Cable management box and linear actuator system

Abstract

The present invention provides a cable management box, comprising a box body and a box cover. The box cover is movable relative to the box body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the box cover is locked to the box body by a locking mechanism. The box body includes at least one socket for receiving a plug of a cable. The cable management box further includes at least one cable locking member, and the at least one cable locking member includes at least one groove for cooperating with the cable to fix the cable. The at least one cable locking member is fixed to the box body or the box cover, or is integrally formed with the box body or the box cover. A linear actuator system including the cable management box is also provided. The cable management box and the linear actuator system of the present invention have the advantages of neatness, firmness, safety, and convenient drainage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable management box, and also to a linear actuator system including the cable management box. Background Art

[0002] A linear actuator or a transmission is an electric drive device that converts the rotational motion of an electric motor into the linear reciprocating motion of an actuating component. A linear actuator is a general-purpose device and is widely used in industries such as household appliances, kitchen utensils, medical devices, agriculture, and automobiles. A cable management box is usually used together with a linear actuator to centrally manage various cables such as power cables and signal cables for the linear actuator.

[0003] Depending on the equipment to which the linear actuator is applied, the cable management box may need to meet the following requirements:

[0004] - Neat, so that the cables are arranged regularly; and

[0005] - Firm, so that when the cables are under tension, the plugs are not easily detached from the sockets accidentally; and / or

[0006] - Safe, so that the cables are not easily unplugged or plugged in randomly; and / or

[0007] - Convenient for draining water. Since the equipment (such as a nursing bed) equipped with a linear actuator may need to be cleaned as a whole, water may enter the cable management box. In this case, it is necessary to enable the water to be drained from the cable management box conveniently, thereby reducing the risk of plug short circuit and the like. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cable management box and a linear actuator system that can firmly connect the cables.

[0009] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cable management box and a linear actuator system that make it not easy to unplug or plug in the cables randomly.

[0010] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cable management box and a linear actuator system that have good drainage performance.

[0011] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cable management box and a linear actuator system that can manage the cables and plugs neatly.

[0012] The present invention provides a cable management box, which includes a box body and a box cover. The box cover is movable relative to the box body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the box cover is locked to the box body by a locking mechanism. The box body includes at least one socket for receiving a plug of a cable. The cable management box further includes at least one cable locking member. The at least one cable locking member includes at least one groove for cooperating with the cable to fix the cable. The at least one cable locking member is fixed to the box body or the box cover, or is integrally formed with the box body or the box cover.

[0013] Preferably, the cable management box includes three cable locking members. The first cable locking member and the second cable locking member are fixed to the box body or are integrally formed with the box body. The third cable locking member is fixed to the box cover or is integrally formed with the box cover. The first groove of the first cable locking member, the second groove of the second cable locking member, and the third groove of the third cable locking member are aligned with each other to form a channel for allowing the corresponding cable to pass through.

[0014] Preferably, the first cable locking member is parallel to the second cable locking member. The first cable locking member is located closer to the front edge of the box body than the second cable locking member. The third cable locking member is located between the first cable locking member and the second cable locking member when the box cover is closed.

[0015] Preferably, the box body includes at least one first socket and at least one second socket. A 180-degree first plug can be inserted into the first socket, and a 90-degree second plug can be inserted into the second socket. The third cable locking member further includes a fourth groove portion for cooperating with a flange of the first plug to lock the first plug.

[0016] Preferably, the fourth groove portion is located at an end of the third cable locking member. Two adjacent fourth groove portions form a fourth groove for matching with an outer contour of the first plug. When the cable management box is in the closed position, the first groove, the second groove, and the third groove are located at a height higher than that of the fourth groove portion.

[0017] Preferably, it further includes a first rib formed on an inner surface of the box cover. The first rib supports the third cable locking member.

[0018] Preferably, it further includes a second rib formed on the inner surface of the box cover. The second rib presses on the second plug when the box cover is in the closed position.

[0019] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes: at least one elastic leg extending downward from the inner surface of the lid; a claw at the end of the leg; and a slot on the box body. When the lid is in the closed position, the claw cooperates with the slot to lock the lid, wherein the claw can be completely received in the slot.

[0020] Preferably, the first cable is inserted into the first socket through at least one hole provided on the box body. The hole is a stepped hole, with a larger-diameter first hole on the outside and a smaller-diameter second hole on the inside.

[0021] Preferably, the first cable is installed in the second hole through a sealing ring.

[0022] Preferably, in the closed position of the lid, the first groove of the first cable locking member is exposed from the front surface of the cable management box.

