Device for simulating aquatic organisms

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for simulating aquatic organisms. The device comprises a shell, a driving module, a cam and a weight unit, the driving module is arranged in the containing space of the shell and comprises a transmission shaft which extends in the front-back direction and can be controlled to be driven to pivot. The cam is attached to the propeller shaft and includes a cam groove formed in an outer peripheral surface of the cam. The cam groove extends around the drive shaft and in a front-back direction. The weight unit is installed on the driving module in a front-and-back movable mode and comprises a protruding column. And the convex column can be movably inserted into the cam groove. When the cam is driven by the transmission shaft to rotate, the convex column moves along the cam groove to drive the weight unit to move back and forth relative to the driving module, so that the gravity center position of the aquatic organism simulating device is changed. By means of the design that the protruding column is matched with the cam groove, the weight borne by the transmission shaft can be reduced so as to reduce loss of the transmission shaft, and then the durable effect is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a biomimicking device, in particular to an aquatic biomimicking device. Background Art

[0002] Existing aquatic life-imitating devices (such as bionic fish) can be controlled to float up or down in the water to imitate the swimming of aquatic life. The aquatic life-imitating device can be configured to store or drain water through the internal suction and drainage mechanisms, thereby adjusting the overall specific gravity of the aquatic life-imitating device and allowing the aquatic life-imitating device to move up and down in the water. However, in order to store enough water, the aquatic life-imitating device of this design will have space limitations, resulting in the aquatic life-imitating device being unable to be used in designs that imitate small aquatic life. In addition, the aquatic life-imitating device must also be waterproofed and leak-proofed for its internal suction and drainage mechanisms and the space for storing water, resulting in the high cost of the aquatic life-imitating device.

[0003] On the other hand, the underwater life-simulating device can also be driven by a motor inside the device to rotate a screw, so that the screw drives a weight to move forward and backward inside the underwater life-simulating device, thereby changing the center of gravity of the underwater life-simulating device, and then allowing the underwater life-simulating device to swim upward or downward. However, the screw of the underwater life-simulating device will rub against the nut or the weight, causing thread wear, resulting in a high failure rate of the underwater life-simulating device. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an aquatic organism simulating device which can solve at least one of the above problems.

[0005] The aquatic organism simulating device of the present invention comprises a shell, a driving module, a cam and a weight unit.

[0006] The shell body is provided with an accommodating space therein.

[0007] The driving module is disposed in the accommodating space and includes a transmission shaft extending in a front-rear direction and capable of being driven to pivot in a controlled manner.

[0008] The cam is mounted on the transmission shaft and includes a cam groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam. The cam groove surrounds the transmission shaft and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0009] The weight unit is installed on the driving module so as to be movable forward and backward, and comprises a boss which is movably inserted in the cam groove.

[0010] When the cam is driven by the transmission shaft and rotates around the transmission shaft, the boss moves along the cam groove to drive the weight unit to move forward and backward relative to the driving module, thereby changing the center of gravity of the underwater life simulating device.

[0011] In the aquatic life device described in the present invention, the cam groove has a first positioning portion located at the rear side of the cam, and a second positioning portion located at the front side of the cam, and the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are both located outside the same side of the transmission shaft.

[0012] In the aquatic life device described in the present invention, the cam groove spirally extends around the transmission shaft in the front-to-back direction.

[0013] In the aquatic life device of the present invention, the cam groove has a first positioning portion located at the rear side of the cam and a second positioning portion located at the front side of the cam. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are respectively located outside two opposite sides of the transmission shaft.

[0014] In the aquatic organism device described in the present invention, the cam groove is annularly arranged around the transmission shaft.

[0015] In the aquatic biological device described in the present invention, the weight unit includes a power supply assembly and a driven member installed on the power supply assembly and having the convex column.

[0016] In the aquatic biological device of the present invention, the driving module further comprises a base. The base is provided with a storage space for the transmission shaft and the cam to be arranged therein. The power supply component can be movably arranged in the storage space and covered outside the cam.

[0017] In the aquatic life device of the present invention, the driving module further comprises a base. The aquatic life device further comprises a control module. The control module comprises a circuit board mounted outside the base, and two limit switches electrically connected to the circuit board and spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The limit switches are used to detect the follower so that the driving module maintains operation.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by using the base of the driving module to bear most of the weight of the weight unit, and the boss is inserted into the cam groove in a loose fit manner, the weight that the drive shaft of the driving module needs to bear can be greatly reduced, so as to reduce the loss of the drive shaft, thereby achieving a durable effect. In addition, the loose fit connection between the boss and the cam groove can also reduce the friction between the boss and the cam groove, which can also achieve a durable effect, and the loose fit connection can reduce the difficulty of assembly, thereby reducing production costs. In addition, by using the power supply component as a weight for the underwater life-imitation device, the number of components in the shell can be reduced, so that the volume of the underwater life-imitation device is reduced to achieve a miniaturized effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the aquatic organism-simulating device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the driving module, the weight unit and the control module of the embodiment, with the housing of the embodiment removed;

