Electric valve actuator

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of electric valve actuators, wherein electric valve actuator includes housing and the actuating mechanism installed in the housing, the actuating mechanism has output shaft and power unit, the upper end of the output shaft is drivingly connected with the power unit, the lower end of the output shaft extends to the outside of the housing, and the electric valve actuator further includes manual operating mechanism, the manual operating mechanism is located at the outside of the housing with the output shaft same side and is drivingly connected with the lower end of the output shaft.The electric valve actuator provided by the present application sets manual operating mechanism on the outside of housing, and the through slot of manual operating mechanism is not opened on the housing, so the setting of manual operating mechanism does not affect the sealing design of housing, the housing can be more simply realized high sealing grade, and manual operating mechanism is located on the side of output shaft, and will not affect the assembly of electric valve actuator and the operation of manual operating mechanism, especially suitable for use in narrow environment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electric valve, in particular to an electric valve actuator. BACKGROUND

[0002] Electric valve actuator refers to a device driven by electric energy to open and close the valve. A manual adjustment mechanism is usually provided on the electric valve actuator to manually open or close the valve in case of power failure or the like. One of the manual adjustment mechanisms on the existing electric valve actuator includes an operating handle, one end of which is drivingly connected with a regulating shaft of the electric actuator, and the other end extends to the outside of the housing through a slot formed on the side of the electric valve actuator housing. When manually opening or closing the valve, the operator manually opens or closes the valve by rotating the operating handle around the regulating shaft. Due to the presence of the slot formed on the side of the housing, external water vapor and dust and other pollutants may enter the housing from the slot, causing some devices inside the housing to be corroded and other factors to shorten the service life of the electric valve actuator. Especially in humid or dusty use occasions, the housing protection level of the electric valve actuator housing is particularly important, so it is necessary to improve the existing electric valve actuator. SUMMARY

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to provide an electric valve actuator with high housing protection level.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0005] An electric valve actuator, comprising a housing and an actuating mechanism installed in the housing, the actuating mechanism having an output shaft and a power device, the output shaft having an upper end and a lower end at both axial ends, the upper end of the output shaft being drivingly connected with the power device, the lower end of the output shaft extending to the outside of the housing, the electric valve actuator further comprising a manual operating mechanism, the manual operating mechanism being located on the outside of the housing on the same side as the output shaft and drivingly connected with the lower end of the output shaft.

[0006] In one embodiment, the manual operating mechanism rotates along the circumference of the output shaft to drive the output shaft to rotate.

[0007] In one embodiment, the manual operating mechanism is a tab, one end of the tab being drivingly connected with the lower end of the output shaft.

[0008] In one embodiment, the manual operating mechanism further comprises a non-return mechanism, the non-return mechanism being operable to have the tab in a first state of being movable or in a second state of being immovable.

[0009] In an embodiment, the non-return mechanism comprises a non-return element and a limiting box, the limiting box is fixedly installed on the shell on the same side of the lower end of the output shaft, the non-return element is rotatably installed on the limiting box, the non-return element has a non-return part located in the limiting box and an operating part extending out of the limiting box, and operating the operating part can make the non-return part have the first state and the second state.

[0010] In an embodiment, a reset mechanism is further included, the reset mechanism is installed in the shell, and the reset mechanism generates a force on the output shaft to make the output shaft return to the initial position.

[0011] In an embodiment, the reset mechanism is an elastic element, one end of the elastic element is fixed to the shell, and the other end is directly or indirectly fixed to the output shaft.

[0012] In an embodiment, a gear set is further included, the power device drives the output shaft to rotate through the gear set.

[0013] In an embodiment, the gear set comprises a first gear and a second gear that are engaged with each other, the first gear is drivingly connected with the power device, the second gear is drivingly connected with the output shaft, and the second gear is a sector gear.

[0014] In an embodiment, two limiting columns are arranged on the base on opposite sides of the second gear, and a notch is arranged on each of the opposite sides of the second gear and matched with the limiting column.

[0015] In an embodiment, at least two positioning cavities are arranged on the shell, the positioning cavities are arranged corresponding to the positioning columns on the valve body of the electric valve, and one of the positioning cavities is arranged opposite to the output shaft.

[0016] The electric valve actuator provided by the application sets the manual operating mechanism outside the shell, and no through slot for the manual operating mechanism is arranged on the shell, so that the setting of the manual operating mechanism does not affect the sealing design of the shell, the shell can be more simply sealed to a high level, and the manual operating mechanism is arranged on one side of the output shaft and does not affect the assembly of the electric valve actuator and the operation of the manual operating mechanism, and is particularly suitable for use in a narrow environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic view of the electric valve actuator is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic view of the base is shown.

[0019] Figure 3A schematic view of the electric valve actuator is shown with the upper cover removed.

