Flexible bearings

Abstract

The present invention discloses a flexible bearing, which belongs to the field of bearings and includes a bearing seat, an inner ring, an outer ring and at least two springs. The inner ring and the outer ring are coaxially arranged, and the inner ring is located inside the outer ring. Each spring includes an outer ring, a plurality of blades and an inner ring. The blades are flexible blades. The outer ring and the inner ring are coaxially arranged, and the plurality of blades are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The two ends of the blades are respectively connected to the outer ring and the inner ring. At least two springs are respectively located at the two ends of the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner ring, the outer ring and the at least two springs are installed in the bearing seat. Through the above design, at least two springs of the flexible bearing are connected by the coaxial line of the inner and outer rings. The structure has large rotational flexibility and high off-axis stiffness. It can realize frictionless relative rotation of the inner and outer rings, solve the measurement error caused by friction, has high lateral stiffness, solves the vibration sensitivity of the measurement method, and the detection accuracy does not depend on the levelness of the whole machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bearings, in particular to flexible bearings. Background Art

[0002] A thrombelastograph (TEG) is an analyzer that monitors the coagulation process through the dynamic processes of platelet aggregation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. Monitoring the physical properties of a blood clot is based on the following principle: a stationary cylindrical cup containing blood rotates at a low speed and at a shallow angle. The movement of the blood sample is monitored by a measuring rod immersed in the blood sample. A fibrin-platelet complex bonds the cylindrical cup and measuring rod together, transmitting the rotational force generated by the cylindrical cup to the measuring rod in the blood sample. The strength of the fibrin-platelet complex influences the amplitude of the measuring rod's movement, so that a strong clot can synchronize the measuring rod's movement with that of the cylindrical cup. Therefore, the amplitude of the measuring rod's movement is directly related to the strength of the formed clot. When the clot retracts or dissolves, the measuring rod loses its connection to the clot, and the cylindrical cup's movement is no longer transmitted to the measuring rod. The measuring rod's rotation is detected by a sensor. Compared to traditional techniques, this technology allows for visualization of the entire coagulation process.

[0003] During the above measurement process, the stress generated by the change in blood viscosity is very small, and the resulting angle change is also very small, so there are two key points in the detection: 1. Small friction; 2. High-precision angular resolution.

[0004] Existing detection devices generally use ball bearings for measurement. The fluctuation of ball bearing resistance leads to measurement curve errors. The friction resistance is large, and there are clearance and runout errors. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a flexible bearing with no clearance, no friction, only rotational freedom, and high axial stiffness.

[0006] One of the purposes of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solution:

[0007] A flexible bearing comprises a bearing seat, an inner ring, an outer ring and at least two springs, wherein the inner ring is coaxially arranged with the outer ring, and the inner ring is located inside the outer ring; each spring comprises an outer ring, a plurality of blades and an inner ring, and the blades are flexible blades; the outer ring and the inner ring are coaxially arranged with the plurality of blades located between the outer ring and the inner ring; the two ends of the blades are respectively connected to the outer ring and the inner ring; at least two springs are respectively located at the two ends of the inner ring and the outer ring; the inner ring, the outer ring and at least two springs are installed in the bearing seat.

[0008] Furthermore, the blades are made of polypropylene or beryllium copper.

[0009] Furthermore, the blade is a straight beam or a curved surface.

[0010] Furthermore, the blades are arc-shaped.

[0011] Furthermore, the number of the blades is greater than or equal to three.

[0012] Furthermore, the flexible bearing also includes a limiting structure and two limiting rings, the limiting structure includes a mounting shaft and limiting blocks fixed at both ends of the mounting shaft, each limiting ring is provided with a limiting hole, the two limiting rings are respectively located at at least two ends of the spring leaves away from the outer ring, and the limiting blocks cooperate with the limiting holes.

[0013] Furthermore, the limiting hole is a tapered hole, the cross section of the limiting block is tapered, and the limiting block is located in the tapered hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the installation shaft is partially located inside the inner ring, and the installation shaft is coaxial with the inner ring.

[0015] Furthermore, the limiting structure further includes at least two magnets, and the at least two magnets are respectively installed on the limiting block and the limiting ring, and the magnetic poles of at least two magnets are the same.

[0016] Furthermore, the flexible bearing also includes a limiting structure, and the limiting structure also includes a limiting pin. The limiting pin is installed on the inner ring, and the outer ring is provided with a limiting groove. The limiting pin extends into the limiting groove. When the inner ring rotates to the extreme position relative to the outer ring, the limiting pin contacts the side wall of the limiting groove.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the flexible bearing of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0018] (1) The flexible bearing has at least two springs connected by the inner and outer rings on a coaxial line. This structure has large rotational flexibility and high off-axis stiffness, which can achieve frictionless relative rotation of the inner and outer rings.

