Easy-to-manufacture lifting device

Abstract

The easily manufactured lifting device includes an outer tube unit, an inner tube unit, and a lifting control unit. The outer tube unit includes an outer tube body, the inner circumferential surface of which includes at least one limiting groove portion defining a limiting groove. The inner tube unit includes an inner tube body that passes through the outer tube body and at least one limiting strip. The outer circumferential surface of the inner tube body includes a first outer annular portion around an axis, a second outer annular portion recessed inward from the first outer annular portion and around the axis, and at least one mounting groove portion recessed inward from the second outer annular portion, defining a mounting groove. At least one limiting strip is connected to the mounting groove portion and confined within the limiting groove. The lifting control unit passes through the inner tube unit. The design of the inner tube body effectively simplifies the manufacturing steps of the inner tube body, saving manufacturing costs and time.

Description

Easy-to-manufacture lifting device Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lifting device, and more particularly to a lifting device that is easy to manufacture. Prior Technology

[0002] A typical lifting device involves inserting an inner tube through an outer tube, allowing relative movement between the two tubes to adjust the overall length of the lifting device. Currently, the manufacturing process for the inner tube involves first forming a pre-shaped inner tube. If multiple angularly spaced grooves are needed on the smooth outer surface of the inner tube, the manufacturing process primarily involves centerless grinding of the outer surface of the inner tube before the grooves are formed. Only then can the grooves be formed on the ground outer surface, requiring three steps to complete the inner tube manufacturing. This is done to avoid instability caused by the inner tube jumping when the centerless grinding machine directly contacts the grooves, thus preventing a decrease in finished product yield. However, this also results in a relatively large number of processing steps, a relatively high degree of complexity, and a relatively long processing time for the inner tube. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide an easy-to-manufacture lifting device that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0004] Therefore, the new type of easy-to-manufacture lifting device includes an outer tube unit, an inner tube unit, and a lifting control unit.

[0005] The outer tube unit includes an outer tube body. The outer tube body includes an inner circumferential surface, the inner circumferential surface including at least one limiting groove surface that is radially recessed outward from the inner base surface. The at least one limiting groove surface defines a limiting groove that extends along a first direction.

[0006] The inner tube unit is movable relative to the outer tube unit in the first direction and includes an inner tube body passing through the outer tube body, and at least one limiting strip. The inner tube body includes an outer circumferential surface. The outer circumferential surface includes a first outer annular portion about an axis, a second outer annular portion recessed radially inward from the first outer annular portion and about the axis, and at least one mounting groove portion. The at least one mounting groove portion is recessed radially inward from the second outer annular portion and defines a mounting groove. The at least one limiting strip is fixedly connected to the at least one mounting groove portion and is confined within the limiting groove.

[0007] The lifting control unit is installed in the inner tube unit and together with the inner tube unit, defines a first chamber.

[0008] The advantages of this new design are: by utilizing the design of the inner tube, the surface of the mounting slot is prevented from directly contacting the centerless grinding machine, which effectively simplifies the manufacturing steps of the inner tube and saves manufacturing costs and time. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Other features and effects of this invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the novel, easily manufacturable lifting device; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first embodiment; Figure 3 is an incomplete exploded perspective view illustrating an inner tube and multiple limiting strips of the first embodiment; Figure 4 is an incomplete longitudinal sectional view illustrating the inner tube. Figure 5 is an incomplete longitudinal sectional view illustrating this embodiment, omitting a mounting component and an assembly component; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating this embodiment; Figure 7 is an incomplete longitudinal sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the novel, easily manufactured lifting device. Implementation

[0010] Before this invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same reference numerals in the following description.

[0011] Referring to Figure 1, one of the first embodiments of the new easy-to-manufacture lifting device can be, but is not limited to, being disposed between a bicycle frame and a seat (not shown).

[0012] Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 5, this lifting device is suitable for containing a gas G and a liquid L, and is a liquid-gas mixed lifting device. In this embodiment, the gas G can be a gas G pressurized to a pressure greater than one atmosphere, and the liquid L is an oil. The lifting device includes an outer pipe unit 1, an inner pipe unit 2, and a lifting control unit 3. In other embodiments, the lifting device may also contain only gas, or the gas and oil may be isolated in different spaces.