[0021] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the driving module, the weight unit, the control module and the cam of the embodiment, with the housing and the power supply assembly of the weight unit removed;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A stereogram from another perspective;

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 3D exploded view of

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of

[0025] Figure 7 is corresponding to Figure 6 Schematic diagram illustrating the implementation of the embodiment in a horizontal posture;

[0026] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the varying implementation modes of the driving module, the cam and the weight unit in different use states;

[0027] Fig. 9 is corresponding to Figure 8 Schematic diagram illustrating the implementation of the embodiment in a diving posture;

[0028] Fig.10 is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating another implementation of the cam of the embodiment;

[0029] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A stereogram from another perspective. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] See also Figures 1 to 3 , is an embodiment of the underwater life-imitation device of the present invention. The underwater life-imitation device is suitable for operating in water and can float or dive in water by changing the center of gravity. The underwater life-imitation device comprises a housing 1, a driving module 2, a cam 3 (see Figure 3 ), a weight unit 4 and a control module 5. The housing 1 can be designed in the shape of a fish or other aquatic creatures but is not limited thereto, and a receiving space 11 is provided inside the housing 1.

[0031] See also Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 5 , the driving module 2 is arranged in the accommodating space 11, and includes a base 21, a motor 22, a coupling 23, a transmission shaft 24 and two guide rods 25 extending forward from the base 21 and spaced apart from each other. The base 21 is provided with a storage space 211 opening forward inside, but it is not limited thereto. The storage space 211 may also be opened backward, or the storage space 211 may be opened on both the front and rear sides of the base 21. The motor 22 is installed on the base 21 and located in the storage space 211, but the motor 22 may also be located outside the storage space 211 and installed on the housing 1 or other components in the housing 1. The installation position of the motor 22 is not limited to being installed on the base 21. The coupling 23 is arranged in the storage space 211, and the front and rear ends of the coupling 23 are respectively connected to the motor 22 and the transmission shaft 24. The transmission shaft 24 is disposed in the storage space 211 and extends along a front-to-rear direction X, and can be driven to pivot under control. Specifically, when the motor 22 is controlled to start operating, the motor 22 can drive the coupling 23 to rotate in a forward direction R1 or a reverse direction R2 opposite to the forward direction R1, so as to drive the transmission shaft 24 to pivot in the corresponding direction.

[0032] See also Figures 3 to 5 The cam 3 is cylindrical and mounted on the transmission shaft 24, and includes a cam groove 31 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam 3. The cam groove 31 surrounds the transmission shaft 24 and extends in the front-to-back direction X. Specifically, the cam groove 31 has a first positioning portion 311 located at the rear side of the cam 3 and adjacent to the motor 22, and a second positioning portion 312 located at the front side of the cam 3 and away from the motor 22.

[0033] See also Figures 2 to 5 , the weight unit 4 can be installed on the base 21 of the driving module 2 so as to be movable forward and backward to change the center of gravity position of the aquatic life-simulating device in the front-to-back direction X. Specifically, the weight unit 4 can be moved forward and backward for the guide rod 25 to pass through, so that the weight unit 4 can only slide along the guide rod 25 and cannot be displaced left and right. In this embodiment, the rear section of the weight unit 4 can be embedded in the storage space 211 so as to be movable forward and backward to reduce the overall occupied space of the weight unit 4 and the driving module 2. In addition, the weight unit 4 is embedded in the storage space 211 and can be supported by the base 21, so as to have good stability. Preferably, the weight unit 4 includes a power supply component 41 electrically connected to the motor 22 to provide power, and a driven member 42 installed on the power supply component 41. The aquatic life-simulating device uses the power supply component 41 as the weight required for the change of the center of gravity, so that the aquatic life-simulating device does not need to be equipped with an additional weight. On the other hand, the power supply assembly 41 is arranged in the storage space 211 and covered with the outside of the cam 3 so as to be movable forward and backward. Specifically, the power supply assembly 41 has an inner battery box 411 and a plurality of batteries 412 which can be replaced and installed in the inner battery box 411. The inner battery box 411 can be inserted into the front section of the guide rod 25 so as to be movable forward and backward, and the inner battery box 411 is provided with an escape groove 413 (see FIG. Figure 6 The avoidance groove 413 allows the cam 3 and the transmission shaft 24 to be separated and placed therein, so that when the weight unit 4 is embedded in the storage space 211, the power supply component 41 will not interfere with the cam 3 and the transmission shaft 24, which is beneficial to reduce the friction between the drive module 2, the cam 3 and the weight unit 4 in the storage space 11 (see Figure 1 In addition, under this premise, the base 21 may also be an outer battery box having a shape corresponding to the inner battery box 411, so as to be tightly engaged with the inner battery box 411, so that the power supply assembly 41 is not easy to fall off from the base 21.

