A bend-tolerant multi-degree-of-freedom flexible power transmission cable for a mechanical device

Abstract

This invention discloses a flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for use in mechanical devices, relating to the field of cable technology. It includes a cable assembly with connecting components at both ends and a flexible external support mechanism distributed on the outer wall of the cable assembly. The cable assembly includes an inner flexible hose and a wear-resistant layer. This invention utilizes the inner flexible hose located at the center to create an internal support effect, and evenly distributes the cable conductors along its outer wall with gaps between them to provide buffer space and prevent excessive compression. This effectively improves the cable's elasticity during use, avoids excessive bending, and enhances durability. The wear-resistant layer, with straight flexible steel wires and threaded steel wires arranged on its inner side, increases strength, wear resistance, and support performance, effectively improving bending resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cable technology, specifically to a flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable that is resistant to bending and used in mechanical devices. Background Technology

[0002] In modern industrial and technological development, the application of multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical devices is becoming increasingly widespread. During the operation of these mechanical devices, cables are required for power and signal transmission, and these cables need to continuously bend, twist, and perform other actions as the mechanical device moves.

[0003] In the prior art, such as the patent publication number CN216772839U "A Highly Flexible Drag Chain Power Cable", the conductor core is set to at least three sets of power transmission cores, and each set of power transmission cores is set to be formed by twisting two power transmission core wires together, which reduces the maximum single wire diameter in the conductor and improves the flexibility of the cable. By setting hemp rope between adjacent power transmission cores, the position of the power transmission cores is relatively limited to prevent the power cable from deforming due to compression during use. By filling with tensile filler cotton, the impact on the flexibility of the cable is reduced and the tensile performance of the cable is improved. The highly flexible drag chain power cable provided in the embodiments of this specification has good flexibility and excellent tensile and deformation resistance, and is suitable for use as a drag chain power cable and is suitable for market promotion.

[0004] Existing cables are prone to cracking or breakage after repeated bending, which can lead to exposure of the internal conductors and cause short circuits. Furthermore, the internal conductors of the cable may experience metal fatigue during excessive bending, resulting in increased resistance and decreased conductivity, which seriously affects the service life and transmission stability of the cable. To address these issues, a flexible power transmission cable with multiple degrees of freedom and bend resistance for use in mechanical devices is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for mechanical devices that is resistant to bending, in order to solve the safety problems mentioned in the background art, where cables are prone to cracking or damage after repeated bending, leading to exposure of the internal conductors and causing short circuits. Furthermore, the internal conductors of the cable may experience metal fatigue during excessive bending, resulting in increased resistance and decreased conductivity, which seriously affects the service life and transmission stability of the cable.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a flexible power transmission cable with bending resistance and multiple degrees of freedom for mechanical devices, comprising a cable assembly, wherein connecting components are connected to both ends of the cable assembly, and flexible external support mechanisms are distributed on the outer wall of the cable assembly; The cable assembly includes an inner flexible hose and a wear-resistant layer. The outer wall of the inner flexible hose has a number of cable conductors evenly distributed along the circumferential direction. The cable conductors are all distributed inside the wear-resistant layer. The side wall of the wear-resistant layer has a number of straight flexible steel wires evenly distributed along the circumferential direction. The side wall of the wear-resistant layer is wound with threaded steel wires. The connecting assembly includes a connecting sleeve, the connecting sleeve having a conical parallel structure inside, one end of each cable conductor passing through the interior of the conical parallel structure, one end of the conical parallel structure being fixedly connected to an extension sleeve, one end of the extension sleeve being rotatably connected to a connector, one end of each cable conductor being connected to one end of the connector, one end of the extension sleeve being fixedly connected to a connecting ring, and one end of the outer wall of the connector being provided with a rotating connecting ring, the connecting ring and the rotating connecting ring being rotatably connected.

[0007] Preferably, the flexible external support mechanism includes an outer ring hoop, and the outer wall of the outer ring hoop has a plurality of rotating seats evenly distributed along the circumferential direction.

