Valve actuator

Abstract

A valve actuator comprises a supporting body (10), an operating piece (30) and a locking piece (50). The support body has a plurality of locking structures (12). A number of locking structures are distributed along a circumferential direction (C), wherein the circumferentially surrounding axis is a first axis (L1). The operating member is rotatably connected to the support body about a first axis. The locking piece is movably connected with the operating piece. The operating piece can rotate to a plurality of locking positions relative to the supporting body. Each locking position corresponds to one locking structure. Under the condition that the operating piece is located at the locking position, the locking piece can move relative to the operating piece to be connected with the corresponding locking structure so as to prevent the operating piece from rotating relative to the supporting body. According to the valve actuator, locking and unlocking of the operating piece can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of valves, and in particular to a valve actuator. Background Art

[0002] A valve actuator is a machine used to drive a valve. A valve actuator is usually provided with a manual operating mechanism. The manual operating mechanism is used to manually drive the valve stem of the valve. The manual operating mechanism of the existing valve actuator cannot be locked after the operation is completed, making it difficult to maintain the valve stem in a fixed position. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a valve actuator, the manual operating mechanism of which can achieve locking after operation.

[0004] The present invention provides a valve actuator, which includes a support body, an operating member and a locking member. The support body has a plurality of locking structures. The plurality of locking structures are distributed along a circumference, wherein the axis surrounding the circumference is a first axis. The operating member is rotatably connected to the support body around the first axis. The locking member is movably connected to the operating member. The operating member can rotate to a plurality of locking positions relative to the support body. Each locking position corresponds to a locking structure. When the operating member is in the locking position, the locking member can move relative to the operating member to engage with the corresponding locking structure to prevent the operating member from rotating relative to the support body.

[0005] The valve actuator can realize locking and unlocking of the operating member through the locking structure and the locking member.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the movement trajectory of the locking member relative to the operating member is arranged to gradually move away from the first axis along the circumferential direction. The valve actuator also includes a locking drive member. The locking drive member is rotatably connected to the operating member around the first axis. The locking drive member can push the locking member to move relative to the operating member by rotating relative to the operating member. This facilitates operation.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the movement trajectory of the locking member relative to the operating member is a straight line trajectory or an arc trajectory perpendicular to the first axis, thereby making the overall structure more compact and conducive to saving space.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the locking drive member has a drive hole extending in a first direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the first axis. The drive hole extends in a radial direction of rotation of the operating member. The locking member is inserted into the drive hole. The locking drive member rotating relative to the operating member can push the locking member to move relative to the operating member through the hole wall of the drive hole. The structure is simple, easy to process and has good stability.

[0009] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the operating member includes a shaft portion and a knob portion. The shaft portion is rotatably inserted in the support body around a first axis. The knob portion is located at the front side of the shaft portion along the first direction and is fixedly connected to the shaft portion. The rear end surface of the knob portion along the first direction is provided with a slide groove recessed along the first direction. The locking member is inserted in the slide groove and can slide in the slide groove. The locking drive member is arranged at the rear side of the knob portion along the first direction. In this way, the overall structure is more compact, which is conducive to saving space.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the operating member includes a rotating shaft portion. The rotating shaft portion is rotatably inserted into the support body around a first axis. The locking drive member includes an annular pivot portion. The pivot portion is rotatably sleeved on the rotating shaft portion. This structure saves space and is easy to assemble.

[0011] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, a circular groove extending in the circumferential direction is concavely formed on the surface of the rotating shaft portion. The inner edge of the pivot portion has a plurality of hooks. The plurality of hooks are distributed in the circumferential direction and form a snap connection with the groove wall of the circular groove to prevent the locking drive member from moving relative to the operating member in a direction parallel to the first axis. This structure can be easily assembled.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the operating member includes a knob portion. The circumferential outer surface of the knob portion has a notch. The front end of the locking drive member along the rotation radial direction of the operating member has an operating portion. The operating portion is arranged in the notch. This facilitates operation and makes the overall structure more compact.

