A controllable extension mechanism

Abstract

The present invention discloses a controllable extension mechanism, comprising a housing, at least three extension boxes similar to a box ruler mechanism, an articulator and a driving mechanism. The extension mechanism is light, compact and controllable, and is suitable for occasions where the load is not large and the single extension amount is large. At least three extension belts are provided in the mechanism, and the three extension belts are interlocked to form a triangular prism, thereby improving the stability of the extension arm; in addition, the extension belt adopts a rollable steel belt, which can be rolled and stored, with a small storage volume, but a large strength in the width direction. After the extension belts are interlocked, it can be ensured that the extension belt extends in a specified direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of telescopic equipment, and in particular to a controllable extension mechanism. Background Art

[0002] The most commonly used extension mechanism on the market is the piston type, which has a limited extension distance. Long-distance extension uses a multi-stage structure transmission, which requires high processing accuracy and is bulky. It is easily flexed and deformed by the thickness of the extension tube wall. If hydraulic control is used, the cost is high. There is also a diamond extension mechanism that cannot withstand lateral forces. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a controllable extension mechanism suitable for performing long-stroke extension on light loads.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0005] A controllable extension mechanism, characterized by comprising:

[0006] case;

[0007] At least three shafts are arranged in a regular polygon and connected to the housing;

[0008] A plurality of extension belts are made of metal material and are respectively wound around each shaft body. A plurality of engaging teeth are arranged at intervals on both sides of each extension belt. The engaging teeth on adjacent sides of the two extension belts are arranged alternately and can engage with each other. The plurality of extension belts can be engaged and connected to form an extension arm of a regular polygonal prism, and the extension arm can extend from the shell;

[0009] A tensioning part, used to ensure the tension of the extension belt during the extension or retraction process;

[0010] An articulator, fixed on the housing, the front end of the extension belt always passes through the articulator, and is used to help multiple extension belts to engage with each other; and

[0011] The driving mechanism is used for driving the extension arm to extend or retract.

[0012] A further technical solution is:

[0013] The shaft is fixed to the housing;

[0014] The tensioning part comprises a ruler spring sleeved on the shaft body, the ruler spring is placed inside the extension belt, and two ends of the ruler spring are respectively fixed to the shaft body and the inner ring of the extension belt.

[0015] A further technical solution is that the articulator comprises:

[0016] The guide block is located at the center of the extension arm. A plurality of channels arranged in a polygonal shape are provided on the guide block. Each channel allows an extension belt to pass through. The channel is wedge-shaped with the outlet end approaching the axis of the guide block. The outlet ends of the plurality of channels are surrounded by a shape matching the extension arm to promote mutual engagement between the extension belts.

[0017] A further technical solution is that the articulator has a through hole located in the extension arm.

[0018] A further technical solution is that the driving mechanism comprises:

[0019] at least one rack disposed on an extension belt;

[0020] At least one gear meshing with a rack for transmission; and

[0021] The driving part is used to drive the gear to rotate.

[0022] A further technical solution is that at least one gear is arranged on the guide block, and a notch for accommodating the gear is opened on the guide block, so that the gear is meshed with the rack in the channel.

[0023] A further technical solution is that the engaging teeth include:

[0024] A stopper located at the outermost end of the engaging teeth; and

[0025] A neck with a narrow diameter formed between the extension band and the limiting portion;

[0026] A tooth groove is formed between two adjacent engaging teeth and the neck, and the width of the tooth groove matches the neck.

[0027] A further technical solution is that the side surface of the limiting portion is a wedge-shaped surface.

[0028] A further technical solution is that the engaging teeth and the extension belt are integrally formed.

[0029] A further technical solution is that the extension arm can extend in an arc, wherein

[0030] The extension belt has a curvature that matches the extension direction of the extension arm;

[0031] The pitch relationship between two adjacent meshing teeth on the inner and outer edges of the extension belt is:

[0032] A further technical solution is to further include:

[0033] A plurality of disk boxes are covered outside each rolled extension belt and fixed to the shell body. The thickness of the disk boxes matches the width of the extension belt, and the front end of the extension belt extends out of the disk boxes.

[0034] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are:

[0035] The extension mechanism is light, compact and controllable, and is suitable for occasions where the load is not large and the single extension amount is large. At least three extension belts are provided in the mechanism, and the three extension belts are interlocked to form a triangular prism, which improves the stability of the extension arm; in addition, the extension belt is a rollable steel belt, which can be rolled up and stored, with a small storage volume, but greater strength in the width direction. After the extension belts are interlocked, the extension belt can be ensured to extend in the specified direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mechanism (housing not shown);

[0038] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the mechanism (the housing is not shown);

[0039] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the extension arm in this mechanism;

[0040] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the extension belt in this mechanism;

[0041] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the articulator in this mechanism;

[0042] Figure 6 This is another structural diagram of this organization. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, but the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0045] like Figure 1 to Figure 6 As shown, a controllable extension mechanism includes a shell, at least three extension boxes similar to a box-ruler mechanism, an articulator 200 and a driving mechanism.