[0008] Preferably, a connecting shaft is installed through the inner side of the rotating seat, and an outer flexible steel wire is installed through the inner side of the connecting shaft.

[0009] Preferably, both ends of the external support flexible steel wire are fixedly connected to docking shafts, and docking seats are provided on the outer side of the docking shafts.

[0010] Preferably, the side of the docking seat has a through-hole for rotation, and the docking seats are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve along the circumferential direction.

[0011] Preferably, an elastic outer support kit is provided between two adjacent outer rings, and the elastic outer support kit is evenly distributed on the outer wall of the cable assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the outer wall of the inner support flexible hose is provided with a flexible sheath, which is disposed inside the filling layer, and the outer wall of the cable conductor is provided with a shielding layer, which is distributed inside the side wall of the filling layer.

[0013] Preferably, the sidewall of the filling layer is provided with a plurality of holes evenly distributed along the circumferential direction, a flexible padding layer is provided on the outside of the holes, the flexible padding layer is provided on the inside of the wear-resistant layer, and an outer protective layer is provided on the outside of the wear-resistant layer.

[0014] Preferably, a limiting ring is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve, and a plurality of positioning docking ring grooves are opened on the inner wall of the connecting sleeve, and a positioning docking ring sleeve is rotatably connected to the inner side of the positioning docking ring groove.

[0015] Preferably, one end of the connector has a plurality of fixing rings evenly distributed along the circumferential direction, and the inner side of the fixing rings is connected to one end of the cable conductor.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. In this invention, an internally supporting flexible hose is placed in the center of the inner part to form an internal supporting effect. The cable conductor is evenly distributed along its outer wall with gaps between them to provide space for buffering and movement, preventing excessive compression. This effectively improves the elasticity of the cable during use, avoids excessive bending, and enhances durability. An wear-resistant layer is provided on the outside. By setting straight flexible steel wires and threaded steel wires on the inner side of the wear-resistant layer, the strength, wear resistance, and support performance can be improved, effectively enhancing the bending resistance.

[0017] 2. In this invention, a connecting sleeve is installed at the end connection position. A tapered parallel structure is provided on the inner side of the connecting sleeve, facilitating the merging of the cable conductors towards the center through the tapered parallel structure. An extension sleeve extends and connects to the mating head, and the extension sleeve and the mating head are rotatably connected via a connecting ring and a rotating ring. One end of the cable conductor is connected to the mating head via a fixing ring, thus facilitating the connection between the mating head and the electrical connection structure without the need to connect multiple cables. This provides a convenient rotating connection during use, and also provides a rotational effect during bending, thereby improving flexibility. The connecting sleeve forms a rotating connection with the positioning mating ring sleeve through a positioning mating ring groove, also providing flexible rotation. This helps reduce torque during bending, effectively reducing the degree of bending and extending the cable's service life.

[0018] 3. In this invention, an outer ring hoop provides external support, and several rotating seats are distributed on the outer ring hoop to support the connecting shaft. An external flexible steel wire runs through the connecting shaft, providing external support and improving protective performance. One end of the external flexible steel wire is connected to form a complete external support, further enhancing bending resistance at different angles and improving performance. The connection between the docking shaft and the docking seat achieves a complete installation. A rotating hole forms a rotatable connection with the docking shaft, improving rotational flexibility. Elastic external support components distributed outside the inner flexible hose also improve torsional resistance during bending, maintaining a large bending radius and ensuring normal power transmission, avoiding excessive bending that increases resistance and affects usability. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for use in mechanical devices according to the present invention. Figure 2This is a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for use in mechanical devices according to the present invention. Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the diagram; Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged structural diagram at point B in the diagram; Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for use in mechanical devices according to the present invention. Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for use in mechanical devices according to the present invention. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the connection mechanism for a bend-resistant, multi-degree-of-freedom flexible power transmission cable used in a mechanical device according to the present invention.

