A drive controller

Abstract

The drive controller disclosed in the application is provided with a power supply battery in the trigger unit and an energy storage part in the reset component to maintain the detection function of the drive controller and the drive function under abnormal conditions, and the drive controller does not need external power supply, thereby expanding the application environment of the product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fluid control technology, and more specifically, to a drive controller. Background Technology

[0002] The drive controller is used to control the valve device in the flow path system. It is widely used and generally includes a drive unit and a trigger unit. The detection signal input and output terminals of the trigger unit are connected to the signal detection device of the flow path system. When an abnormal situation occurs in a specific environment of the flow path system, the signal detection device senses and transmits the abnormal electrical signal. The trigger unit can feed the signal back to the drive unit, so that the drive unit can drive the valve unit of the flow path system to close the valve switch.

[0003] For example, in the flow control device used in water heaters, the valve body is fully open under normal circumstances for use as a pipeline. Once the water heater leaks, the trigger unit will trigger the control circuit to drive the valve core to close the valve port to cut off the pipeline and prevent indoor water damage.

[0004] Therefore, providing a compact drive controller suitable for various flow path system environments is a problem that those skilled in the art need to consider. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention discloses a drive controller, including a housing component, a drive component, a reset component, and a trigger unit. The drive component, the reset component, and the trigger unit are mounted on the housing component. The trigger unit includes a motor, a signal processing component, an execution component, and a power supply battery. The signal processing component has a detection signal input terminal, and the power supply battery can supply power to the signal processing component and the motor. The drive component includes a drive shaft, and the reset component includes an energy storage component. The energy storage component can store the power to apply torque to the drive shaft. When the detection signal input terminal is a normal electrical signal, the execution component can limit the release of power by the energy storage component. When the detection signal input terminal is an abnormal electrical signal, the motor drives the execution component to rotate or move, the energy storage component releases power, and the energy storage component drives the drive shaft to rotate.

[0006] The drive controller provided by this invention has a power supply battery in the trigger unit and an energy storage device in the reset component to maintain the detection function and drive function in abnormal situations. The drive controller provided by this invention does not require the supply of external power, thus expanding the applicable environment of the product. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of the flow path control device of the present invention applied to a flow path system; Figure 2The present invention provides a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of a flow path control device; Figure 3 : Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the valve unit of the flow path control device; Figure 4 : Figure 2 Top view of the flow path control device; Figure 5 : Figure 2 Top view of the flow path control device after the top cover has been removed; Figure 6 : Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the flow path control device; Figure 7 : Figure 6 A magnified view of a local location along direction A; Figure 8 : Figure 2 Bottom view of the flow path control device (first position); Figure 9 : Figure 2 Bottom view of the flow path control device (second position); Figure 10 : Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the detection unit structure of the flow path control device; Figure 11 : A bottom view (first position) of another flow path control device provided by the present invention.

[0008] Figures 1-11 Explanation of Chinese symbols: 1000 flow path control device; 1-Valve unit; 110 - Valve body components; 111 - Valve body; 112 - Valve core seat; 113 - Flow path inlet end, 114 - Flow path outlet end; 115 - Valve port; 120 - Valve core assembly; 121 - Valve core, 122 - Valve stem; 2-Drive unit; 210 - Drive components; 211-Drive shaft, 2111-Connecting hole; 212 / 212A - Linkage component / linkage rod; 2121 - First restriction section, 2122 - Second restriction section; 220 - Reset component; 221 - Energy storage element / reset torsion spring; 230 - Limiting component; 231-Limit plate; 2311 - Protrusion; 3-Trigger unit; 310 - Signal processing unit; 311 - Circuit board; 3111 - Detection signal input terminal; 312-Power supply battery; 313 - First reset button, 314 - Second reset button; 320 - Electric components; 321 - Electric motor; 330 - Actuating component; 331 - Reducer; 3311 - Output shaft; 332 / 332A - Stop bar; 3321-upper section, 3322-lower section; 3323 - Threaded hole, 3324 - Key shaft; 3325 - Lower end; 340 - Alarm component; 341 - Sound buzzer; 342-Photoelectric alarm light; 343 - Cancel button; 4-Detection unit; 410 - Detection component; 411 - Signal lead-out component; 412-electrode; 413 - Chassis; 5-Flow path system; 6-Drive controller; 610 - Upper casing; 611-Restriction Section; 620 - Lower housing; 621 - Limiting part / baffle; 622 - Battery compartment; 623 - Receiving cavity; 6231-Partition, 6232-Upper cavity, 6233-Lower cavity; 6234 - Middle gap; 6235 - Mounting hole, 6236 - Keyway; 630 - Housing component. Detailed Implementation