[0046] The housing mainly provides a fixed reference to combine the various parts of the mechanism. The housing can be closed or open, and the number of side walls of the housing can be adjusted according to the number of extension boxes. Each extension box includes an axle 101, an extension belt 102 and a tensioning part 103.

[0047] The multiple shafts 101 in all extension boxes are arranged in a regular polygon and connected inside the housing.

[0048] The extension belt 102 is made of metal material, and preferably the extension belt 102 is made of manganese steel or metal fiber webbing, etc., with good toughness and high strength, and its thickness is 1mm to 2mm. The extension belt 102 is wound around a shaft body 101, and a plurality of bite teeth 104 are arranged at intervals on both sides of each extension belt 102. Preferably, the bite teeth 104 and the extension belt 102 are integrally formed. The bite teeth 104 on the adjacent sides of the two extension belts 102 are staggered and can bite each other. Multiple extension belts 102 can be bite-connected to form an extension arm 100 of a regular polygonal prism, and the extension arm 100 can extend from the shell.

[0049] The engaging teeth 104 include a limiting portion 1041 located at the outermost end of the engaging teeth 104, a neck with a narrow diameter formed between the extension band 102 and the limiting portion 1041, and a tooth groove 105 formed between the necks of two adjacent engaging teeth 104, and the width of the tooth groove 105 matches the neck. After the two adjacent extension bands 102 are engaged, the neck of the engaging teeth 104 on one side is inserted into the tooth groove 105 on the other side, and is limited by the limiting portion 1041, so as to prevent the engaging teeth 104 from being separated from the tooth groove 105. In addition, the side surface of the limiting portion 1041 is a wedge-shaped surface, which can facilitate the engaging teeth 104 to enter the tooth groove 105 under the action of the articulator 200.

[0050] The arrangement of the engaging teeth 104 on the extension belt 102 and the setting of the engager 200 form a zipper structure. The engager 200 is fixed to the housing, and the front end of the extension belt 102 always passes through the engager 200 to help multiple extension belts 102 engage with each other.

[0051] The articulator 200 includes a guide block located at the center of the extension arm 100, and a plurality of channels 201 arranged in a polygonal shape are opened on the guide block. Each channel 201 can allow an extension belt 102 to pass through. The channel 201 is wedge-shaped with the outlet end approaching the axis of the guide block to provide assistance for the engagement between the extension belts 102, so that the neck of the engaging tooth 104 squeezes the limiting portion 1041 to cause slight deformation, and slides into the tooth groove 105 along the wedge-shaped surface of the limiting portion 1041. The outlet ends of the plurality of channels 201 are surrounded by a shape matching the extension arm 100 to promote the mutual engagement between the extension belts 102.

[0052] The tensioning portion 103 is provided to ensure the tensioning force of the extension belt 102 during the extension or recovery process, so that the extension belt 102 can be neatly and tightly wound around the shaft body 101 when recovered.

[0053] The shaft 101 is fixed to the housing, and the tensioning part 103 includes a ruler spring sleeved on the shaft 101, the ruler spring is placed inside the extension belt 102, and its two ends are respectively fixed to the shaft 101 and the inner ring of the extension belt 102. When the extension belt 102 extends outward, the ruler spring is pulled, and when the extension belt 102 is retracted inward, the ruler spring is reset to drive the extension belt 102 to be rewound on the shaft 101.

[0054] The driving mechanism is used to drive the extension arm 100 to extend or retract, provide a control force for the extension and contraction of the extension arm 100, and control the length of the extension arm 100.

[0055] The driving mechanism includes at least one rack 301, at least one gear 302 and a driving part 303. The rack 301 is fixed on an extension belt 102, and the rack 301 structure (actually a transmission tooth groove) can also be directly processed on the extension belt 102. The gear 302 is meshed with the rack 301 for transmission, and the driving gear 302 is connected to the driving part 303 that drives it to rotate.

[0056] The driving part 303 can be a motor connected to a programmable PLC controller. The motor can be started and stopped by a given signal to control the length of the extension arm 100. The forward and reverse rotation of the motor can be controlled by the controller to control the extension or retraction of the extension arm 100. One or more control motors can be set to control simultaneously to increase the control force.

[0057] Racks 301 and meshing gears 302 are provided on the plurality of extension belts 102 , and the plurality of driving parts 303 are driven simultaneously, so that the control force of the extension and retraction of the extension arm 100 can be increased.

[0058] At least one gear 302 is disposed on the guide block, and a notch is provided on the guide block to accommodate the gear 302, so that the gear 302 is meshed with the rack 301 in the channel 201, so that the plurality of extension belts 102 can be meshed and driven simultaneously.

