A waterproof cable for an underwater robot

Abstract

The present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot, which relates to the technical field of wire and cable. It includes an outer sheath, a steel sheet winding layer, a non-woven fabric layer, and a thickened cushion layer. An armored outer skin is sleeved outside the cable core, and the armored outer skin is insulated from the cable core. The steel sheet winding layer is wound in a spiral, and there is a gap between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer. After an external sharp object cuts through the outer sheath and enters the gap of the steel sheet winding layer, the steel sheet laterally blocks the sharp object from continuing to slide with the waterproof cable, avoiding further large-area damage to the waterproof cable. Although the present invention designs two structures, namely the steel sheet winding layer and the armored outer skin, they do not affect the flexibility of the waterproof cable and do not prevent the waterproof cable from being dragged and moved underwater, making it have a better use effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of wire and cable, and specifically relates to a waterproof cable for an underwater robot. Background Art

[0002] The environment of manual underwater operations is poor and there are great potential safety hazards. Therefore, people have developed and designed various underwater robots to replace manual labor to complete some tasks; most underwater robots are driven by electricity, and the power supply cannot enter the 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 waterproof cable is very easy to be scratched through the insulating layer, resulting in waterproof failure, leading to circuit failures of the underwater machine, and even causing dangerous situations of electric shock. The traditional method is to add one or more metal armor layers, and the insulating layer is located inside the metal armor layer, which can achieve a good protection effect. However, the general metal armor layer is designed to be relatively thick, making the overall waterproof cable relatively hard, not facilitating the dragging of the waterproof cable underwater, and affecting the normal operation of the underwater robot. And designing a thinner metal armor layer cannot avoid the risk of being punctured. Therefore, the present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot, which solves the problem that when the metal armor layer is designed to be relatively thick, the overall waterproof cable is relatively hard, not facilitating the dragging of the waterproof cable underwater and affecting the normal operation of the underwater robot, and when the metal armor layer is designed to be thinner, the risk of being punctured cannot be avoided.

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

[0006] A waterproof cable for an underwater robot, comprising a cable core, an armor outer skin is sleeved outside the cable core, and the armor outer skin is insulated from the cable core.

[0007] A thickened cushion layer is sleeved outside the armor outer skin, a non-woven fabric layer is fixedly arranged outside the thickened cushion layer, a steel sheet winding layer is arranged outside the non-woven fabric layer, and an outer sheath is arranged outside the steel sheet winding layer.

[0008] There is a gap 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 includes: an insulating layer, a conductor member, an elastic filling member, a conductor stabilizer, and a PP flame-retardant filling rope;

[0011] The insulating layer is disposed outside the conductor member, the elastic filling member, the conductor stabilizer, and the PP flame-retardant filling rope, and the insulating layer is located inside the armored outer skin;

[0012] The conductor stabilizer includes: a first ring body, a second ring body, and an arc-shaped frame connected to the outside of the first ring body and the second ring body. The centers of the first ring body and the second ring body are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer, and the center of the arc-shaped frame is located above the axial section of the insulating layer;

[0013] There are two groups of the conductor members, and the two groups of conductor members are respectively located inside the first ring body and the second ring body;

[0014] The elastic filling member is disposed inside the arc-shaped frame, between the first ring body and the second ring body, and in the area below the first ring body and the second ring body;

[0015] The PP flame-retardant filling rope is filled in the area outside the elastic filling member and the conductor stabilizer;

[0016] Further preferably, the elastic filling member includes: a small head portion, a large head portion, and a hyperbolic clamping block. The small head portion and the large head portion are respectively fixed at both ends of the hyperbolic clamping block. The hyperbolic clamping block is located between the first ring body and the second ring body. The large head portion is located inside the arc-shaped frame, and the small head portion is located in the area below the first ring body and the second ring body.

[0017] Further preferably, the conductor stabilizer has several sections, and the length of each section of the conductor stabilizer is 0.4 m - 0.8 m.

