Electric bolt

Abstract

The application provides an electric latch, and relates to the technical field of electric latches.The application retains the appearance and most of the structure of the prior art, realizes the function of the electric latch, effectively solves the problem of easy jamming by replacing the double-sided cam and the corresponding structure with a special screw and nut structure, improves the stability of the equipment, and the hardware cost of the screw and nut structure is lower than that of the double-sided cam structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric latch technology, and more specifically to an electric latch. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of automated radar deployment and locking technologies, the application of electric latches is becoming increasingly widespread. An electric latch is a drive device that converts the rotary motion of a motor into the reciprocating linear motion of a latch. To achieve automatic extension and retraction functions, proximity switches (or micro switches) are typically used to control the start and stop of the electric latch.

[0003] The existing patent publication number (CN113503292A) describes an electric latch, which uses a double-sided cam to drive the detection block to reciprocate radially to realize the opening and closing of the proximity switch, thereby controlling the start and stop of the latch. The two proximity switches are respectively arranged on both sides of the frame and have a small axial dimension.

[0004] However, the inventors found in long-term use that the double-sided cam of the above solution has high processing and manufacturing costs, and at this size, the detection block is prone to jamming when reciprocating on both sides of the double-sided cam, resulting in low reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an electric latch that solves the problem of low equipment reliability caused by the reciprocating motion of the detection block on both sides of the double-sided cam without making significant modifications to the structure and appearance of the existing technology CN113503292A.

[0007] (II) Technical Solution

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] An electric latch, comprising:

[0010] The frame includes a base and a housing, the housing being mounted on the base; and the housing having an internal mounting hole; the inner wall of the mounting hole having two axially oriented detection holes communicating with the outside of the housing; and the inner wall of the mounting hole having an axially oriented guide groove.

[0011] The drive mechanism is fixedly mounted on the frame;

[0012] A latch, wherein the latch is movably fitted onto the end of the housing away from the drive mechanism;

[0013] The screw includes a first external thread portion, a second external thread portion, and a connecting portion, wherein the first external thread portion is located between the connecting portion and the second external thread portion; the screw is rotatably connected in the mounting hole, and the connecting portion of the screw is connected to the drive mechanism.

[0014] The first nut is screwed onto the first external thread portion; and the first nut is provided with a first guide structure that matches the shape of the guide groove; through the forward / reverse rotation of the drive mechanism, the cooperation of the first external thread portion, the first guide structure and the guide groove, the first nut reciprocates along the axial direction between the two detection holes.

[0015] The second nut is screwed onto the second external thread, and the end of the second nut away from the drive mechanism is fixedly connected to the pin; the second nut is provided with a second guide structure that matches the shape of the guide groove; through the forward / reverse rotation of the drive mechanism, the cooperation of the second external thread, the second guide structure and the guide groove, the second nut moves in the same direction when the first nut moves axially;

[0016] A first proximity switch and a second proximity switch, wherein the first proximity switch is disposed in a detection hole near the drive mechanism; and the second proximity switch is disposed in another detection hole.

[0017] Furthermore, the two detection holes and the guide groove are located on the same side of the housing, and the opening of the detection hole is located inside the guide groove.

[0018] Furthermore, the first guide structure is a block-shaped object that matches the shape of the guide groove on the outer circular surface of the first nut, and the second guide structure is a block-shaped object that matches the shape of the guide groove on the outer circular surface of the second nut.

[0019] Furthermore, the first proximity switch and the second proximity switch become energized when the distance between the object and its sensing surface is less than or equal to the operating distance; and become de-energized when the distance between the object and its sensing surface exceeds the operating distance.

[0020] Furthermore, when the first nut approaches the first proximity switch and the second nut approaches the second proximity switch, the stroke of the first proximity switch and the second nut is such that the pin is in the unlocked position.

[0021] When only the first nut approaches the second proximity switch, both the first and second nuts reach their maximum stroke, and the pin is locked in place.

[0022] Furthermore, the maximum stroke of the second nut is the same as the extension length of the pin.

[0023] Furthermore, the housing is provided with a first limiting structure to prevent the pin from moving further when it is in the unlocked position, and the inner wall of the mounting hole is provided with a second limiting structure to prevent the second nut from moving further when it is in the locked position.

