A push rod actuator and a method for adjusting a control point of a push rod actuator

Abstract

The push rod actuator provided by the present invention includes a shell, a push rod, a driving gear, a motor and an intelligent control unit. By making the intelligent control unit include a PCB board arranged in the second extension part, and a PWM pulse modulation module and a timing module arranged on the PCB board, the PWM pulse modulation module is electrically connected to the external interface and the motor on the second extension part. The PWM pulse modulation module can be used to receive the power transmitted by the external interface and transmit it to the motor. By making the timing module electrically connected to the PWM pulse modulation module, the timing module can also be used to send a duration control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module, so that the PWM pulse modulation module controls the duration of power transmission, and can conveniently adjust the sliding duration, pause duration and sliding speed of the push rod. The adjustment method of the control point of the push rod actuator provided by the present invention uses the external interface to transmit the speed update control signal and the duration update control signal, and can be adjusted on site according to actual conditions. The operation is simple and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of automatic door opening and closing, and in particular relates to a push rod actuator and a method for adjusting a control point of the push rod actuator. Background Art

[0002] Automatic refrigerator door opening and closing systems have become a key development focus for major home appliance companies both domestically and internationally. The most common solution utilizes a push-rod actuator and a rotary actuator mounted on the refrigerator door. In practice, the push-rod actuator is programmed to first push the door open, followed by the rotary actuator, which then intervenes to swing the door open, completing the automatic door opening process.

[0003] For example, Chinese patent CN 213683661 U discloses this type of push rod actuator, but the push rod actuator does not have a reset function. Due to the obstruction of the shell, when the motor and other components fail, the shell needs to be removed to move the push rod, which is inconvenient to operate. At the same time, this type of push rod actuator does not have an intelligent control module. The control points of the push rod, such as the sliding time, pause time, and sliding speed, are set at the factory based on the usage habits of most consumers. They cannot be adjusted according to actual conditions during use. For some users, it is not suitable. After long-term use, due to the wear and aging of the mechanical structural parts, there is a problem that some control points deviate from the factory initial values, which not only affects the use, but also causes the life of the actuator to be further compressed. When encountering such problems, it is necessary to replace it on site or return it to the factory for repair. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome one or more shortcomings of the prior art and to provide a push rod actuator that can easily adjust the push rod sliding time, pause time and sliding speed, as well as a method for adjusting the control point of the push rod actuator.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the product in the technical solution adopted by the present invention is a push rod actuator, comprising:

[0006] a housing having a first extension portion and a second extension portion connected vertically;

[0007] a push rod, at least a portion of which is slidably disposed within the first extension portion, the sliding direction of the push rod being parallel to the extension direction of the first extension portion, the surface of the push rod being provided with racks distributed along the sliding direction of the push rod, the racks being provided in two rows and spaced apart, and one end of the push rod being able to extend or retract into the first extension portion when the push rod slides;

[0008] a driving gear rotatably disposed within the first extension portion and located above the rack, an annular groove being provided on an outer circumferential surface of the driving gear, the annular groove dividing the teeth of the driving gear into two groups, the two groups of teeth respectively meshing with the two rows of the rack;

[0009] a motor, the motor being disposed in the second extension portion and configured to drive the driving gear to rotate and cause the push rod to slide;

[0010] The push rod actuator also includes an intelligent control unit that controls the sliding duration, pause duration, and sliding speed of the push rod. The intelligent control unit includes a PCB board arranged in the second extension part, and a PWM pulse modulation module and a timing module arranged on the PCB board. The PWM pulse modulation module is electrically connected to the external interface on the second extension part and the motor. The PWM pulse modulation module is used to receive the power transmitted by the external interface and transmit it to the motor. The timing module is electrically connected to the PWM pulse modulation module. The timing module is used to send a duration control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module so that the PWM pulse modulation module controls the duration of the power transmission.

[0011] Preferably, the PWM pulse modulation module is further configured to receive a speed update control signal sent by the external interface, and adjust the equivalent voltage of the power supply according to the speed update control signal.

[0012] Preferably, the timing module is electrically connected to the external interface, and updates the duration control signal according to a duration update control signal sent by the external interface.

[0013] Preferably, the PWM pulse modulation module is electrically connected to a micro-switch provided in the first extension portion, and switches on or off the transmission of the power supply according to a trigger signal sent by the micro-switch.

