Dust-proof device with sensor function

Abstract

A dustproof device with a sensing function is suitable for installation in a linear transmission device, the dustproof device comprising: a dustproof member in an annular shape, comprising an inner surface, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, an end surface connecting the inner surface and the outer surface, and at least one receiving groove recessed by the end surface; a sensor disposed in the at least one receiving groove; and a power supply module disposed in the at least one receiving groove, electrically connected to the sensor to supply power to the sensor. Thus, wireless detection can be achieved and the stroke of the linear transmission device can be prevented from being limited.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a dustproof device, in particular to a dustproof device with a sensing function. Background Art

[0002] Linear transmission devices use the rolling motion of multiple rolling bodies such as balls and rollers to guide the movable body to move linearly. For example, a ball screw has multiple balls that can roll between the screw and the nut, and the ball screw rotates the screw or the nut to make the nut move along the axial direction of the screw. After long-term use, the ball of the ball screw will produce fatigue flaking, that is, part of the surface of the ball will flake off in a scaly manner. The flaked debris will affect the smoothness of the ball operation and hinder the nut from moving along the axial direction of the screw. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the operation of the ball screw.

[0003] Currently, most ball screws with abnormality sensing functions have external sensors on the axial end of the ball screw. However, the external sensors will sacrifice the original stroke of the ball screw. This is a problem that needs to be solved in the industry. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a dust-proof device with a detection function and capable of preventing the stroke of a linear transmission device from being limited.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a dustproof device with a sensing function is provided, which is suitable for being installed in a linear transmission device. The dustproof device includes: a dustproof part, which is annular and includes an inner surface, an outer surface relative to the inner surface, an end surface connecting the inner surface and the outer surface, and at least one accommodating groove recessed by the end surface; a sensor, which is arranged in the at least one accommodating groove; and a power supply module, which is arranged in the at least one accommodating groove and is electrically connected to the sensor to supply power to the sensor.

[0006] In another embodiment, the at least one accommodating groove includes a first groove and a second groove, the dustproof part includes a first assembly and a second assembly, the first assembly includes the first groove and two opposite first joining structures, the second assembly includes the second groove and two opposite second joining structures, each of the first joining structures and each of the second joining structures respectively include an electrical contact area, the sensor and part of the power supply module are arranged in the first groove and are electrically connected to each other, the power supply module of the part is electrically connected to the electrical contact area of ​​the first joining structure, and the power supply module of the other part is arranged in the second groove and is electrically connected to the electrical contact area of ​​the second joining structure, the two first joining structures are respectively detachably connected to the two second joining structures, so that the first assembly and the second assembly are combined into the dustproof part, and the electrical contact area of ​​the first joining structure is electrically connected to the electrical contact area of ​​the corresponding second joining structure, so that the power supply module of the part and the power supply module of the other part are electrically connected.

[0007] In another embodiment, the power supply module includes a first coil group and a second coil group, the first coil group is disposed in the first groove and connected to the sensor, and the second coil group is disposed in the second groove. When the first assembly and the second assembly are combined, the first coil group is electrically connected to the second coil group to generate the power for the sensor.

[0008] In another embodiment, the power supply module includes a battery and a transmission line, the transmission line is arranged in the first groove and connected to the sensor, and the battery is arranged in the second groove. When the first assembly and the second assembly are combined, the battery is electrically connected to the transmission line to supply the power to the sensor. Alternatively, the power supply module includes a wireless charging coil group, and the wireless charging coil group is electrically connected to the sensor to generate the power. Alternatively, the power supply module includes a battery and at least one transmission line, and the battery supplies power to the sensor through the at least one transmission line.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the sensor is adjacent to a return fitting of the linear actuator, and the return fitting is used to provide space for a plurality of rolling bodies to rotate.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the dustproof device further comprises a cover for covering the dustproof part.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the sensor is used to detect vibration.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the linear transmission device is a ball screw.

[0013] Therefore, the dust-proof device with a detection function provided by the present invention can realize the function of detecting the operating status of the linear transmission device and prevent the stroke of the linear transmission device from being limited. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a linear transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded diagram of

[0016] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of a dustproof device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Exploded diagram of

[0018] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of a dustproof device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Exploded diagram of

[0020] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of a dustproof device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Exploded diagram of

[0022] Fig. 9 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a linear transmission device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 Exploded diagram of .