[0020] In the picture: 1. Cable assembly; 101. Inner flexible hose; 102. Flexible sheath; 103. Cable conductor; 104. Shielding layer; 105. Filler layer; 106. Hole; 107. Flexible padding layer; 108. Wear-resistant layer; 109. Straight flexible steel wire; 110. Threaded steel wire; 111. Outer protective layer; 2. Connecting assembly; 201. Connecting sleeve; 202. Limiting ring; 203. Positioning docking ring groove; 204. Conical parallel structure; 205. Extension sleeve; 206. Connecting ring; 207. Butt joint; 208. Rotating joint; 209. Fixed ring; 210. Positioning and docking ring sleeve; 3. Flexible external support mechanism; 301. Outer ring clamp; 302. Rotating seat; 303. Connecting shaft; 304. External support flexible steel wire; 305. Docking shaft; 306. Docking seat; 307. Rotating hole; 308. Elastic external support kit. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1: As Figures 1-7 As shown, the present invention provides a technical solution: a flexible power transmission cable with multiple degrees of freedom and resistance to bending for mechanical devices, including a cable assembly 1, connecting components 2 at both ends of the cable assembly 1, and flexible external support mechanisms 3 distributed on the outer wall of the cable assembly 1; The cable assembly 1 includes an inner flexible hose 101 and a wear-resistant layer 108. The outer wall of the inner flexible hose 101 is evenly distributed with a number of cable conductors 103 along the circumferential direction. The cable conductors 103 are all distributed inside the wear-resistant layer 108. The side wall of the wear-resistant layer 108 is evenly distributed with a number of straight flexible steel wires 109 along the circumferential direction. The side wall of the wear-resistant layer 108 is wound with a threaded steel wire 110. Connection component 2 includes a connecting sleeve 201, inside which is a tapered parallel structure 204. One end of each cable conductor 103 passes through the interior of the tapered parallel structure 204. One end of the tapered parallel structure 204 is fixedly connected to an extension sleeve 205. One end of the extension sleeve 205 is rotatably connected to a connector 207. One end of each cable conductor 103 is connected to one end of the connector 207. One end of the extension sleeve 205 is fixedly connected to a connecting ring 206. The connector 20... A rotating ring 208 is provided at one end of the outer wall of the 7. The connecting ring 206 is rotatably connected to the rotating ring 208. A limit ring 202 is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve 201. Several positioning docking ring grooves 203 are opened on the inner wall of the connecting sleeve 201. A positioning docking ring sleeve 210 is rotatably connected to the inner side of the positioning docking ring groove 203. Several fixing rings 209 are evenly distributed along the circumference at one end of the connector 207. The inner side of the fixing ring 209 is connected to one end of the cable conductor 103.

[0023] In this embodiment, the internally supporting flexible hose 101 is located in the center of the interior, forming an internal support effect. The cable conductor 103 is evenly distributed along its outer wall with gaps between them to provide space for buffering and prevent excessive compression. This effectively improves the elasticity of the cable during use, avoids excessive bending, and enhances durability. An wear-resistant layer 108 is provided on the outside. By providing straight flexible steel wires 109 and threaded steel wires 110 on the inner side of the wear-resistant layer 108, the strength, wear resistance, and support performance can be improved, effectively enhancing the bending resistance.

[0024] By placing the connecting sleeve 201 at the end connection position, a tapered parallel structure 204 is provided on the inner side of the connecting sleeve 201, which facilitates the merging of the cable conductor 103 towards the center through the tapered parallel structure 204. The extension sleeve 205 extends and connects to the connector 207, and the extension sleeve 205 and the connector 207 are rotatably connected through the connecting ring 206 and the rotating ring 208. One end of the cable conductor 103 is connected to the connector 207 through the fixing ring 209, which facilitates docking with the power connection structure through the connector 207 without the need to dock multiple cables. This provides a convenient rotating connection during use and also provides a rotational effect during bending, thereby improving flexibility. The connecting sleeve 201 forms a rotatable connection with the positioning docking ring sleeve 210 through the positioning docking ring groove 203, which also provides a flexible rotational function. This helps to reduce the torque when bending torque is generated by flexible rotation, effectively reducing the bending degree and extending the service life of the cable.

