Design and experimental validation of a low-impact wing locking/release mechanism based on energy conversion strategy

Conventional locking/release mechanisms often face challenges in aircraft wing separation processes, such as excessive impact loads and insufficient synchronization. These may cause structural damage to the airframe or attitude instability, seriously compromising mission reliability. To address this engineering challenge, this paper proposes a multi-point low-impact locking/release mechanism based on the mobility model and energy conversion strategy. Through establishing a DOF constraint framework system, this paper systematically analyzes the energy transfer and conversion characteristics during the wing separation process, reveals the generation mechanism of impact loads, and conducts research on low-impact design based on energy conversion strategy. Building on this foundation, a single-point locking/release mechanism employing parallel trapezoidal key shaft structure was designed, which increases frictional contact time and reduces the energy release rate, thereby achieving low-impact characteristics. The mechanism's performance was validated through physical prototype development and systematic functional testing (including unlocking force, synchronization, and impact tests). Experimental results demonstrate: (1) Under 14 kN preload condition, the maximum unlocking force was only 92.54 N, showing a linear relationship with preload that satisfies the “strong-connection/weak-unlock” design requirement; (2) Wing separation was completed within 46 ms, with synchronization time difference among three separation mechanisms stably controlled within 12–14 ms, proving rapid and reliable operation; (3) The unlocking impact acceleration ranged between 26 and 73 g, below the 100 g design limit, confirming the effectiveness of the energy conversion strategy. The proposed low-impact locking/release mechanism design method based on energy conversion strategy resolves the traditional challenges of high impact and synchronization deficiencies. The synergistic optimization mechanism of “structural load reduction and performance improvement” provides a highly reliable technical solution for wing separable mechanisms while offering novel design insights for wing connection/separation systems engineering.