[0009] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. The directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" used herein are defined by the relative positions of the components shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only used for clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solutions. It should be understood that the directional terms used herein should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application; similarly, it should be understood that the structural relationships such as connection, fixation, and abutment described herein, unless otherwise specified to reflect the inventive concept, should include both direct and indirect methods.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of a flow path control device provided by the present invention. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a flow path control device applied to a flow path system.

[0011] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. The flow path control device 1000 provided by the present invention includes four modules: valve unit 1, drive unit 2, trigger unit 3, and detection unit 4.

[0012] Valve unit 1 is connected to flow path system 5. Valve unit 1 can function as an on / off valve or switching valve to control the medium (fluid) in the flow path. Drive unit 2 can be fixedly connected to valve unit 1. Detection unit 4 includes detection component 410, which is placed in the flow path system at the location where environmental detection is required, such as specifically in the chassis 413 of detection unit 4. Figure 10 As shown), the system detects whether there is abnormal water accumulation in the chassis 413; the trigger unit 3 is connected to the detection unit 4, and in response to the detected abnormal changes, it controls the drive unit 2 according to the set program, so that the drive unit 2 drives the valve unit 1 to complete the product control function.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the valve unit of the aforementioned flow path control device.

[0014] like Figure 3 As shown. In this embodiment, valve unit 1 functions as an on / off valve and includes valve body component 110 and valve core component 120.

[0015] The valve body component 110 is connected to the pipeline of the flow path system 5, including the valve body 111 and the valve core seat 112. The valve core seat 112 is embedded in the valve body 111. The flow path inlet end 113 and the flow path outlet end 114 of the valve body component 110 are respectively connected to the flow path system 5. The valve core component 120 includes a valve core 121 and a valve stem 122 that are fixedly connected. The valve core 121 cooperates with the valve port 115 of the valve core seat 112, and the valve stem 122 extends out of the valve body 111.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a top view of the aforementioned flow path control device. Figure 5 A top view of the flow path control device after removing the top cover. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow path control device. Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a local location along direction A.

[0017] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown and referenced Figure 2 and Figure 3 To facilitate a compact structure, the drive unit 2 and the trigger unit 3 are integrated to form the drive controller 6. The components of the drive unit 2 and the trigger unit 3 are housed within the housing component 630 of the controller 6. The housing component 630 includes an upper housing 610 and a lower housing 620.

[0018] The drive unit 2 includes a drive component 210, a reset component 220, and a limit component 230.

[0019] The drive component 210 includes a drive shaft 211 and a linkage 212. The drive shaft 211 has a connecting hole 2111 in the middle, and the linkage 212 includes a linkage rod. The drive controller 6 is installed and fixed to the valve unit 1. The valve stem 122 of the valve core component 120 extends into the connecting hole 2111, so that the valve stem 122 can drive the valve core 121 to rotate. The linkage rod 212 is located at the bottom of the housing component 630. The linkage rod 212 is directly or indirectly connected to the drive shaft 211 to achieve linkage rotation, that is, the linkage rod 212 can drive the drive shaft 211 to rotate, and when the drive shaft 211 rotates, it can also cause the linkage rod 212 to rotate.

[0020] The limiting component 230 includes a limiting plate 231, which is directly or indirectly fixed to the drive shaft 211. When the drive shaft 211 rotates, the limiting plate 231 is also driven to rotate. The limiting plate 231 is provided with a protrusion 2311, and the lower housing 620 is provided with a baffle 621 as a limiting part. By cooperating with the protrusion 2311, the rotation stroke of the drive shaft 211 can be limited to set the opening and closing positions of the valve core component 120.