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

[0019] The second conductor member includes: a central conductor. An annular distributed conductor is disposed outside the central conductor. A stabilizing ring is disposed outside the annular distributed conductor. A flame-retardant layer is disposed outside the stabilizing ring.

[0020] Further preferably, the steel sheet winding layer includes: a steel sheet strip. A first rectangular opening and a second rectangular opening are respectively disposed on both sides of the steel sheet strip.

[0021] Further preferably, the thickened cushion layer includes: an outer ring and an inner ring. The inner ring is located inside the outer ring, and several arc-shaped support members are annularly and arrayedly disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0022] Further preferably, the thickened cushion layer includes 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-shaped frame are all made of PP material.

[0024] Further preferably, tensile steel wires are embedded in the inner sides of the first ring body, the second ring body, and the arc-shaped frame.

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

[0026] 1. In the present invention, by designing structures such as an outer sheath, a steel sheet winding layer, a non-woven fabric layer, and a thickened cushion layer, the steel sheet winding layer is wound spirally, and there are gaps between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer. After an external sharp object cuts through the outer sheath and enters the gaps of the steel sheet winding layer, the steel sheets horizontally block the sharp object from continuing to slide with the waterproof cable, avoiding further large-area damage to the waterproof cable. A small-area cut of the outer sheath does not affect the waterproof performance of the waterproof cable, and the waterproof cable can be used normally; through the designed thickened cushion layer, most sharp objects are prevented from crossing the gaps of the steel sheet winding layer and damaging the armored outer skin; under the design of this structure, the function of the armored outer skin is only to prevent some small sharp objects from cutting through, so the thickness of the armored outer skin can be reduced, and the steel strip of the steel sheet winding layer is not completely wound. Although two structures, namely the steel sheet winding layer and the armored outer skin, are designed, they do not affect the flexibility of the waterproof cable and do not prevent the waterproof cable from being dragged and moved underwater, making it have a better use effect.

[0027] 2. In the present invention, by designing the steel sheet winding layer, it can outwardly support the outer sheath and protect the inner thickened cushion layer. When the waterproof cable is subjected to external extrusion, the steel sheet winding layer can maintain the shape of the waterproof cable, making the waterproof cable have better compressive performance, and the thickened cushion layer can play a role in buffering and protection.

[0028] 3. In the present invention, by designing the conductor stabilizer, the conductor stabilizer includes a first ring body, a second ring body, and an arc-shaped frame connected to the outer sides of the first ring body and the second ring body. The centers of the first ring body and the second ring body are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer, and the center of the arc-shaped frame is located above the axial section of the insulating layer. There are two groups of conductor components, and the two groups of conductor components are respectively located inside the first ring body and the second ring body. In this way, when the waterproof cable is externally stressed, there is a large activity space between the two groups of conductor components, avoiding mutual extrusion between the two groups of conductor components and causing deformation of the two groups of conductor components, which affects the power transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 The front view of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 is Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the A-A section line in

[0032] Figure 4 The three-dimensional view of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 The three-dimensional view of the cable core of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 The three-dimensional view of the conductor stabilizer of a waterproof cable for an underwater robot proposed by the present invention.

[0035] Wherein, 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; 403. Inner ring; 5. Armor outer skin; 6. Insulation layer; 7. Conductor part; 701. First conductor part; 702. Second conductor part; 702a. Flame retardant layer; 702b. Stabilizing ring; 702c. Annular distributed conductor; 702d. Central conductor; 8. Elastic filler; 801. Small head; 802. Big head; 803. Hyperbolic clamp; 9. Conductor stabilizer; 901. First ring body; 902. Second ring body; 903. Arc-shaped frame; 10. PP flame retardant filling rope. Specific embodiments

[0036] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0037] Embodiment 1:

