Waterproof cable for underwater robot

Abstract

The invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot, and relates to the technical field of wires and cables, the waterproof cable comprises an outer sheath, a steel sheet winding layer, a non-woven fabric layer and a thickened cushion layer, the outer side of a cable core is sleeved with an armored sheath, the armored sheath is insulated from the cable core, the steel sheet winding layer is spirally wound, and the non-woven fabric layer is wound around the steel sheet winding layer. The gaps are formed between the adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer, an external sharp object enters the gaps of the steel sheet winding layer after scratching the outer sheath, and the steel sheets transversely prevent the sharp object from continuously sliding with the waterproof cable, so that large-area damage to the waterproof cable is avoided, and the service life of the waterproof cable is prolonged. According to the invention, although the two-layer structure of the steel sheet winding layer and the armored sheath is designed, the flexibility of the waterproof cable is not influenced, and the waterproof cable is not hindered from being dragged and moved underwater, so that the waterproof cable has a better use effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of electric wires and cables, in particular to a waterproof cable for an underwater robot. Background Art

[0002] The environment for artificial underwater operations is poor and there are great safety hazards. For this reason, people have developed and designed various underwater robots to replace humans to complete some tasks. Underwater robots are mostly driven by electricity, but the power supply cannot enter underwater. The power supply is designed on the shore or on a small boat, and the power supply and the underwater robot are electrically connected through a waterproof cable.

[0003] When the underwater robot is walking and working, it will drag the waterproof cable. Once there are sharp objects underwater, the insulating layer of the waterproof cable will be easily scratched, resulting in waterproof failure, causing circuit failure of the underwater machine, and even causing dangerous electric shock. The traditional way is to add one or more metal armor layers, and the insulating layer is located inside the metal armor layer, which can provide good protection. However, the general metal armor layer is designed to be thicker, making the waterproof cable harder as a whole, which makes it inconvenient for the waterproof cable to be dragged underwater, affecting the normal operation of the underwater robot, and the thinner metal armor layer cannot avoid the risk of being punctured. For this reason, the present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot, which solves the problem that a thicker metal armor layer will make the waterproof cable as a whole harder, making it inconvenient to drag the waterproof cable underwater and affecting the normal operation of the underwater robot, while a thinner metal armor layer cannot avoid the risk of being punctured.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A waterproof cable for an underwater robot comprises a cable core, an armored sheath is provided on the outer side of the cable core, and the armored sheath is insulated from the cable core.

[0007] The outer side of the armored outer skin is provided with a thickened cushion layer, the outer side of the thickened cushion layer is fixedly provided with a non-woven fabric layer, the outer side of the non-woven fabric layer is provided with a steel sheet winding layer, and the outer side of the steel sheet winding layer is provided with an outer sheath;

[0008] A gap is provided between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer;

[0009] The thickness of the thickened cushion layer is not less than 0.25R, where R represents the radius of the waterproof cable.

[0010] Further preferably, the cable core comprises: an insulating layer, a conductor, an elastic filling member, a conductor stabilizing frame, and a PP flame-retardant filling rope;

[0011] The insulating layer is arranged on the outside of the conductor, the elastic filling member, the conductor stabilizing frame, and the PP flame-retardant filling rope, and the insulating layer is located on the inside of the armored outer skin;

[0012] The conductor stabilizing frame comprises: a first circle body, a second circle body and an arc frame connected to the outside of the first circle body and the second circle body, the centers of the first circle body and the second circle body are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer, and the center of the arc frame is located above the axial section of the insulating layer;

[0013] The conductor members are provided in two groups, and the two groups of the conductor members are respectively located inside the first circle body and the second circle body;

[0014] The elastic filling member is arranged on the inner side of the arc frame, between the first circle body and the second circle body, and in the area below the first circle body and the second circle body;

[0015] The PP flame-retardant filling rope is filled in the area outside the elastic filling piece and the conductor stabilizing frame.

[0016] Further preferably, the elastic filling piece includes: a small head, a large head, and a hyperbolic clamping block, the small head and the large head are respectively fixed at two ends of the hyperbolic clamping block, the hyperbolic clamping block is located between the first circle body and the second circle body, the large head is located on the inner side of the arc frame, and the small head is located in the area below the first circle body and the second circle body.

[0017] Further preferably, the conductor stabilizing frame is provided with a plurality of sections, and the length of each section of the conductor stabilizing frame is 0.4m-0.8m.