[0059] The extension mechanism is light, compact and controllable, and is suitable for occasions where the load is not large and the single extension amount is large. At least three extension belts 102 are provided in the mechanism, and the three extension belts 102 are interlocked to form a triangular prism, which improves the stability of the extension arm 100; in addition, the extension belt 102 is a rollable steel belt, which can be rolled up and stored, with a small storage volume, but a large strength in the width direction. After the extension belts 102 are interlocked, it can be ensured that the extension belts 102 extend in a specified direction.

[0060] In addition, the articulator 200 has a through hole located inside the extension arm 100. The extension arm 100 is a hollow structure, and the inner wall space can be used to fix cables, pipes, etc., which can protect the conveyed items compared to fixing the items outside the front end of the extension arm 100. To transport them to a designated location, the head of the extension belt 102 can fix an actuator (such as a manipulator, etc.), and can accurately move the actuator to a designated location.

[0061] When the extension belt 102 is in a straight line and the tooth pitch is evenly arranged, the extension arm can be extended in a straight line. Of course, by controlling the shape and position of the meshing teeth 104, the extension arm 100 can also be extended in an arc, wherein the extension belt 102 has an arc that matches the extension direction of the extension arm 100, and the tooth pitch relationship between two adjacent meshing teeth 104 on the inner and outer edges of the extension belt 102 is:

[0062] The mechanism also includes a plurality of disc boxes, which are arranged outside each rolled extension belt 102 and fixed to the housing, the thickness of the disc box matches the width of the extension belt 102, and the front end of the extension belt 102 extends out of the disc box. The arrangement of the disc box can limit the extension belt 102 in the width direction, ensuring that the extension belt 102 is neatly coiled after being recovered.

[0063] In addition, regarding the connection method of the plurality of extension straps 102 , in addition to the zipper connection method disclosed in the present invention, a button connection method may also be used.

[0064] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. Any simple modification, deformation and equivalent substitution made by anyone to the present invention based on the contents of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A controllable extension mechanism, characterized in that: include: case; At least three shaft bodies (101) are arranged in a regular polygon and fixedly connected in the housing; A plurality of extension belts (102) are made of metal material and are respectively wound around each shaft body (101). A plurality of engaging teeth (104) are arranged at intervals on both sides of each extension belt (102). The engaging teeth (104) on adjacent sides of the two extension belts (102) are arranged alternately and can engage with each other. The plurality of extension belts (102) can be engaged and connected to form an extension arm (100) of a regular polygonal prism. The extension arm (100) can extend from a shell body. The extension arm (100) can extend in an arc. The extension belt (102) has an arc that matches the extension direction of the extension arm (100). The tooth pitch relationship between two adjacent engaging teeth (104) on the inner and outer edges of the extension belt (102) is: A tensioning portion (103) is used to ensure tensioning force of the extension belt (102) during the process of extension or retraction, the tensioning portion (103) comprising a ruler spring sleeved on the shaft body (101), the ruler spring being placed inside the extension belt (102), and having two ends respectively fixed to the shaft body (101) and the inner ring of the extension belt (102); An articulator (200) is fixed on the shell, and the front end of the extension belt (102) always passes through the articulator (200) to help the multiple extension belts (102) to interlock with each other. The articulator (200) includes a guide block, and the guide block is located at the center of the extension arm (100). A plurality of channels (201) arranged in a polygonal shape are opened on the guide block, and each channel (201) can allow an extension belt (102) to pass through. The channel (201) is in a wedge shape with the outlet end close to the axis of the guide block. The outlet ends of the multiple channels (201) are surrounded by a shape matching the extension arm (100) to promote the interlocking of the extension belts (102); as well as A driving mechanism, used for driving the extension arm (100) to extend or retract; Wherein, the driving mechanism comprises: At least one rack (301) is disposed on an extension belt (102); At least one gear (302) meshes with a rack (301) for transmission; and The driving part (303) is used to drive the gear (302) to rotate.

2. The extension mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The articulator (200) has a through hole located in the extension arm (100).

3. The extension mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one gear (302) is arranged on the guide block, and a notch for accommodating the gear (302) is provided on the guide block, so that the gear (302) is meshed with the rack (301) in the channel (201).

4. The extension mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging teeth (104) include: A limiting portion (1041) located at the outermost end of the engaging teeth (104); and A neck with a narrow diameter formed between the extension band (102) and the limiting portion (1041); A tooth groove (105) is formed between two adjacent engaging teeth (104) at the neck, and the width of the tooth groove (105) matches the neck.

5. The extension mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The side surface of the limiting portion (1041) is a wedge-shaped surface.

6. The extension mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging teeth (104) and the extension belt (102) are integrally formed.

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