An underwater robot cable oil pressure quick connector

Abstract

The present application relates to underwater robot technical field, especially underwater robot cable oil pressure quick connector. Including pipeline I, female head quick connector, male head quick connector and pipeline II, wherein female head quick connector is sealedly connected at the end of pipeline I, and is connected with the cable in pipeline I;Male head quick connector is sealedly connected at the end of pipeline II, and is connected with the cable in pipeline II, female head quick connector and male head quick connector are connected, realize the electrical signal and oil circuit conduction of pipeline I and pipeline II, female head quick connector and male head quick connector are separated, realize the electrical signal and oil circuit break of pipeline I and pipeline II, and female head quick connector and male head quick connector can realize self sealing.The present application is compact, can resist 6000 meters water depth, realizes the on-off and quick disassembly of underwater live oil pipe, improves the maintainability of underwater robot related equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater robot technology, and in particular to a hydraulic quick-connect coupling for underwater robots. Background Technology

[0002] Underwater robots are affected by external water pressure, and their internal equipment and electronics compartments undergo pressure compensation via oil pipes. For equipment or compartments with high watertightness requirements, oil pipes are also used to connect to hydraulic pressure compensators and hydraulic cable distribution compartments. For certain electrically powered equipment, such as electromagnets and thrusters, power cables are also routed within the oil pipes. For maintainability, the oil pipes connecting the equipment / electronics compartment and the external hydraulic pressure compensator are equipped with quick-connect couplings. When maintenance is required, the connection between the equipment / electronics compartment and the hydraulic pressure compensator is achieved by disconnecting the quick-connect couplings. When hydraulic pressure compensation is needed, the two quick-connect couplings are reconnected. In the field of underwater robots, existing quick-connect couplings can only switch on / off gas and hydraulic fluid, and are not suitable for oil pipes containing internal cables. Furthermore, when maintaining equipment with cable-containing oil pipes, such as electromagnets, the presence of the cables often prevents disconnection of the oil pipes, significantly reducing the maintainability of such equipment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a quick-connect coupling that can simultaneously switch on / off electrical signals and hydraulic fluid. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a hydraulic quick-connect coupling for underwater robots. Compared to traditional hydraulic quick-connect couplings, this structure features the ability to transmit electrical signals, achieve synchronous switching of electrical signals and hydraulic fluid, and facilitate maintenance.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] This invention provides a hydraulic quick-connect coupling for an underwater robot cable, comprising a conduit I, a female quick-connect coupling, a male quick-connect coupling, and a conduit II. The female quick-connect coupling is sealed and connected to the end of conduit I and to the cable inside conduit I. The male quick-connect coupling is sealed and connected to the end of conduit II and to the cable inside conduit II. When the female and male quick-connect couplings are connected, electrical signals and hydraulic circuits are connected between conduit I and conduit II. When the female and male quick-connect couplings are separated, electrical signals and hydraulic circuits are disconnected between conduit I and conduit II. Both the female and male quick-connect couplings are self-sealing.

[0006] Both pipeline I and pipeline II include an oil pipe, cable A, cable B, and an oil nozzle. The oil pipe is connected to the oil nozzle via a hose clamp, and the oil nozzle is threadedly connected to the female quick connector or the male quick connector and sealed by an oil nozzle sealing ring. Cable A and cable B are housed within the oil pipe and are connected to the female quick connector or the male quick connector.

[0007] The female quick connector includes a female base, a locking assembly, and a slider unit I. The slider unit I is housed within the female base and slides within it. The slider unit I is connected to cables A and B of the conduit I. A connector sealing ring is provided on the inner side of the front end of the female base, and the locking assembly is located on the outer side of the front end of the female base for locking the female quick connector and the male quick connector after they are connected.

[0008] The locking assembly includes a quick-release ring, a quick-release ring spring, a shaft wire retaining ring, and multiple steel balls. The multiple steel balls are respectively housed in multiple receiving holes arranged circumferentially at the front end of the female head base. The quick-release ring is sleeved on the front end of the female head base and is axially limited by the shaft wire retaining ring. The quick-release ring is used to lock the steel balls. The quick-release ring spring is sleeved on the female head base, and its two ends abut against the female head base and the quick-release ring, respectively.

