Electrically driven multiway quick connector docking device

Abstract

The application discloses an electrically-driven multi-way quick connector docking device, which comprises a male connector assembly for mounting and fixing of a quick male connector, a female connector assembly for mounting and fixing of a quick female connector, an electrically-driven device for connecting the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly, and a docking locking device; the male connector assembly comprises a mounting plate one, one or more quick male connectors, and a set of positioning pins; the female connector assembly comprises a mounting plate two, one or more quick female connectors, and a set of guide holes; the electrically-driven device comprises a driving motor and a docking shaft; the docking locking device comprises a docking sleeve, a spring seat, a return spring, a sleeve base, and a safety lock; the electrically-driven device and the docking locking device are respectively mounted on the mounting plate one and the mounting plate two. The application simplifies operation, saves time and effort, improves reliability and safety, requires less reserved installation space, and can timely obtain the docking-in-place state of the quick connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of quick connectors, and in particular to an electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device. Background Art

[0002] A quick connector is a mechanical device used to quickly connect and disconnect hydraulic or pneumatic fluid lines. It generally includes a male connector, a female connector, and a locking mechanism. Engineering machinery products often use quick connectors in fluid lines to quickly connect and disconnect hydraulic and pneumatic lines. Prior art multi-way quick connector docking devices can connect multiple lines at once. Their working principle primarily utilizes a mechanical docking mechanism to convert the rotational motion of a handle into the opposite motion of two quick connector mounting components. Once docked, a locking mechanism ensures the quick connector remains connected. However, this relies primarily on operators manually completing each pipe connection, which is complex, time-consuming, and labor-intensive.

[0003] Existing technologies include the patented multi-way quick connector combination (CN 105065826 B) and the multi-way connection device with a control device (CN 110095976 B). The following problems exist: 1) The mechanical docking mechanism is laborious to use: it mainly relies on the user to operate the handle to perform the docking action. When the connected quick connectors are slightly larger in size, slightly more in number, or there is residual pressure in the pipeline, a large torque needs to be applied. 2) The locking device is not reliable: when there is vibration or pipeline impact in the operating conditions, it is not safe to rely solely on the pin hole or steel ball to lock and fix the quick connector. 3) There is a large demand for reserved installation space: sufficient space needs to be reserved when installing the handle body. In addition, when driving the docking device for rotational movement, it is generally required that there are no obstructions within the operating radius. When the handle is increased to reduce the operating torque, the operating radius will also increase accordingly.

[0004] As my country's construction machinery industry accelerates its transformation and upgrading, the high-end trend of various types of construction machinery products is becoming more and more obvious. The continuous expansion of their functions and the continuous growth of product tonnage have led to more and more components needing to be assembled and disassembled during operation and transportation. In addition, due to the high pressure and large flow of the working pipeline, quick connectors often use threaded locking form. During use, problems such as time-consuming and labor-intensive disassembly and assembly, poor reliability, and large demand for reserved installation space are inevitable.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new type of multi-way quick connector docking device to simplify the operation, save time and effort, and require less space. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Purpose of the invention: In view of the shortcomings and defects of the existing technology, the present invention provides an electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device, which simplifies operation, saves time and effort; improves reliability and safety; requires less reserved installation space; and can promptly obtain the docking status of the quick connector.

[0007] Technical solution: The present invention provides an electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device, characterized in that it includes a male connector assembly for installing and fixing a quick male connector, a female connector assembly for installing and fixing a quick female connector, an electrically driven device for connecting the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly, and a docking locking device;

[0008] The male connector assembly includes a first mounting plate, one or more quick male connectors, and a set of positioning pins; the female connector assembly includes a second mounting plate, one or more quick female connectors, and a set of guide holes; the electric drive device includes a drive motor and a docking shaft; the docking locking device includes a docking sleeve, a spring seat, a return spring, a sleeve base, and a safety lock;

[0009] The electric drive device and the docking locking device are respectively installed on the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate.

[0010] The male connector assembly is provided with one or more quick male connectors, and the male connector assembly is provided with a group of positioning pins; the female connector assembly is provided with one or more quick female connectors, and the female connector assembly is provided with a group of guide holes corresponding to the positioning pins.

