Electric prop with flexible transmission

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of electric strut technology, and more particularly to an electric strut with a flexible transmission structure. It solves the problems of low applicability and limited position of retraction movement in electric struts. This electric strut with a flexible transmission structure transforms the traditional rigid transmission between the motor and the screw nut into a flexible transmission, thereby significantly reducing the fixed length of the electric strut, improving its installability, and by setting a limiting module to limit the extension and retraction of the electric strut, it prevents reverse movement during extension or retraction, ensuring stability at any position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric strut technology, and more particularly to an electric strut with a flexible transmission structure. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional electric struts work by using a motor to drive a damper, which in turn drives a screw, which in turn drives a nut to extend or retract the strut. However, with the increasing intelligence of automobiles, the installation environment for electric struts has become more demanding, primarily in the following ways: 1. The widespread adoption of continuous taillights and the decreasing size of vehicles with electric spoilers have resulted in increasingly smaller installation spaces for electric struts; 2. The use of electric struts is no longer limited to tailgates; they are now also used on hoods, trunk lids, and side doors, further limiting installation space; 3. Most electric struts on the market are electrically or pneumatically controlled, and after extension or retraction, they cannot be stably limited to a specific position. They typically only have two stable states: fully retracted and fully extended, resulting in limited applicability.

[0003] Therefore, a shorter and more stable electric strut is needed to meet the above usage requirements; therefore, this invention provides an electric strut with a flexible transmission structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, this application provides an electric strut with a flexible transmission structure to solve the problem of low applicability of electric struts in related technologies.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides an electric strut with a flexible transmission structure, comprising: a sliding joint, a telescopic rod, a fixed rod, a flexible shaft, a driving component, and a fixed joint; one end of the driving component is connected to the fixed joint, and the other end of the driving component is connected to the fixed rod via the flexible shaft; the fixed rod has a telescopic rod that can be extended and moved inside, and the end of the telescopic rod is connected to the sliding joint.

[0006] The fixed rod includes an outer protective shell and a protective cover fitted onto one end of the outer protective shell. A shaft fixing seat, which is rotatably fixed to the flexible shaft, is rotatably mounted in the middle of the protective cover via a bearing. A stepped hole is provided inside the outer protective shell near the protective cover. A limit module is installed inside the stepped hole, and one end of the limit module is connected to an adjacent shaft fixing seat. A screw is connected to the other end of the limit module. A spacer ring is installed inside the stepped hole, and the spacer ring is connected to the screw via a bearing. A limit spring is fitted onto the outer wall of the screw located between the spacer ring and the limit module. A positioning block is connected to the end of the screw away from the spacer ring. Ball bearings that cooperate with the telescopic rod are evenly arranged on the outer circumference of the positioning block. A telescopic rod is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the outer protective shell, and the telescopic rod is threadedly connected to the screw.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment, the driving component includes an outer sleeve, inside which a drive motor is mounted via a motor mount. The output shaft of the drive motor is connected to a wheel sleeve via a flange. Gear teeth are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the wheel sleeve. A motor connecting shaft is also mounted inside the outer sleeve via a bearing. One end of the motor connecting shaft is fixedly fitted with a gear that meshes with the gear teeth, and the other end of the motor connecting shaft is connected to a shaft fixing seat that engages with a flexible shaft. A sleeve cover is rotatably mounted on the outer wall of the shaft fixing seat via a bearing. The sleeve cover is engaged with one end of the outer sleeve, and the other end of the outer sleeve is connected to a fixing joint.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment, the limiting module includes limiting grooves symmetrically formed on the inner wall of the stepped hole, an electric slider is provided inside the limiting groove, a retaining ring is connected between the two electric sliders, and two obliquely symmetrical pawls are provided on the inner wall of the retaining ring by a torsion spring. The limiting module also includes a flywheel connecting the screw to the shaft fixing seat.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment, the telescopic rod includes an outer rod sleeve slidably disposed inside the outer protective shell, an inner rod sleeve fixedly disposed inside the outer rod sleeve, a retaining spring sleeved between the outer rod sleeve and the inner rod sleeve, one end of the retaining spring abutting against the inner side wall of the outer rod sleeve, and the other end of the retaining spring abutting against the side wall of the partition ring; a threaded sleeve connected to the screw is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the inner rod sleeve near the partition ring.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, the inner wall of the outer protective shell away from the partition ring is provided with a trapezoidal annular groove with a trapezoidal cross-section, and an annular sleeve is fixedly provided on the outer wall of the outer rod sleeve near the partition ring. The annular sleeve is provided with positioning rods with ball bearings at the ends by springs, and the positioning rods abut against the inner wall of the outer protective shell.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the outer wall of the flywheel near the protective cover is uniformly provided with balls; the outer wall of the flywheel is provided with an annular groove, and two rings of helical teeth are uniformly provided on the inner wall of the annular groove, with the two rings of helical teeth tilting in opposite directions.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the electric strut with a flexible transmission structure provided in this embodiment of the invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. This invention transforms the rigid transmission of the traditional motor and screw nut into a flexible transmission, thereby significantly reducing the overall length of the electric strut and improving its installability. Furthermore, by setting a limiting module, the electric strut is limited during its extension and retraction, preventing reverse movement during extension or retraction and ensuring stability at any position.