[0034] See also Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6, the follower 42 has a plate body 421, a boss 422 and a slider 423 connected to the plate body 421. The plate body 421 extends along the front-to-back direction X. The slider 423 and the boss 422 extend in opposite directions from two opposite sides of the plate body 421, respectively. The boss 422 is movably inserted in the cam groove 31. In this embodiment, the plate body 421 is installed on the top side of the inner battery box 411, the slider 423 extends upward from the top side of the plate body 421 and extends in the front-to-back direction X, and the boss 422 protrudes downward from the bottom side of the plate body 421 and penetrates into the avoidance groove 413, and can be inserted in the cam groove 31.

[0035] Continue reading Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The control module 5 is electrically connected to the motor 22 and includes a circuit board 51 installed outside the base 21, two limit switches 52 electrically connected to the circuit board 51 and spaced apart in the front-to-back direction X, and a plurality of electronic components 53 installed on a side of the circuit board 51 away from the limit switches 52 and electrically connected to the circuit board 51. The limit switch 52 is used to detect the slider 423 of the follower 42. When the follower 42 moves in the front-to-back direction X and is detected by the limit switches 52 at the same time, the control module 5 controls the driving module 2 to maintain operation so that the follower 42 continues to move. However, when the follower 42 continues to move and is only detected by one of the limit switches 52, the follower 42 will be driven by the driving module 2 controlled by the control module 5 to move in the direction close to the other limit switch 52, so that the moving direction of the follower 42 is changed to limit the range of movement of the follower 42 in the front-to-back direction X. In this embodiment, the control module 5 is installed on the top side of the base 21 and the weight unit 4 to reduce the space occupied in the front-to-back direction X. In addition, the limit switch 52 is, for example, a photoelectric limit switch but is not limited thereto.

[0036] See also Figures 6 to 9 The following is a detailed description of the operation of the underwater life-simulating device. First, when the user wants to make the underwater life-simulating device change from a floating position or a horizontal position (see Figure 7 ) is transformed into Fig. 9When the motor 22 is in the diving posture shown in FIG. 1 , the user can set the control module 5 or send a control signal to the control module 5 to control the motor 22 to operate. When the motor 22 is controlled by the control module 5 to drive the transmission shaft 24 to rotate in the forward direction R1, the cam 3 is driven by the transmission shaft 24 to rotate in the forward direction R1 with the transmission shaft 24 as the axis. In this process, the boss 422 is moved from the position located at the first positioning portion 311 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 6 ) moves forward along the cam groove 31 to a position located at the second positioning portion 312 (see Figure 8 ), and drive the power supply assembly 41 to move forward and away from the driving module 2. By moving the power supply assembly 41 forward relative to the driving module 2, the center of gravity of the aquatic life-simulating device can be moved from the back to the front, so that when the aquatic life-simulating device swims in the water, the front section of the aquatic life-simulating device will gradually move downward relative to the rear section of the aquatic life-simulating device, and the whole device will present a tilted state with the front down and the back up (i.e., a diving posture).

[0037] Conversely, when the user wants to change the underwater life-simulating device from a submerged posture to a horizontal posture or a floating posture, the user can also control the motor 22 to operate through the control module 5. When the motor 22 is controlled by the control module 5 to drive the transmission shaft 24 to rotate in the reverse direction R2, the cam 3 is driven by the transmission shaft 24 to rotate in the reverse direction R2 with the transmission shaft 24 as the axis. During this process, the boss 422 will move backward along the cam groove 31 from the position of the second positioning portion 312 to the position of the first positioning portion 311, thereby driving the power supply assembly 41 to move backward and close to the driving module 2, and thereby allowing the center of gravity of the underwater life-imitation device to move from front to back to the starting position, so that when the underwater life-imitation device swims in the water, the front section of the underwater life-imitation device will gradually move upward to a corresponding height (i.e., a horizontal posture) relative to the rear section of the underwater life-imitation device, or the whole will present an inclined state with the front up and the back down (i.e., a floating posture), depending on the posture of the underwater life-imitation device at the start (i.e., when the boss 422 is located at the position of the first positioning portion 311).

[0038] See also Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7In addition, by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 22 through the control module 5, the moving speed of the weight unit 4 can be adjusted, and the control module 5 can control the amplitude of the rotation of the transmission shaft 24 driven by the motor 22, so that the boss 422 stays between the first positioning portion 311 and the second positioning portion 312 of the cam groove 31, and the forward and backward moving distance of the center of gravity position can be adjusted as needed.

