An electric actuator

Abstract

The application discloses an electric actuator, and relates to the field of actuators, which comprises a box body, an executing mechanism, a driving motor, a transmission mechanism and a mode switching mechanism, the executing end of the executing mechanism is used for the handle of a ball valve, the mode switching mechanism is used for switching the mode between the automatic mode and the manual mode of the ball valve, when the automatic mode, the driving motor drives the executing mechanism to rotate through the transmission mechanism, when the manual mode, the power output end of the driving motor is disconnected with the power input end of the executing mechanism; through the action of the mode switching mechanism, whether the driving motor can transmit the rotating driving force to the executing mechanism through the transmission mechanism is controlled, the mode switching of the automatic opening and closing and the manual opening and closing of the ball valve is realized, and when the manual mode, the executing mechanism of the electric actuator can rotate along with the rotation of the handle, the connecting structure between the executing end of the executing mechanism and the handle does not need to be removed, and the operation is convenient and simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of actuators, and more particularly to an electric actuator. Background Technology

[0002] Electric actuators are used to drive valves to the fully open or fully closed position. As a control mechanism for valves, they can precisely move the valve to any position. Currently, the market for intelligent transformation of pipeline valves is booming. In actual use, electric actuators may malfunction and become unusable. In addition, the actuating end of the electric actuator and the handle of the ball valve are generally fixedly connected. Therefore, due to the limitation of the actuating end of the electric actuator, it is necessary to remove the fixed connection between the actuating end of the electric actuator and the handle before the handle can be manually turned to switch the on / off state of the ball valve. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to design an electric actuator to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] The present invention achieves the above objectives through the following technical solutions:

[0005] An electric actuator, comprising:

[0006] Box;

[0007] Actuator; The actuating end of the actuator is located outside the housing, and the actuating end of the actuator acts on the handle of the ball valve;

[0008] Drive motor;

[0009] Transmission mechanism;

[0010] Mode switching mechanism; The mode switching mechanism is used to switch between automatic and manual modes of the ball valve. The drive motor, transmission mechanism and mode switching mechanism are all installed in the housing. When the ball valve is in automatic mode, the drive motor drives the actuator to rotate through the transmission mechanism. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the power output end of the drive motor is disconnected from the power input end of the actuator.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: by controlling the mode switching mechanism, the drive motor can transmit the rotational driving force to the actuator through the transmission mechanism, thereby realizing the switching between automatic and manual switching modes of the ball valve. At the same time, since the actuator can be rotatably mounted on the housing, in manual mode, the actuator of the electric actuator can rotate with the rotation of the handle without removing the connection structure between the actuator's actuating end and the handle, making operation convenient and simple. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electric actuator according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an electric actuator according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the actuator in an electric actuator according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the mode switching mechanism in an electric actuator according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a mode switching mechanism in an electric actuator according to the present invention;

[0017] The corresponding figure labels are:

[0018] 1-Box body, 2-Drive motor, 3-First gear, 4-Second gear, 5-Third gear, 6-Lifting rod, 7-Knob, 8-Lifting ring, 9-Lifting ramp, 10-Reset elastic element, 11-Actuating shaft, 12-Support plate, 13-Clamping arm, 14-Oval groove, 15-Screw, 16-Nut slider, 17-Limiting surface, 18-Micro switch, 19-First mounting hole, 20-Mounting component, 21-Circuit board, 22-Partition. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0020] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0021] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "left," "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. They are only used to facilitate the description of this invention and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "set" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, an electric actuator includes:

[0027] Box 1;

[0028] Actuator; The actuating end of the actuator is located outside the housing 1, and the actuating end of the actuator acts on the handle of the ball valve. The actuator is rotatably mounted on the housing 1.

[0029] Drive motor 2;

[0030] Transmission mechanism;

[0031] Mode switching mechanism; The mode switching mechanism is used to switch between the automatic mode and the manual mode of the ball valve. The drive motor 2, the transmission mechanism and the mode switching mechanism are all installed in the housing 1. When the ball valve is in automatic mode, the drive motor 2 drives the actuator to rotate through the transmission mechanism. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the power output end of the drive motor 2 is disconnected from the power input end of the actuator.