[0023] There is also provided a linear actuator system, including: the cable management box according to the foregoing; and a linear actuator. The cable management box is installed on the linear actuator, and the linear actuator includes: a housing, a motor and a power transmission device accommodated in the housing; an outer tube; an actuating member, which is accommodated in the outer tube and can extend out of and retract into the outer tube. The cable in the cable management box is used to connect the linear actuator to an external power supply and / or external electronic devices.

[0024] Preferably, it further includes a connecting member fixed on the housing or the outer tube for installing the cable management box on the linear actuator.

[0025] The cable management system and the linear actuator system of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0026] - Neat, enabling the cables to be arranged regularly; and

[0027] - Firm, such that when the cables are under tension, the plugs are not easily detached from the sockets accidentally; and / or

[0028] - Safe, such that the cables are not easily unplugged or plugged in randomly; and / or

[0029] - Good drainage performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become clearer through the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1Shows a perspective view of a cable management box according to the prior art;

[0033] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of the cable management box;

[0034] Figure 3 Shows a perspective view of the cable management box according to the present invention, where the lid is in the open state;

[0035] Figure 4 Shows a perspective view of the cable management box according to the present invention, where the lid is in the closed state;

[0036] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of a part of the cable management box;

[0037] Figure 6 Shows Figure 3 a plan view of the lid of the cable management box in the open state;

[0038] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 a view of the lid observed along the A direction;

[0039] Figure 8 Shows a perspective view of the box body of the cable management box, where the cables are removed; and

[0040] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Shows a linear actuator system according to the present invention, where the cable management box is mounted on the linear actuator.

[0041] Description of Reference Numerals

[0042] 1 - Cable management box 2 - Box body

[0043] 3 - Lid 4 - Hole

[0044] 5 - First socket 6 - Second socket

[0045] 7 - First cable locking member 8 - Second cable locking member

[0046] 9 - Third cable locking member 10 - First rib

[0047] 11 - First groove 12 - Second groove

[0048] 13 - Third groove 14 - Fourth groove portion

[0049] 15 - Flange 16 - Leg

[0050] 17 - Claw 18 - Slot

[0051] 19 - Second rib 20 - First hole

[0052] 21 - Second hole 22 - Step portion

[0053] 23 - Pivot 24 - Side groove

[0054] 100 - Existing cable management box 101 - Groove

[0055] 200 - Existing cable locking member 201 - U - shaped clip

[0056] 300 - Socket 400 - First cable plug

[0057] 500 - Second cable plug 600 - Linear actuator

[0058] 601 - Housing 601a, 601b - Housing halves

[0059] 602 - Connecting member 603 - Outer tube

[0060] 604 - Actuating member

[0061] Note that in the embodiments described below, sometimes the same reference numerals are used commonly between different drawings to represent the same part or parts having the same function, and the repeated description thereof is omitted. In some cases, similar reference numerals and letters are used to represent similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0062] For ease of understanding, the positions, dimensions, and ranges, etc. of the respective structures shown in the drawings and the like sometimes do not represent the actual positions, dimensions, and ranges, etc. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the positions, dimensions, and ranges, etc. disclosed in the drawings and the like. Detailed embodiments

[0063] Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that: Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and in no way serves as a limitation on the present disclosure or its application or use. That is, the devices and methods herein are shown in an exemplary manner to illustrate different embodiments of the devices and methods in the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that they merely illustrate the exemplary ways in which the present disclosure can be implemented, rather than exhaustive ways.

[0065] Technologies, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies, methods, and devices shall be regarded as part of the authorization specification.

[0066] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0067] Figure 1 and 2 shows a cable management box 100 of the prior art, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view, Figure 2 is an exploded view. The cable management box 100 of the prior art includes a separate elongated cable locking member 200, and the cable locking member 200 includes a plurality of openings for cooperating with a plurality of first cable plugs 400 to lock the cable plugs. Both ends of the locking member 200 include U-shaped clips 201, and the elasticity of the U-shaped clips is used to cooperate with the grooves 101 on the cable management box 100 so as to lock the cable locking member 200 in the socket 300 on the cable management box 100.

[0068] It has been found in practice that the disadvantage of such a separate locking member 200 is that users often forget to use the locking member 200 to lock the cable and directly insert the first cable plug 400 into the socket 300; moreover, this separate locking member 200 is easily lost, causing inconvenience to maintenance and use. For example, in an application where a linear actuator is installed on a nursing bed to lift different parts of the bed bracket, if the plug in the cable management box is not locked, when the linear actuator is working, if the cable is pulled and the plug accidentally disengages from the socket, it will bring inconvenience or even danger to the user.