[0013] Referring to Figures 2, 5, and 6, the outer tube unit 1 includes a hollow outer tube body 11 and an outer tube connecting assembly 12. The outer tube body 11 is cylindrical in appearance, with a roughly annular cross-section, and extends vertically along a first direction X1. The outer tube body 11 includes an inner circumferential surface 111. The inner circumferential surface 111 includes an inner base surface 112 and a plurality of limiting groove surfaces 113 that are radially recessed outward from the inner base surface 112. The limiting groove surfaces 113 are angularly spaced from each other, and each limiting groove surface 113 defines an elongated limiting groove 114, and each limiting groove 114 extends vertically along the first direction X1.

[0014] The outer tube connection assembly 12 includes a connection component 121 fixedly connected to the bottom end of the outer tube body 11, and a through hole 122 extending vertically through the connection component 121. The connection component 121 can be mounted on the bicycle frame. In this way, the outer tube unit 1 can be fixedly connected to the frame.

[0015] The inner tube unit 2 allows the seat cushion to be mounted on it using a mounting piece 91, and can move relative to the outer tube unit 1 in the first direction X1. The inner tube unit 2 includes an inner tube body 21 that passes through the outer tube body 11, an upper cover 220 connected to the top end of the inner tube body 21, a bottom plug 23 connected to the bottom end of the inner tube body 21, and a plurality of limiting strips 24.

[0016] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 6, the inner tube 21 is hollow, with a roughly annular cross-section, and extends vertically in the first direction X1, allowing it to move vertically relative to the outer tube 11 in the first direction X1. The inner tube 21 is vertically continuous and forms a first port 211 on the top side, a second port 212 on the bottom side, an outer circumferential surface 213, and an inner circumferential surface 214 located radially inward from the outer circumferential surface 213.

[0017] The outer circumferential surface 213 of the inner tube includes a first outer annular portion 215, a second outer annular portion 216 recessed radially inward from the first outer annular portion 215, and a plurality of mutually angularly spaced mounting groove portions 217. The first outer annular portion 215 surrounds an axis M. The second outer annular portion 216 also surrounds the axis M. Each of the mounting groove portions 217 is recessed radially inward from the second outer annular portion 216 and defines a mounting groove 218.

[0018] Specifically, in this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 213 of the inner tube further includes two shoulder surfaces 210 respectively connected to the top and bottom sides of the second outer annular surface 216. Each shoulder surface 210 is connected between the first outer annular surface 215 and the second outer annular surface 216. The diameter of each shoulder surface 210 gradually decreases from the first outer annular surface 215 to the second outer annular surface 216. The diameter of the second outer annular surface 216 remains unchanged from one shoulder surface 210 to the other.

[0019] More specifically, the first outer ring face 215 has a first diameter W1 measured in a second direction X2 transverse to the first direction X1. The second outer ring face 216 has a second diameter W2 measured in the second direction X2. The first diameter W1 is greater than the second diameter W2. The difference between the first diameter W1 and the second diameter W2 is not less than 0.05 mm. The inner tube 21 has a first thickness T1 measured radially from the inner circumferential surface 214 of the inner tube to the first outer ring face 215, and a second thickness T2 from the inner circumferential surface 214 of the inner tube to the second outer ring face 216. The first thickness T1 is greater than the second thickness T2, and the difference between the first thickness T1 and the second thickness T2 is not less than 0.025 mm. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first outer ring face 215 may be 26 mm, and the outer diameter of the second outer ring face 216 may not be greater than 25.95 mm.

[0020] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 5, the upper cover 220, the inner tube 21, and the lifting control unit 3 together define a first chamber 33. The first chamber 33 can simultaneously contain the liquid L and the gas G.

[0021] In this embodiment, the upper cover 220 includes an inner tube valve assembly 22. The inner tube valve assembly 22 includes a nozzle fixing member 221 connected to the top end of the inner tube body 21, and a nozzle core 222 passing through the nozzle fixing member 221. The nozzle core 222 is detachably inserted downwards into a gas flow channel 223 defined by the nozzle fixing member 221. At this time, the first chamber 33 is isolated from the outside. When the nozzle core 222 moves upwards, the gas G in the first chamber 33 can communicate with the outside through the inner tube valve assembly 22. Thus, the inner tube valve assembly 22 can openably close the first port 211.

[0022] The bottom plug 23 is connected to the bottom end of the inner tube 21 and abuts against the second port 212, and is located between the inner circumferential surface 214 of the inner tube 21 and the lifting control unit 3.

