TWM672235U - Electric pushing rod and its dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

This application is about a dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism, including a load body, a strain sheet, a cable connector and a shock absorbing element. The load body includes a column and a flange extending from the column, the column is provided with an opening, and a detection surface is formed on two opposite sides of the opening; the strain sheet is arranged on the detection surface to detect the deformation of the detection surface; the cable connector includes a connector and a cable, the connector is connected to the column, the cable passes through the connector and is electrically connected to the strain sheet; the shock absorbing element is arranged on the end face of the flange to absorb the impact force of the load body. In this way, it not only has the function of force detection, but also can avoid damage to the equipment caused by sudden impact.

Description

Electric actuator and dual-function component with strain sensing and buffer mechanism

This application is related to an electric actuator technology, in particular an electric actuator and a dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism.

Electric actuators have been widely used in industrial, medical, and home beds, massage chairs, fitness equipment, rehabilitation equipment, door openers, window openers, and lifting mechanisms to push tens of kilograms or even thousands of kilograms of weight to achieve lifting or angle changes. Most existing electric actuators use a motor with a transmission mechanism and a speed reduction mechanism to drive the lead screw to rotate, and at the same time, the lead screw drives the threaded push rod to make it extend or retract linearly.

However, electric actuators have a load limit, and most electric actuators cannot measure the weight of the load, especially industrial or agricultural electric actuators because the load is heavier, which may exceed the load limit of the electric actuator during use, easily causing deformation and damage to the actuator or other mechanisms. Therefore, in order to avoid this situation, the current practice is to install a strain gauge on the electric actuator to measure the load weight of the electric actuator, and the signal line of the strain gauge is set in the internal wiring of the electric actuator, which makes the strain gauge inconvenient to install and disassemble, and the user cannot replace it according to needs or use software other than the software specified by the designer for detection.

In view of this, the creator of this invention has focused on the shortcomings of the above existing technologies, and has devoted himself to research and applied theories to try his best to solve the above problems, which has become the goal of the creator's improvement.

One of the purposes of this application is to provide an electric push rod and a dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism, which not only has the function of force detection, but also can avoid damage to the equipment caused by sudden impact.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides a dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism, including a load body, a pair of strain sheets, a cable connector and a shock absorbing element. The load body includes a column and a flange extending from the column, the column is provided with an opening, and a pair of detection surfaces are formed on two opposite sides of the opening; each of the strain sheets is respectively arranged on each of the detection surfaces to detect the deformation of each of the detection surfaces; the cable connector includes a connector and a cable, the connector is connected to the column, the cable passes through the connector and is electrically connected to each of the strain sheets; the shock absorbing element is arranged on the end surface of the flange to absorb the impact force received by the load body.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides an electric push rod, including a gear box, a motor, a transmission mechanism and a dual-function component with strain sensing and a buffer mechanism, wherein the motor is connected to the gear box; the transmission mechanism is connected to the gear box and formed on one side of the motor, and the transmission mechanism is driven by the motor; the dual-function component with strain sensing and a buffer mechanism is arranged on the side of the gear box facing away from the transmission mechanism, and includes a load body, a pair of strain plates, a cable connector and an impact absorber. The load body includes a column and a flange extending from the column, the column is provided with an opening, and a pair of detection surfaces are formed on two opposite sides of the opening; each strain sheet is respectively arranged on each detection surface to detect the deformation of each detection surface; the cable connector includes a connector and a cable, the connector is connected to the column, the cable passes through the connector and is electrically connected to each strain sheet; the impact absorbing element is arranged on the end face of the flange to absorb the impact force received by the load body.

This application also has the following effects, which can effectively reduce external forces or vibrations generated during operation, thereby extending service life and improving stability. Through the setting of strain gauges, the weight applied to the push rod can be detected, and the force changes during the actuation process can be sensed in real time, so that the system can control the force more accurately, thereby improving the safety of operation. When excessive external force is detected, the system can be adjusted or stopped or even reversed in real time to avoid accidents. By assembling the polygonal slots of the load body and the polygonal segments of the connector, only axial movement can occur between the load body and the connector. The self-lubricating sleeve is provided to provide lubrication for the load body and the connector during axial movement, thus ensuring smooth operation.