[0021] In this embodiment, the energy storage component is specifically a reset torsion spring 221, which is coaxially arranged with the drive shaft 211. One end of the reset torsion spring 221 directly or indirectly abuts against the lower housing 620, and the other end is directly or indirectly connected to the drive shaft 211. When the linkage rod 212 drives the drive shaft 211 from the valve-closed position to the valve-open position, the reset torsion spring 221 is driven to rotate, thereby generating spring torque. This spring torque serves as the energy storage to provide subsequent reverse rotation of the drive shaft 211. That is, the reset torsion spring 221 can drive the drive shaft 211 to move and close the valve port 115. Of course, the reset torsion spring 221 can also be indirectly connected to the drive shaft 211, such as by connecting it to the linkage rod 212 or the limiting plate 231, with the same effect.

[0022] The triggering unit 3 includes a signal processing component 310, an electric component 320, an actuation component 330, and an alarm component 340.

[0023] The signal processing unit 310 includes a circuit board 311, which is inserted into the side of the lower housing 620. The circuit board 311 is powered by a power supply battery 312, which is also disposed in the battery compartment 622 of the lower housing 620. Control circuitry is included on the circuit board 311. The detection signal input terminal 3111 of the control circuitry is electrically connected to the signal output terminal 411 of the detection unit 410 to detect whether an abnormality has occurred in a specific environment of the flow path system.

[0024] The electric component 320 includes a miniature motor 321, and the actuating component 330 includes a reducer 331 and a stop rod 332. The lower housing 620 has a vertically arranged receiving cavity 623, and a radially arranged partition 6231 divides the receiving cavity 623 into an upper cavity 6232 and a lower cavity 6233. The motor 321 and the reducer 331 are integrated in the upper cavity 6232 and supported by the partition 6231. The output shaft 3311 of the reducer 331 passes through a notch 6234 in the middle of the partition 6231.

[0025] The stop rod 332 is roughly a stepped rod structure. A mounting hole 6235 is provided at the bottom of the lower cavity 6233. The larger-diameter upper section 3321 of the stop rod 332 is located in the lower cavity 6233, while the smaller-diameter lower section 3322 passes through the mounting hole 6235. The upper section 3321 of the stop rod 332 has a threaded hole 3323, and the output shaft 3311 of the reducer 331 is threadedly connected to the stop rod 332. The lower section 3322 of the stop rod 332 includes a key shaft 3324, and the mounting hole 6235 includes a keyway 6236. Thus, the stop rod 332 and the mounting hole 6235 are in a key shaft / keyway fit, and when the output shaft 3311 rotates, the stop rod 332 can only move axially up and down.

[0026] The upper housing 610 has a limiting part 611 formed by a recess or protrusion at a corresponding position in the receiving cavity 623 of the lower housing 620. After the upper housing 610 and the lower housing 620 are assembled, the limiting part 611 can restrict the rotation or movement of the motor 321 and further press and fix the motor 321, resulting in a compact structure. The aforementioned motor 321 and reducer 331 are integrated, requiring less power and facilitating the driving of the power supply battery 312 built into the controller 6, thus optimizing the overall structural design.

[0027] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the detection unit of the aforementioned flow path control device.

[0028] like Figure 10 As shown. The detection unit 4 includes a detection component 410, which is electrically connected to the detection signal input terminal 3111 of the circuit board 311 via a signal lead-out component (wire harness) 411. In one specific embodiment, the detection component can be used as a switch.

[0029] Specifically, the detection component 410 is placed in a location within the flow path system where environmental monitoring is required, such as in the chassis 413 of a water heater. The detection component 410 includes two electrodes 412, with a certain gap between the electrodes 412 and the bottom of the chassis 413. When the electrical signal from the detection component 410 is a normal electrical signal, the two electrodes 412 are not conductive, and the lead-out component (wiring harness) 411 is not energized. When the water heater experiences abnormal leakage, water accumulates in the chassis 413. When the water level exceeds the height of the two electrodes 412, the two electrodes 412 become conductive, the lead-out component (wiring harness) 411 is energized, and the electrical signal from the detection component 410 is transmitted as an abnormal electrical signal to the signal processing component 310.

[0030] Figure 8 and Figure 9 These are bottom views of the flow path control device in the first and second positions, respectively.