[0014] 2. The use of the flexible shaft in this invention allows the drive component and the telescopic rod to be installed separately in different positions, reducing the space requirements for the electric strut and further optimizing the assembly space of the electric strut, thus expanding its applicability and making it not limited to specific installation scenarios.

[0015] 3. In this invention, the telescopic rod and the fixed rod are pressed together by a clamping spring to ensure stability during telescopic movement. Furthermore, the double-layer fitting of the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve in the telescopic rod further enhances the radial strength of the electric support rod. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the electric strut of this flexible transmission structure.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the sliding joint, telescopic rod, and fixed rod of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view between the driving component and the fixed connector of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0020] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged view of section B in the middle.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the limiting module of the present invention.

[0022] The attached diagram shows the following reference numerals: 1. Sliding joint; 2. Telescopic rod; 21. Outer rod sleeve; 22. Inner rod sleeve; 23. Screw sleeve; 24. Annular ferrule; 25. Positioning rod; 3. Fixing rod; 31. Outer protective shell; 32. Protective cover; 33. Limiting module; 331. Electric slider; 332. Snap ring; 333. Pawl; 334. Flywheel; 34. Screw; 35. Spacer ring; 36. Positioning block; 4. Flexible shaft; 5. Driving component; 51. Outer sleeve; 52. Drive motor; 53. Wheel sleeve; 54. Motor connecting shaft; 55. Gear; 56. Shaft fixing seat; 57. Sleeve cover; 6. Fixed joint. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 This application will now be described in further detail.

[0024] This application discloses an electric strut with a flexible transmission structure. Specifically, the electric strut with this flexible transmission structure changes the rigid transmission between the traditional motor and screw nut to a flexible transmission, thereby significantly reducing the overall length of the electric strut and improving its installability. Furthermore, by setting a limiting module 33, the electric strut is limited during its extension and retraction to prevent reverse movement during extension or retraction, ensuring that it remains stable at any position.

[0025] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 and Figure 2 An electric strut with a flexible transmission structure includes: a sliding joint 1, a telescopic rod 2, a fixed rod 3, a flexible shaft 4, a driving component 5, and a fixed joint 6. One end of the driving component 5 is connected to the fixed joint 6, and the other end of the driving component 5 is connected to the fixed rod 3 via the flexible shaft 4. The fixed rod 3 has a telescopic rod 2 that can be extended and moved inside, and the end of the telescopic rod 2 is connected to the sliding joint 1. In specific operation, the invention is fixed to a suitable location with installation space on a vehicle via the fixed joint 6, and then the sliding joint 1 is connected to the component on the vehicle that needs to be opened and closed. The driving component 5 drives the flexible shaft 4 to rotate, and the transmission action of the flexible shaft 4 drives the sliding joint 1 to control the opening and closing of the component that needs to be opened and closed.

[0026] Please refer to the following: Figure 3The driving component 5 includes an outer sleeve 51. A drive motor 52 is mounted inside the outer sleeve 51 via a motor mount. The output shaft of the drive motor 52 is connected to a wheel sleeve 53 via a flange. Gear teeth are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the wheel sleeve 53. A motor connecting shaft 54 ​​is also mounted inside the outer sleeve 51 via a bearing. One end of the motor connecting shaft 54 ​​is fixedly fitted with a gear 55 that meshes with the gear teeth. The other end of the motor connecting shaft 54 ​​is connected to a shaft fixing seat 56 that is engaged and fixed to the flexible shaft 4. A sleeve is rotatably mounted on the outer wall of the shaft fixing seat 56 via a bearing. Cover 57, the sleeve cover 57 is snapped onto one end of outer sleeve 51, and the other end of outer sleeve 51 is connected to a fixed connector 6; when the drive component 5 is working, the drive motor 52 drives the wheel sleeve 53 to rotate, and the teeth on the wheel sleeve 53 drive the gear 55 to rotate, further controlling the rotation of the shaft fixing seat 56 connected to the motor connecting shaft 54; by setting the wheel sleeve 53 and the gear 55 to cooperate, it is convenient to maintain the internal components in the later stage, and the meshing of the gear 55 and the teeth inside the wheel sleeve 53 can maintain the stability of the motor connecting shaft 54 ​​during rotation.

