Parachute Deployment Mechanism - OmegaSpaceTeam's Solution

In our Cansat project, we decided to use a simple yet effective parachute deployment system, utilizing a piston mechanism powered by rubber bands and secured by a pin that is pulled by a servo. This solution allows us to control the exact moment of parachute opening, ensuring greater reliability and safety during landing.

Deployment System Design

The parachute was carefully folded and placed in the upper part of the Cansat, just below the panels that we moved from the lower part to the upper section in previous modifications. Our deployment system consists of:

• Rubber bands: They provide the necessary force for the piston to eject the parachute once released.
• A locking pin: This pin secures the compressed piston, preventing accidental deployment during flight.
• A spring-loaded piston: When released, it pushes the parachute out of the Cansat housing.

Deployment Using the Servo

A key component of our system is the servo mechanism, which is responsible for triggering the parachute ejection at the right moment. Here's how it works:

• Activation: Once the pre-programmed altitude or appropriate conditions are reached, the microprocessor sends a signal to the servo.
• Pin Removal: The servo rotates, pulling out the locking pin that secures the compressed piston.
• Piston Action: With the pin removed, the rubber bands rapidly expand, driving the piston upward.
• Parachute Deployment: The piston pushes the parachute out of the Cansat, allowing it to unfold properly and stabilize the descent.

Testing

We conducted several trials to ensure the mechanism works flawlessly. The tests included:

• Pin Release Tests: We verified that the servo had enough torque to reliably pull the locking pin under various conditions.
• Piston Force Testing: We fine-tuned the rubber band tension to ensure the piston had sufficient force to eject the parachute without damaging it.
• Drop Tests: During the drop tests, the deployment mechanism performed as expected -- the pin was pulled cleanly, the piston fired, and the parachute deployed smoothly, stabilizing the descent of the Cansat.

Conclusions

The piston-based deployment system with rubber bands and a servo-operated pin turned out to be a great idea -- it's a reliable, lightweight, and effective solution that minimizes the risk of accidental deployment and allows full control over the parachute release timing.

Each phase of this project is another valuable learning experience for us. Now, with a reliable parachute deployment mechanism in place, we are one step closer to our mission - sending OmegaSpaceTeam's Cansat to an altitude of 2 km and ensuring its safe return to Earth! 🚀