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic view of the variable speed gear set and return spring installed on the base is shown.

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic view of the hand operated mechanism is shown.

[0022] Figure 6 A schematic view of the check is shown.

[0023] Figure 7 A schematic view of the dial tab is shown.

[0024] Figure 8 A schematic view of the electric valve actuator is shown from another view direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, of which the preferred embodiments of the present application are shown. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are merely for illustrating the essential spirit of the technical solutions of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0026] In the following description, for the purposes of explaining various disclosed embodiments, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, structures, and techniques have not been shown or described in order to avoid obscuring the description of embodiments.

[0027] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as

[0028] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0029] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should be noted that the term "comprising" or "comprises" as used in this specification and the appended claims is not intended to exclude other elements or steps. It should be noted that the term "or" as used in this specification and the appended claims is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase "X employs A or B" is intended to mean that the

[0030] In the following description, in order to clearly show the structure and working mode of the present invention, many directional words will be used for description, but words such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "outside", "inside", "outward", "inward", "up", and "down" should be understood as convenient terms and should not be understood as restrictive terms.

[0031] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," and "overhanging" do not necessarily imply that a component must be absolutely horizontal or overhanging, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but rather that it can be slightly tilted.

[0032] It should also be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] The present invention provides an electric valve actuator, comprising a housing and an actuator installed in the housing, the actuator having an output shaft and a power device, the axial ends of the output shaft being an upper end and a lower end respectively, the upper end of the output shaft being drive-connected to the power device, and the lower end of the output shaft extending to the outside of the housing, wherein the electric valve actuator further comprises a manual operating mechanism, the manual operating mechanism being located outside the housing on the same side as the output shaft and being drive-connected to the lower end of the output shaft. The electric valve actuator provided by the present invention arranges the entire manual operating mechanism outside the housing, and does not require a groove to be opened on the housing. Therefore, the arrangement of the manual operating mechanism does not affect the sealing design of the housing, and the housing can more simply achieve a high sealing level. Moreover, the manual operating mechanism being located on one side of the output shaft does not affect the assembly of the electric valve actuator and the operation of the manual operating mechanism, and is particularly suitable for use in confined environments.

[0034] like Figures 1-8 As shown, this embodiment provides an electric valve actuator comprising a housing 1, an actuator 2, and a manual operating mechanism 3. The housing 1 comprises a base 11 and an upper cover 12. The upper cover 12 is screwed to the base 11, forming a sealed accommodation space between the base 11 and the upper cover 12. Preferably, to enhance the sealing between the upper cover 12 and the base 11, a sealing groove 111 is provided on the edge of the base 11 at the junction of the upper cover 12 and the base 11. A sealing ring 112 is installed in the sealing groove 111.

[0035] The actuator 2 is fixedly installed on the base 11 and is covered by the upper cover 12 in the accommodating space, so that the shell 1 protects the actuator 2 located in the accommodating space. Specifically, the actuator 2 includes a motor 21 as a power device, an output shaft 22, and a gear set 23. The base 11 is provided with a plurality of fixing columns 113, and the motor 21 is fixed on the fixing columns 113 by screws. The base 11 is also provided with a shaft hole 114 through which the output shaft 22 passes, and the upper end of the output shaft 22 is supported on the base 11 and the lower end extends to the outside of the shell 1 through the shaft hole 114 and is used to drive the valve stem of the electric valve to rotate so as to open or close the electric valve. In order to improve the sealing between the output shaft 22 and the shaft hole 114, a sealing ring 221 is arranged on the middle part of the output shaft 22 and matches the inner wall of the shaft hole 114, so as to avoid that the contaminants outside the shell 1 enter the accommodating space inside the shell 1 from the shaft hole 114. The base 11 is also provided with a wire hole 115 through which the cable of the motor 21 passes, and the sealing of the wire hole 115 can be realized by a waterproof cable joint.

[0036] Since the through slot of the manual operating mechanism 3 is not arranged on the side of the shell, only the openings through which the output shaft 22 and the cable of the motor 21 pass are arranged, and these openings can be sealed by the sealing ring and the waterproof cable joint, the protection level of the shell 1 can reach the level of IP65 or IP67, and the shell 1 can be used in high-humidity and dusty environments to prolong the service life.

[0037] The gear set 23 includes a first gear 231 which is drivingly connected with the rotating shaft of the motor 21 and a second gear 232 which is drivingly connected with the output shaft 22, and the gear ratio between the first gear 231 and the second gear 232 can be determined according to the actual gear ratio. The action mode of the output shaft 22 can be rotation or extension, and in the embodiment, the action mode of the output shaft 22 is rotation, so that spur gears are adopted between the first gear 231 and the second gear 232. When the valve is a plug valve, the opening and closing of the valve can be realized by a small angle of rotation of the valve core, so that the output shaft 22 only needs a small rotation amplitude, and therefore the second gear 232 in the embodiment is a sector gear to reduce the space occupied by the second gear 232 in the shell 1 and to reduce the volume of the shell 1.

