( 50 . 52 ) are formed in two parts, each locking element ( 50 . 52 ) one on a base body ( 54 ₁ , 54 ₂ ) in the release position pivotally held latch finger ( 56 ₁ , 56 ₂ ). Coupling device ( 10 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking fingers ( 56 ₁ , 56 ₂ ) via a shear pin ( 62 ₁ , 62 ₂ ) on the respective base body ( 54 ₁ , 54 ₂ ) is held in an untwisted initial position. Coupling device ( 10 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the locking finger ( 56 ₁ ) of the first ( 50 ) of the two locking elements ( 50 . 52 ) a substantially radially to the driver shaft ( 46 ) and a deformation of the locking finger ( 56 ₁ ) permitting deformation area ( 64 ) trains. Coupling device ( 10 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the deformation region ( 64 ) by a radial and in the axial direction to the drive shaft ( 46 ) extending slot in the latch finger ( 56 ₁ ) is formed. Use of a coupling device ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for a detachable plug connection ( 12 ) between a towed antenna and a watercraft, in particular a submarine.

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