[0014] Further preferably, the trigger signal and the duration control signal have the same priority.

[0015] Preferably, the intelligent control unit further comprises a wireless communication module arranged on the PCB board, and the wireless communication module is used to transmit the speed update control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module, and transmit the duration update control signal to the timing module.

[0016] Further preferably, the wireless communication module includes a Wi-Fi module and a Bluetooth module.

[0017] Preferably, an inspection hole is provided on the first extension portion, and the inspection hole is located directly above the axis of the driving gear and aligned with the annular groove. The bottom wall of the annular groove is provided with an adjustment blind hole extending in the radial direction of the driving gear. There are multiple adjustment blind holes and they are evenly distributed along the axis of the driving gear. The hole spacing between adjacent adjustment blind holes is less than or equal to the aperture of the inspection hole.

[0018] Further preferably, the hole spacing of the adjusting blind holes is half of the aperture of the inspection hole.

[0019] Further preferably, the inspection hole is a trumpet-shaped hole with a small outer opening and a large inner opening.

[0020] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the method in the technical solution adopted by the present invention is a method for adjusting the control point of a push rod actuator, which is used to adjust any of the push rod actuators described above. The adjustment method includes: using the external interface to transmit the speed update control signal set according to actual conditions to the PWM pulse modulation module, so that the PWM pulse modulation module changes the equivalent voltage value of the transmitted power supply according to the speed update control signal, and using the external interface to transmit the duration update control signal set according to actual conditions to the timing module, so that the timing module updates the duration control signal.

[0021] Preferably, the PWM pulse modulation module changes the equivalent voltage value of the transmitted power supply by controlling the duty cycle value of PWM.

[0022] Due to the application of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0023] The push rod actuator provided by the present invention is provided with an intelligent control unit, which includes a PCB board arranged in the second extension part, and a PWM pulse modulation module and a timing module arranged on the PCB board, so that the PWM pulse modulation module is electrically connected to the external interface and the motor on the second extension part. The PWM pulse modulation module can be used to receive power transmitted from the external interface and transmit it to the motor. By electrically connecting the timing module to the PWM pulse modulation module, the timing module can also be used to send a duration control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module, so that the PWM pulse modulation module controls the duration of power transmission, and can conveniently adjust the sliding duration, pause duration and sliding speed of the push rod.

[0024] The method for adjusting the control point of the push rod actuator provided by the present invention uses an external interface to transmit a speed update control signal set according to actual conditions to a PWM pulse modulation module, so that the PWM pulse modulation module changes the equivalent voltage value of the transmitted power supply according to the speed update control signal, and uses an external interface to transmit a duration update control signal set according to actual conditions to a timing module, so that the timing module updates the duration control signal. The control points such as the sliding duration, pause duration, and sliding speed of the push rod of the push rod actuator can be adjusted on site according to actual conditions without on-site replacement or factory repair, and the adjustment operation is simpler and more convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the main view.

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view in the AA direction.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Diagram after the lever is inserted.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Structural diagram of the intelligent control module.

[0030] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of an intelligent control module in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Among them: 10. Housing; 11. First extension; 111. Inspection hole; 112. Micro switch; 12. Second extension; 121. External interface; 20. Push rod; 21. Rod body; 211. Rack; 212. Limiting protrusion; 22. Shock-absorbing sleeve; 30. Drive gear; 31. Annular groove; 311. Adjustment blind hole; 32. Tooth; 40. Motor; 50. Intelligent control unit; 51. PCB board; 52. PWM pulse modulation module; 53. Timing module; 54. Wireless communication module; 60. Lever. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the push rod actuator provided by the present invention includes: a housing 10, a push rod 20, a driving gear 30, and a motor 40, wherein the housing 10 has a first extension portion 11 and a second extension portion 12 connected vertically; the push rod 20 includes a flat rod body 21 and a shock-absorbing sleeve 22 sleeved on one end of the rod body 21, the rod body 21 is slidably arranged in the first extension portion 11, and the sliding direction of the rod body 21 is parallel to the extension direction of the first extension portion 11. The front of the rod body 21 is provided with a rack 211 distributed along the sliding direction of the rod body 21, and the rack 211 has two rows and is arranged at intervals. The back of the rod body 21 is provided with a limiting protrusion 212. When the rod body 21 slides, the end of the rod body 21 sleeved with the shock-absorbing sleeve 22 can extend or retract into the first extension portion 11; the driving gear 30 is rotatably arranged in the first extension portion 11 and is located on the rack 211 Above the drive gear 30, an annular groove 31 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the drive gear 30, which divides the teeth 32 of the drive gear 30 into two groups, and the two groups of teeth 32 are respectively engaged with the two rows of racks 211; the motor 40 is arranged in the second extension part 12, and the motor 40 is used to drive the drive gear 30 to rotate and make the rod body 21 slide. Specifically, the motor 40 is a reduction motor, and the motor 40 is connected to the drive gear 30 through a coupling; an inspection hole 111 is provided on the first extension part 11, and the inspection hole 111 is located directly above the axis of the drive gear 30 and aligned with the annular groove 31. The bottom wall of the annular groove 31 is provided with an adjustment blind hole 311 extending in the radial direction of the drive gear 30. There are multiple adjustment blind holes 311 and they are evenly distributed along the axis of the drive gear 30. The hole spacing between adjacent adjustment blind holes 311 is less than or equal to the aperture of the inspection hole 111.