[0018] Further preferably, the two groups of conductors are respectively: a first conductor and a second conductor, and the first conductor and the second conductor have the same structure;

[0019] The second conductor member comprises: a central conductor, an annular distributed conductor is arranged outside the central conductor, a stabilizing ring is arranged outside the annular distributed conductor, and a flame retardant layer is arranged outside the stabilizing ring.

[0020] Further preferably, the steel sheet winding layer comprises: a steel sheet strip, and a first rectangular opening and a second rectangular opening are respectively provided on two sides of the steel sheet strip.

[0021] Further preferably, the thickened cushion layer comprises: an outer ring and an inner ring, the inner ring is located inside the outer ring, and a plurality of arc-shaped support members distributed in a ring array are arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0022] Further preferably, the thickened cushion layer comprises: an outer ring and an inner ring, the inner ring is located inside the outer ring, and a sponge layer is provided between the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0023] Further preferably, the first ring body, the second ring body and the arc frame are all made of PP material.

[0024] Further preferably, tensile steel wires are embedded inside the first circle body, the second circle body and the arc-shaped frame.

[0025] The present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1. The present invention, through designing the structures of outer sheath, steel sheet winding layer, non-woven fabric layer, thickened cushion layer, etc., the steel sheet winding layer is spirally wound, and gaps are arranged between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer. After an external sharp object scratches the outer sheath, it enters the gap of the steel sheet winding layer, and the steel sheet horizontally blocks the sharp object and the waterproof cable from continuing to slide, thereby avoiding further large-scale damage to the waterproof cable. A small-area scratch on the outer sheath does not affect the waterproof property of the waterproof cable, and the waterproof cable can be used normally; through the designed thickened cushion layer, most of the sharp objects are prevented from crossing the gap of the steel sheet winding layer and damaging the armored outer skin; under the design of this structure, the role of the armored outer skin is only to prevent some small sharp objects from scratching it, thereby reducing the thickness of the armored outer skin, and the steel belt of the steel sheet winding layer is not completely wound. Although a two-layer structure of the steel sheet winding layer and the armored outer skin is designed, it does not affect the flexibility of the waterproof cable, and does not hinder the waterproof cable from being dragged and moved underwater, so that it has a better use effect.

[0027] 2. The present invention, through the design of the steel sheet winding layer, can support the outer sheath outward to protect the thickened cushion layer inside. When the waterproof cable is squeezed by external force, the steel sheet winding layer can maintain the shape of the waterproof cable, so that the waterproof cable has better compression resistance, and the thickened cushion layer can play a role of buffering protection.

[0028] 3. The present invention designs a conductor stabilizing frame, which includes: a first circle body, a second circle body, and an arc frame connected to the outside of the first circle body and the second circle body. The centers of the first circle body and the second circle body are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer, and the center of the arc frame is located above the axial section of the insulating layer. Two groups of conductor parts are provided, and the two groups of conductor parts are respectively located inside the first circle body and the second circle body. In this way, when the waterproof cable is subjected to external force, there is a large movable space between the two groups of conductor parts, which avoids mutual squeezing between the two groups of conductor parts, causing deformation of the two groups of conductor parts and affecting the transmission of electricity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG1 is a three-dimensional view of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention;

[0030] FIG2 is a front view of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to the present invention;

[0031] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view of the section line AA in FIG2 ;

[0032] FIG4 is a three-dimensional view of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention;

[0033] FIG5 is a perspective view of a cable core of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a conductor stabilizing frame of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention.

[0035] Among them, 1. outer sheath; 2. steel sheet winding layer; 201. steel sheet strip; 202. first rectangular opening; 203. second rectangular opening; 3. non-woven fabric layer; 4. thickened cushion layer; 401. outer ring; 402. arc-shaped support member; 403. inner ring; 5. armored outer skin; 6. insulating layer; 7. conductor member; 701. first conductor member; 702. second conductor member; 702a. flame retardant layer; 702b. stabilizing ring; 702c. annular distributed conductor; 702d. center conductor; 8. elastic filling member; 801. small head; 802. large head; 803. hyperbolic clamp; 9. conductor stabilizing frame; 901. first circle; 902. second circle; 903. arc-shaped frame; 10. PP flame retardant filling rope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Embodiment 1:

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot, comprising a cable core, an armored outer sheath 5 is provided on the outer side of the cable core, the armored outer sheath 5 is insulated from the cable core (the outer side of the generally used cable core is insulated), and the thickness H of the armored outer sheath 5 satisfies formula ①;

[0039] H=0.003D+0.3 ① ;

[0040] In formula ①, D represents the diameter of the waterproof cable (representing the finished waterproof cable produced), and H represents the thickness of the armored sheath 5; the thickness of the armored sheath 5 calculated in formula ① is relatively thin, which does not affect the flexibility of the waterproof cable and can ensure that the waterproof cable can be freely dragged underwater.