[0013] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the locking drive has a first limiting structure, the operating member has a second limiting structure, one of the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure is a protrusion, and the other has a groove that cooperates with the protrusion. When the locking drive is located at a limiting position relative to the operating member, the protrusion is embedded in the groove to prevent the locking drive from rotating relative to the operating member. In the process of the locking drive rotating into or out of the limiting position, the groove wall of the groove can be elastically deformed under the abutment of the protrusion to allow the locking drive to continue to rotate. The limiting position corresponds to a state in which the locking member is engaged with the locking structure or corresponds to a state in which the locking member is separated from the locking structure. Thereby, a sense of jamming can be generated when the operating member rotates to the limiting position, and it is beneficial to keep the locking drive at the limiting position.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the locking structure is a slot. When the operating member is in the locking position, the locking member can move to engage with the corresponding slot to prevent the operating member from rotating relative to the support body. This structure is easy to process and has good stability.

[0015] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, the operating member includes a knob portion. The support body has a top surface opposite to the knob portion along a first direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the first axis. The slot is recessed in a portion of the top surface opposite to the knob portion along the first direction. The locking member is disposed between the knob portion and the top surface along the first direction. The overall structure is thereby more compact, which is conducive to saving space.

[0016] In another exemplary embodiment of the valve actuator, a cross section of the slot perpendicular to the insertion direction of the locking member is in the shape of a triangle with a tip facing the opposite direction of the first direction. A cross section of an end of the locking member for inserting into the slot perpendicular to the insertion direction of the locking member is in the shape of a triangle with a tip facing the opposite direction of the first direction. This structure has good stability and can also facilitate the provision of a greater number of slots, thereby improving the accuracy of manual control of the valve actuator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The following drawings are only used to schematically illustrate and explain the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a schematic implementation of a valve actuator.

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the valve actuator shown.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of partial structure of the valve actuator shown.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Exploded view of the structure shown.

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of another state of the structure shown.

[0023] Figures 6 to 8 It is used to illustrate the matching relationship between the protrusion and the groove when the locking drive member is in different rotation positions.

[0024] Description of symbols

[0025] 10 Support

[0026] 11 Top

[0027] 12 Locking structure

[0028] 30 operating parts

[0029] 31 Shaft

[0030] 311 annular groove

[0031] 33 Knob

[0032] 331 chute

[0033] 332 Gap

[0034] 50 locking pieces

[0035] 70 Locking drive

[0036] 71 drive hole

[0037] 72 pivoting part

[0038] 721 hook

[0039] 73 Operation Department

[0040] 81 Bump

[0041] 82 grooves

[0042] C Circumferential

[0043] L1 first axis

[0044] D1 first direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the invention, the specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent components with the same structure or similar structures but the same functions.

[0046] In this document, “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration”, and any diagram or implementation described in this document as “exemplary” should not be interpreted as a more preferred or more advantageous technical solution.

[0047] In this article, "first", "second", etc. do not indicate their importance or order, but are only used to indicate the difference between each other for the convenience of document description.

[0048] In order to simplify the drawings, each figure only schematically shows the parts related to the present invention, which do not represent the actual structure of the product.

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a schematic implementation of a valve actuator. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the valve actuator shown. Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of partial structure of the valve actuator shown. Figure 4 for Figure 3 Exploded view of the structure shown. Figures 1 to 4As shown, the valve actuator includes a supporting body 10 , an operating member 30 and a locking member 50 .

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the support body 10 has several locking structures 12. Figure 2 Only one of the locking structures 12 is schematically indicated. In this schematic embodiment, the locking structure 12 is, for example, a slot. Several locking structures 12 are distributed along a circumferential direction C, wherein the axis surrounded by the circumferential direction C is the first axis L1. In this schematic embodiment, several locking structures 12 are continuously arranged in a ring along the circumferential direction C, but are not limited thereto. In other schematic embodiments, the number of locking structures 12 can be adjusted as needed, or can be arranged at intervals.

[0051] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the operating member 30 is rotatably connected to the support body 10 around the first axis L1. The operating member 30 is used for manual operation by an operator to drive the valve stem of the valve to rotate. The valve actuator, for example, also includes a transmission structure and an electric mechanism. The rotating operating member 30, for example, can drive the valve stem of the valve to rotate through the transmission structure, and the electric mechanism, for example, can also drive the valve stem of the valve to rotate through the transmission structure.

[0052] The locking member 50 is movably connected to the operating member 30. Specifically, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the operating member 30 has a slide groove 331, and the locking member 50 is inserted into the slide groove 331 and can slide in the slide groove 331. The structure is simple and easy to process. However, it is not limited thereto. In other exemplary embodiments, the locking member 50 can also be movably connected to the operating member 30 through other structures.