[0024] Description of symbols in the accompanying drawings:

[0025] 10,70: Nut

[0026] 20: Screw

[0027] 21: Thread

[0028] 30: Dust protection device

[0029] 31,61: Dust protection parts

[0030] 31A: First assembly

[0031] 31B: Second assembly

[0032] 311: Outer surface

[0033] 312: Inner surface

[0034] 313,613: End face

[0035] 314: Lips

[0036] 315: First bonding structure

[0037] 316: Second bonding structure

[0038] 32: Sensor

[0039] 33,53: Power supply module

[0040] 33A: First coil group

[0041] 33B: Second coil group

[0042] 34: Cover

[0043] 40,80: Reflux components

[0044] 53A: Transmission Line

[0045] 53B:Battery

[0046] 63: The third coil group

[0047] D1: Radial

[0048] D2: Axial

[0049] EP: Electrical contact area

[0050] H:Through hole

[0051] OP: Opening

[0052] S1: First groove

[0053] S2: Second groove

[0054] S3: The third groove DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below. 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 ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4As shown, a dust-proof device 30 with a sensing function provided by the present invention according to one embodiment is suitable for installation in a linear transmission device, such as a ball screw. In order to facilitate the explanation of the spirit of the present invention, a ball screw will be used as an example to illustrate the present invention. The ball screw includes a nut 10, a screw 20, a dust-proof device 30, at least one return element 40 and a plurality of rolling bodies (not shown). The axial direction of the screw 20 is defined as D2, and the radial direction of the screw 20 is defined as D1. The nut 10 includes a through hole H. The screw 20 can be inserted into this through hole H, and the through hole H forms openings OP at both ends of the nut 10, so that the nut 10 can move along the screw 20. The return fitting 40 is used to provide space for the multiple rolling bodies of the ball screw to rotate.

[0057] The dustproof device 30 includes a dustproof part 31, a sensor 32, a power supply module 33 and a cover 34. The sensor 32 may be, for example, a sensor for detecting vibration, such as an acceleration sensor, a displacement sensor, a velocity sensor, etc. The sensor 32 may transmit the sensing result to the control and analysis end in a wireless manner, and the control and analysis end may be, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, or a tablet computer, etc., to determine whether the ball screw is operating abnormally. The power supply module 33 is electrically connected to the sensor 32 to supply power to the sensor 32. In addition, the sensor 32 and the power supply module 33 are embedded in the dustproof part 31, thereby preventing the setting of the sensor 32 and the power supply module 33 from affecting the stroke of the ball screw, and no additional processing is required for the nut 10. In addition, the cover 34 covers the dustproof part 31, thereby preventing the sensor 32 and the power supply module 33 from falling out.

[0058] The dustproof member 31 in this embodiment is a wiper of the ball screw. The dustproof member 31 is annular and installed at the opening OP, so that the screw 20 can be inserted into the dustproof member 31. The dustproof member 31 includes an outer surface 311, an inner surface 312 relative to the outer surface 311, and an end surface 313 connecting the outer surface 311 and the inner surface 312. The dustproof member 31 further includes a lip 314 protruding from the inner surface 312, so that the lip 314 of the dustproof member 31 can move along the thread 21 on the screw 20 to scrape or brush off grease or debris on the thread 21.

[0059] In this embodiment, the dustproof member 31 further includes a first assembly 31A and a second assembly 31B. The first assembly 31A and the second assembly 31B are, for example, semi-annular, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first assembly 31A includes a first groove S1 recessed by the end surface 313 and two first engagement structures 315 respectively located at opposite ends. The second assembly 31B includes a second groove S2 recessed by the end surface 313 and two second engagement structures 316 respectively located at opposite ends. The first groove S1 and the second groove S2 are, for example, semi-annular, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first groove S1 is used to accommodate the sensor 32 and part of the power supply module 33. The second groove S2 is used to accommodate another part of the power supply module 33. Specifically, the power supply module 33 includes, for example, a first coil group 33A and a second coil group 33B; the first groove S1 is used to accommodate the first coil group 33A, and the second groove S2 is used to accommodate the second coil group 33B.