[0009] The male quick connector includes a male base and a slider unit II, wherein the slider unit II is housed within the male base and slides with the male base, and the slider unit II is connected to cables A and B of the conduit II.

[0010] The slider unit I and slider unit II have the same structure, both including a slider spring, a slider, a slider sealing ring, a pin electrode, and an annular electrode. The slider slides in conjunction with the female head base or the male head base. The pin electrode and the annular electrode are both disposed on the front end face of the slider, with the pin electrode located inside the annular electrode. Cable A and cable B pass through the slider and are respectively connected to the pin electrode and the annular electrode. A slider sealing ring is disposed on the outer side of the front end of the slider. The slider spring is disposed at the rear end of the slider and abuts against the limiting structure inside the female head base or the male head base. The slider spring is used for the slider to reset.

[0011] The slider includes a head and a tail, wherein both ends of the head are conical structures; the tail is a bushing structure and is fitted onto the rear end of the head, with a gap between the tail and the head, and the inner wall of the tail is connected to the head by multiple internal ribs arranged circumferentially.

[0012] The front conical surface of the head is provided with a circumferential groove, and a slider sealing ring is embedded in the groove; when the female quick connector and the male quick connector are disconnected, the slider sealing ring achieves a seal between the slider and the female base or the male base.

[0013] The limiting structure includes a wire retaining ring for the hole and a spring retainer. The wire retaining ring for the hole is engaged in a groove inside the female head base or the male head base. The spring retainer is axially limited by the wire retaining ring for the hole and abuts against the rear end of the slider spring.

[0014] When the female quick connector and the male quick connector are mated, the pin electrodes on both sides contact each other, and the annular electrodes on both sides contact each other, thus establishing an electrical signal connection. Furthermore, when the slider unit I and the slider unit II contact each other, displacement occurs, thus connecting the oil passages. When the male quick connector is inserted into the female quick connector, the connector sealing ring seals against the outer wall of the front section of the male base. When the female quick connector and the male quick connector are disconnected, the slider unit I and the slider unit II, under the action of their respective slider springs, press the slider sealing ring, thus sealing the oil passages of the male quick connector and the female quick connector and preventing leakage.

[0015] The advantages and positive effects of this invention are as follows:

[0016] 1. Wide applicability of the invention: The sealing structure of the invention can withstand the pressure of water depths of up to 6,000 meters, covering most of the world's ocean areas and is suitable for most underwater robots.

[0017] 2. This invention solves the problem that traditional connectors cannot transmit electrical signals: This invention proposes a quick connector solution for synchronously transmitting electrical signals and oil.

[0018] 3. This invention improves the convenience of equipment maintenance: This invention enables the switching of oil and electrical signals between related equipment, thereby improving the convenience of equipment maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hydraulic quick connector for an underwater robot according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the female quick connector in this invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the male quick connector in this invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the slider unit in this invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is an isometric view of the slider unit in this invention;

[0024] In the diagram: 1 is the oil pipe, 2 is cable A, 3 is cable B, 4 is the oil nozzle, 5 is the female connector base, 6 is the wire retaining ring for the hole, 7 is the spring retaining ring, 8 is the quick-release ring, 9 is the quick-release ring spring, 10 is the wire retaining ring for the shaft, 11 is the steel ball, 12 is the ejector electrode, 13 is the annular electrode, 14 is the connector sealing ring, 15 is the slider sealing ring, 16 is the slider, 161 is the head, 162 is the annular groove, 163 is the inner rib plate, 164 is the tail, 17 is the slider spring, 18 is the oil nozzle sealing ring, 100 is pipe I, 200 is the female quick connector, 300 is the male quick connector, and 400 is pipe II. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific examples.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a hydraulic quick-connect coupling for an underwater robot cable, comprising a conduit I 100, a female quick-connect coupling 200, a male quick-connect coupling 300, and a conduit II 400. The female quick-connect coupling 200 is sealed to the end of conduit I 100 and connected to the cable within conduit I 100. The male quick-connect coupling 300 is sealed to the end of conduit II 400 and connected to the cable within conduit II 400. When the female quick-connect coupling 200 and the male quick-connect coupling 300 are connected, electrical signals and hydraulic circuits are connected between conduit I 100 and conduit II 400. When the female quick-connect coupling 200 and the male quick-connect coupling 300 are separated, electrical signals and hydraulic circuits between conduit I 100 and conduit II 400 are disconnected. Both the female quick-connect coupling 200 and the male quick-connect coupling 300 are self-sealing to prevent oil leakage at both ends. This invention features a compact structure, can withstand water depths of up to 6,000 meters, and enables the switching and rapid assembly / disassembly of underwater electrified oil pipes, thereby improving the maintainability of underwater robot-related equipment.