[0039] Preferably, the cam groove 31 extends spirally around the transmission shaft 24 in the front-to-rear direction X. And the first positioning portion 311 and the second positioning portion 312 are both located outside the same side of the transmission shaft 24. In this way, the distance between the first positioning portion 311 and the second positioning portion 312 is the maximum range (i.e., fixed stroke) within which the weight unit 4 can move forward and backward. In other words, when the cam 3 rotates one circle in the forward direction R1, the boss 422 moves from the first positioning portion 311 to the second positioning portion 312, and when the cam 3 rotates one circle in the reverse direction R2, the boss 422 moves from the second positioning portion 312 to the first positioning portion 311. By virtue of the spiral design of the cam groove 31, the number of circles that the motor 22 drives the transmission shaft 24 to drive the cam 3 to rotate can be reduced, thereby increasing the durability of the motor 22.

[0040] Further reading Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 , which is another implementation aspect of the present embodiment. In this implementation aspect, the cam groove 31 is annularly arranged around the transmission shaft 24 (closed type). Specifically, the first positioning portion 311 and the second positioning portion 312 are respectively located outside the two opposite sides of the transmission shaft 24. In this way, when the cam 3 rotates half a circle in the forward direction R1, the boss 422 moves from the first positioning portion 311 along one section of the cam groove 31 to the second positioning portion 312, and then, when the cam 3 continues to rotate half a circle in the forward direction R1, the boss 422 returns from the second positioning portion 312 along another section of the cam groove 31 to the first positioning portion 311. The motor 22 only needs to drive the transmission shaft 24 to drive the cam 3 to rotate continuously in the same direction to allow the weight unit 4 to move alternately in the front and rear directions. Similarly, the motor 22 drives the transmission shaft 24 to drive the cam 3 to continuously rotate in the reverse direction R2, which can also allow the weight unit 4 to move alternately in the forward and backward directions.

[0041] In summary, by using the base 21 of the driving module 2 to bear most of the weight of the weight unit 4, and the boss 422 is inserted into the cam groove 31 in a loose fit manner, the weight required to be borne by the transmission shaft 24 of the driving module 2 can be greatly reduced, so as to reduce the loss of the transmission shaft 24, thereby achieving a durable effect. In addition, the loose fit connection between the boss 422 and the cam groove 31 can also reduce the friction between the boss 422 and the cam groove 31, which can also achieve a durable effect, and the loose fit connection can reduce the difficulty of assembly, thereby reducing production costs. In addition, by using the power supply component 41 as a weight for the underwater biological device, the number of components in the housing 1 can be reduced, so that the volume of the underwater biological device is reduced to achieve a miniaturized effect, so the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

Claims

1. A device for simulating underwater organisms, characterized in that: The underwater organism imitation device comprises: A housing having an accommodating space therein; A driving module is disposed in the accommodating space and includes a transmission shaft extending in a front-to-rear direction and capable of being driven to pivot in a controlled manner; a cam mounted on the transmission shaft and including a cam groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam, the cam groove extending around the transmission shaft in the front-rear direction; and The weight unit is mounted on the driving module so as to be movable forward and backward, and comprises a boss which is movably inserted in the cam groove. When the cam is driven by the transmission shaft and rotates around the transmission shaft, the boss moves along the cam groove to drive the weight unit to move forward and backward relative to the driving module, thereby changing the center of gravity of the underwater life simulating device.

2. The underwater organism simulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cam groove has a first positioning portion located at the rear side of the cam and a second positioning portion located at the front side of the cam, and the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are both located outside the same side of the transmission shaft.

3. The underwater organism simulating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cam groove extends helically around the transmission shaft in the front-rear direction.

4. The underwater organism simulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cam groove has a first positioning portion located at the rear side of the cam and a second positioning portion located at the front side of the cam, and the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are respectively located outside two opposite sides of the transmission shaft.

5. The underwater organism simulating device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cam groove is annularly disposed around the transmission shaft.

6. The underwater organism simulating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The weight unit includes a power supply assembly and a driven component installed on the power supply assembly and having the protruding column.

7. The underwater organism simulating device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driving module also includes a base, and a storage space is provided inside the base for arranging the transmission shaft and the cam therein. The power supply component can be movably arranged forward and backward through the storage space and covered outside the cam.

8. The underwater organism simulating device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driving module also includes a base, and the aquatic life-imitation device also includes a control module. The control module includes a circuit board installed outside the base, and two limit switches electrically connected to the circuit board and spaced apart in the front-to-back direction. The limit switches are used to detect the follower to keep the driving module operating.

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