[0011] Among them, one end of the docking shaft of the electric drive device is rigidly connected to the drive motor and can rotate synchronously with the output shaft of the drive motor. The other end of the docking shaft is provided with a protruding pin, a blind hole and a contact switch installed inside.

[0012] Among them, the bottom of the docking sleeve of the docking locking device is connected and fixed to the sleeve base, and the docking sleeve is provided with a spiral groove, a through hole and a limiting step; the spring seat and the return spring are placed between the docking sleeve and the sleeve base.

[0013] Among them, the safety lock is installed on the side of the mounting plate where the docking locking device is located, and is used to lock the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly after they are docked in place. The safety lock includes a lock cap, a lock sleeve, a locking spring and a lock shaft.

[0014] The locking sleeve is fixedly connected to the side hole of the mounting plate where the docking locking device is located. The locking shaft is connected to the locking cap after being inserted into the locking sleeve. The locking spring is located between the locking sleeve and the locking shaft.

[0015] The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device of the present invention is characterized in that, during docking, the device comprises the following steps:

[0016] 1) Positioning before docking: The positioning pin of the male connector assembly is inserted into the guide hole of the female connector assembly, and the protruding pin of the docking shaft of the electric drive device is rotated until it mates with the opening section of the spiral groove of the docking sleeve of the docking locking device;

[0017] 2) Start docking: Start the drive motor to rotate the docking shaft synchronously. The protruding pin of the docking shaft moves along the spiral groove track of the docking sleeve, gradually pulling the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly into contact with each other. The quick male connector and the quick female connector move toward each other to achieve docking.

[0018] 3) Locking is achieved when docking is in place: After the male connector assembly and the female connector assembly are docked in place, the axial movement of the docking shaft compresses the spring seat and the return spring to the bottom of the through hole and no longer blocks the lock shaft. Under the action of the locking spring, the lock shaft passes through the through hole of the docking sleeve and pops out into the blind hole of the docking shaft. At this time, the docking shaft cannot rotate freely, thereby achieving locking; after the contact switch is pressurized, it sends a docking signal, and the drive motor is powered off and stops rotating. If the docking is not in place or the docking is accidentally disengaged, the contact switch sends a docking disconnection signal when it is in the reset state to remind the operator.

[0019] Wherein, the end section of the spiral groove of the docking sleeve is provided with parallel sections arranged along the circumferential direction, so as to ensure that the docking sleeve and the docking shaft do not disengage in the axial direction.

[0020] When separating, pull out the safety lock cap to disengage the lock shaft from the blind hole of the docking shaft and unlock it. At this time, the docking shaft can rotate freely; start the drive motor to make the docking shaft rotate in the opposite direction synchronously, and the protruding pin of the docking shaft moves along the spiral groove trajectory of the docking sleeve. The male connector assembly and the female connector assembly gradually disengage, and the quick male connector and the quick female connector are separated; the spring seat is reset to the bottom of the limit step under the action of the reset spring to block the through hole and the lock shaft. After the protruding pin rotates to the opening section of the spiral groove of the docking sleeve, release the safety lock cap and cut off the power to stop the drive motor.

[0021] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages: the present invention simplifies operation, saves time and effort; improves reliability and safety; requires less reserved installation space; and can timely obtain the docking status of the quick connector. The present invention solves the problem that the mechanical docking structure relies on the handle to operate and requires a large torque by driving the docking mechanism through a motor. At the same time, the structure is more compact and does not require additional installation space, saving time and effort. After the quick connector of the present invention is docked in place, the safety lock can automatically pop out to fix the docking sleeve and the docking shaft, and the end section of the spiral groove is provided with a parallel section along the circumferential direction to prevent the docking sleeve and the docking shaft from axially disengaging, thereby improving the locking reliability of the device. When the locking device of the present invention is correctly connected, the contact switch can send a docking signal under the safety lock shaft. When the docking is not in place or the docking is accidentally disengaged, a warning prompt can be sent to the operator in time to prevent the system from continuing to work when the pipeline pressure loss is high. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 The structure of the present invention is schematically shown Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 2The structure of the present invention is schematically shown Figure 2 ;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the male connector assembly and the electric drive device of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the female connector assembly and the docking locking device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the device of the present invention at the start of docking;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the device after docking in place;