[0031] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown and combined Figure 6 In the normal state of valve unit 1 with the valve open (e.g.) Figure 8When the detection signal input terminal 3111 is a "normal electrical signal", the stop rod 332 extends out of the mounting hole 6235 (the stop rod 332 is in the first position), and the lower end 3325 abuts against the first limiting part 2121 of the linkage rod 212 to limit the displacement of the linkage rod 212. In this state, the return torsion spring 221 has a spring torque (power) that causes the linkage rod 212 to rotate clockwise (close the valve), but the stop rod 332 restricts the rotation of the linkage rod 212, that is, it restricts the release of power by the return torsion spring 221; when the system has an abnormal water leakage situation, the lead-out part (wiring harness) 411 of the detection component 410 is energized, and when the detection signal input terminal 3111 is an "abnormal electrical signal", the signal processing component 310 triggers the motor 321 to rotate, and the motor 321 drives the decelerator. The speed reducer 331 decelerates, and the output shaft 3311 of the speed reducer 331 rotates to drive the stop rod 332 to move axially a certain distance into the housing (the stop rod 332 is in the second position). At this time, the lower end 3325 of the stop rod 332 disengages from the linkage rod 212. Under the spring torque of the return torsion spring 221, the return torsion spring 221 drives the linkage rod 212 to rotate clockwise (close the valve), so that the valve unit 1 is in the closed valve state. At this time, the spring torque (power) is released (e.g., Figure 9 ).

[0032] After the system fault is cleared, the linkage rod 212 can be manually rotated counterclockwise (to open the valve) while simultaneously pressing the reset button (which functions as the first reset button 313 in this mode). This will start the motor 321 to rotate in the reverse direction, causing the stop rod 332 to axially displace outward from the housing and return to the first position (e.g., Figure 9 Simultaneously, as the linkage rod 212 rotates counterclockwise (to open the valve), the reset torsion spring 221 is twisted to restore the spring torque (power). This control process effectively prevents abnormal water leakage from affecting the system.

[0033] The advantage of the above technical solution is that the drive unit and trigger unit are set in the drive controller 6. First, the miniature motor is driven by the built-in power supply battery to start the movement of the stop part (the kinetic energy requirement is relatively small). Then, the reserve power of the drive unit is used to start the valve device to realize the valve closure in abnormal state (the kinetic energy requirement is relatively large). This allows the drive controller 6 to maintain environmental monitoring and drive the valve to close in abnormal situations. No external power input is required. The structure is compact and therefore suitable for monitoring needs in various environments.

[0034] As a further extension of the above technical solution, through the program settings of the signal processing component 310, when the system experiences a water leakage abnormality, after the motor 321 rotates, the output shaft 3311 of the reducer 331 rotates to drive the stop rod 332 to first move axially a certain distance inward toward the housing (the stop rod 332 is in the second position), causing the lower end 3325 of the stop rod 332 to disengage from the linkage rod 212, and the linkage rod 212 to rotate clockwise (close the valve). After a set time interval, the motor 321 then rotates in the opposite direction, causing the stop rod 332 to move axially outward toward the housing back to the first position (e.g., ...). Figure 9 The advantage of this design during program startup is that, in the event of an abnormal valve closure, if the linkage rod 212 is rotated counterclockwise (to open the valve), the second limiting part 2122 on the linkage rod 212 can interfere with the stop rod 332, thus limiting the rotation of the linkage rod 212. This can prevent unintended misoperation before accident handling.

[0035] In this mode, after the system fault is cleared, pressing the reset button (which functions as the second reset button 314 in this mode) will start the motor 321, causing the stop rod 332 to move axially inward toward the housing to the second position. Simultaneously, manually operating the linkage rod 212 to rotate counterclockwise (open valve) will allow the second reset button 314 to be released, causing the motor 321 to move axially away from the housing back to the first position (e.g., ...). Figure 9 ).

[0036] As a further extension of the above technical solution, the triggering unit 3 also includes an alarm component 340. In one specific implementation, the alarm component 340 may include an audible buzzer 341 and a photoelectric alarm light 342. When a water leakage abnormality occurs in the system, and the lead-out (wiring harness) 411 of the detection component 410 is energized, the signal processing component 310 triggers the audible buzzer 341 to sound and the photoelectric alarm light 342 to flash, thus alerting staff to handle the situation. While handling the situation, staff can press the cancel key 343 to reset the audible buzzer 341 and the photoelectric alarm light 342.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a bottom view of another flow path control device provided by the present invention in a first position.