[0025] Example 2: As Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the flexible external support mechanism 3 includes an outer ring hoop 301. Several rotating seats 302 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction on the outer wall of the outer ring hoop 301. A connecting shaft 303 is installed through the inner side of the rotating seat 302. An external support flexible steel wire 304 is inserted through the inner side of the connecting shaft 303. A docking shaft 305 is fixedly connected to both ends of the external support flexible steel wire 304. A docking seat 306 is provided on the outer side of the docking shaft 305. A rotating hole 307 is opened through the side of the docking seat 306. The docking seats 306 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve 201. An elastic external support kit 308 is provided between two adjacent outer ring hoops 301. The elastic external support kit 308 is evenly distributed on the outer wall of the cable assembly 1.

[0026] In this embodiment, an outer ring clamp 301 is distributed externally to provide installation support, and several rotating seats 302 are distributed on the outer ring clamp 301 to support the connecting shaft 303. An external support flexible steel wire 304 is movably inserted inside the connecting shaft 303, which provides external support and improves protection performance. One end of the external support flexible steel wire 304 is connected to form a complete external support effect, which provides further bending resistance when bent at different angles, thereby improving the performance. The docking shaft 305 is connected to the docking seat 306 to achieve a complete installation effect. The rotating hole 307 forms a rotating connection with the docking shaft 305, thereby improving the rotation flexibility. The elastic external support kit 308 is distributed on the outside of the inner support flexible hose 101, which also improves the torsional resistance when bending, thereby helping to maintain a large arc bending effect, ensuring normal power transmission, and avoiding the situation where excessive bending causes increased resistance and affects the use.

[0027] Example 3: As Figures 1-6 As shown, the outer wall of the inner flexible hose 101 is provided with a flexible sheath 102, which is disposed inside the filling layer 105. The outer wall of the cable conductor 103 is provided with a shielding layer 104, which is distributed inside the side wall of the filling layer 105. The side wall of the filling layer 105 is uniformly provided with several holes 106 along the circumferential direction. A flexible padding layer 107 is provided outside the holes 106, which is disposed inside the wear-resistant layer 108. An outer protective layer 111 is provided outside the wear-resistant layer 108.

[0028] In this embodiment, a flexible sheath 102 is disposed on the outside of the inner flexible hose 101. The flexible sheath 102 helps to improve the effect of flexible support and avoids excessive compression between structures. The cable conductor 103 provides a path for the directional movement of charges, enabling current to be transmitted from the power source to various electrical devices, thereby realizing the transmission and distribution of electrical energy and ensuring the normal operation of electrical equipment. The shielding layer 104 effectively blocks external electromagnetic fields from interfering with the signals transmitted inside the cable, and also prevents the signals transmitted inside the cable from radiating outward, avoiding electromagnetic interference to other surrounding electronic devices. By reducing external interference and internal signal leakage, the shielding layer helps to maintain the integrity and stability of the signal, reduces signal attenuation and distortion, thereby improving the signal transmission quality and reliability. The holes 106 provide compression space, which helps to allow for contraction between internal structures when the cable is bent or compressed, further improving the stability of the cable. The flexible padding layer 107 has good elasticity and flexibility, and can play a buffering role when the cable is subjected to external forces such as compression, stretching or bending. Simultaneously, it allows the cable to evenly distribute stress when subjected to external forces, preventing stress concentration in a specific area. This helps prevent problems such as insulation layer cracking and conductor deformation caused by excessive localized stress, extending the cable's service life. The outer protective layer 111 resists external mechanical stresses such as friction, impact, tension, and compression. It improves the cable's abrasion resistance, reducing wear caused by long-term use or contact with other objects, thus extending the cable's service life. It possesses a certain degree of puncture resistance, preventing sharp objects from penetrating the cable's interior, protecting the conductor and insulation layer from damage, and ensuring stable electrical performance. It prevents moisture from penetrating the cable's interior, avoiding problems such as conductor oxidation due to moisture and decreased insulation performance.