[0041] In the present invention, a thickened cushion layer 4 is provided on the outer side of the armored outer skin 5, and the thickened cushion layer 4 is used to protect the armored outer skin 5 and the cable core inside the armored outer skin 5. A non-woven fabric layer 3 is fixedly provided on the outer side of the thickened cushion layer 4, and the non-woven fabric layer 3 plays a transitional role to avoid damage to the thickened cushion layer 4 when the steel sheet winding layer 2 is wound. A steel sheet winding layer 2 is provided on the outer side of the non-woven fabric layer 3, and an outer sheath 1 is provided on the outer side of the steel sheet winding layer 2. The outer sheath 1 is made of cross-linked polyethylene material.

[0042] Gaps are provided between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer 2, that is, the winding method of the steel sheet winding layer 2 is relatively loose, so that the steel sheet winding layer 2 is easy to deform in the axial direction, which basically does not affect the flexibility of the waterproof cable produced. The thickness of the thickened cushion layer 4 is not less than 0.25R, where R represents the radius of the waterproof cable, so as to prevent sharp objects from passing through the gap set between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer 2, and then continuing to pass through the thickened cushion layer 4 and then puncturing the armored outer skin 5.

[0043] The waterproof cable used in underwater robots needs to ensure that the waterproof cable has good flexibility, and an armored structure must be designed to prevent sharp objects from scratching the protective layer (referring to the insulating protective layer of plastic material). Therefore, in this solution, an armored outer skin 5 is designed, and the armored outer skin 5 plays a key protective role. However, an outer sheath 1, a steel sheet winding layer 2, a non-woven fabric layer 3, a thickened cushion layer 4 and other structures are designed on the outside of the armored outer skin 5. The steel sheet winding layer 2 is spirally wound, and gaps are provided between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer 2. After an external sharp object scratches the outer sheath 1 and enters the gap in the steel sheet winding layer 2, the steel sheet laterally blocks the sharp object and the waterproof cable from continuing to slide, thereby avoiding further large-scale damage to the waterproof cable. A small area of ​​scratching the outer sheath 1 does not affect the waterproofness of the waterproof cable, and the waterproof cable can be used normally. Through the designed thickened cushion layer, most sharp objects are prevented from passing through the gap of the steel sheet winding layer 2 and causing damage to the armor outer skin 5; under the design of this structure, the function of the armor outer skin 5 is only to prevent some small sharp objects from scratching it, so that the thickness of the armor outer skin 5 can be reduced, and the steel belt of the steel sheet winding layer 2 is not completely wound. Although a two-layer structure of the steel sheet winding layer 2 and the armor outer skin 5 is designed, it does not affect the flexibility of the waterproof cable and does not hinder the waterproof cable from being dragged and moved underwater, so that it has a better use effect.

[0044] The present solution designs a steel sheet wrapping layer 2, which can support the outer sheath 1 outward and protect the thickened cushion layer 4 inside. When the waterproof cable is squeezed by external force, the steel sheet wrapping layer 2 can maintain the shape of the waterproof cable, so that the waterproof cable has better compression resistance, and the thickened cushion layer 4 can play a role of buffering protection.

[0045] In one embodiment, the cable core includes: an insulating layer 6 , a conductor 7 , an elastic filling member 8 , a conductor stabilizing frame 9 , and a PP flame-retardant filling rope 10 .

[0046] The insulating layer 6 is arranged on the outside of the conductor part 7, the elastic filling part 8, the conductor stabilizing frame 9, and the PP flame-retardant filling rope 10, and the insulating layer 6 is located on the inside of the armored outer skin 5. The insulating layer 6 can be made of silicone rubber material, which is elastic, so that the insulating layer 6 fits tightly to the inner side of the armored outer skin 5.