[0069] Moreover, using Figure 1 and 2 the shown locking member 200, anyone can easily remove the first plug 400 from the socket 300 by disengaging the U-shaped clip 201 from the groove 101, which will also cause inconvenience or even danger in the above application.

[0070] The cable management box and linear actuator system of the present invention solve the above problems.

[0071] Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows a cable management box 1 generally in the shape of a cuboid according to the present invention, which includes a box body 2 and a box cover 3 movably connected to the box body 2. The box cover can move between an open position and a closed position relative to the box body, and in the closed position, the box cover 3 is locked to the box body 2 by a locking mechanism. Figure 3Shows the lid 3 in the open state, Figure 4 shows the lid 3 in the closed state. The lid is rotatably connected to the box body 2, for example, by a pivot 23 ( Figure 5 ), and can be pivotally opened and closed relative to the box body. In the open position ( Figure 3 ), the cable and the plug are exposed, where the plug is inserted into a socket in the box body. The plugs are divided into two types: the first plug 400 of 180 degrees and the second plug 500 of 90 degrees. Each plug has different functions, such as connecting and transmitting electricity, signals, etc., which is not related to the improvement of the present invention and will not be described in detail here. The number of plugs can be set according to needs. For example, in Figure 3 's embodiment, two first plugs 400 and three second plugs 500 are provided, which does not constitute a limitation to the present invention. As Figure 3 shown, the first plug 400 is inserted into the first socket 5 (see Figure 5 ) provided in the front part of the box body 2 through two holes 4 on the front surface of the box body 2; the second plug 500 is inserted into the second socket 6 (see Figure 8 ) provided in the middle part of the box body 2. In the height direction Z, the first plug 400 is located at a lower position than the second plug 500.

[0072] The cable management box 1 according to the present invention includes at least one substantially elongated cable locking member, which is fixed on the box body 2 or the lid 3, or is integrally formed with the box body 2 or the lid 3. In Figure 3 the shown embodiment, the cable management box 1 includes three cable locking members. The first cable locking member 7 is provided at the front edge of the box body 2 and is an integral upward extension of the front surface of the box body 2. The second cable locking member 8 is integrally formed with the box body, parallel to the first cable locking member 7, and preferably aligned with the first cable locking member 7 in the Figure 3 lateral direction X. In the longitudinal direction Y, the second cable locking member 8 is arranged closer to the inside of the box body relative to the first cable locking member 7. The first and second cable locking members 7, 8 both have grooves 11, 12 corresponding to the number of the second plugs 500, and the grooves 11, 12 are used to cooperate with the corresponding cables and fix the cables, where the grooves 11 of the first cable locking member 7 are aligned one by one with the grooves 12 of the second cable locking member 8 ( Figure 5 ), at the same height, for allowing the corresponding cables to pass through. In the closed position of the lid 3, the first groove 11 of the first cable locking member 7 is exposed from the front surface of the cable management box ( Figure 4 ). The second groove 12 of the second cable locking member 8 is used to guide the cable into the first groove 11 and the third groove 13 described below.

[0073] The third cable locking member 9 is integrally formed with the lid 3 of the box and extends downward from the inner surface of the lid. The third cable locking member 9 is disposed on the lid 3 at a position such that when the lid 3 is closed, the third cable locking member 9 is located between the first and second cable locking members 7 and 8 in the longitudinal direction Y and is aligned with the first and second cable locking members 7 and 8. The height of the third cable locking member 9 in the Z direction is higher than that of the first and second cable locking members 7 and 8. Refer to Figure 7 , the third cable locking member 9 also includes third grooves 13 having the same number as the first and second grooves 11 and 12. The height position of the third grooves 13 on the third cable locking member 9 is such that when the lid 3 is closed, the third grooves 14 are aligned with the first and second grooves 11 and 12 one by one ( Figure 5 ), so that each of the first groove 11, the second groove 12, and the third groove 13 forms a passage for allowing the corresponding cable to pass through. The third cable locking member 9 further includes a plurality of fourth groove portions 14 at its end. The fourth groove portions 14 are in an arc shape, and two adjacent fourth groove portions 14 form a fourth groove in a generally semi-circular or arc shape. When the lid 3 is closed, the fourth groove cooperates with the circular contour of the first plug 400 to lock the first plug 400. As is known to those skilled in the art, when the outer contour of the first plug is other non-circular shapes, the fourth groove portions 14 can be other shapes matching thereto. As Figure 7 shown, from the view of the lid 3 in the closed position, on the third cable locking member 9, the third grooves 13 are located at a higher position than the fourth groove portions 14, which corresponds to the height positions of the first plug 400 and the second plug 500 on the box body 2.