[0038] Preferably, the base 11 is provided with two limiting columns 116 which limit the rotation angle of the second gear 232, and the two limiting columns 116 are respectively located on the two sides of the middle part of the second gear 232. One of the fixing columns 113 in the embodiment simultaneously has the function of the limiting column 116. The limiting column 116 limits the rotation angle of the second gear 232, that is, limits the rotation angle of the output shaft 22, that is, limits the rotation angle of the valve core of the valve, so that the valve core can better realize the opening and closing of the valve.

[0039] More preferably, the second gear 232 is provided with a notch 2321 at the position corresponding to each of the two limiting posts 116. During rotation, the side wall of the notch 2321 on the second gear 232 abuts against the corresponding limiting post 116 to limit the rotation angle of the second gear 232. The notch 2321 on the second gear 232 can make the spacing between the two limiting posts 116 smaller at the same rotation angle, so that the second gear 232 occupies less space during rotation, thereby making the design of the actuator 2 more compact and occupying less volume, which is suitable for the miniaturization design of the electric valve actuator.

[0040] If the movement mode of the output shaft 22 is telescopic, the first and second gears can be connected by a worm gear. Preferably, the movement mode of the output shaft 22 is rotation. This design can make the structure of the actuator 2 simpler and the volume of the actuator smaller, thereby saving costs and miniaturizing the electric valve actuator. In addition, the sealing design of the telescopic output shaft 22 is more complex and the cost is higher. Meanwhile, the rotation of the output shaft 22 can also simplify the manual operation mechanism, which will be described below.

[0041] The manual operation mechanism 3 is arranged outside the housing and on the same side as the output shaft 22 extends out of the housing 1. The manual operation mechanism 3 is drivingly connected to the lower end of the output shaft 22 to manually drive the output shaft 22 to move to close or open the valve. For a normally closed valve, the manual operation mechanism 3 is usually used to close the valve; for a normally open valve, the manual operation mechanism 3 is usually used to open the valve.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the movement mode of the output shaft 22 is rotation. The manual operation mechanism 3 is drivingly connected to the lower end of the output shaft 22 to drive the output shaft 22 to rotate to open or close the valve. Specifically, the manual operation mechanism 3 includes a knob 31. One end of the knob 31 is drivingly connected to the lower end of the output shaft 22, and the rotation of the knob 31 along the circumference of the output shaft 22 drives the output shaft 22 to rotate. Since the thickness of the knob 31 is thin, it can be directly arranged in the space where the electric valve actuator is connected to the valve, without occupying additional space, so that the electric valve actuator is more suitable for use in a narrow environment. In the embodiment, the knob 31 and the lower end of the output shaft 22 are connected by a non-circular fitting to drive the output shaft 22.

[0043] Preferably, the manual operating mechanism 3 further comprises a non-return mechanism, which is operable to have the dial 31 in a dialable first state or in a non-dialable second state, so as to maintain the valve in an open or closed state when the dial 31 is manually operated to open or close the valve. The non-return mechanism comprises a non-return member 32 and a limiting box 33, which is fixedly installed on the housing 1 at the same side of the lower end of the output shaft 22, and the non-return member 32 is rotatably installed on the limiting box 33. The non-return member 32 has a non-return portion 321 located in the limiting box 33 and an operating portion 322 extending out of the limiting box 33, and the non-return portion 321 is operable to have the dial 31 in the dialable first state or in the non-dialable second state by operating the operating portion 322 out of the limiting box 33. In the embodiment, the limiting box 33 is provided with a hollow portion 331 at the position corresponding to each groove, which can prevent water from accumulating in the limiting box 33.

[0044] In the embodiment, the non-return member 32 is formed by bending a metal rod, which comprises a rod body 323 rotatably installed on the limiting box 33, and the non-return portion 321 is a bent portion located at one end of the rod body 323. The dial 31 is provided with a notch portion 311 corresponding to the bent portion. In the initial state, the bent portion is in a horizontal state and does not block the dial 31. When the dial 31 is dialled to open or close the valve, the rod body 323 is rotated to make the bent portion stand up, and then the bent portion can be located in the notch of the dial 31, so that the dial 31 cannot return to the initial position and the valve is maintained in an open or closed state.