[0053] The operating member 30 can rotate to several locking positions relative to the support body 10. Each locking position corresponds to a locking structure 12. When the operating member 30 is in the locking position, the locking member 50 can move relative to the operating member 30 to engage with the corresponding locking structure 12 to prevent the operating member 30 from rotating relative to the support body 10. Figure 5 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of another state of the structure shown. Figure 3 and Figure 5 Specifically, when the operating member 30 is in the locked position, the locking member 50 can be Figure 5 The position shown slides along the slide groove 331 to Figure 3 The locking member 50 is inserted into the slot of the locking structure 12, and after insertion, the locking member 50 and the slot wall abut against each other to prevent the operating member 30 from rotating relative to the support body 10, and the rotation position of the operating member 30 is locked. Figure 3The position shown slides along the slide groove 331 to Figure 5 In the position shown, the locking member 50 is disengaged from the slot of the locking structure 12, and the operating member 30 is unlocked and can rotate relative to the supporting body 10. The valve actuator of this exemplary embodiment can realize the locking and unlocking of the operating member.

[0054] In this exemplary embodiment, the locking structure 12 is a slot, which is easy to process and has good stability. In other exemplary embodiments, the locking structure 12 can also be other structures besides the slot, for example, the locking structure 12 is set as a hole, and the locking member 50 has a pin that can be inserted into the hole. But it is not limited to this.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment, the movement trajectory of the locking member 50 relative to the operating member 30 is arranged to gradually move away from the first axis L1 along the circumferential direction C. Specifically, as Figure 4 As shown, in this exemplary embodiment, the motion trajectory of the locking member 50 relative to the operating member 30 (embodied as the extension trajectory of the slide slot 331) is a straight line trajectory perpendicular to the first axis L1, but is not limited thereto. In other exemplary embodiments, the motion trajectory of the locking member 50 relative to the operating member 30 may also be an arc trajectory perpendicular to the first axis L1. The motion trajectory of the locking member 50 relative to the operating member 30 being perpendicular to the first axis L1 is conducive to saving space, but is not limited thereto. In other exemplary embodiments, the motion trajectory of the locking member 50 relative to the operating member 30 may also not be perpendicular to the first axis L1.

[0056] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the valve actuator also includes a locking drive member 70. The locking drive member 70 is rotatably connected to the operating member 30 around the first axis L1. The locking drive member 70 can push the locking member 50 to move relative to the operating member 30 by rotating relative to the operating member 30. Specifically, the locking drive member 70 has a driving hole 71 that passes through along a first direction D1, wherein the first direction D1 is parallel to the first axis L1. The driving hole 71 extends along the rotation radial direction of the operating member 30, and the rotation radial direction of the operating member 30 is a radial direction with the first axis L1 as the axis. The locking member 50 is penetrated by the driving hole 71. The locking drive member 70 that rotates relative to the operating member 30 can push the locking member 50 to move relative to the operating member 30 through the hole wall of the driving hole 71. The structure is simple, easy to process and has good stability.

[0057] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the operating member 30 includes a shaft portion 31 and a knob portion 33. The shaft portion 31 is rotatably inserted in the support body 10 around the first axis L1. The knob portion 33 is located at the front side of the shaft portion 31 along the first direction D1 (i.e. Figures 3 to 5The slide groove 331 is recessed along the first direction D1 on the rear end surface (i.e., the upper side) of the knob portion 33 and fixedly connected to the shaft portion 31. Figures 3 to 5 The upper end of the locking member 50 is inserted into the slide groove 331, and the lower end is used to engage with the locking structure 12 to prevent the operating member 30 from rotating relative to the support body 10. The locking driving member 70 is arranged at the rear side of the knob portion 33 along the first direction D1 (i.e. Figures 3 to 5 The overall structure is thereby more compact, which helps save space.