[0038] As Figures 1-6 shown, the embodiment of the present invention provides a waterproof cable for an underwater robot, including a cable core. An armor outer skin 5 is sleeved outside the cable core. The armor outer skin 5 is insulated from the cable core (the outside of the generally used cable core is insulated), and the thickness H of the armor outer skin 5 satisfies Equation ①;

[0039] H = 0.003D + 0.3 ①;

[0040] In formula ①, D represents the diameter of the waterproof cable (the produced finished waterproof cable), and H represents the thickness of the armored outer sheath 5; the thickness of the armored outer 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 thickening cushion layer 4 is sleeved outside the armored outer sheath 5. The thickening cushion layer 4 is used to protect the armored outer sheath 5 and the cable core inside the armored outer sheath 5. A non-woven fabric layer 3 is fixedly arranged outside the thickening cushion layer 4. The non-woven fabric layer 3 plays a transitional role to avoid damaging the thickening cushion layer 4 when winding the steel sheet winding layer 2. A steel sheet winding layer 2 is arranged outside the non-woven fabric layer 3, and an outer sheath 1 is arranged outside the steel sheet winding layer 2. The outer sheath 1 is made of cross-linked polyethylene material.

[0042] There is a gap 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 axially and basically does not affect the flexibility of the produced waterproof cable. The thickness of the thickening cushion layer 4 is not less than 0.25R, where R represents the radius of the waterproof cable, so as to avoid sharp objects passing through the gap between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer 2 and then continuing to penetrate the thickening cushion layer 4 and puncturing the armored outer sheath 5.

[0043] The waterproof cable for an underwater robot needs to ensure that the waterproof cable has good flexibility and must also design an armored structure to avoid sharp objects cutting the protective layer (referring to the plastic insulating protective layer). Therefore, in this solution, an armored outer sheath 5 is designed, and the armored outer sheath 5 plays a key protective role. However, structures such as an outer sheath 1, a steel sheet winding layer 2, a non-woven fabric layer 3, and a thickening cushion layer 4 are also designed outside the armored outer sheath 5. The steel sheet winding layer 2 is helically wound, and there is a gap between adjacent steel sheets in the steel sheet winding layer 2. After an external sharp object cuts through the outer sheath 1, it enters the gap of the steel sheet winding layer 2. The steel sheet horizontally blocks the sharp object from continuing to slide with the waterproof cable, avoiding further large-area damage to the waterproof cable. A small-area cut through the outer sheath 1 does not affect the waterproof performance of the waterproof cable, and the waterproof cable can be used normally. Through the designed thickening cushion layer, most sharp objects are avoided from passing through the gap of the steel sheet winding layer 2 and damaging the armored outer sheath 5; under the design of this structure, the role of the armored outer sheath 5 is only to prevent some small sharp objects from cutting, so the thickness of the armored outer sheath 5 can be reduced. And the steel belt of the steel sheet winding layer 2 is not completely wound. Although two structures of the steel sheet winding layer 2 and the armored outer sheath 5 are designed, they do not affect the flexibility of the waterproof cable and do not prevent the waterproof cable from being dragged and moved underwater, making it have better use effects.

[0044] This solution designs a steel sheet winding layer 2, which can outwardly support the outer sheath 1 and protect the thickened cushion layer 4 inside. When the waterproof cable is subjected to external extrusion, the steel sheet winding layer 2 can maintain the shape of the waterproof cable, enabling the waterproof cable to have better compressive performance, and the thickened cushion layer 4 can play a role in buffering and protecting.

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

[0046] The insulating layer 6 is arranged outside the conductor member 7, the elastic filler 8, the conductor stabilizer 9, and the PP flame-retardant filling cord 10, and the insulating layer 6 is located inside the armored outer skin 5. The insulating layer 6 can be made of silicone rubber material, and the silicone rubber material has elasticity, so that the insulating layer 6 fits tightly with the inner side of the armored outer skin 5.