[0060] Each first joint structure 315 and each second joint structure 316 is provided with an electrical contact area EP. The electrical contact area EP of the first joint structure 315 corresponds to the electrical contact area EP of the second joint structure 316. When the first coil group 33A is installed in the first groove S1, the first coil group 33A can be electrically connected to the electrical contact area EP of the first joint structure 315. When the second coil group 33B is installed in the second groove S2, the second coil group 33B can be electrically connected to the electrical contact area EP of the second joint structure 316. In addition, the shapes of the two first joint structures 315 and the shapes of the two second joint structures 316 are matched, for example, by a snap fit or a concave-convex fit, so that the two first joint structures 315 can be detachably connected to the two second joint structures 316, so that the electrical contact area EP on each first joint structure 315 of the first assembly 31A and the second assembly 31B are combined into an annular dustproof member 3 and the electrical contact area EP on each corresponding second joint structure 316 is electrically connected. As a result, when the first assembly 31A and the second assembly 31B are assembled, the first coil assembly 33A located in the first groove S1 can be electrically connected to the second coil assembly 33B located in the second groove S2 , thereby forming a wireless charging coil assembly to supply power to the sensor 32 .

[0061] In addition, Figure 3 and 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the radial width (width along the radial direction D1) of the first groove S1 at any position in the annular direction around the axial direction D2 is consistent, but the present invention is not limited to this; in other embodiments of the present invention, the radial width of the first groove at any position in the annular direction may also be inconsistent, such as tapering, or, for example, the width along the radial direction D1 of the area used to set the sensor 32 is different from the width along the radial direction D1 of the area used to set the first coil group 33A, depending on the actual application requirements. Figure 3 and4 In the embodiment, the axial depth (depth along the axial direction D2) of the first groove S1 at any position in the annular direction is also consistent, but the present invention is not limited to this; in other embodiments of the present invention, the axial depth of the first groove S1 at any position in the annular direction may also be inconsistent, for example, the depth along the axial direction D2 of the area used to set the sensor 32 is different from the depth along the axial direction D2 of the area used to set the first coil group 33A, and the design depends on the needs of the actual application.

[0062] On the other hand, in order to improve the sensing efficiency and accuracy, the sensor 32 of the present invention can be disposed near the return fitting 40 of the linear actuator. Figure 2 For example, the first groove S1 is close to the reflux fitting 40 and is on the same side as the reflux fitting 40 , so the sensor 32 is disposed in the first groove S1 to obtain a more accurate or more sensitive sensing result.

[0063] To this end, the following test process is used to verify the influence of the configuration position of the sensor 32 on the sensing result. Please refer to Figure 4 as well as Figure 2 The configuration relationship of the first assembly 31A, the second assembly 31B, the nut 10 and the reflux fitting 40 is shown. Assume that in the ball screw of the experimental group, the sensor is set at a position adjacent to the reflux fitting, for example Figure 4 In the ball screw of the control group, the sensor is set at a position away from the reflux fitting, such as Figure 4 The sensor is located in the center of the groove (i.e., the second groove S2) of the second assembly 31B; except for the different locations of the sensor, the other conditions of the experimental group and the control group are the same, and the sensor is an acceleration sensor. Under this test condition, during the operation of the ball screw, the sensor of the experimental group can detect a signal energy value of 0.9G at the characteristic frequency, while the sensor of the control group can detect a signal energy value of 0.4G at the characteristic frequency. It can be seen that placing the sensor adjacent to the reflux fitting can more sensitively detect the operating state of the ball screw.

[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention, the power supply module 33 may also be replaced with a battery as a power source. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the power supply module 53 includes a transmission line 53A and a battery 53B. The transmission line 53A is installed in the first groove S1 and can be electrically connected to the sensor 32 and the electrical contact area EP on the two first joint structures 315. The battery 53B is installed in the second groove S2 and can be electrically connected to the electrical contact area EP on the two second joint structures 316. Therefore, when the first assembly 31A and the second assembly 31B are combined, the battery 53B is electrically connected to the transmission line 53A to supply power to the sensor 32.

[0065] Although the above embodiments are described with reference to the combined dustproof member as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 7 and 8 As shown, the dustproof member 61 includes an end face 613 and a third groove S3 (accommodating groove) recessed by the end face 613. The third groove S3 is, for example, annular and is used to set the sensor 32 and the power supply module. In this embodiment, the power supply module includes a third coil group 63 as a wireless charging coil group. After the sensor 32 and the third coil group 63 are installed in the third groove S3, the sensor 32 can be electrically connected to the third coil group 63, so that the third coil group 63 can supply power to the sensor 32. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example; in other embodiments, the power supply module includes a battery and a transmission line. When the sensor 32 and the power supply module are installed in the third groove S3, the battery is electrically connected to the sensor 32 through the transmission line to supply power to the sensor 32.