[0058] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the locking drive member 70 includes an annular pivot portion 72. The pivot portion 72 is rotatably sleeved on the rotating shaft portion 31. This structure saves space and is easy to assemble.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, in the schematic embodiment, the surface of the shaft portion 31 is recessed with an annular groove 311 extending along the circumferential direction C. The inner edge of the pivot portion 72 has two hooks 721. The two hooks 721 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction C and form a snap connection with the groove wall of the annular groove 311 to prevent the locking drive member 70 from moving relative to the operating member 30 in a direction parallel to the first axis L1. During assembly, the shaft portion 31 is inserted into the central hole of the pivot portion 72 in the opposite direction of the first direction D1 until the hooks 721 form a snap connection with the groove wall of the annular groove 311, and the assembly of the two is completed. In other schematic embodiments, the number of hooks 721 can be adjusted as needed. This structure can facilitate assembly.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the circumferential outer surface of the knob portion 33 has a notch 332. The front end of the locking drive member 70 along the rotation radial direction of the operating member 30 has an operating portion 73. The operating portion 73 is arranged in the notch 332. This facilitates operation and makes the overall structure more compact.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment, the locking drive member 70 has two first limiting structures, and the operating member 30 has two second limiting structures. One first limiting structure and one second limiting structure form a limiting group. One of the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure is a protrusion 81, and the other has a groove 82 that matches the protrusion 81. Figure 6 For along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of VI-VI is as follows: Figure 6 As shown in the present exemplary embodiment, the protrusion 81 is provided on the knob portion 33, and the groove 82 is provided on the locking drive member 70, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 6 As shown, the left protrusion 81 and the left groove 82 form a limiting group, and the right protrusion 81 and the right groove 82 form another limiting group. Figures 6 to 8 The three states of the locking drive member 70 rotating in the reverse direction of the circumferential direction C are shown in sequence. Figure 6 Corresponds to Figure 3 The state shown (i.e. the state corresponding to the engagement of the locking member 50 with the locking structure 12), Figure 8 Corresponds to Figure 5 The state shown (ie, the state corresponding to the locking member 50 being separated from the locking structure 12).

[0062] When the locking drive member 70 moves relative to the operating member 30 Figure 6 In the illustrated position, the left protrusion 81 engages with the left groove 82 to prevent the locking drive member 70 from rotating relative to the operating member 30. Figure 6 During the process of the locking drive member 70 moving relative to the operating member 30 to the position shown in FIG. 1 , the groove wall of the left groove 82 can be elastically deformed under the abutment of the left protrusion 81 to allow the locking drive member 70 to continue to rotate. Figure 8 In the illustrated position, the right-hand projection 81 engages with the right-hand groove 82 to prevent the locking drive member 70 from rotating relative to the operating member 30. Figure 8 During the process of moving from the position shown in the figure, the groove wall of the groove 82 on the right side can be elastically deformed under the abutment of the protrusion 81 on the right side to allow the locking drive member 70 to continue to rotate. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The two limit positions shown produce a stuck feeling, and are conducive to keeping the locking drive member at the two limit positions. In other illustrative real-time modes, the number of the first limit structure and the second limit structure can be adjusted as needed, for example, both are set to one.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the support body 10 has a top surface 11 opposite to the knob portion 33 along the first direction D1. The slot of the locking structure 12 is recessed in the portion of the top surface 11 opposite to the knob portion 33 along the first direction D1. The locking member 50 is disposed between the knob portion 33 and the top surface 11 along the first direction D1. Thereby, the overall structure is more compact, which is conducive to saving space.

[0064] like Figure 2 As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the cross section of the slot of the locking structure 12 perpendicular to the insertion direction of the locking member 50 is a triangle with the tip facing the opposite direction of the first direction D1. Figure 4 As shown, the end of the locking member 50 for inserting into the slot (i.e. Figure 4The cross section of the lower end of the locking member 50 perpendicular to the insertion direction of the locking member 50 is also a triangle with the tip facing the opposite direction of the first direction D1. This structure has good stability and can also facilitate the arrangement of more slots, which is conducive to improving the accuracy of manual control of the valve actuator.

[0065] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0066] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation scheme or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention, such as combination, division or repetition of features, should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valve actuator, characterized in that: include: A support body (10) having a plurality of locking structures (12), wherein the plurality of locking structures (12) are distributed along a circumferential direction (C), and the axis surrounded by the circumferential direction (C) is a first axis (L1); an operating member (30) rotatably connected to the support body (10) about the first axis (L1); and A locking member (50) is movably connected to the operating member (30), wherein the operating member (30) can be rotated relative to the support body (10) to a plurality of locking positions, each of the locking positions corresponding to a locking structure (12), and when the operating member (30) is located at the locking position, the locking member (50) can be moved relative to the operating member (30) to engage with the corresponding locking structure (12) to prevent the operating member (30) from rotating relative to the support body (10).