[0047] The conductor stabilizer 9 includes: a first ring body 901, a second ring body 902, and an arc-shaped frame 903 connected to the outside of the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902. The centers of the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902 are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer 6, and the center of the arc-shaped 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 ring body 901 and the second ring body 902 large. When the outside of the waterproof cable is squeezed, the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902 can stagger each other to avoid mutual hard extrusion damage between them.

[0049] There are two groups of conductor members 7, and the two groups of conductor members 7 are respectively located inside the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902. The elastic filler 8 is arranged inside the arc-shaped 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 cord 10 is filled in the area outside the elastic filler 8 and the conductor stabilizer 9.

[0050] The PP flame-retardant filling cord 10 mainly exists in two areas. One area is above and on the left and right sides of the arc-shaped frame 903, and the other area is the area below the two groups of conductor members 7. The PP flame-retardant filling cord 10 forms a circular cross-section of the conductor member 7, the elastic filler 8, the conductor stabilizer 9, and the PP flame-retardant filling cord 10 according to actual needs.

[0051] In this solution, a conductor stabilizer 9 is designed. The conductor stabilizer 9 includes: a first ring body 901, a second ring body 902, and an arc-shaped frame 903 connected to the outer sides of the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902. The centers of the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902 are both located below the axial section of the insulating layer 6, and the center of the arc-shaped frame 903 is located above the axial section of the insulating layer 6. There are two groups of conductor components 7, and the two groups of conductor components are respectively located inside the first ring body and the second ring body. In this way, when the waterproof cable is externally stressed, there is a large activity space between the two groups of conductor components, avoiding mutual extrusion between the two groups of conductor components, causing deformation of the two groups of conductor components and affecting the power transmission.

[0052] In an embodiment, the elastic filling member 8 includes: a small head portion 801, a large head portion 802, and a hyperbolic clamping block 803. The small head portion 801, the large head portion 802, and the hyperbolic clamping block 803 are of an integral structure. The small head portion 801 and the large head portion 802 are respectively fixed at both ends of the hyperbolic clamping block 803. The bottom of the small head portion 801 and the top of the large head portion 802 are both arc-shaped. The hyperbolic clamping block 803 is located between the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902, the large head portion 802 is located inside the arc-shaped frame 903, and the small head portion 801 is located in the area below the first ring body 901 and the second ring body 902. The elastic filling member 8 can be made of polypropylene material.

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

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

[0055] Next, the second conductor component 702 is specifically introduced. It includes: a central conductor 702d. An annular distributed conductor 702c is arranged outside the central conductor 702d. A stabilizing ring 702b is arranged outside the annular distributed conductor 702c. The stabilizing ring 702b can also use a multi-section structure. A flame retardant layer 702a is arranged outside the stabilizing ring 702b.

[0056] In an embodiment, the steel sheet winding layer 2 includes: a steel sheet strip 201. First rectangular openings 202 and second rectangular openings 203 are respectively arranged on both sides of the steel sheet strip 201. The designs of the first rectangular opening 202 and the second rectangular opening 203 make the steel sheet strip 201 use less material and reduce the stress existing in the steel sheet strip 201 itself, which 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 support members 402 are arranged in an annular array 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 support members 402 are of an integral structure.

[0058] In another 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 sponge layer is arranged between the outer ring 401 and the inner ring 403. 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 ring body 901, the second ring body 902, and the arc-shaped frame 903 are all made of PP material (polypropylene material), which has good high-temperature resistance, can avoid thermal deformation of the first ring body 901, the second ring body 902, and the arc-shaped frame 903, and ensure the structural stability of the conductor stabilizer 9.

[0060] In one embodiment, tensile steel wires are embedded in the inner sides of the first ring body 901, the second ring body 902, and the arc-shaped frame 903, so that the conductor stabilizer 9 has certain tensile properties.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. 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; 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).

2. A waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 1, 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).

3. 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.

4. The waterproof cable for an underwater robot according to claim 3, 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).

5. 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).

6. 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).

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 sponge layer is provided between the outer ring (401) and the inner ring (403).

8. 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.

9. 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).

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