[0027] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5 The fixing member 3 includes an outer protective shell 31 and a protective cover 32 sleeved on one end of the outer protective shell 31. A shaft fixing seat 56, which is rotatably fixed to the flexible shaft 4, is also rotatably mounted on the middle of the protective cover 32 via a bearing. A stepped hole is provided inside the end of the outer protective shell 31 near the protective cover 32. A limit module 33 is provided inside the stepped hole, and one end of the limit module 33 is connected to the adjacent shaft fixing seat 56. The other end of the limit module 33 is connected to a screw 34, located at the stepped... A partition ring 35 is provided inside the trapezoidal hole. The partition ring 35 is connected to the screw 34 through a bearing. A limiting spring is sleeved on the outer wall of the screw 34 located between the partition ring 35 and the limiting module 33. A positioning block 36 is connected to the end of the screw 34 away from the partition ring 35. The outer circumference of the positioning block 36 is evenly provided with balls that cooperate with the telescopic rod 2. The telescopic rod 2 is slidably provided on the inner wall of the outer protective shell 31, and the telescopic rod 2 is threadedly connected to the screw 34.

[0028] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5 The telescopic rod 2 includes an outer rod sleeve 21 slidably disposed inside the outer protective shell 31, an inner rod sleeve 22 fixedly disposed inside the outer rod sleeve 21, a retaining spring sleeved between the outer rod sleeve 21 and the inner rod sleeve 22, one end of the retaining spring abutting against the inner side wall of the outer rod sleeve 21, and the other end of the retaining spring abutting against the side wall of the partition ring 35; a threaded sleeve 23 connected to the screw 34 is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the inner rod sleeve 22 near the partition ring 35.

[0029] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5 The outer protective shell 31 has a trapezoidal annular groove on the inner wall of the end away from the partition ring 35. The outer rod sleeve 21 has an annular retaining sleeve 24 fixedly installed on the outer wall of the end near the partition ring 35. The annular retaining sleeve 24 has positioning rods 25 with ball bearings at the ends evenly arranged inside the annular retaining sleeve 24 by springs, and the positioning rods 25 abut against the inner wall of the outer protective shell 31. When the screw 34 is rotated by the flexible shaft 4, the screw 34 rotates itself so that the thread on its outer wall engages with the screw sleeve 23, thereby driving the inner rod sleeve 22 connected to it and the outer rod sleeve 21 to perform telescopic movement inside the outer protective shell 31. During the telescopic movement, the telescopic rod 2 is kept in a straight state by the clamping spring to ensure its movement stability. When it is extended to the maximum stroke, the positioning rod 25 is engaged with the trapezoidal annular groove by the spring. The trapezoidal annular groove limits its maximum stroke and prevents it from leaving the inner wall of the outer protective shell 31.

[0030] Please refer to the following: Figure 6 The limiting module 33 includes limiting grooves symmetrically opened on the inner wall of the stepped hole. An electric slider 331 is arranged inside the limiting groove. A retaining ring 332 is connected between the two electric sliders 331. The inner wall of the retaining ring 332 is provided with two obliquely symmetrical pawls 333 by a torsion spring. The limiting module 33 also includes a flywheel 334 connecting the screw 34 to the shaft fixing seat 56. The outer wall of the flywheel 334 near the protective cover 32 is uniformly provided with balls. The outer wall of the flywheel 334 is provided with an annular groove. Two rings of helical teeth are uniformly provided on the inner wall of the annular groove, and the two rings of helical teeth are inclined in opposite directions.

[0031] The specific function of the limiting module 33 is to control the electric strut to stop at any position, thereby improving its applicability. Specifically, when the electric strut extends, the electric slider 331 drives the retaining ring 332 to move forward, so that the front pawl 333 engages with the helical teeth on the front side of the annular groove. In this state, the rear pawl 333 is not engaged with any retaining teeth. At this time, the screw 34 can only perform unidirectional control of the relative length increase between the telescopic rod 2 and the fixed rod 3. When the electric strut retracts, the electric slider 331 drives the retaining ring 332 to move backward, so that the rear pawl 333 engages with the helical teeth on the rear side of the annular groove. In this state, the front pawl 333 is not engaged with any retaining teeth. At this time, the screw 34 can only perform unidirectional control of the relative length decrease between the telescopic rod 2 and the fixed rod 3.