[0033] The advantage of this arrangement is that when a component such as the motor 40 fails, Figure 4 As shown, it is only necessary to pass the lower end of the lever 60 through the inspection hole 111 and insert it into the adjustment blind hole 311, and then the upper end of the lever 60 can be moved to drive the driving gear 30 to rotate, thereby driving the rod body 21 to slide and achieve reset. There is no need to disassemble the shell 10, and the reset operation is simple and convenient.

[0034] To further facilitate the resetting operation, in this embodiment, the hole spacing of the blind hole 311 is adjusted to half the aperture of the inspection hole 111. The inspection hole 111 is a trumpet-shaped hole with a small outer opening and a large inner opening. The aperture of the inspection hole 111 is the aperture of the outer opening of the inspection hole.

[0035] In order to facilitate the adjustment of the sliding duration, pause duration and sliding speed of the rod body 21, in this embodiment, the push rod actuator also includes an intelligent control unit 50 for controlling the sliding duration, pause duration and sliding speed of the push rod. The intelligent control unit 50 includes a PCB board 51 arranged in the second extension part 12, and a PWM pulse modulation module 52 and a timing module 53 arranged on the PCB board 51. The PWM pulse modulation module 52 is electrically connected to the external interface 121 and the motor 40 on the second extension part 12. The PWM pulse modulation module 52 is used to receive the power transmitted by the external interface 121 and transmit it to the motor 40. The timing module 53 is electrically connected to the PWM pulse modulation module 52. The timing module 53 is used to send a duration control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module 52, so that the PWM pulse modulation module 52 controls the duration of power transmission.

[0036] Furthermore, the PWM pulse modulation module 52 is also used to receive the speed update control signal sent by the external interface 121, and adjust the equivalent voltage of the power supply according to the speed update control signal to change the speed of the motor 40, thereby adjusting the sliding speed of the rod body 21. The PWM pulse modulation module 52 adjusts the equivalent voltage of the power supply through PWM pulse width modulation technology. Specifically, the power supply voltage transmitted by the external interface 121 is higher than the rated voltage of the motor 40. Under normal conditions, the PWM pulse modulation module 52 adjusts the power supply voltage transmitted by the external interface 121 to the rated voltage of the motor 40 and then outputs it to the motor 40. When the speed update control signal is a signal to accelerate the sliding speed of the rod body 21, the PWM pulse modulation module 52 increases the PWM duty cycle value, thereby increasing the power supply voltage output to the motor 40 and accelerating the speed of the motor 40. Conversely, when the speed update control signal is a signal to slow down the sliding speed of the rod body 21, the PWM pulse modulation module 52 reduces the PWM duty cycle value, thereby reducing the power supply voltage output to the motor 40 and slowing down the speed of the motor 40.

[0037] In this embodiment, the timing module 53 is electrically connected to the external interface 121 , and updates the duration control signal according to the duration update control signal sent by the external interface 121 .

[0038] In this embodiment, the PWM pulse modulation module 52 is also electrically connected to the micro-switch 112 set in the first extension part 11, and turns on or off the power supply according to the trigger signal sent by the micro-switch 112. The trigger signal has the same priority as the duration control signal sent by the timing module 53.