[0028] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the docking sleeve of the present invention;

[0029] In the figure, 1 is a male connector assembly; 11 is a mounting plate 1; 12 is a quick male connector; 13 is a positioning pin; 2 is a female connector assembly; 21 is a mounting plate 2; 22 is a quick female connector; 23 is a guide hole; 3 is an electric drive device; 31 is a drive motor; 32 is a docking shaft; 321 is a protruding pin; 322 is a blind hole; 323 is a contact switch; 4 is a docking locking device; 41 is a docking sleeve; 411 is a spiral groove; 412 is a through hole; 413 is a limiting step; 42 is a sleeve base; 43 is a spring seat; 44 is a return spring; 45 is a safety lock; 451 is a lock cap; 452 is a lock sleeve; 453 is a locking spring; and 454 is a lock shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0031] The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device of the present invention includes a male connector assembly 1 for installing and fixing a quick male connector 12, a female connector assembly 2 for installing and fixing a quick female connector 22, an electrically driven device 3 for connecting the male connector assembly 1 and the female connector assembly 2, and a docking locking device 4; the male connector assembly 1 includes a mounting plate 11, one or more quick male connectors 12, and a group of positioning pins 13; the female connector assembly 2 includes a mounting plate 21, one or more quick female connectors 22, and a group of guide holes 23; the electrically driven device 3 includes a driving motor 31 and a docking shaft 32; the docking locking device 4 includes a docking sleeve 41, a spring seat 43, a return spring 44, a sleeve base 42, and a safety lock 45; the electrically driven device 3 and the docking locking device 4 are respectively mounted on the mounting plate 11 and the mounting plate 21.

[0032] The male connector assembly 1 of the present invention is equipped with one or more quick male connectors 12, each equipped with a set of locating pins 13. The female connector assembly 2 is equipped with one or more quick female connectors 22, each equipped with a set of guide holes 23 corresponding to the locating pins 13. One end of the docking shaft 32 of the electric drive device 3 is rigidly connected to the drive motor 31 and can rotate synchronously with the output shaft of the drive motor 31. The other end of the docking shaft 32 is equipped with a protruding pin 321, a blind hole 322, and a contact switch 323 installed internally.

[0033] The docking sleeve 41 of the present invention's docking locking device 4 is fixedly connected to the sleeve base 42 at its bottom. The docking sleeve 41 is provided with a spiral groove 411, a through-hole 412, and a stop step 413. A spring seat 43 and a return spring 44 are positioned between the docking sleeve 41 and the sleeve base 42. A safety lock 45 is mounted on the side of the mounting plate where the docking locking device 4 is located, and is used to lock the male connector assembly 1 and the female connector assembly 2 after they are properly docked. The safety lock 45 comprises a locking cap 451, a locking sleeve 452, a locking spring 453, and a locking shaft 454. The locking sleeve 45 is fixedly connected to a side hole in the mounting plate where the docking locking device 4 is located. The locking shaft 454 is inserted into the locking sleeve 452 and then connected to the locking cap 451. The locking spring 453 is positioned between the locking sleeve 452 and the locking shaft 454.

[0034] The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device of the present invention comprises the following steps during docking:

[0035] 1) Positioning before docking: The positioning pin 13 of the male connector assembly 1 is inserted into the guide hole 23 of the female connector assembly 2, and the protruding pin 321 of the docking shaft 32 of the electric drive device 3 is rotated until it mates with the open section of the spiral groove 411 of the docking sleeve 41 of the docking locking device 4;

[0036] 2) Start docking: Start the drive motor 31 to rotate the docking shaft 32 synchronously. The protruding pin 321 of the docking shaft 32 moves along the spiral groove 411 of the docking sleeve 41, gradually pulling the male connector assembly 1 and the female connector assembly 2 into contact with each other. The quick male connector 12 and the quick female connector 22 move toward each other to achieve docking.