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the box 1 includes a box, a partition, and a lid. The partition is fixed to the box by screws. The partition divides the entire box 1 into upper and lower layers. The lower layer is used to install mechanical moving parts, and the upper layer is used to install electronic components such as circuit boards. The circuit boards are fixed to the partition by clips. The box and the lid are designed to be connected by clips. The box and the partition form a groove for installing O-rings. The sealing ring is installed in the groove to seal the box and the partition.

[0033] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the transmission mechanism includes a first gear 3, a second gear 4, and a third gear 5. A drive motor 2 drives the first gear 3 to rotate. The first gear 3 and the second gear 4 are rotatably mounted inside the housing 1. The power input end of the actuator is fixedly connected to the rotation center of the third gear 5. The switching end of the mode switching mechanism acts on the second gear 4. When the ball valve is in automatic mode, the first gear 3 meshes with the second gear 4, and the second gear 4 meshes with the third gear 5. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the meshing transmission between the second gear 4 and the third gear 5 or the first gear 3 is disengaged. The first gear 3 has teeth on both its inner and outer walls. The first gear 3 is rotatably mounted on the housing 1 via a stepped shaft. The first gear 3 can only rotate relative to the housing 1. The teeth of the second gear 4 mesh with the teeth on the inner wall of the first gear 3. The second gear 4 is mounted on the stepped shaft and can rotate and move relative to the housing 1. The tooth width of the second gear 4 is greater than the tooth width of the teeth on the inner wall of the first gear 3. A transmission gear is fixedly mounted on the shaft of the drive motor 2. The transmission gear meshes with the teeth on the outer wall of the first gear 3.

[0034] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the mode switching mechanism includes a lifting component and a resetting component. The lifting component is used to disconnect the meshing transmission between the second gear 4 and the third gear 5 or the first gear 3, and the resetting component is used to restore the meshing transmission between the second gear 4 and the third gear 5 or the first gear 3.

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the lifting component includes a lifting rod 6 and a power drive component. A lifting ring 8 is provided on the second gear 4. A first mounting hole 19 is provided on the cover of the housing 1. The first end of the lifting rod 6 passes through the first mounting hole 19 and is fixedly connected to the power output end of the power drive component. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the second end of the lifting rod 6 is pressed against the lifting ring 8. An O-groove is provided on the lifting rod 6, and a rubber ring is installed in the O-groove. The rubber ring is used for sealing between the lifting rod 6 and the housing cover.

[0036] The power drive component is a knob 7. The lifting rod 6 is rotatably mounted on the housing 1. The first end of the lifting rod 6 is fixedly connected to the rotation center of the knob 7. The second end of the lifting rod 6 is provided with a lifting ramp 9. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the lifting ring 8 is pressed against the lifting ramp 9. The lifting ramp 9 consists of two planes and a spiral surface. The spiral surface is located between the two planes. The height difference between the two planes is not less than the tooth width of the inner sidewall teeth of the first gear 3.

[0037] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the reset component includes a reset elastic element 10. The two elastic ends of the reset elastic element 10 act on the housing 1 and the second gear 4, respectively. The direction of the elastic force exerted by the reset elastic element 10 on the second gear 4 is opposite to the direction of the lifting action of the lifting component. The elastic deformation of the reset elastic element 10 is always greater than zero. The reset elastic element 10 is a compression spring, and its two ends are in contact with the partition and the second gear 4, respectively. The compression spring is always in a compressed state.

[0038] When knob 7 rotates the lifting rod 6 180 degrees, the lifting ramp 9 of the lifting rod 6 drives the second gear 4 away from the first gear 3 along the step shaft axial direction, causing the second gear 4 to disengage from the teeth on the inner wall of the first gear 3. During this process, the compression spring is further compressed and stores energy. Under the action of the lifting ramp 9, the position of the second gear 4 is maintained, thus disconnecting the power transmission between the drive motor 2 and the actuator, allowing for convenient manual valve opening and closing. When knob 7 rotates the lifting rod 6 180 degrees in the opposite direction, the lifting ramp 9 separates from the lifting ring 8 of the second gear 4. The second gear 4 loses the upward support force of the lifting ramp 9. At this time, the compression spring releases energy, and the second gear 4, under the elastic force of the compression spring, moves closer to the first gear 3 along the step shaft axial direction, causing the teeth on the inner wall of the first gear 3 to re-mesh, thus automatically opening and closing the valve.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the actuators include:

[0040] Actuating shaft 11; Actuating shaft 11 is rotatably mounted on housing 1. The first end of the actuating shaft 11 is fixedly connected to the rotation center of the third gear 5. The housing 1 is provided with a second mounting hole, and the second end of the actuating shaft 11 passes through the second mounting hole.