1: Dual-functional component with strain sensing and buffer mechanism

10: Load-bearing body

11: Column

111: Opening

112: Tested surface

113:Piercing

114: Polygonal slot

115: Round hole

116: Connecting hole

12:France

20: Strain gauge

30: Cable connector

31: Connector

311: Circular axis segment

312: Polygon

313: First external thread section

314: Polygonal segment

315: Circular column

316: Center hole

317:Through hole

32: Cable

40: Shock absorbing element

50: Another shock absorbing element

60: Outer cover

61: Top plate

62: Hoardings

621: First internal thread

70: Adapter ring

71: Second internal thread

72: Second external thread

80: Self-lubricating bushing

9: Electric push rod

91: Gear box

911: Seat

912: Cover

913: Staircase hole

92: Electric motor

93: Speed reduction mechanism

94: Transmission mechanism

941:Lead screw

942:Putter

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional appearance diagram of the electric push rod of this application.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the strain sensor and buffer mechanism dual-function component and gear box of this application.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the decomposition of the dual-functional component of this application that has both strain sensing and buffering mechanism.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electric push rod assembly of this application.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electric push rod in use when used for thrust.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electric push rod in use when applied for tension.

The detailed description and technical content of this application are described below with accompanying drawings. However, the attached drawings are only for reference and description and are not used to limit this application.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. This application provides an electric push rod and a dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism, wherein the electric push rod 9 mainly includes a gear box 91, a motor 92, a speed reduction mechanism 93 (Figure 4), a transmission mechanism 94, a dual-function component 1 with strain sensing and buffering mechanism, and other related components or devices.

The gear box 91 mainly includes a base 911 and a cover 912 corresponding to the base 911. The cover 912 is provided with a stepped hole 913 (Figure 4). The speed reduction mechanism 93 is arranged in the gear box 91 and includes a plurality of spur gears of different sizes. The motor 92 and the transmission mechanism 94 are installed in the base 911 and are driven through the connection of the speed reduction mechanism 93. The transmission mechanism 94 has a lead screw 941 (Figure 4), a push rod 942 (Figure 1) threadedly connected with the lead screw 941, and other related components. Since the aforementioned components or mechanisms are all existing technologies, they are not described in detail one by one.

The dual-functional component 1 of the present application, which has both strain sensing and buffering mechanism, is disposed on the side of the gear box 91 facing away from the transmission mechanism 94, specifically on the cover 912, and mainly includes a load-bearing body 10, a pair of strain sheets 20, a cable connector 30 and a shock absorbing element 40.

The load body 10 is a component made of stainless steel, aluminum or its alloy, which has a certain mechanical strength. It mainly includes a column 11 and a flange 12. An opening 111 is provided in the middle of the column 11, wherein the opening 111 is a rectangular groove, and a pair of detection surfaces 112 are formed on its two opposite sides.

A through hole 113 is provided above the opening 111 of the column 11 to provide for fixing equipment, pin insertion or bolt insertion. In addition, a polygonal slot 114 and a circular hole 115 (Figure 4) are provided below the opening 111 of the column 11, wherein the circular hole 115 is located on the inner side of the polygonal slot 114. Furthermore, a connecting hole 116 (Figure 4) is provided between the circular hole 115 and the opening 111. The flange 12 extends out from the lower section of the column 11 in an expanded manner.