[0038] like Figure 11 As shown. As a further extension of the above technical solution, the stop rod 332A can be designed with a partially rotating part, and the output shaft 3311 of the reducer 331 directly drives the stop rod 332A to rotate, which can also achieve different functions of limiting / unlimiting the linkage rod 212A in the first position / second position. Further details will not be elaborated here.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drive controller, characterized in that... The device includes a housing component, a drive component, a reset component, and a trigger unit. The drive component, the reset component, and the trigger unit are mounted on the housing component. The trigger unit includes a motor, a signal processing component, an execution component, and a power supply battery. The signal processing component has a detection signal input terminal, and the power supply battery can supply power to the signal processing component and the motor. The driving component includes a drive shaft, and the reset component includes an energy storage component, which is capable of storing the power to apply torque to the drive shaft. The actuating component includes a reducer and a stop rod. The output shaft of the reducer can drive the stop rod to move from a first position to a second position. The driving component also includes a linkage rod connected to the driving shaft. The linkage rod is directly or indirectly connected to the driving shaft. The linkage rod includes a first limiting part. When the detection signal input terminal is a normal electrical signal, the stop rod is in the first position, and the stop rod abuts against the first limiting part to limit the displacement of the linkage rod. When the detection signal input terminal is an abnormal electrical signal, the signal processing component triggers the motor to rotate. The motor drives the reducer to decelerate, and the output shaft of the reducer rotates to drive the stop rod to the second position. The stop rod disengages from the linkage rod and can no longer limit the rotation of the driving shaft.

2. The drive controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing component includes a receiving cavity, which includes a partition that divides the receiving cavity into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. The motor and the reducer are disposed in the upper cavity. The partition supports the reducer. The output shaft passes through a notch in the middle of the partition. The bottom of the housing component includes a mounting hole communicating with the lower cavity. The upper section of the stop rod is at least partially located in the lower cavity, and the lower section of the stop rod passes through the mounting hole. The linkage rod is located below the housing component. In the first position, the lower end of the stop rod can abut against the first limiting part.

3. The drive controller as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing component includes an upper housing and a lower housing, the receiving cavity is located in the lower housing, and the upper housing includes a limiting portion facing the receiving cavity, the limiting portion being capable of limiting the rotation or movement of the motor.

4. The drive controller as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the upper section is larger than that of the lower section. The stop rod is threadedly connected to the output shaft. The lower section includes a key shaft, and the mounting hole includes a keyway. The stop rod and the mounting hole are engaged by the key shaft / keyway.

5. The drive controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing component includes a receiving cavity, in which the motor and the reducer are disposed. The bottom of the housing component includes a mounting hole communicating with the receiving cavity. The output shaft of the reducer passes through the mounting hole. The stop rod is rotatably connected to the output shaft. The linkage rod is located below the housing component. In the first position, the stop rod can abut against the first limiting part.

6. The drive controller according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The energy storage component is a reset torsion spring. One end of the reset torsion spring abuts against the housing component, and the other end of the reset torsion spring abuts against the drive shaft. The drive shaft can drive the reset torsion spring to rotate so that the reset torsion spring stores power.

7. The drive controller as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The housing component includes a reset button. When the reset button is triggered, the signal processing component triggers the motor, which in turn moves the stop rod from the second position to the first position.

8. The drive controller as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The housing component includes a reset button. When the reset button is triggered, the signal processing component triggers the motor, which drives the stop rod to move from the first position to the second position. Alternatively, the signal processing component triggers the motor to first move the stop rod from the first position to the second position, and then move the stop rod from the second position back to the first position.

9. The drive controller according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The triggering unit further includes an alarm component, which includes an audible buzzer and / or a photoelectric alarm light. When the electrical signal at the detection signal input terminal is abnormal, the signal processing component triggers the alarm component to issue an alarm signal. The housing component also includes a cancel key. When the cancel key is triggered, the signal processing component triggers the alarm component to cancel the alarm signal.

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