[0037] 3) Locking is achieved when the male connector assembly 1 and the female connector assembly 2 are docked in place: After the male connector assembly 1 and the female connector assembly 2 are docked in place, the docking shaft 32 moves axially to compress the spring seat 43 and the return spring 44 to the bottom of the through hole 412 and no longer blocks the locking shaft 454. Under the action of the locking spring 453, the locking shaft 454 passes through the through hole 412 of the docking sleeve 41 and pops out into the docking shaft blind hole 322. At this time, the docking shaft 32 cannot rotate freely, thereby achieving locking; after the contact switch 323 is pressurized, it sends a signal that the docking is in place, and the drive motor 31 is powered off and stops rotating. If the docking is not in place or the docking is accidentally disengaged, the contact switch 323 sends a docking disconnection signal when it is in the reset state to remind the operator.

[0038] The end section of the spiral groove 411 of the docking sleeve 41 is provided with parallel sections arranged along the circumferential direction, so as to ensure that the docking sleeve 41 and the docking shaft 32 are not disengaged in the axial direction.

[0039] When separating, the safety lock cap 451 is pulled out, so that the lock shaft 454 disengages from the blind hole 322 of the docking shaft and is unlocked. At this time, the docking shaft 32 can rotate freely; the drive motor 31 is started to make the docking shaft 32 rotate in the opposite direction synchronously, and the protruding pin 321 of the docking shaft 32 moves along the trajectory of the spiral groove 411 of the docking sleeve 41, and the male connector assembly 1 and the female connector assembly 2 gradually disengage, and the quick male connector 12 and the quick female connector 22 are separated; the spring seat 43 is reset to the bottom of the limit step 413 under the action of the reset spring 44 to block the through hole 412 and the lock shaft 454. After the protruding pin 321 rotates to the opening section of the spiral groove 411 of the docking sleeve 41, the safety lock cap 451 is released and the power is cut off to stop the drive motor 31.

[0040] The present invention features a docking locking mechanism: once the quick connector assembly is docked, the spring seat is compressed and no longer blocks the safety lock shaft, allowing the safety lock to automatically pop out and lock the docking sleeve and the docking shaft. A circumferentially arranged parallel section at the end of the spiral groove of the docking sleeve prevents axial disengagement of the docking sleeve and the docking shaft. The present invention also features a docking status monitoring mechanism: when the safety lock is locked, it triggers a contact switch to signal docking completion. If docking is not completed or if the connection is accidentally disconnected, the contact switch resets to signal disconnection, allowing the operator to promptly monitor the docking status of the quick connector.

[0041] The present invention solves the problem that a mechanical docking structure needs to apply a large torque when operated by a handle by a motor. At the same time, the structure is more compact and does not require additional installation space, saving time and effort. After the quick connector of the present invention is docked in place, the safety lock can automatically pop out to fix the docking sleeve and the docking shaft, and the end section of the spiral groove is provided with a parallel section along the circumferential direction to prevent the docking sleeve and the docking shaft from axially disengaging, thereby improving the locking reliability of the device. When the locking device of the present invention is correctly connected, the contact switch can send a docking signal under the safety lock shaft. When the docking is not in place or the docking is accidentally disengaged, a warning prompt can be sent to the operator in time to prevent the system from continuing to work when the pipeline pressure loss is high.

Claims

1. An electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device, characterized in that: It comprises a male connector assembly (1) for installing and fixing a quick male connector (12), a female connector assembly (2) for installing and fixing a quick female connector (22), an electric drive device (3) for connecting the male connector assembly (1) and the female connector assembly (2), and a docking locking device (4); The male connector assembly (1) includes a mounting plate 1 (11), one or more quick male connectors (12), and a group of positioning pins (13); the female connector assembly (2) includes a mounting plate 2 (21), one or more quick female connectors (22), and a group of guide holes (23); the electric drive device (3) includes a drive motor (31) and a docking shaft (32); the docking locking device (4) includes a docking sleeve (41), a spring seat (43), a return spring (44), a sleeve base (42), and a safety lock (45); The electric drive device (3) and the docking locking device (4) are respectively mounted on the first mounting plate (11) and the second mounting plate (21); one end of the docking shaft (32) of the electric drive device (3) is rigidly connected to the drive motor (31) and can rotate synchronously with the output shaft of the drive motor (31); the other end of the docking shaft (32) is provided with a protruding pin (321), a blind hole (322) and a contact switch (323) installed inside; the bottom of the docking sleeve (41) of the docking locking device (4) is connected and fixed to the sleeve base (42); the docking sleeve (41) is provided with a spiral groove (411), a through hole ( 412) and the limit step (413); the spring seat (43) and the return spring (44) are placed between the docking sleeve (41) and the sleeve base (42); the safety lock (45) is installed on the side of the mounting plate where the docking locking device (4) is located, and is used to lock the male connector assembly (1) and the female connector assembly (2) after they are docked in place; the contact switch (323) sends a docking signal when it is pressurized, and the drive motor (31) stops rotating when it is powered off. If the docking is not in place or the docking is accidentally disconnected, the contact switch (323) sends a docking disconnection signal when it is in the reset state to remind the operator.