[0032] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric strut with a flexible transmission structure, comprising: The sliding joint (1), telescopic rod (2), fixed rod (3), flexible shaft (4), driving member (5) and fixed joint (6); characterized in that: one end of the driving member (5) is connected to the fixed joint (6), the other end of the driving member (5) is connected to the fixed rod (3) through the flexible shaft (4), the fixed rod (3) is provided with a telescopic rod (2) that can be telescopically moved inside the fixed rod (3), and the end of the telescopic rod (2) is connected to the sliding joint (1); The fixing member (3) includes an outer protective shell (31) and a protective cover (32) sleeved on one end of the outer protective shell (31). The middle part of the protective cover (32) is provided with a shaft fixing seat (56) that is locked and fixed to the flexible shaft (4) through a bearing. The outer protective shell (31) has a stepped hole inside the end near the protective cover (32). A limit module (33) is provided inside the stepped hole. One end of the limit module (33) is connected to the adjacent shaft fixing seat (56), and the other end of the limit module (33) is connected to a screw (34) located in the stepped hole. The internal part is provided with a partition ring (35), which is connected to the screw (34) through a bearing. The outer wall of the screw (34) located between the partition ring (35) and the limiting module (33) is fitted with a limiting spring. The end of the screw (34) away from the partition ring (35) is connected to a positioning block (36). The outer circumference of the positioning block (36) is evenly provided with balls that cooperate with the telescopic rod (2). The inner wall of the outer protective shell (31) is slidably provided with the telescopic rod (2), and the telescopic rod (2) is threadedly connected to the screw (34).

2. The electric strut with a flexible transmission structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive component (5) includes an outer tube (51), a drive motor (52) is installed inside the outer tube (51) via a motor mount, the output shaft of the drive motor (52) is connected to a wheel sleeve (53) via a flange, and teeth are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the wheel sleeve (53). A motor connecting shaft (54) is also installed inside the outer tube (51) via a bearing. A gear (55) that meshes with the teeth is fixedly installed at one end of the motor connecting shaft (54), and a shaft fixing seat (56) that is locked and fixed to the flexible shaft (4) is connected at the other end of the motor connecting shaft (54). A sleeve cover (57) is rotatably installed on the outer wall of the shaft fixing seat (56) via a bearing. The sleeve cover (57) is locked onto one end of the outer tube (51), and a fixing joint (6) is connected to the other end of the outer tube (51).

3. The electric strut with a flexible transmission structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting module (33) includes a limiting groove symmetrically opened on the inner wall of the stepped hole. An electric slider (331) is provided inside the limiting groove. A retaining ring (332) is connected between the two electric sliders (331). The inner wall of the retaining ring (332) is provided with two obliquely symmetrical pawls (333) through a torsion spring. The limiting module (33) also includes a flywheel (334) that connects the screw (34) to the shaft fixing seat (56).

4. The electric strut with a flexible transmission structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The telescopic rod (2) includes an outer rod sleeve (21) slidably disposed inside the outer protective shell (31), an inner rod sleeve (22) fixedly disposed inside the outer rod sleeve (21), a retaining spring is sleeved between the outer rod sleeve (21) and the inner rod sleeve (22), one end of the retaining spring abuts against the inner side wall of the outer rod sleeve (21), and the other end of the retaining spring abuts against the side wall of the partition ring (35); a threaded sleeve (23) connected to the screw (34) is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the inner rod sleeve (22) near the partition ring (35).

5. The electric strut with a flexible transmission structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer protective shell (31) has a trapezoidal groove with a trapezoidal cross-section on the inner wall of the end away from the partition ring (35). The outer rod sleeve (21) has an annular sleeve (24) fixedly installed on the outer wall of the end near the partition ring (35). The annular sleeve (24) has a positioning rod (25) with a ball bearing at the end evenly arranged inside the annular sleeve (24) by a spring, and the positioning rod (25) abuts against the inner wall of the outer protective shell (31).

6. The electric strut with a flexible transmission structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flywheel (334) has balls evenly arranged on the outer wall near the protective cover (32); the flywheel (334) has an annular groove on its outer wall, and two rings of helical teeth are evenly arranged on the inner wall of the annular groove, with the two rings of helical teeth tilting in opposite directions.

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