[0066] In this embodiment, the radial width (width along the radial direction D1) of the third groove S3 at any position in the annular direction is consistent, but the present invention is not limited to this; in other embodiments of the present invention, the radial width of the third groove S3 at any position in the annular direction may also be inconsistent, for example, the width along the radial direction D1 of the area used to set the sensor 32 is different from the width along the radial direction D1 of the area used to set the power module, and the design depends on the needs of the actual application. Similarly, the axial depth (depth along the axial direction D2) of the third groove S3 at any position in the annular direction is also consistent, but the present invention is not limited to this; in other embodiments of the present invention, the axial depth of the third groove S3 at any position in the annular direction may also be inconsistent, for example, the depth along the axial direction D2 of the area used to set the sensor 32 is different from the depth along the axial direction D2 of the area used to set the power module, and the design depends on the needs of the actual application.

[0067] Although the dustproof device in the above embodiments is to cover the dustproof member with a cover body so that the sensor and the power supply module are confined in the dustproof member, the present invention is not limited thereto; in other embodiments, such as Fig. 9 and 10 As shown, the linear actuator comprises a nut 70, a screw 20, a dustproof device 30 and at least one reflux fitting 80. In the dustproof part of the dustproof device 30 of this embodiment, the opening of at least one accommodating groove for accommodating the sensor and the power supply module is toward the inside of the linear actuator, and the reflux fitting 80 can confine the sensor and the power supply module in the dustproof part, so the setting of the cover can be omitted.

[0068] In summary, the dust-proof device with sensing function provided by the present invention realizes the purpose of wirelessly detecting the operating status of the ball screw by embedding the sensor and the power supply module in the dust-proof part. It can be applied not only to the ball screw with screw rotation, but also to the ball screw with nut rotation. Moreover, it does not affect the length of the nut and can maintain the original use stroke of the ball screw. In addition, there is no need to perform additional processing on the nut in order to install the sensor. When it is necessary to repair or replace the sensor or the power supply module, it can be done after removing the dust-proof device, which is simple and fast.

[0069] In summary, the above embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dust-proof device with sensing function, suitable for installation on a linear transmission device, It is characterized in that The dustproof device comprises: The dustproof member is annular and comprises an inner surface, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, an end surface connecting the inner surface and the outer surface, and at least one receiving groove concavely provided by the end surface; A sensor is disposed in the at least one accommodating groove; as well as A power supply module, disposed in the at least one receiving groove and electrically connected to the sensor to supply power to the sensor; Wherein, the at least one accommodating groove includes a first groove and a second groove, the dustproof part includes a first assembly and a second assembly, the first assembly includes the first groove and two opposite first joint structures, the second assembly includes the second groove and two opposite second joint structures, each of the first joint structures and each of the second joint structures respectively includes an electrical contact area, the sensor and part of the power supply module are arranged in the first groove and are electrically connected to each other, the power supply module of the part is electrically connected to the electrical contact area of ​​the first joint structure, and the power supply module of the other part is arranged in the second groove and is electrically connected to the electrical contact area of ​​the second joint structure, the two first joint structures are respectively detachably connected to the two second joint structures, so that the first assembly and the second assembly are combined into the dustproof part, and the electrical contact area of ​​the first joint structure is electrically connected to the electrical contact area of ​​the corresponding second joint structure, so that the power supply module of the part and the power supply module of the other part are electrically connected.

2. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The power supply module includes a first coil group and a second coil group, the first coil group is arranged in the first groove and connected to the sensor, and the second coil group is arranged in the second groove. When the first assembly and the second assembly are combined, the first coil group is electrically connected to the second coil group to generate the power for the sensor.

3. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The power supply module includes a battery and a transmission line. The transmission line is arranged in the first groove and connected to the sensor. The battery is arranged in the second groove. When the first assembly and the second assembly are combined, the battery is electrically connected to the transmission line to supply the power to the sensor.

4. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The power supply module includes a wireless charging coil group, and the wireless charging coil group is electrically connected to the sensor to generate the power.

5. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The power supply module includes a battery and at least one transmission line, and the battery supplies power to the sensor through the at least one transmission line.

6. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The sensor is adjacent to a return fitting of the linear actuator, and the return fitting is used to provide a space for a plurality of rolling bodies to rotate.

7. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that It further comprises a cover body for covering the dustproof part.

8. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The sensor is used to detect vibration.

9. The dust-proof device with sensing function according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The linear transmission device is a ball screw.

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