Each strain gauge 20 is disposed on each detected surface 112 (FIG. 4) to detect the deformation of each detected surface 112. It mainly includes an insulating substrate (not shown) and a metal sensitive grid (not shown). The strain gauge 20 is used to measure the strain of an object. When the object is deformed by an external force, the metal sensitive grid also deforms and its resistance value changes accordingly. Each strain gauge 20 is disposed on the detected surface 112 through the opening 111 to measure the deformation of each detected surface 112. Specifically, it may also include a pair of circuit boards (not shown). Each circuit board is disposed on the other two opposite side walls through the opening 111 and is located between each strain sheet 20, that is, each strain sheet 20 and each circuit board are arranged vertically and staggered. One circuit board is electrically connected in series with one strain sheet 20 to form a first half bridge, and the other circuit board is electrically connected in series with another strain sheet 20 to form a second half bridge, and the first half bridge and the second half bridge are electrically connected in parallel to form a Wheatstone bridge, so that the resistance change generated when the object is deformed by external force can be measured through the Wheatstone bridge, and then converted into the strain value of the actual object.

The cable connector 30 includes a connector 31 and a cable 32. The connector 31 passes through the aforementioned stepped hole 913 to connect to the column 11. The cable 32 passes through the connector 31 and is electrically connected to each strain plate 20. The connector 31 is a component made of, for example, stainless steel, aluminum or an alloy thereof, and mainly includes a circular shaft segment 311, a polygonal body extending downward from the circular shaft segment 311, and a plurality of 312, a first external thread section 313 extending downward from the polygonal body 312, a polygonal section 314 extending downward from the first external thread section 313, and a circular column 315 extending downward from the polygonal section 314. A center hole 316 (Figure 4) is provided at the axis of the connecting head 31, and a through hole 317 connected to the center hole 316 is provided in the polygonal section 314.

The cable 32 passes through the through hole 317 into the connector 31, then passes through the center hole 316, and then passes through the aforementioned connecting hole 116 to be electrically connected to each strain gauge 20.

The polygonal body 312 of the connector 31 is matched with the polygonal slot 114 of the load body 10, so that the cable connector 30 and the load body 10 can only move axially.

The shock absorbing element 40 can also be called the first shock absorbing element, which is arranged on the lower end surface of the flange 12 to absorb the impact force exerted on the load-bearing body 10. The shock absorbing element 40 can be a disc-shaped spring, and the number thereof can also be plural, and each shock absorbing element 40 is stacked on top of each other.

In one embodiment, the strain sensing and buffering dual-function component 1 of the present application further includes another shock absorbing element 50, which is disposed on the upper end surface of the flange 12 to absorb the impact force exerted on the load body 10; wherein the another shock absorbing element 50 can also be referred to as a second shock absorbing element, which can be a disc-shaped spring, and the number thereof can also be plural, and each other shock absorbing element 50 is stacked on top of each other.

In one embodiment, the strain sensing and buffering dual-function component 1 of the present application further includes an outer cover 60, which is disposed outside the load-bearing body 10, each shock absorbing element 40 and each other shock absorbing element 50. The outer cover 60 includes a top plate 61 and a surrounding plate 62 extending downward from the top plate 61, wherein each other shock absorbing element 50 is disposed between the top plate 61 and the flange 12.

In one embodiment, the dual-function component 1 of the present application with strain sensing and buffering mechanism further includes an adapter ring 70, which is connected between the connector 31 and the outer cover 60, the enclosure 62 of the outer cover 60 is provided with a first inner thread 621, the adapter ring 70 has a second inner thread 71 and a second outer thread 72, wherein the second outer thread 72 and the first inner thread 621 of the outer cover 60 are mutually screwed and locked, and the second inner thread 71 and the first outer thread section 313 of the connector 31 are mutually screwed and locked. Each shock absorbing element 40 is arranged between the adapter ring 70 and the flange 12.

In one embodiment, the strain sensing and buffering dual-function component 1 of the present application also includes a self-lubricating sleeve 80, which is sleeved on the circular shaft section 311 of the connector 31 and formed in the circular hole 115 of the load body 10, so as to provide lubrication for the load body 10 and the connector 31 when they move axially, thereby ensuring smoothness during operation.

Please refer to Figure 5. When a thrust is applied, the load body 10 is subjected to an external thrust and generates an axial displacement, and squeezes each shock absorbing element 40 through its flange 12. The configuration of each shock absorbing element 40 can provide a buffering effect. When only the shock absorbing element 40 is provided, it can be applied to an electric push rod that pushes but does not pull.