[0019] (2) The inner ring is provided with a limit structure, and the limit block and the limit ring limit the axial displacement and axis deviation to prevent plastic deformation caused by overload;

[0020] (3) The limit pin extends into the limit groove. When the inner ring rotates to the limit position relative to the outer ring, the limit pin contacts the side wall of the limit groove, limiting the rotation range of the inner ring relative to the outer ring;

[0021] (4) At least two magnets are respectively installed on the limit block and the limit ring, and the magnetic poles of at least two magnets are the same. The interaction between the magnetic poles is used to keep the inner and outer rings in a coaxial state under disturbance, thereby reducing external impact interference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is an assembly diagram of the flexible bearing of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a bearing seat of a flexible bearing;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the reed of the flexible bearing;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the limiting structure of the flexible bearing;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the flexible bearing;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a flexible bearing.

[0028] In the figure: 11, bearing seat; 110, first mounting part; 111, step; 112, second mounting part; 113, mounting hole; 114, mounting groove; 12, inner ring; 13, outer ring; 130, limiting groove; 14, spring; 140, outer ring; 141, blade; 142, inner ring; 15, limiting structure; 150, mounting shaft; 151, limiting block; 152, limiting pin; 16, limiting ring; 160, limiting hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only 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 making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may be another intermediate component through which it is fixed. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be another intermediate component at the same time. When a component is considered to be "set on" another component, it may be directly set on the other component or there may be another intermediate component at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used in this specification of the present invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] Figures 1 to 6 The flexible bearing of the present invention includes a bearing seat 11 , an inner ring 12 , an outer ring 13 , a spring 14 , a limiting structure 15 and a limiting ring 16 .

[0033] The bearing seat 11 includes a first mounting portion 110, a step 111 and a second mounting portion 112. The step 111 is located between the first mounting portion 110 and the second mounting portion 112. The first mounting portion 110, the step 111 and the second mounting portion 112 are integrally formed. The bearing seat 11 is also provided with a mounting hole 113, which passes through the first mounting portion 110, the step 111 and the second mounting portion 112. A boss is provided on the inner wall of the mounting hole 113 to form a mounting position. The side wall of the first mounting portion 110 is provided with a mounting groove 114, which is used for the limit pin 152 to extend into and be fixed to the mounting shaft 150.

[0034] The inner ring 12 is cylindrical and hollow, and is used to mount the mounting shaft 150 of the limiting structure 15 .

[0035] The outer ring 13 is cylindrical and hollow, with a diameter greater than that of the inner ring 12. Several limiting grooves 130 are provided on the sidewall of the outer ring 13. These grooves 130 are evenly distributed and located at the same level. Each limiting groove 130 extends circumferentially and has a rectangular shape. The limiting grooves 130 limit the rotation angle of the inner ring 12 relative to the outer ring 13.

[0036] There are at least two reeds 14. In this embodiment, there are two reeds 14. In other embodiments, the number of reeds 14 may be four or six. Each reed 14 comprises an outer ring 140, multiple blades 141, and an inner ring 142. The outer ring 140 is annular, with an outer diameter equal to that of the outer ring 13. The inner diameter of the outer ring 140 is equal to that of the outer ring 13. The blades 141 are flexible and made of polypropylene or beryllium copper. They can be straight beams or curved surfaces. In this embodiment, the blades 141 are arc-shaped. There are at least three blades 141. Each blade 141 is located between the outer ring 140 and the inner ring 142, with one end connected to the outer ring 140 and the other end connected to the inner ring 142. The blades 141, outer ring 140, and inner ring 142 are of equal height, ensuring uniform contact when external forces are applied. The plurality of blades 141 are evenly distributed.

[0037] The limiting structure 15 includes a mounting shaft 150, a limiting block 151, a limiting pin 152 and a magnet. The mounting shaft 150 is partially located inside the inner ring 12 and extends from the inner ring 12 at both ends. The mounting shaft 150 is coaxially arranged with the inner ring 12. There are two limiting blocks 151, and the two limiting blocks 151 are fixed at both ends of the mounting shaft 150. The cross-section of the limiting block 151 is conical, the large end of the limiting block 151 is away from the mounting shaft 150, and the small end of the limiting block 151 is connected to the mounting shaft 150. The limiting pin 152 passes through the mounting shaft 150 and the inner ring 12. The limiting pin 152 is perpendicular to the mounting shaft 150 and fixed to the mounting shaft 150. The end of the limiting pin 152 is located in the limiting groove 130 of the outer ring 13. There are multiple magnets, and the multiple magnets are arranged in pairs. In this embodiment, two pairs of magnets are provided, and each pair of magnets includes two magnets with the same magnetic poles. One magnet in a pair of magnets is fixed to the limit block 151, and the other magnet is fixed to the limit ring 16. The magnetic poles interact with each other to keep the inner ring 12 and the outer ring 13 coaxial under disturbance, thereby reducing external impact interference.