2. The valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movement trajectory of the locking member (50) relative to the operating member (30) is arranged to gradually move away from the first axis (L1) along the circumferential direction (C). The valve actuator further comprises a locking drive member (70), wherein the locking drive member (70) is rotatably connected to the operating member (30) around the first axis (L1), and the locking drive member (70) can push the locking member (50) to move relative to the operating member (30) by rotating relative to the operating member (30).

3. The valve actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The movement trajectory of the locking member (50) relative to the operating member (30) is a straight line trajectory or an arc trajectory perpendicular to the first axis (L1).

4. The valve actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking drive member (70) has a driving hole (71) extending along a first direction (D1), wherein the first direction (D1) is parallel to the first axis (L1), and the driving hole (71) extends along the rotation radial direction of the operating member (30). The locking member (50) is inserted into the driving hole (71), and the locking drive member (70) rotating relative to the operating member (30) can push the locking member (50) to move relative to the operating member (30) through the hole wall of the driving hole (71).

5. The valve actuator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The operating member (30) comprises a shaft portion (31) and a knob portion (33); the shaft portion (31) is rotatably inserted in the support body (10) around the first axis (L1); the knob portion (33) is located at the front side of the shaft portion (31) along the first direction (D1) and is fixedly connected to the shaft portion (31); a rear end surface of the knob portion (33) along the first direction (D1) is provided with a slide groove (331) recessed along the first direction (D1); the locking member (50) is inserted in the slide groove (331) and can slide in the slide groove (331); and the locking drive member (70) is arranged at the rear side of the knob portion (33) along the first direction (D1).

6. The valve actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The operating member (30) includes a rotating shaft portion (31), and the rotating shaft portion (31) is rotatably inserted into the support body (10) around the first axis (L1). The locking drive member (70) includes an annular pivot portion (72), and the pivot portion (72) is rotatably sleeved on the rotating shaft portion (31).

7. The valve actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The surface of the rotating shaft portion (31) is provided with an annular groove (311) extending along the circumferential direction (C), and the inner edge of the pivot portion (72) has a plurality of hooks (721), which are distributed along the circumferential direction (C) and form a snap connection with the groove wall of the annular groove (311) to prevent the locking drive member (70) from moving relative to the operating member (30) in a direction parallel to the first axis (L1).

8. The valve actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The operating member (30) comprises a knob portion (33), the circumferential outer surface of the knob portion (33) has a notch (332), the front end of the locking drive member (70) along the rotation radial direction of the operating member (30) has an operating portion (73), and the operating portion (73) is arranged in the notch (332).

9. The valve actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking drive member (70) has a first limiting structure, and the operating member (30) has a second limiting structure. One of the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure is a protrusion (81), and the other has a groove (82) that cooperates with the protrusion (81). When the locking drive member (70) is located at a limiting position relative to the operating member (30), the protrusion (81) is embedded in the groove (82) to prevent the locking drive member (70) from rotating relative to the operating member (30). When the locking drive member (70) is rotated into or out of the limiting position, the groove wall of the groove (82) can be elastically deformed under the abutment of the protrusion (81) to allow the locking drive member (70) to continue to rotate. The limiting position corresponds to a state in which the locking member (50) is engaged with the locking structure (12) or corresponds to a state in which the locking member (50) is separated from the locking structure (12).

10. The valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking structure (12) is a slot, and when the operating member (30) is located at the locking position, the locking member (50) can move to be plugged into the corresponding slot to prevent the operating member (30) from rotating relative to the support body (10).

11. The valve actuator according to claim 10, characterized in that: The operating member (30) comprises a knob portion (33); the supporting body (10) comprises a top surface (11) opposite to the knob portion (33) along a first direction (D1), the first direction (D1) being parallel to the first axis (L1); the slot is recessed in a portion of the top surface (11) opposite to the knob portion (33) along the first direction (D1); and the locking member (50) is arranged between the knob portion (33) and the top surface (11) along the first direction (D1).

12. The valve actuator according to claim 11, characterized in that A cross section of the slot perpendicular to the insertion direction of the locking piece (50) is in the shape of a triangle with the tip facing in the opposite direction of the first direction (D1), and a cross section of an end of the locking piece (50) for inserting into the slot perpendicular to the insertion direction of the locking piece (50) is in the shape of a triangle with the tip facing in the opposite direction of the first direction (D1).

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