Please refer to FIG. 6. When a tensile force is applied, the load body 10 is subjected to an external thrust and generates an axial displacement, and squeezes each other shock absorbing element 50 through its flange 12. The arrangement of each other shock absorbing element 50 can provide a buffering effect. When the shock absorbing element 40 and the other shock absorbing element 50 are provided at the same time, it can be applied to various types of electric actuators.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the patent scope of this application. Other equivalent changes that apply the patent spirit of this application should all fall within the patent scope of this application.

10: Load-bearing body

11: Column

111: Opening

112: Tested surface

113:Piercing

114: Polygonal slot

12:France

30: Cable connector

31: Connector

311: Circular axis segment

312: Polygon

313: First external thread section

314: Polygonal segment

315: Circular column

317:Through hole

32: Cable

40: Shock absorbing element

50: Another shock absorbing element

60: Outer cover

62: Hoardings

621: First internal thread

70: Adapter ring

71: Second internal thread

72: Second external thread

80: Self-lubricating bushing

Claims (12)

A dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism, comprising: A load body, comprising a column and a flange extending from the column, the column having an opening, and a pair of detection surfaces formed on two opposite sides of the opening; A pair of strain sheets, respectively arranged on each of the detection surfaces, for detecting the deformation of each of the detection surfaces; A cable connector, comprising a connector and a cable, the connector connecting the column, the cable passing through the connector and electrically connected to each of the strain sheets; and A shock absorbing element, arranged on the end face of the flange, for absorbing the impact force on the load body. The dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 1 also includes another impact absorbing element, which is arranged on the end surface of the flange facing away from the impact absorbing element to absorb the impact force exerted on the load-bearing body. A dual-functional component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing element and the other shock absorbing element are both disc-shaped springs. A dual-functional component with both strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing element and the other shock absorbing element are both plural. The dual-functional component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 2 also includes an outer cover, which is arranged on the outside of the load-bearing body, the impact absorbing element and the other impact absorbing element. The outer cover includes a top plate and a surrounding plate extending from the top plate, and the other impact absorbing element is arranged between the top plate and the flange. The dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 5 also includes an adapter ring connected between the connecting head and the outer cover, the connecting head has a first external thread section, the enclosure plate has a first internal thread, the adapter ring has a second internal thread and a second external thread, the second external thread and the first internal thread are screwed and locked to each other, the second internal thread and the first external thread section are screwed and locked to each other, and the impact absorbing element is arranged between the adapter ring and the flange. The dual-function component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 1 also includes a self-lubricating sleeve. The load body is provided with a circular hole. The connector has a circular shaft section. The self-lubricating sleeve is sleeved on the circular shaft section and formed in the circular hole. As described in claim 1, the dual-function component with both strain sensing and buffering mechanism, wherein the load-bearing body is provided with a polygonal slot, and the connecting head has a polygonal body assembled with the polygonal slot. As described in claim 1, the dual-function component with both strain sensing and buffering mechanism, wherein the load body is provided with a connecting hole, the connecting head includes a circular shaft segment, a polygon extending from the circular shaft segment, a first external thread segment extending from the polygon, a polygon segment extending from the first external thread segment, and a circular column extending from the polygon segment, a center hole is provided at the axis of the connecting head, and a through hole connected to the center hole is provided in the polygon segment, the cable passes through the through hole into the interior of the connecting head and out from the center hole, and then passes through the connecting hole to be electrically connected to each of the strain plates. An electric push rod comprises: a gear box; a motor connected to the gear box; a transmission mechanism connected to the gear box and formed on one side of the motor, the transmission mechanism being driven by the motor; and a dual-function component having both strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, disposed on the side of the gear box facing away from the transmission mechanism. An electric push rod as described in claim 10, wherein the gear box includes a base and a cover corresponding to the base, the cover is provided with a step hole, and the connecting head passes through the step hole to connect to the load-bearing body. An electric push rod as described in claim 10, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a lead screw, and the dual-function component of strain sensing and buffer mechanism is aligned with the lead screw configuration.