[0024] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0025] This invention provides an electric latch. Compared with the prior art, it has the following advantages:

[0026] While retaining the appearance and most of the structure of the prior art, this invention realizes the function of an electric latch. By replacing the double-sided cam and its corresponding structure with a special screw and nut structure, the problem of easy jamming is effectively solved, the stability of the equipment is improved, and the hardware cost of the screw and nut is lower than that of the double-sided cam solution. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure when the device is in the unlocked position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of region A in the middle;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure when the device is locked in place according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the figure: Frame 1; Base 11; Housing 12; Mounting hole 121; Detection hole 122; Guide groove 123; First limiting structure 124; Second limiting structure 125; Drive mechanism 2; Pin 3; Screw 4; First external thread 41; Second external thread 42; Connecting part 43; First nut 5; First guide structure 51; Second nut 6; Second guide structure 61; First proximity switch 7; Second proximity switch 8. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are described clearly and completely. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] This application provides an electric latch that solves the problem of low equipment reliability caused by the reciprocating motion of the detection block on both sides of the double-sided cam, without making significant modifications to the structure and appearance of the prior art CN113503292A. The inventors believe that the main technical difficulties of this invention lie in the following two points:

[0035] 1. Discovering technical problems is inherently difficult;

[0036] 2. How to solve the above-mentioned technical problems without making significant changes to the structure and appearance of the existing technology CN113503292A.

[0037] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0038] Example 1:

[0039] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the present invention provides an electric latch, comprising:

[0040] The frame 1 includes a base 11 and a housing 12, the housing 12 being disposed on the base 11; and the housing 12 having an installation hole 121 inside; the inner wall of the installation hole 121 having two detection holes 122 communicating with the outside of the housing 12 along the axial direction; and the inner wall of the installation hole 121 having a guide groove 123 along the axial direction.

[0041] In specific implementation, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, the two detection holes 122 and the guide groove 123 can be located on the same side of the housing 12, and the opening of the detection hole 122 is located inside the guide groove 123. Furthermore, the housing 12 can be further provided with... Figure 4 The first limiting structure 124 in the middle is used when it is in such a state Figures 2-3 When the lock is in the unlocked position, the pin 3 is prevented from moving further. For example, a raised platform can be provided on the outer surface of the housing 12 so that when the lock is in the unlocked position, the end face of the pin 3 abuts against it, thus achieving the function of limiting the movement.

[0042] The drive mechanism 2 is fixedly mounted on the frame 1; in specific implementation, the drive mechanism 2 can be a geared motor, which can be fixed on the base 11.

[0043] Pin 3 is movably sleeved on the end of housing 12 away from drive mechanism 2.

[0044] Screw 4, such as Figure 2 , 4 As shown, the screw 4 includes a first external thread portion 41, a second external thread portion 42, and a connecting portion 43. The first external thread portion 41 is located between the connecting portion 43 and the second external thread portion 42. The screw 4 is rotatably connected in the mounting hole 121, and the connecting portion 43 of the screw 4 is connected to the drive mechanism 2.

[0045] In specific implementation, the inner hole of the output shaft of the geared motor is fixedly connected to the connecting part 43 of the screw 4; and the screw 4 is a highly integrated design, and the bearing set in the mounting hole 121 realizes the support and rotation functions of the screw 4; the first external thread part 41 is a fine-tooth external thread design.

[0046] First nut 5, refer to Figures 2-4 As shown, the first nut 5 is screwed onto the first external thread portion 41; and the first nut 5 is provided with a first guide structure 51 that matches the shape of the guide groove 123. The first nut 5 is slidably connected to the guide groove 123, so that under the cooperation of the forward / reverse rotation of the drive mechanism 2, the first external thread portion 41, the first guide structure 51 and the guide groove 123, the first nut 5 can reciprocate along the axial direction between the two detection holes 122; in a specific implementation, the first guide structure 51 is a block-shaped object that matches the shape of the guide groove 123 and is provided on the outer circular surface of the first nut 5.