[0023] Each of the limiting strips 24 is a long strip with a circular cross-section and is fixedly connected to its respective mounting groove surface 217. The length L1 of the mounting groove 218 in the first direction X1 is greater than the length L2 of the corresponding limiting strip 24, and the length L3 of the limiting groove 114 in the first direction X1 is greater than the length L2 of the limiting strip 24. Each of the limiting strips 24 can be movably inserted into the corresponding limiting groove 114, thereby limiting the limiting strips 24 to be respectively located in the limiting groove 114, and limiting the inner tube unit 2 to be able to move relative to the outer tube unit 1 in the first direction X1, but not to rotate relative to the outer tube unit 1.

[0024] The lifting control unit 3 is installed through the inner tube unit 2 and is located below the inner tube valve assembly 22 at intervals, while being vertically spaced from each other in the first direction X1. The lifting control unit 3 includes a lifting piston assembly 31 and a valve assembly 32.

[0025] The lifting piston assembly 31 includes a lifting piston 311 that can move up and down and abuts against the inner tube 21, and a lifting tube 312 fixedly connected to the bottom side of the lifting piston 311. The lifting tube 312 extends downward from the lifting piston 311 in the first direction X1. The valve assembly 32 includes a valve member 321 that passes through the lifting piston 311, and a shaft member 322 fixedly connected to the bottom end of the valve member 321 and extending downward in the first direction X1. The longitudinal section of the valve member 321 is generally "T" shaped, and the valve member 321 can abut against the top surface of the lifting piston 311. The inner tube 21, the bottom plug 23, and the lifting control unit 3 together define a second chamber 34.

[0026] The valve assembly 32 is controlled by an assembly component 92 and can move up and down relative to the lifting piston assembly 31 between a closed state and a connected state. In the closed state, the first chamber 33 and the second chamber 34 are fluidly isolated. In the connected state, the valve assembly 32 moves upward, so that the valve component 321 no longer abuts against the lifting piston 311, the first chamber 33 and the second chamber 34 are connected, and the liquid L can flow between the first chamber 33 and the second chamber 34.

[0027] Referring to Figure 5, during use, the design of the inner tube valve group 22 can also allow the gas G in the first chamber 33 to be discharged outward to relieve pressure, or to be pressurized inward to increase pressure.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5, it is particularly noteworthy that the mounting groove surface 217 of the inner tube 21 is radially recessed inward from the second outer ring surface 216 surrounding the axis M, and the second outer ring surface 216 is also recessed inward from the first outer ring surface 215, forming a three-segment thickness difference. Therefore, during centerless grinding of the inner tube 21, the mounting groove surface 217 will not directly contact the grinding machine, avoiding unwanted vibrations. Consequently, when manufacturing the inner tube 21, the mounting grooves 218 can be formed simultaneously during the molding process, and then the inner tube 21 with the mounting grooves 218 formed can be ground. In this way, the inner tube 21 requires only two manufacturing steps, instead of the current method of at least three steps: first a molding step, then a grinding step, and finally the step of forming the mounting grooves. Therefore, the innovative design of the outer circumferential surface 213 of the inner tube can effectively simplify the manufacturing steps of the inner tube body 21, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and time.

[0029] It should be noted that the number of the limiting groove surface 113, the mounting groove surface 217, and the limiting strip 24 can each be one according to actual needs, so that the number of the limiting groove 114 and the mounting groove 218 can also be one, which can also achieve the purpose of restricting the inner tube unit 2 from moving up and down relative to the outer tube unit 1 in the first direction X1 and preventing it from rotating.

[0030] Referring to Figure 7, a second embodiment of the easily manufactured lifting device of this invention is shown. This second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except for the upper cover 220. In this embodiment, the upper cover 220 includes a cover member 224 located at the first port 211, and an airtight gasket 225 abutting between the inner tube 21 and the cover member 224. Thus, the upper cover 220 directly closes and seals the first port 211.

[0031] In summary, this novel, easily manufactured lifting device utilizes the design of the second outer ring face 216 recessed radially inward from the first outer ring face 215 within the outer circumferential surface 213 of the inner tube 21. Furthermore, the mounting groove face 217 is recessed inward from the second outer ring face 216. This design prevents the grinding machine from contacting the mounting groove face 217 during the grinding of the inner tube 21, thus avoiding instability and bouncing. Therefore, by utilizing the unique and innovative design of the outer circumferential surface 213 of the inner tube 21, the mounting groove 218 can be formed on the outer circumferential surface 213 before grinding, reducing processing steps and effectively lowering manufacturing costs and shortening manufacturing time. Thus, this novel device truly achieves its intended purpose.