[0027] like Figure 2-3 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, both pipeline I 100 and pipeline II 400 include an oil pipe 1, cable A2, cable B3, and nozzle 4, wherein the oil pipe 1 is connected to the nozzle 4 via a hose clamp. In pipeline I 100, the nozzle 4 is threadedly connected to a female quick connector 200 and sealed by a nozzle sealing ring 18; cable A2 and cable B3 are housed within the oil pipe 1 and connected to the female quick connector 200. In pipeline II 400, the nozzle 4 is threadedly connected to a male quick connector 300 and sealed by a nozzle sealing ring 18; cable A2 and cable B3 are housed within the oil pipe 1 and connected to the male quick connector 300.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the female quick connector 200 includes a female base 5, a locking assembly, and a slider unit I. The slider unit I is housed within the female base 5 and slides in cooperation with the female base 5. The slider unit I is connected to cables A2 and B3 of the pipeline I 100. A connector sealing ring 14 is provided on the inner side of the front end of the female base 5. The locking assembly is provided on the outer side of the front end of the female base 5 for locking the female quick connector 200 and the male quick connector 300 after docking.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking assembly includes a quick-release ring 8, a quick-release ring spring 9, a shaft wire retaining ring 10, and a plurality of steel balls 11. The plurality of steel balls 11 are respectively housed in a plurality of receiving holes provided circumferentially at the front end of the female head base 5. The quick-release ring 8 is sleeved on the front end of the female head base 5 and is axially limited by the shaft wire retaining ring 10. The quick-release ring 8 is used to lock the steel balls 11. The quick-release ring spring 9 is sleeved on the female head base 5 and its two ends abut against the female head base 5 and the quick-release ring 8, respectively.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, the male quick connector 300 includes a male base 19 and a slider unit II, wherein the slider unit II is housed within the male base 19 and slides in cooperation with the male base 19, and the slider unit II is connected to the cable A2 and cable B3 of the conduit II 400.

[0031] like Figure 2-3 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, slider unit I and slider unit II have the same structure, both including slider spring 17, slider 16, slider sealing ring 15, ejector electrode 12 and annular electrode 13. Slider 16 is slidably engaged with female base 5 or male base 19. Ejector electrode 12 and annular electrode 13 are both disposed on the front end face of slider 16, and ejector electrode 12 is located inside annular electrode 13. Cables A2 and B3 pass through slider 16 and are respectively connected to ejector electrode 12 and annular electrode 13. Slider sealing ring 15 is disposed on the outer side of the front end of slider 16. Slider spring 17 is disposed at the rear end of slider 16 and abuts against the limiting structure inside female base 5 or male base 19. Slider spring 17 is used for the reset of slider 16, thereby realizing self-sealing after female quick connector 200 and male quick connector 300 are disconnected.

[0032] In embodiments of the present invention, the limiting structure includes a wire retaining ring 6 for holes and a spring retainer 7. The wire retaining ring 6 for holes is engaged in a groove inside the female base 5 or the male base 19. The spring retainer 7 is axially limited by the wire retaining ring 6 for holes. The spring retainer 7 abuts against the rear end of the slider spring 17. This limiting structure facilitates the installation and removal of the slider spring 17.

[0033] like Figure 4-5As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, the slider 16 includes a head 161 and a tail 164, wherein both ends of the head 161 are conical structures; the tail 164 is a bushing structure and is sleeved on the rear end of the head 161, with a gap between the tail 164 and the head 161, and the inner wall of the tail 164 is connected to the head 161 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced inner ribs 163. When slider unit I and slider unit II are docked, the gap between the tail 164 and the head 161 allows the oil passages on both sides to be connected.