[0047] Second nut 6, as shown Figures 2-4As shown, the second nut 6 is screwed onto the second external thread portion 42, and the end of the second nut 6 away from the drive mechanism 2 is fixedly connected to the pin 3. The second nut 6 is provided with a second guide structure 61 that matches the shape of the guide groove 123, so that when the first nut 5 moves axially, the second nut 6 moves in the same direction as the first nut 5. Specifically, when the first nut 5 moves to its maximum stroke, the second nut 6 also reaches its maximum stroke, and the maximum stroke of the second nut 6 is the same as the extension length of the pin 3. In a specific implementation, the pin 3 can be fixed to the top of the second nut 6 by screws, and the second guide structure 61 is a block-shaped object that matches the shape of the guide groove 123 on the outer circular surface of the second nut 6. Similar to the first limiting structure 124, a second limiting structure 125 can also be provided on the inner wall of the mounting hole 121 to prevent the second nut 6 from moving further when it is in the locked position. For example, another raised platform can be provided on the inner wall of the mounting hole 121 so that when it is in the locked position, the end face of the second nut 6 abuts against it, thereby achieving the limiting function.

[0048] A first proximity switch 7 and a second proximity switch 8 are respectively fixedly disposed in the two detection holes 122. When the distance between the detected object and its sensing surface is less than or equal to the operating distance, the first proximity switch 7 becomes energized; when the distance between the detected object and its sensing surface is greater than the operating distance, the second proximity switch 8 becomes de-energized. In a specific implementation, the first proximity switch 7 is disposed in one detection hole 122 closer to the drive mechanism 2; the second proximity switch 8 is disposed in one detection hole 122 farther from the drive mechanism 2.

[0049] When both the first proximity switch 7 and the second proximity switch 8 are energized, that is, when the first nut 5 is close to the first proximity switch 7 and the second nut 6 is close to the second proximity switch 8, the travel of the two nuts is 0, that is, the pin 3 is unlocked.

[0050] When only the second proximity switch 8 is energized, that is, when only the first nut 5 is close to the second proximity switch 8, both nuts reach their maximum stroke, that is, the pin 3 is locked in place.

[0051] The working process of the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below:

[0052] ① The change of the electric latch from the unlocked position to the locked position, such as... Figures 2 to 4 As shown:

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, when the electric latch is in the unlocked position, the first nut 5 is close to the first proximity switch 7, and at the same time the second nut 6 is close to the second proximity switch 8. Both the first proximity switch 7 and the second proximity switch 8 are energized.

[0054] At this time, the drive mechanism 2 drives the screw 4 to rotate in the forward direction. Due to the limiting effect of the first guide structure 51 and the second guide structure 61 on the first nut 5 and the second nut 6, both the first nut 5 and the second nut 6 move to the left. When the stroke of the first nut 5 and the second nut 6 exceeds the operating distance of the sensing surface of the first proximity switch 7 and the second proximity switch 8, the first proximity switch 7 and the second proximity switch 8 become de-energized. The drive mechanism 2 continues to drive the screw 4 to rotate until the first nut 5 moves to its maximum stroke. At this time, the first nut 5 enters the operating distance of the sensing surface of the second proximity switch 8, causing the second proximity switch 8 to become energized again. At the same time, the first proximity switch 7 remains de-energized. Figure 4 As shown, in this state, a command will be sent to drive mechanism 2 to stop working, and the electric latch will be locked in place.

[0055] ② The change of the electric latch from the unlocked position to the locked position, such as... Figures 4 to 2 As shown:

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, when the electric latch is in the locked position, the first nut 5 moves to the sensing surface of the second proximity switch 8, making the second proximity switch 8 energized, while the first proximity switch 7 is de-energized.

[0057] At this time, the drive mechanism 2 drives the screw 4 to rotate in the opposite direction. Due to the limiting effect of the first guide structure 51 and the second guide structure 61 on the first nut 5 and the second nut 6, both the first nut 5 and the second nut 6 move to the right. When the position of the first nut 5 exceeds the operating distance of the second proximity switch 8, both the first proximity switch 7 and the second proximity switch 8 are de-energized. The drive mechanism 2 continues to drive the screw 4 to rotate until the first nut 5 returns to its original position. Figure 2 The position shown is in the unlocked state. At this time, the first nut 5 and the second nut 6 are respectively within the action distance of the sensing surface of the first proximity switch 7 and the second proximity switch 8, so that the first proximity switch 7 and the second proximity switch 8 become energized again. In this state, a command will be sent to the drive mechanism 2 to stop working, and the electric latch is in the unlocked state.