[0032] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of this invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of implementation of this invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of this invention.

[0033] 1: External pipe unit 11: Outer tube body 111: Inner circumference of the outer tube 112: Inner face 113: Limiting groove face 114: Limiting groove 12: External pipe connection assembly 121: Connecting Components 122: piercing 2: Internal pipe unit 21:Inner tube body 211: First port 212: Second port 213: Outer circumference of the inner tube 215: First outer ring face 216: Second outer ring face 210: Shoulder area 217: Mounting slot face 218: Mounting slot 214: Inner circumference of the inner tube 220: Top Cover 22: Inner pipe valve assembly 221: Air valve fixing component 222: Air valve core 223: Gas flow channel 224: Cover 225: Cover gasket 23: Bottom plug 24: Limiting strip 3: Lifting control unit 31: Lifting Piston Assembly 311: Lifting Piston 312:Lifting pipe body 32: Valve assembly 321: Valve components 322: Shaft member 33: First Chamber 34: Second Chamber 91: Installation components 92: Assembly parts X1: First direction X2: Second direction W1: First diameter width W2: Second diameter width T1: First thickness T2: Second thickness M: Axis G: Gas L: Liquid L1: Length L2: Length L3: Length

Claims

1. A lifting device that is easy to manufacture, comprising: an outer tube unit including an outer tube body, the outer tube body including an inner circumferential surface, the inner circumferential surface including at least one limiting groove surface, the at least one limiting groove surface defining a limiting groove, the limiting groove extending along a first direction; an inner tube unit movable relative to the outer tube unit in the first direction, including an inner tube body passing through the outer tube body, and at least one limiting strip, the inner tube body including an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface including a first outer annular surface about an axis, a second outer annular surface radially recessed from the first outer annular surface and about the axis, and at least one mounting groove surface, the at least one mounting groove surface radially recessed from the second outer annular surface and defining a mounting groove, the at least one limiting strip being fixedly connected to the at least one mounting groove surface and confined within the limiting groove; and a lifting control unit passing through the inner tube unit and together with the inner tube unit defining a first chamber.

2. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 1, wherein, The number of limiting grooves on the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube is multiple, and the limiting grooves are angularly spaced from each other. The number of mounting grooves on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube is multiple, and the mounting grooves are angularly spaced from each other. The number of limiting strips on the outer tube unit is multiple, and they are respectively fixedly connected to their respective mounting grooves.

3. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 2, wherein, The length of the limiting groove in the first direction is greater than the length of the limiting strip in the first direction, and each limiting strip can be movably extended into the corresponding limiting groove to limit the movement of the inner tube unit relative to the outer tube unit in the first direction.

4. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 1, wherein, The first diameter of the first outer circumferential surface of the inner tube is greater than the second diameter of the second outer circumferential surface.

5. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 4, wherein, The difference between the first diameter and the second diameter is not less than 0.05 mm.

6. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 1, wherein, The length of the at least one mounting slot in the first direction is greater than the length of the at least one limiting strip.

7. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 2, wherein, The inner tube body also has an inner circumferential surface spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube. The inner tube body has a first thickness from the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube to the first outer circumferential surface and a second thickness from the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube to the second outer circumferential surface. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

8. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 1, wherein, The inner tube unit also includes an upper cover, and the inner tube body also includes a first port. The upper cover covers the first port, and the lifting control unit and the upper cover are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The upper cover, the inner tube body and the lifting control unit together define the first chamber.

9. The easily manufactured lifting device as described in claim 8, wherein, The inner tube body of the inner tube unit also includes a second port spaced apart from the first port in the first direction, and the inner tube unit also includes a bottom plug that abuts against the second port. The inner tube body, the bottom plug, and the lifting control unit together define a second chamber.

10. The easily manufacturable lifting device as described in claim 9, wherein, The lifting control unit includes a lifting piston assembly that is movably inserted against the inner tube body, and a valve assembly that is movably connected to the lifting piston assembly. The valve assembly can move relative to the lifting piston assembly between a closed state and a connected state. In the closed state, the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber, and in the connected state, the first chamber is connected to the second chamber.

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