2. The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The male connector assembly (1) is provided with one or more quick male connectors (12), and the male connector assembly (1) is provided with a group of positioning pins (13); the female connector assembly (2) is provided with one or more quick female connectors (22), and the female connector assembly (2) is provided with a group of guide holes (23) corresponding to the positioning pins (13).

3. The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The safety lock (45) includes a lock cap (451), a lock sleeve (452), a locking spring (453) and a lock shaft (454); the lock sleeve (452) is fixedly connected to the side hole of the mounting plate where the docking locking device (4) is located, the lock shaft (454) is connected to the lock cap (451) after being inserted into the lock sleeve (452), and the locking spring (453) is located between the lock sleeve (452) and the lock shaft (454).

4. The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The following steps are involved during docking: 1) Positioning before docking: the positioning pin (13) of the male connector assembly (1) is inserted into the guide hole (23) of the female connector assembly (2), and the protruding pin (321) of the docking shaft (32) of the electric drive device (3) is rotated until it is matched with the opening section of the spiral groove (411) of the docking sleeve (41) of the docking locking device (4); 2) Start docking: start the driving motor (31) to rotate the docking shaft (32) synchronously, and the protruding pin (321) of the docking shaft (32) moves along the trajectory of the spiral groove (411) of the docking sleeve (41), gradually pulling the male connector assembly (1) and the female connector assembly (2) into contact with each other, and the quick male connector (12) and the quick female connector (22) move toward each other to achieve docking; 3) Locking after docking: After the male connector assembly (1) and the female connector assembly (2) are docked, the docking shaft (32) moves axially to compress the spring seat (43) and the return spring (44) to the bottom of the through hole (412) so as to no longer block the locking shaft (454). Under the action of the locking spring (453), the locking shaft (454) passes through the through hole (412) of the docking sleeve (41) and pops out into the docking shaft blind hole (322). At this time, the docking shaft (32) cannot rotate freely, thereby achieving locking. After the contact switch (323) is pressed, it sends a signal indicating that the docking is in place, and the drive motor (31) is powered off and stops rotating. If the docking is not in place or the docking is accidentally disconnected, the contact switch (323) sends a docking disconnection signal when it is in the reset state to remind the operator.

5. The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The end section of the spiral groove (411) of the docking sleeve (41) is provided with parallel sections arranged along the circumferential direction, thereby ensuring that the docking sleeve (41) and the docking shaft (32) do not disengage in the axial direction.

6. The electrically driven multi-way quick connector docking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When separating, the safety lock cap (451) is pulled out to disengage the lock shaft (454) from the blind hole (322) of the docking shaft to unlock the lock shaft, and the docking shaft (32) can rotate freely at this time; the drive motor (31) is started to make the docking shaft (32) rotate synchronously in the opposite direction, and the protruding pin (321) of the docking shaft (32) moves along the trajectory of the spiral groove (411) of the docking sleeve (41), and the male connector assembly (1) and the female connector assembly (2) gradually disengage, and the quick male connector (12) and the quick female connector (22) are separated; the spring seat (43) is reset to the lower part of the limit step (413) under the action of the reset spring (44) to block the through hole (412) and the lock shaft (454), and after the protruding pin (321) rotates to the opening section of the spiral groove (411) of the docking sleeve (41), the safety lock cap (451) is released and the power is cut off to stop the drive motor (31).

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