[0041] Support plate 12; the second end of the actuating shaft 11 is fixedly connected to the support plate 12;

[0042] Two clamping arms 13; the two clamping arms 13 are mounted on the support plate 12, and the opposite sides of the two clamping arms 13 are in contact with the two sides of the handle respectively.

[0043] The actuator 11 is provided with two O-ring grooves, and a rubber ring is installed in each of the two O-ring grooves. The rubber ring is used for sealing between the actuator 11 and the housing. The second end of the actuator 11 is also provided with a threaded hole. The support plate 12 is provided with a through hole. The locking screw passes through the washer and the through hole on the support plate 12 in sequence and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole on the actuator 11.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the actuator also includes two fixing parts and an adjusting part. The first ends of the two clamping arms 13 are respectively fixedly connected to the support plate 12 through the two fixing parts, and the adjusting part is used to adjust the distance between the two clamping arms 13.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the fastener includes a screw, a washer, and a sleeve. The first end of the clamping arm 13 is provided with a mounting hole, and the sleeve is installed in the mounting hole. The support plate 12 is provided with a threaded hole. The screw passes through the washer and the sleeve in sequence and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole on the support plate 12. The two sides of the first end of the clamping arm 13 contact the washer and the support plate 12 respectively.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the adjusting component includes three oblong grooves 14, a screw 15, and a nut slider 16. The three oblong grooves 14 are respectively disposed on the two clamping arms 13 and the support plate 12. The screw 15 passes through the three oblong grooves 14 in sequence and is threadedly connected to the nut slider 16. Limiting surfaces 17 are provided on both sides of the first end of the nut slider 16. The limiting surfaces 17 are used to restrict the relative rotation between the nut slider 16 and the oblong grooves 14. The limiting surfaces 17 are in contact with the side surfaces of the oblong grooves 14.

[0047] The nut slider 16 can slide simultaneously in the three oblong grooves. Since the two clamping arms 13 can rotate around the sleeve, the distance between the two clamping arms 13 will change when the nut slider 16 slides in the oblong groove of the support plate 12. This adjusts the mechanical claw spacing of the electric actuator to accommodate ball valve handles of different widths. The nut slider 16 is provided with a limiting surface 17 that mates with the oblong groove of the support plate 12. After the mechanical claw is adjusted to a suitable width, the screw 15 can be easily tightened to fix the two clamping arms 13 at the same time.

[0048] The electric actuator also includes two microswitches 18, which are used to detect the valve opening and closing positions of the actuator, respectively. The control signal output terminals of the two microswitches 18 are connected to the control signal input terminals of the drive motor 2. The third gear 5 is a sector gear, and the two microswitches 18 form a 90-degree limiting mechanism for the sector gear.

[0049] The working principle of the electric actuator of the present invention is as follows:

[0050] When using an electric actuator, the housing 1 is installed near the ball valve using the mounting piece 20. The two clamping arms 13 are adjusted using the adjusting piece so that the main shaft of the electric actuator is aligned with the rotation center of the ball valve handle. After adjustment, the positions of the two clamping arms 13 are fixed to complete the installation.

[0051] When the ball valve is used in automatic mode, the lifting ring 8 contacts the lower end of the lifting inclined surface 9 on the lifting rod 6, the second gear 4 meshes with the teeth on the inner side wall of the first gear 3, and the power transmission between the drive motor 2 and the actuator is connected.

[0052] When using the ball valve in manual mode, turning knob 7 causes the lifting rod 6 to rotate as well. This causes the lifting ring 8 to move away from the first gear 3 along the step axis under the action of the lifting ramp 9. During this process, the compression spring is further compressed to store energy. When the rotation is complete, the lifting ring 8 is pressed against the upper end of the lifting ramp 9 on the lifting rod 6, and the second gear 4 is held in position by the lifting ramp 9. This disconnects the power transmission between the drive motor 2 and the actuator, allowing for convenient manual valve opening and closing.