[0074] Figure 4 Fig. shows the closed state of the lid 3, that is, the state that is usually presented when the cable management box 1 is installed on the linear actuator. And as described below, the lid 3 is locked by a locking mechanism in the closed state and is not easily opened.

[0075] Refer to Figure 5 , which shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cable management box of the present invention when the lid 3 is closed ( Figure 4 ). It can be seen from Figure 5 that when the lid is closed, the fourth groove portions 14 cooperate with the flange 15 on the first plug 400, so as to prevent the first plug 400 from being pulled out of the first socket 5 when the cable is tensioned. Preferably, Figure 3 and Figure 5It is also shown that the third cable locking member 9 has at least one first rib 10, which is arranged perpendicular to the third cable locking member 9, for example, to enhance the strength of the third cable locking member 9 and prevent it from deforming, wherein the shape of the first rib 10 is formed so as not to interfere with the cooperation between the box cover 3 and the box body 2.

[0076] As Figure 3 and 4 shown, in addition to the first, second, and third grooves described above, the box body 2 may also be provided with side grooves 24 to provide different paths for the cables.

[0077] Referring Figure 3 and Figure 6 , the box cover 3 further includes a second rib 19, whose position and height on the box cover 3 are such that when the box cover 3 is closed, the second rib can press on the second plug 500, thereby further locking the second plug 500. The rib is integrally molded on the inner surface of the box cover.

[0078] Still referring Figure 3 , the locking mechanism for locking the box cover 3 on the box body 2 includes at least one leg (two in the figure) 16 that extends downward from the inner surface of the box cover 3, and the end of the leg 16 has a claw 17 for cooperating with a slot 18 in the front surface of the box body 2, thereby locking the box cover 3 on the box body 2. During the closing process of the box cover 3, the claw 17 slides along the inner surface of the box body, and when it slides to the position of the slot 18, due to the elasticity of the leg 16, the claw 17 is pressed into the slot 18, so the box cover 3 is locked in the closed position. The thickness of the claw is such that it does not protrude beyond the front surface of the box body 2 in the slot 18. Therefore, when it is necessary to open the box cover 3, a tool (such as a screwdriver) must be used to push the claw 17 inward from the outside while opening the box cover 3. This ensures the security of the cable management box, so that in the closed state of the box cover 3 as Figure 4 shown, the user cannot casually open the box cover without using a tool, so the connection state of the cables cannot be changed randomly.

[0079] As described above, the first plug 400 is inserted into the first socket 5 through two holes 4 in the front surface of the box body 2. Figure 8 The holes 4 are shown, and this figure shows the box body 2 of the present invention. For clarity, the cables and plugs are omitted. The holes 4 extend a certain distance into the box body 2 through the front surface of the box body 2, so the holes 4 have a certain depth in the longitudinal direction Y. As Figure 5As shown in the cross-sectional view, the hole 4 is a stepped hole, including two holes with different diameters arranged in sequence along the longitudinal direction Y. The first hole 20 with a larger diameter is located outside, and the second hole 21 with a smaller diameter is located inside. A stepped portion 22 is formed between the two holes. The first plug 400 is inserted into the second hole 21 through a waterproof sealing ring (not shown in the figure). Compared with a hole with a consistent diameter, this stepped hole is beneficial for water drainage, so water is not easily retained in the hole 4. The reason is that for a hole with a consistent diameter, due to the relatively large depth of the hole 4, after, for example, the equipment (such as a nursing bed) equipped with the linear actuator system of the present invention is cleaned as a whole, due to the surface tension effect, water is easily retained in the annular gap between the plug 400 and the hole 4. If the outer part is reamed to form the first hole 20 with a larger diameter, the surface tension of water is destroyed, so the water in the annular gap is easily drained out.

[0080] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Fig. shows a linear actuator system according to the present invention, which includes a linear actuator 600 and a cable management box 1 according to the present invention, wherein the cable management box 1 is installed on the linear actuator 600.

[0081] The linear actuator 600 includes: a housing 601, which can be composed of two half parts 601a and 601b, and a motor, a power transmission device, etc. are accommodated in the housing; an outer tube 603; an actuating member 604, which is accommodated in the outer tube 603 and can extend out of and retract into the outer tube from the outer tube. The cable management box 1 is installed on the linear actuator 600 through a connecting member 602, wherein the connecting member 602 is fixed on the housing, for example, has a tubular shape and surrounds a part of the outer tube.