[0045] In an embodiment, a reset mechanism is further installed in the housing 1, which is protected by the housing 1 and generates a force to reset the output shaft 22 to the initial position. Specifically, the reset mechanism is a spring 4, one end of which is fixed to the base 11 and the other end is fixed to the second gear 232. When the output shaft 22 is rotated, the output shaft 22 drives the second gear 232 to rotate, thereby stretching the spring 4. The spring 4 in the stretched state generates a force to reset the output shaft 22. In addition, since the dial 31 is fixed to the output shaft 22, the spring 4 also generates a force to reset the dial 31.

[0046] In an embodiment, the housing 1 is provided with a first positioning cavity 13 and a second positioning cavity 14 matched with the valve. In the embodiment, the first positioning cavity 13 is provided on the limiting box 33.

[0047] The first positioning cavity 13 is opposite to the output shaft 22, the valve rod of the valve is inserted into the first positioning cavity 13 and is fixedly connected with the output shaft 22, meanwhile, the valve body of the valve is further provided with positioning columns inserted into the first positioning cavity 13 and the second positioning cavity 14 respectively, the first positioning cavity 13 and / or the second positioning cavity 14 is fixedly installed with the locking piece 15, the locking piece 15 in the embodiment is a bolt. The locking piece 15 fixes the shell 1 on the valve body inserted into the first positioning cavity 13 and / or the second positioning cavity 14, so as to facilitate the assembly of the electric valve actuator on the valve body.

[0048] In an embodiment, the shell 1 is provided with the first positioning cavity 13 and the second positioning cavity 14 matched with the valve, the first positioning cavity 13 in the embodiment is arranged on the limiting box 33.

[0049] The first positioning cavity 13 is opposite to the output shaft 22, the valve rod of the valve is inserted into the first positioning cavity 13 and is fixedly connected with the output shaft 22, meanwhile, the valve body of the valve is further provided with positioning columns inserted into the first positioning cavity 13 and the second positioning cavity 14 respectively, the first positioning cavity 13 and / or the second positioning cavity 14 is fixedly installed with the locking piece 15, the locking piece 15 in the embodiment is a bolt. The locking piece 15 fixes the shell 1 on the valve body inserted into the first positioning cavity 13 and / or the second positioning cavity 14, so as to facilitate the assembly of the electric valve actuator on the valve body.

[0050] The preferred embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above, but it should be understood that, after reading the above teaching of the present application, those skilled in the art can make various modifications or changes to the present application. These equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined by the appended claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An electric valve actuator, comprising a housing and an actuator mounted within the housing, the actuator having an output shaft and a power unit, the output shaft having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the output shaft being drivingly connected to the power unit, and the lower end of the output shaft extending outside the housing, characterized in that: The electric valve actuator further includes a manual operating mechanism, which is located outside the housing on the same side as the output shaft and is drivingly connected to the lower end of the output shaft; The manual operating mechanism rotates along the circumference of the output shaft to drive the output shaft to rotate, and the manual operating mechanism is a paddle, one end of which is drivingly connected to the lower end of the output shaft; The manual operating mechanism further includes a check mechanism, which is operable to place the paddle in a first state where it can be moved or a second state where it cannot be moved; The non-return mechanism includes a non-return member and a limit box, wherein the limit box is fixedly mounted on the housing on the same side as the lower end of the output shaft, and the non-return member is rotatably mounted on the limit box. The non-return member includes a non-return portion located within the limit box and an operating portion extending outside the limit box. Operating the operating portion enables the non-return portion to have the first state and the second state. The check member includes a rod body rotatably mounted on the limit box, a bent portion is provided at one end of the rod body, and a notch portion is provided on the paddle corresponding to the bent portion. In an initial state, the bent portion is in a horizontal state and does not block the movement of the paddle. When the paddle is moved to open or close the valve, the rod body is rotated to make the bent portion stand upright, and the bent portion can be located in the notch of the paddle, so that the paddle cannot return to its initial position, thereby maintaining the valve in an open or closed state.

2. The electric valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further comprises a reset mechanism, which is installed in the housing and generates a force on the output shaft to return the output shaft to an initial position.

3. The electric valve actuator according to claim 2, wherein: The reset mechanism is an elastic member, one end of which is fixed to the housing, and the other end of which is directly or indirectly fixed to the output shaft.

4. The electric valve actuator according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a speed change gear set, through which the power device drives the output shaft to rotate, and the speed change gear set includes a first gear and a second gear that are meshed with each other, the first gear is drivingly connected to the power device, the second gear is drivingly connected to the output shaft, and the second gear is a sector gear.

5. The electric valve actuator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The housing includes a base and an upper cover. The base is provided with two limiting columns located on opposite sides of the second gear. The opposite sides of the second gear are both provided with a notch matched with the limiting columns.

6. The electric valve actuator according to claim 1, wherein: At least two positioning cavities are provided on the housing. The positioning cavities are arranged corresponding to the positioning posts on the electric valve body, and one of the positioning cavities is arranged opposite to the output shaft.

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