[0029] In this invention, the flexible power transmission cable for mechanical devices with bending resistance has the following features: First, an inner support flexible hose 101 is placed in the center of the cable, creating an internal support effect. The cable conductors 103 are evenly distributed along the outer wall with gaps between them to provide space for buffering and preventing excessive compression. This effectively improves the cable's elasticity during use, avoids excessive bending, and enhances durability. An wear-resistant layer 108 is provided on the outside. By providing straight flexible steel wires 109 and threaded steel wires 110 on the inner side of the wear-resistant layer 108, the strength, wear resistance, and support performance are improved, effectively enhancing the bending resistance. The flexible sheath 102, located on the outside of the inner flexible hose 101, enhances the flexible support effect and prevents excessive compression between structures. The cable conductor 103 provides a pathway for the directional movement of charge, enabling current transmission from the power source to various electrical devices, thus facilitating the delivery and distribution of electrical energy and ensuring the normal operation of electrical equipment. The shielding layer 104 effectively blocks external electromagnetic fields from interfering with the signals transmitted inside the cable and prevents the signals transmitted inside the cable from radiating outwards, avoiding electromagnetic interference to other surrounding electronic equipment. By reducing external interference and internal signal leakage, the shielding layer helps maintain signal integrity and stability, reducing signal attenuation and distortion, thereby improving signal transmission quality and reliability. The perforations 106 provide compression space, allowing for contraction between internal structures when the cable is bent or compressed, further enhancing the stability of the cable. The flexible support layer 107 has good elasticity and flexibility, acting as a buffer when the cable is subjected to external forces such as compression, stretching, or bending. It also allows the cable to evenly distribute stress when subjected to external forces, preventing stress concentration in a localized area of ​​the cable. This helps prevent problems such as insulation cracking and conductor deformation caused by excessive localized stress, extending the cable's service life. The outer protective layer 111 can resist external mechanical stresses, such as friction, impact, tension, and compression. It improves the cable's abrasion resistance, reduces wear caused by long-term use or contact with other objects, and extends the cable's service life. It has a certain degree of puncture resistance, preventing sharp objects from penetrating the cable's interior, protecting the conductor and insulation from damage, and ensuring stable electrical performance. It also prevents moisture from penetrating the cable's interior.

[0030] The connecting sleeve 201 is located at the end connection position. A tapered parallel structure 204 is provided on the inner side of the connecting sleeve 201, which facilitates the merging of the cable conductor 103 towards the center through the tapered parallel structure 204. It is extended and connected to the connector 207 through the extension sleeve 205. The extension sleeve 205 and the connector 207 are rotatably connected through the connecting ring 206 and the rotating ring 208. One end of the cable conductor 103 is connected to the connector 207 through the fixing ring 209, which facilitates docking with the power connection structure through the connector 207 without the need to dock multiple cables. This provides a convenient rotating connection during use. It can also provide a rotating effect during bending, which helps to improve flexibility. The connecting sleeve 201 forms a rotating connection with the positioning docking ring sleeve 210 through the positioning docking ring groove 203, which also provides a flexible rotation function. This helps to reduce the torque when bending torque is generated by flexible rotation, effectively reducing the bending degree.

[0031] The outer ring clamp 301 provides external support for installation, and several rotating seats 302 are distributed on the outer ring clamp 301 to support the connecting shaft 303. The connecting shaft 303 has an external support flexible steel wire 304 that moves through it, providing external support and improving protection performance. One end of the external support flexible steel wire 304 is connected to form a complete external support effect, which helps to provide further bending resistance when bending at different angles, thereby improving the performance. The connection between the docking shaft 305 and the docking seat 306 achieves a complete installation effect. The rotating hole 307 forms a rotating connection with the docking shaft 305, thereby improving the flexibility of rotation. The elastic external support kit 308 is distributed on the outside of the inner support flexible hose 101, which also improves the torsional resistance when bending, thus helping to maintain a large arc bending effect and ensuring normal power transmission.