[0053] Rotate knob 7 to the manual position to disconnect the power transmission between drive motor 2 and actuator. Since the actuator is rotatably mounted on housing 1, in manual mode, the actuator of the electric actuator can rotate with the rotation of the handle. There is no need to remove the connection structure between the actuator's actuating end and the handle. The operation is convenient and simple, and the manual function can be maintained for a long time.

[0054] This application allows for flexible adjustment of the distance between the two clamping arms 13 of the electric actuator according to actual conditions, and has good adaptability and high reliability for ball valves (plug valves) with handles of different widths;

[0055] This application designs the entire control box 1 as a fully sealed structure, which can effectively protect the motor, electronic components, gears and other parts from corrosion and improve the service life of the electric actuator.

[0056] The technical solutions of the present invention are not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Any technical modifications made in accordance with the technical solutions of the present invention fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric actuator, characterized in that, include: Box; Actuator; The actuating end of the actuator is located outside the housing, and the actuating end of the actuator acts on the handle of the ball valve. The actuator is rotatably mounted on the housing. Drive motor; Transmission mechanism; Mode switching mechanism; The mode switching mechanism is used to switch between the automatic mode and the manual mode of the ball valve. The drive motor, transmission mechanism and mode switching mechanism are all installed in the housing. When the ball valve is in automatic mode, the drive motor drives the actuator to rotate through the transmission mechanism. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the power output end of the drive motor is disconnected from the power input end of the actuator. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear, a second gear, and a third gear. The drive motor drives the first gear to rotate. The first gear and the second gear are rotatably mounted in the housing. The power input end of the actuator is fixedly connected to the rotation center of the third gear. The switching end of the mode switching mechanism acts on the second gear. When the ball valve is in automatic mode, the first gear meshes with the second gear and the second gear meshes with the third gear. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the meshing transmission between the second gear and the third gear or the first gear is disengaged. The mode switching mechanism includes a lifting component and a reset component. The lifting component is used to disconnect the meshing transmission between the second gear and the third gear or the first gear, and the reset component is used to restore the meshing transmission between the second gear and the third gear or the first gear. The lifting component includes a lifting rod and a power drive component. A lifting ring is provided on the second gear, and a first mounting hole is provided on the housing. The first end of the lifting rod passes through the first mounting hole and is fixedly connected to the power output end of the power drive component. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the second end of the lifting rod is in pressure contact with the lifting ring. The power drive component is a knob. The lifting rod is rotatably mounted on the housing. The first end of the lifting rod is fixedly connected to the rotation center of the knob. The second end of the lifting rod is provided with a lifting ramp. When the ball valve is in manual mode, the lifting ring is in pressure contact with the lifting ramp. The implementing agencies include: Actuating shaft; The actuating shaft is rotatably mounted on the housing. The first end of the actuating shaft is fixedly connected to the rotation center of the third gear. The housing is provided with a second mounting hole, through which the second end of the actuating shaft passes. Support plate; the second end of the actuator shaft is fixedly connected to the support plate; Two clamping arms; the two clamping arms are mounted on the support plate, and the opposite sides of the two clamping arms respectively contact the two sides of the handle.

2. The electric actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reset component includes a reset elastic component. The two elastic ends of the reset elastic component act on the housing and the second gear, respectively. The direction of the elastic force of the reset elastic component on the second gear is opposite to the direction of the lifting action of the lifting component. The elastic deformation of the reset elastic component is always greater than zero.

3. An electric actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuator also includes two fixing parts and an adjusting part. The first ends of the two clamping arms are fixedly connected to the support plate through the two fixing parts, and the adjusting part is used to adjust the distance between the two clamping arms.

4. An electric actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjusting component includes three oblong grooves, a screw, and a nut slider. The three oblong grooves are respectively set on the two clamping arms and the support plate. The screw passes through the three oblong grooves in sequence and is threadedly connected to the nut slider. Limiting surfaces are provided on both sides of the first end of the nut slider. The limiting surfaces are used to restrict the relative rotation between the nut slider and the oblong grooves. The limiting surfaces are in contact with the side of the oblong grooves.

5. An electric actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric actuator also includes two microswitches, which are used to detect the valve opening and closing positions of the actuator, respectively. The control signal output terminals of the two microswitches are connected to the control signal input terminals of the drive motor.

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