[0047] The conductor stabilizing frame 9 includes: a first circle body 901, a second circle body 902 and an arc frame 903 connected to the outside of the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902. The centers of the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902 are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer 6, and the center of the arc frame 903 is located above the axial section of the insulating layer 6.

[0048] The design of the above structure makes the elastic space of the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902 large. When the waterproof cable is squeezed outside, the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902 can be staggered to avoid mutual hard squeezing damage.

[0049] There are two groups of conductor parts 7, which are respectively located inside the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902. The elastic filling member 8 is arranged on the inner side of the arc frame 903, between the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902, and in the area below the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902. The PP flame-retardant filling rope 10 is filled in the area outside the elastic filling member 8 and the conductor stabilizing frame 9.

[0050] The PP flame retardant filling rope 10 mainly exists in two areas, one area is above and on the left and right sides of the arc frame 903, and the other area is below the two groups of conductor parts 7. The PP flame retardant filling rope 10 forms a circular cross-section with the conductor parts 7, elastic filling parts 8, conductor stabilizing frame 9, and PP flame retardant filling rope 10 according to actual needs.

[0051] The present solution designs a conductor stabilizing frame 9, which includes: a first circle body 901, a second circle body 902, and an arc frame 903 connected to the outside of the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902. The centers of the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902 are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer 6, and the center of the arc frame 903 is located above the axial section of the insulating layer 6. Two groups of conductor parts 7 are provided, and the two groups of conductor parts are respectively located inside the first circle body and the second circle body. In this way, when the waterproof cable is subjected to external force, there is a large movable space between the two groups of conductor parts, which avoids mutual squeezing between the two groups of conductor parts, causing deformation of the two groups of conductor parts and affecting the transmission of electricity.

[0052] In one embodiment, the elastic filling piece 8 includes: a small head 801, a large head 802, and a hyperbolic clamp 803. The small head 801, the large head 802, and the hyperbolic clamp 803 are an integrated structure. The small head 801 and the large head 802 are respectively fixed at the two ends of the hyperbolic clamp 803. The bottom of the small head 801 and the top of the large head 802 are both set to be arc-shaped. The hyperbolic clamp 803 is located between the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902. The large head 802 is located on the inner side of the arc frame 903. The small head 801 is located in the area below the first circle body 901 and the second circle body 902. The elastic filling piece 8 can be made of polypropylene.

[0053] In one embodiment, the conductor stabilizing frame 9 is provided with several sections, and the length of each section of the conductor stabilizing frame 9 is 0.4m-0.8m. The conductor stabilizing frame 9 is divided into several sections, which can not only stabilize the two groups of conductor parts 7, but also will not affect the flexibility of the finished waterproof cable.

[0054] In one embodiment, the two groups of conductors 7 are respectively: a first conductor 701 and a second conductor 702 , and the first conductor 701 and the second conductor 702 have the same structure.

[0055] The second conductor 702 is specifically introduced below, which includes: a central conductor 702d, an annular distributed conductor 702c is arranged on the outer side of the central conductor 702d, a stabilizing ring 702b is arranged on the outer side of the annular distributed conductor 702c, the stabilizing ring 702b can also use a multi-section structure, and a flame retardant layer 702a is arranged on the outer side of the stabilizing ring 702b.

[0056] In one embodiment, the steel sheet winding layer 2 includes: a steel sheet strip 201, and a first rectangular opening 202 and a second rectangular opening 203 are respectively provided on both sides of the steel sheet strip 201. The design of the first rectangular opening 202 and the second rectangular opening 203 makes the steel sheet strip 201 use less material, reduces the stress of the steel sheet strip 201 itself, and affects the flexibility of the finished waterproof cable.

[0057] In one embodiment, the thickened cushion layer 4 includes: an outer ring 401 and an inner ring 403. The inner ring 403 is located inside the outer ring 401, and a plurality of arc-shaped supports 402 distributed in a circular array are arranged between the outer ring 401 and the inner ring 403. This structural design saves more materials, and the outer ring 401, the inner ring 403 and the arc-shaped supports 402 are an integrated structure.

[0058] In another embodiment, the thickened cushion layer 4 includes: an outer ring 401 and an inner ring 403 , wherein the inner ring 403 is located inside the outer ring 401 , and a sponge layer is provided between the outer ring 401 and the inner ring 403 , and the sponge layer is used to fill the gap between the outer ring 401 and the inner ring 403 .