[0058] In summary, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0059] While retaining the appearance and most of the structure of the prior art, this invention realizes the function of an electric latch. By replacing the double-sided cam and its corresponding structure with a special screw and nut structure, the problem of easy jamming is effectively solved, the stability of the equipment is improved, and the hardware cost of the screw and nut is lower than that of the double-sided cam solution.

[0060] It should be noted that, through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that each embodiment can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Based on this understanding, the above technical solutions, in essence or the parts that contribute to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of software products. These computer software products can be stored in computer-readable storage media, such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disks, optical disks, etc., and include several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in various embodiments or certain portions of the embodiments. In this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0061] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric latch, characterized in that, include: A frame (1) is provided, comprising a base (11) and a housing (12), wherein the housing (12) is disposed on the base (11); and an installation hole (121) is provided inside the housing (12); two detection holes (122) communicating with the outside of the housing (12) are provided on the inner wall of the installation hole (121) along the axial direction; and a guide groove (123) is provided on the inner wall of the installation hole (121) along the axial direction. A drive mechanism (2) is fixedly mounted on the frame (1); A pin (3) is movably sleeved on the end of the housing (12) away from the drive mechanism (2); The screw (4) includes a first external thread (41), a second external thread (42), and a connecting part (43). The first external thread (41) is located between the connecting part (43) and the second external thread (42). The screw (4) is rotatably connected in the mounting hole (121), and the connecting part (43) of the screw (4) is connected to the drive mechanism (2). The first nut (5) is screwed onto the first external thread (41); and the first nut (5) is provided with a first guide structure (51) matching the shape of the guide groove (123); through the forward / reverse rotation of the drive mechanism (2), the cooperation of the first external thread (41), the first guide structure (51) and the guide groove (123), the first nut (5) reciprocates along the axial direction between the two detection holes (122); The second nut (6) is screwed onto the second external thread (42), and the end of the second nut (6) away from the drive mechanism (2) is fixedly connected to the pin (3); the second nut (6) is provided with a second guide structure (61) matching the shape of the guide groove (123); through the forward / reverse rotation of the drive mechanism (2), the cooperation of the second external thread (42), the second guide structure (61) and the guide groove (123), when the first nut (5) moves axially, the second nut (6) moves in the same direction; A first proximity switch (7) and a second proximity switch (8), wherein the first proximity switch (7) is disposed in a detection hole (122) near the drive mechanism (2); and the second proximity switch (8) is disposed in another detection hole (122).

2. The electric latch as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two detection holes (122) and the guide groove (123) are located on the same side of the housing (12), and the opening of the detection hole (122) is located in the guide groove (123).

3. An electric latch as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide structure (51) is a block-shaped object that matches the shape of the guide groove (123) on the outer circular surface of the first nut (5), and the second guide structure (61) is a block-shaped object that matches the shape of the guide groove (123) on the outer circular surface of the second nut (6).

4. An electric latch as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first proximity switch (7) and the second proximity switch (8) are energized when the distance between the object and its sensing surface is less than or equal to the operating distance; and de-energized when the distance between the object and its sensing surface exceeds the operating distance.

5. An electric latch as described in claim 4, characterized in that, When the first nut (5) approaches the first proximity switch (7) and the second nut (6) approaches the second proximity switch (8), the stroke of the first proximity switch (7) and the second nut (6) is 0, and the pin (3) is in the unlocked position. When only the first nut (5) is close to the second proximity switch (8), both the first nut (5) and the second nut (6) reach their maximum stroke, and the pin (3) is locked in place.

6. An electric latch as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The maximum stroke of the second nut (6) is the same as the extension length of the pin (3).

7. An electric latch as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (12) is provided with a first limiting structure (124) to prevent the pin (3) from moving further when it is in the unlocked position. The inner wall of the mounting hole (121) is provided with a second limiting structure (125) to prevent the second nut (6) from moving further when it is in the locked position.

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