[0034] Furthermore, an annular groove 162 is provided along the circumferential direction on the front conical surface of the head 161, and a slider sealing ring 15 is embedded in the annular groove 162; when the female quick connector 200 and the male quick connector 300 are disconnected, the slider 16 is reset by the action of the slider spring 17, so that the head 161 of the slider 16 respectively mates with the conical surface of the female base 5 or the male base 19, and the slider sealing ring 15 achieves the sealing between the slider 16 and the female base 5 and the male base 19.

[0035] In this embodiment, the slider 16 is made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), with a wire hole at its center and an off-center position. Cable A2 passes through the central wire hole and is welded to the ejector electrode 12, which is placed in the countersunk hole in the center of the slider 16. Cable B3 passes through the off-center wire hole and is welded to the annular electrode 13, which is placed in the annular countersunk hole of the slider 16. The wire holes on the slider 16 are filled with epoxy resin. In this embodiment, the ejector electrode 12 is a commercially available product with a compressible needle tip and a solder pad at its tail that is welded to cable A2.

[0036] The present invention provides a hydraulic quick-connect coupling for an underwater robot cable, the working principle of which is as follows:

[0037] When the female quick connector 200 and the male quick connector 300 are connected, the ejector electrode 12 arranged in the female quick connector 200 and the ejector electrode 12 arranged in the male quick connector 300 come into contact with each other. The annular electrode 13 of the slider unit II arranged in the male quick connector 300 comes into contact with the annular electrode 13 of the slider unit I arranged in the female quick connector 200, thus achieving electrical signal connection between the male quick connector 300 and the female quick connector 200. When the slider unit I and the slider unit II come into contact with each other, displacement occurs. The slider units at both ends come into contact with each other, causing displacement and compressing their respective slider springs 17. At this time, the slider sealing ring 15 at the end of the slider unit I is no longer sealed with the female base 5, and the slider sealing ring 15 at the end of the slider unit II is no longer sealed with the male base 19. The oil passages at both ends of the male quick connector 300 and the female quick connector 200 are connected. When the male quick connector 300 is inserted into the female quick connector 200, the connector sealing ring 14 on the inner side of the female base 5 seals against the outer wall of the front end of the male base 19. When the female quick connector 200 and the male quick connector 300 are disconnected, the slider unit I and slider unit II are reset under the action of their respective slider springs 17, pressing the slider sealing ring 15 to achieve oil circuit sealing between the male quick connector 300 and the female quick connector 200, preventing leakage.

[0038] In summary, the hydraulic quick-connect coupling for underwater robots provided by this invention has wide applicability, improves equipment maintainability, and enables the transmission and switching of oil and electrical signals within the oil pipe. Its sealing performance can withstand water depths of up to 6000 meters, covering a wide range of ocean areas globally. For underwater robot devices connected via oil pipes and cables, such as electromagnets and thrusters, it enables plug-and-play connections, significantly improving the maintainability and replaceability of related equipment.

[0039] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, extensions, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydraulic quick-connect coupling for an underwater robot cable, characterized in that, The system includes pipe I (100), female quick connector (200), male quick connector (300), and pipe II (400). The female quick connector (200) is sealed to the end of pipe I (100) and connected to the cable inside pipe I (100). The male quick connector (300) is sealed to the end of pipe II (400) and connected to the cable inside pipe II (400). When the female quick connector (200) and the male quick connector (300) are connected, the electrical signal and oil circuit of pipe I (100) and pipe II (400) are connected. When the female quick connector (200) and the male quick connector (300) are separated, the electrical signal and oil circuit of pipe I (100) and pipe II (400) are disconnected. Both the female quick connector (200) and the male quick connector (300) can achieve self-sealing.

2. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both pipeline I (100) and pipeline II (400) include an oil pipe (1), cable A (2), cable B (3) and an oil nozzle (4). The oil pipe (1) is connected to the oil nozzle (4) through a hose clamp. The oil nozzle (4) is threadedly connected to the female quick connector (200) or the male quick connector (300) and sealed by the oil nozzle sealing ring (18). Cable A (2) and cable B (3) are housed in the oil pipe (1) and are connected to the female quick connector (200) or the male quick connector (300).

3. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot cable according to claim 2, characterized in that, The female quick connector (200) includes a female base (5), a locking assembly, and a slider unit I. The slider unit I is housed within the female base (5) and slides in cooperation with the female base (5). The slider unit I is connected to the cable A (2) and cable B (3) of the pipeline I (100). A connector sealing ring (14) is provided on the inner side of the front end of the female base (5). The locking assembly is located on the outer side of the front end of the female base (5) and is used to lock the female quick connector (200) and the male quick connector (300) after docking.

4. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot cable according to claim 3, characterized in that, The locking assembly includes a quick-release ring (8), a quick-release ring spring (9), a shaft wire retaining ring (10), and a plurality of steel balls (11). The plurality of steel balls (11) are respectively housed in a plurality of receiving holes provided circumferentially at the front end of the female head base (5). The quick-release ring (8) is sleeved on the front end of the female head base (5) and is axially limited by the shaft wire retaining ring (10). The quick-release ring (8) is used to lock the steel balls (11). The quick-release ring spring (9) is sleeved on the female head base (5) and its two ends abut against the female head base (5) and the quick-release ring (8) respectively.

5. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot according to claim 3, characterized in that, The male quick connector (300) includes a male base (19) and a slider unit II, wherein the slider unit II is housed in the male base (19) and slides with the male base (19), and the slider unit II is connected to the cable A (2) and cable B (3) of the pipeline II (400).

6. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot according to claim 5, characterized in that, The slider unit I and slider unit II have the same structure, both including a slider spring (17), a slider (16), a slider sealing ring (15), a pin electrode (12), and an annular electrode (13). The slider (16) is slidably engaged with the female head base (5) or the male head base (19). The pin electrode (12) and the annular electrode (13) are both disposed on the front end face of the slider (16), and the pin electrode (12) is located inside the annular electrode (13). The cable A (2) and the cable B (3) pass through the slider (16) and are respectively connected to the pin electrode (12) and the annular electrode (13). The slider sealing ring (15) is disposed on the outer side of the front end of the slider (16). The slider spring (17) is disposed at the rear end of the slider (16) and abuts against the limiting structure inside the female head base (5) or the male head base (19). The slider spring (17) is used for the reset of the slider (16).

7. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot according to claim 6, characterized in that, The slider (16) includes a head (161) and a tail (164), wherein both ends of the head (161) are conical structures; the tail (164) is a bushing structure and is sleeved on the rear end of the head (161), with a gap between the tail (164) and the head (161), and the inner wall of the tail (164) is connected to the head (161) by a plurality of internal stiffening plates (163) arranged circumferentially.

8. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot according to claim 7, characterized in that, The front end cone surface of the head (161) is provided with an annular groove (162) along the circumferential direction, and a slider sealing ring (15) is embedded in the annular groove (162); when the female quick connector (200) and the male quick connector (300) are disconnected, the slider sealing ring (15) achieves the sealing between the slider (16) and the female base (5) or the male base (19).

9. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot according to claim 6, characterized in that, The limiting structure includes a wire retaining ring (6) for holes and a spring retainer (7). The wire retaining ring (6) for holes is engaged in a groove inside the female head base (5) or the male head base (19). The spring retainer (7) is axially limited by the wire retaining ring (6) for holes and abuts against the rear end of the slider spring (17).

10. The hydraulic quick-connect coupling for the underwater robot according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the female quick connector (200) and the male quick connector (300) are connected, the pin electrodes (12) on both sides contact each other, and the annular electrodes (13) on both sides contact each other, so as to realize the connection of electrical signals; and the slider unit I and the slider unit II generate displacement when they contact each other, so as to realize the connection of oil circuit; when the male quick connector (300) is inserted into the female quick connector (200) in place, the connector sealing ring (14) seals with the front outer wall of the male base (19); When the female quick connector (200) and the male quick connector (300) are disconnected from each other, the slider unit I and the slider unit II, under the action of their respective slider springs (17), press the slider sealing ring (15) to achieve oil circuit sealing of the male quick connector (300) and the female quick connector (200) and prevent leakage.

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