[0039] Since the intelligent control module 50 is provided, the control points such as the sliding time, pause time, and sliding speed of the push rod of the push rod actuator can be adjusted on site according to actual conditions during use, without the need for on-site replacement or factory repair, and the adjustment operation is simpler and more convenient.

[0040] For the convenience of adjustment, in another embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown, the intelligent control unit 50 also includes a wireless communication module 54 arranged on the PCB board 51, and the wireless communication module 54 is used to transmit the speed update control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module 52, and transmit the duration update control signal to the timing module 53.

[0041] Further preferably, the wireless communication module includes a Wi-Fi module and a Bluetooth module.

[0042] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention. Their purpose is to enable people familiar with this technology to understand the contents of the present invention and implement them accordingly. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A push rod actuator comprising: a housing having a first extension portion and a second extension portion connected vertically; a push rod, at least a portion of which is slidably disposed within the first extension portion, the sliding direction of the push rod being parallel to the extension direction of the first extension portion, the surface of the push rod being provided with racks distributed along the sliding direction of the push rod, the racks being provided in two rows and spaced apart, and one end of the push rod being able to extend or retract into the first extension portion when the push rod slides; a driving gear rotatably disposed within the first extension portion and located above the rack, an annular groove being provided on an outer circumferential surface of the driving gear, the annular groove dividing the teeth of the driving gear into two groups, the two groups of teeth respectively meshing with the two rows of the rack; a motor, the motor being disposed in the second extension portion and configured to drive the driving gear to rotate and cause the push rod to slide; Its characteristics are: The push rod actuator also includes an intelligent control unit that controls the sliding duration, pause duration, and sliding speed of the push rod. The intelligent control unit includes a PCB board arranged in the second extension part, and a PWM pulse modulation module and a timing module arranged on the PCB board. The PWM pulse modulation module is electrically connected to the external interface on the second extension part and the motor. The PWM pulse modulation module is used to receive the power transmitted by the external interface and transmit it to the motor. The PWM pulse modulation module is also used to receive the speed update control signal sent by the external interface and adjust the equivalent voltage of the power supply according to the speed update control signal. The timing module is electrically connected to the PWM pulse modulation module. The timing module is used to send a duration control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module so that the PWM pulse modulation module controls the duration of the power transmission. The timing module is electrically connected to the external interface and updates the duration control signal according to the duration update control signal sent by the external interface.

2. The push rod actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PWM pulse modulation module is electrically connected to a micro switch provided in the first extension portion, and switches on or off the transmission of the power supply according to a trigger signal sent by the micro switch.

3. The push rod actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The trigger signal and the duration control signal have the same priority.

4. The push rod actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent control unit further includes a wireless communication module disposed on the PCB board, and the wireless communication module is used to transmit a speed update control signal to the PWM pulse modulation module, and transmit a duration update control signal to the timing module.

5. The push rod actuator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The wireless communication module includes a Wi-Fi module and a Bluetooth module.

6. The push rod actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inspection hole is provided on the first extension portion, and the inspection hole is located directly above the axis of the driving gear and aligned with the annular groove. The bottom wall of the annular groove is provided with an adjustment blind hole extending in the radial direction of the driving gear. There are multiple adjustment blind holes and they are evenly distributed along the axis of the driving gear. The hole spacing between adjacent adjustment blind holes is less than or equal to the aperture of the inspection hole.

7. The push rod actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The hole spacing of the adjusting blind holes is half of the aperture of the inspection hole.

8. The push rod actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inspection hole is a trumpet-shaped hole with a small outer opening and a large inner opening.

9. A method for adjusting the control point of a push rod actuator, used for adjusting the push rod actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The adjustment method includes: using the external interface to transmit a speed update control signal set according to actual conditions to the PWM pulse modulation module, so that the PWM pulse modulation module changes the equivalent voltage value of the transmitted power supply according to the speed update control signal; and using the external interface to transmit a duration update control signal set according to actual conditions to the timing module, so that the timing module updates the duration control signal.

10. The method for adjusting the control point of a push rod actuator according to claim 9, characterized in that: The PWM pulse modulation module changes the equivalent voltage value of the transmitted power supply by controlling the duty cycle value of PWM.

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