[0082] The cables in the cable management box are used to connect the linear actuator to an external power source and / or external electronic devices.

[0083] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in essence. For example, the mutual positional relationship of the first, second, and third cable locking members in the longitudinal direction can be changed, and the third cable locking member can be located at the innermost position. Or, the cable management box can be integrally formed with the housing or the outer tube of the linear actuator, so the connecting member for installing the cable management box to the linear actuator is omitted. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included in the protection scope of the present disclosure defined by the claims. The present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of these claims are also included.

[0084] The terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", etc. in the specification and claims, if present, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe an invariant relative position. It should be understood that such terms so used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein, for example, can be operated in other orientations different from those shown or otherwise described herein.

[0085] As used herein, the term "substantially" means including any minor variations caused by design or manufacturing tolerances, environmental effects, and / or other factors.

[0086] In addition, for reference purposes only, the terms "first", "second", etc. may also be used herein, and are thus not intended to be limiting. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms "first", "second", and other such numerical terms referring to structures or elements do not imply an order or sequence.

[0087] It should also be understood that when the term "comprising / including" is used herein, it indicates the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, units, and / or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, and / or components and / or combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A cable management box, characterized in that, Comprising a box body and a box cover, the box cover is movable relative to the box body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the box cover is locked to the box body by a locking mechanism. The box body includes at least one socket for receiving a plug of a cable. The cable management box further includes a cable locking member, the cable locking member includes at least one groove for cooperating with the cable to fix the cable. The box body includes at least one first socket and at least one second socket. A first plug at 180 degrees can be inserted into the first socket, and a second plug at 90 degrees can be inserted into the second socket. The cable locking member is used to fix the cable of the second plug. The cable locking member further includes at least one groove portion for cooperating with a flange of the first plug to lock the first plug. The cable management box includes three cable locking members, wherein the first cable locking member and the second cable locking member are fixed to the box body or integrally formed with the box body, and the third cable locking member is fixed to the box cover or integrally formed with the box cover. The first groove of the first cable locking member, the second groove of the second cable locking member, and the third groove of the third cable locking member are aligned with each other to form a channel for allowing the corresponding cable to pass through. The first cable locking member is parallel to the second cable locking member. The first cable locking member is located closer to the front edge of the box body relative to the second cable locking member. The third cable locking member is located between the first cable locking member and the second cable locking member when the box cover is closed. The third cable locking member further includes a fourth groove portion for cooperating with a flange of the first plug to lock the first plug. The fourth groove portion is located at the end of the third cable locking member. Two adjacent fourth groove portions form a fourth groove for matching with the outer contour of the first plug. When the cable management box is in the closed position, the first groove, the second groove, and the third groove are located at a height higher than that of the fourth groove portion.

2. The cable management box according to claim 1, wherein It further includes a first rib formed on the inner surface of the box cover, and the first rib supports the third cable locking member.

3. The cable management box according to claim 1, wherein, It further includes a second rib formed on the inner surface of the box cover, and the second rib presses on the second plug when the box cover is in the closed position.

4. The cable management box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes: at least one elastic leg extending downward from the inner surface of the box cover; a claw at the end of the leg; and a slot on the box body. When the box cover is in the closed position, the claw cooperates with the slot to lock the box cover, wherein the claw can be completely received in the slot.

5. The cable management box according to claim 1, wherein, The first cable passes through at least one hole provided on the box body and is inserted into the first socket. The hole is a stepped hole, with a first hole having a larger diameter on the outside and a second hole having a smaller diameter on the inside.

6. The cable management box according to claim 5, characterized in that The first cable is installed in the second hole through a sealing ring.

7. The cable management box according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the closed position of the box cover, the first groove of the first cable locking member is exposed from the front surface of the cable management box.

8. A linear actuator system, comprising: The cable management box according to any one of claims 1-7; and a linear actuator, wherein the cable management box is mounted on the linear actuator, and the linear actuator includes: a housing, in which a motor and a power transmission device are accommodated; an outer tube; an actuating member, which is accommodated in the outer tube and can extend out of and retract into the outer tube, The cable in the cable management box is used to connect the linear actuator to an external power supply and / or an external electronic device.

9. The linear actuator system according to claim 8, wherein, It further includes a connecting member, which is fixed on the housing or the outer tube and is used to mount the cable management box on the linear actuator.

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