[0059] In one embodiment, the first circle body 901 , the second circle body 902 , and the arc frame 903 are all made of PP (polypropylene) material, which has good high temperature resistance, can avoid thermal deformation of the first circle body 901 , the second circle body 902 , and the arc frame 903 , and ensure the structural stability of the conductor stabilizing frame 9 .

[0060] In one embodiment, tensile steel wires are embedded inside the first circle 901 , the second circle 902 , and the arc frame 903 , so that the conductor stabilizing frame 9 has certain tensile resistance.

[0061] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A waterproof cable for an underwater robot, comprising a cable core, characterized in that: The outer side of the cable core is provided with an armored outer sheath (5), and the armored outer sheath (5) is insulated from the cable core. The outer side of the armored outer skin (5) is provided with a thickened cushion layer (4), the outer side of the thickened cushion layer (4) is fixedly provided with a non-woven fabric layer (3), the outer side of the non-woven fabric layer (3) is provided with a steel sheet winding layer (2), and the outer side of the steel sheet winding layer (2) is provided with an outer sheath (1); A gap is provided between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer (2); The thickness of the thickened cushion layer (4) is not less than 0.25R, where R represents the radius of the waterproof cable.

2. A waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cable core comprises: an insulating layer (6), a conductor (7), an elastic filling member (8), a conductor stabilizing frame (9), and a PP flame-retardant filling rope (10); The insulating layer (6) is arranged on the outside of the conductor member (7), the elastic filling member (8), the conductor stabilizing frame (9), and the PP flame-retardant filling rope (10), and the insulating layer (6) is located on the inside of the armored outer skin (5); The conductor stabilizing frame (9) comprises: a first circle body (901), a second circle body (902), and an arc frame (903) connected to the outside of the first circle body (901) and the second circle body (902), the centers of the first circle body (901) and the second circle body (902) are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer (6), and the center of the arc frame (903) is located above the axial section of the insulating layer (6); Two groups of the conductor members (7) are provided, and the two groups of the conductor members (7) are respectively located inside the first circle body (901) and the second circle body (902); The elastic filling member (8) is arranged on the inner side of the arc frame (903), between the first ring body (901) and the second ring body (902), and in the area below the first ring body (901) and the second ring body (902); The PP flame-retardant filling rope (10) is filled in the area outside the elastic filling piece (8) and the conductor stabilizing frame (9).

3. A waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic filling member (8) comprises: a small head (801), a large head (802), and a hyperbolic clamping block (803); the small head (801) and the large head (802) are respectively fixed at two ends of the hyperbolic clamping block (803); the hyperbolic clamping block (803) is located between the first circle body (901) and the second circle body (902); the large head (802) is located on the inner side of the arc frame (903); and the small head (801) is located in the area below the first circle body (901) and the second circle body (902).

4. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conductor stabilizing frame (9) is provided with a plurality of sections, and the length of each section of the conductor stabilizing frame (9) is 0.4 m to 0.8 m.

5. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two groups of conductors (7) are respectively: a first conductor (701) and a second conductor (702); the first conductor (701) and the second conductor (702) have the same structure; The second conductor (702) comprises: a central conductor (702d), an annular distributed conductor (702c) is arranged on the outside of the central conductor (702d), a stabilizing ring (702b) is arranged on the outside of the annular distributed conductor (702c), and a flame retardant layer (702a) is arranged on the outside of the stabilizing ring (702b).

6. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steel sheet winding layer (2) comprises: a steel sheet strip (201), wherein two sides of the steel sheet strip (201) are respectively provided with a first rectangular opening (202) and a second rectangular opening (203).

7. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickened cushion layer (4) comprises an outer ring (401) and an inner ring (403), wherein the inner ring (403) is located inside the outer ring (401), and a plurality of arc-shaped support members (402) distributed in a ring array are arranged between the outer ring (401) and the inner ring (403).

8. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickened cushion layer (4) comprises: an outer ring (401) and an inner ring (403), wherein the inner ring (403) is located inside the outer ring (401), and a sponge layer is provided between the outer ring (401) and the inner ring (403).

9. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first ring body (901), the second ring body (902), and the arc-shaped frame (903) are all made of PP material.

10. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 2, characterized in that: Tensile steel wires are embedded inside the first circle body (901), the second circle body (902), and the arc-shaped frame (903).

Images