[0038] When assembling the flexible bearing, the spring 14 and outer ring 13 are sequentially placed within the mounting hole 113 of the bearing seat 11. The inner ring 12 is positioned over the mounting shaft 150 and extends into the mounting hole 113, with the end of the inner ring 12 contacting the inner ring 142 of the spring 14. Another spring 14 is placed on top of the outer ring 13, with the inner ring 142 of the spring 14 contacting the inner ring 12. A stop ring 16 is positioned above the spring 14, with a stop block 151 placed in the stop hole 160 and secured to the end of the mounting shaft 150. Another stop ring 16 is placed at the other end of the bearing seat 11, with another stop block 151 placed in the stop hole 160 and secured to the other end of the mounting shaft 150. A stop pin 152 extends through the mounting shaft 150 and the inner ring 12. The stop pin 152 is perpendicular to and secured to the mounting shaft 150. The end of the stop pin 152 is positioned within the stop groove 130 of the outer ring 13. One of the pair of magnets is fixed to the limiting block 151 , and the other magnet is fixed to the limiting ring 16 .

[0039] When using a flexible bearing, its stopper 151 is connected to a probe. During testing, the cup lid is mounted on the probe, and the rotational motion between the cup body and cup head measures changes in blood viscoelasticity during blood coagulation. During rotation, the stopper 151 and the stop ring 16 limit axial displacement and axis deviation, preventing plastic deformation caused by overload. When the inner ring 12 rotates to its limit relative to the outer ring 13, the stop pin 152 contacts the sidewall of the stop slot 130, limiting the range of rotation of the inner ring 12 relative to the outer ring 13. At least two magnets have identical magnetic poles, and the interaction between the poles keeps the inner and outer rings 12 and 13 coaxial under disturbance, reducing external impact interference. Furthermore, the flexible bearing's at least two reeds 14 are coaxially connected by the inner and outer rings 140. This structure offers high rotational flexibility and high off-axis stiffness, enabling frictionless relative rotation of the inner and outer rings 140.

[0040] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention, and while their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patented invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These variations and improvements are equivalent modifications and improvements to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention and fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible bearing, comprising a bearing seat, characterized in that: The flexible bearing also includes an inner ring, an outer ring and at least two springs, the inner ring and the outer ring are coaxially arranged, the inner ring is located inside the outer ring, each of the springs includes an outer ring, a plurality of blades and an inner ring, the blades are flexible blades, the outer ring and the inner ring are coaxially arranged, a plurality of the blades are located between the outer ring and the inner ring, the two ends of the blades are respectively connected to the outer ring and the inner ring, at least two springs are respectively located at the two ends of the inner ring and the outer ring, the inner ring, the outer ring and the at least two springs are installed in the bearing seat, the flexible bearing also includes a limiting structure, the limiting structure also includes a limiting pin, the limiting pin is installed on the inner ring, the outer ring is provided with a limiting groove, the limiting pin extends into the limiting groove, when the inner ring rotates to the limit position relative to the outer ring, the limiting pin contacts the side wall of the limiting groove.

2. The flexible bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blades are made of polypropylene or beryllium copper.

3. The flexible bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blade is a straight beam or a curved surface.

4. The flexible bearing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The blades are arc-shaped.

5. The flexible bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the blades is greater than or equal to three.

6. The flexible bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The flexible bearing also includes a limiting structure and two limiting rings. The limiting structure includes a mounting shaft and limiting blocks fixed at both ends of the mounting shaft. Each limiting ring is provided with a limiting hole. The two limiting rings are respectively located at one end of at least two spring leaves away from the outer ring, and the limiting blocks cooperate with the limiting holes.

7. The flexible bearing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The limiting hole is a tapered hole, the cross section of the limiting block is tapered, and the limiting block is located in the tapered hole.

8. The flexible bearing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The installation shaft is partially located inside the inner ring, and the installation shaft is coaxial with the inner ring.

9. The flexible bearing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The limiting structure further includes at least two magnets, and the at least two magnets are respectively installed on the limiting block and the limiting ring, and the magnetic poles of the at least two magnets are the same.

Images