[0032] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bend-tolerant multi-degree-of-freedom flexible power transmission cable for a mechanical device, comprising a cable assembly (1), characterized in that: The cable assembly (1) is connected to two ends by connecting components (2), and the outer wall of the cable assembly (1) is provided with flexible external support mechanisms (3). The cable assembly (1) includes an inner flexible hose (101) and a wear-resistant layer (108). The outer wall of the inner flexible hose (101) is uniformly distributed with a number of cable conductors (103) along the circumferential direction. The cable conductors (103) are all distributed inside the wear-resistant layer (108). The side wall of the wear-resistant layer (108) is uniformly distributed with a number of straight flexible steel wires (109) along the circumferential direction. The side wall of the wear-resistant layer (108) is wound with a threaded steel wire (110). The connecting component (2) includes a connecting sleeve (201), the connecting sleeve (201) has a conical parallel structure (204) inside, one end of each cable conductor (103) passes through the inside of the conical parallel structure (204), one end of the conical parallel structure (204) is fixedly connected to an extension sleeve (205), one end of the extension sleeve (205) is rotatably connected to a connector (207), one end of each cable conductor (103) is connected to one end of the connector (207), one end of the extension sleeve (205) is fixedly connected to a connecting ring (206), one end of the outer wall of the connector (207) is provided with a rotating ring (208), and the connecting ring (206) and the rotating ring (208) are rotatably connected; The flexible external support mechanism (3) includes an outer ring hoop (301), and a plurality of rotating seats (302) are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the outer ring hoop (301) along the circumferential direction. A connecting shaft (303) is installed through the inner side of the rotating seat (302), and an outer support flexible steel wire (304) is installed through the inner side of the connecting shaft (303). The two ends of the external support flexible steel wire (304) are fixedly connected to the docking shaft (305), and the docking seat (306) is provided on the outside of the docking shaft (305). The side of the docking seat (306) is provided with a rotating hole (307), and the docking seat (306) is evenly distributed on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve (201) along the circumferential direction; An elastic outer support kit (308) is provided between two adjacent outer rings (301), and the elastic outer support kit (308) is evenly distributed on the outer wall of the cable assembly (1).

2. The kink-resistant, multi-degree-of-freedom, flexible power transmission cable for a mechanical device of claim 1, wherein: The outer wall of the inner support flexible hose (101) is provided with a flexible sheath (102), which is disposed inside the filling layer (105). The outer wall of the cable conductor (103) is provided with a shielding layer (104), which is distributed inside the side wall of the filling layer (105).

3. The kink-resistant, multi-degree-of-freedom, flexible power transmission cable for a mechanical device of claim 2, wherein: The sidewall of the filling layer (105) is uniformly perforated with a plurality of holes (106) along the circumferential direction. A flexible padding layer (107) is provided on the outside of the holes (106). The flexible padding layer (107) is provided on the inside of the wear-resistant layer (108). An outer protective layer (111) is provided on the outside of the wear-resistant layer (108).

4. The flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for mechanical devices according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer wall of the connecting sleeve (201) is fixedly installed with a limiting ring (202), and the inner wall of the connecting sleeve (201) is provided with a plurality of positioning docking ring grooves (203). The inner side of the positioning docking ring grooves (203) is rotatably connected to a positioning docking ring sleeve (210).

5. The flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom power transmission cable for mechanical devices according to claim 4, characterized in that: One end of the connector (207) has several fixing rings (209) evenly distributed along the circumference, and the inner side of the fixing rings (209) is connected to one end of the cable conductor (103).

Images