Locking structure after centering of nozzle

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of locking structures, and provides a nozzle centering rear locking structure which comprises a ball head assembly, a column head assembly and a locking assembly, and the ball head assembly and the column head assembly each comprise a joint arm, a spring bolt, an inner supporting rod and a connector; the ball head assembly forms a multi-direction rotating joint, and the column head assembly forms a one-direction rotating joint. The locking assembly comprises a locking screw rod and two locking nuts, threads at the two ends of the locking screw rod are opposite in screwing direction, and the locking nuts are arranged in the radial locking holes of the two joint arms in a sliding mode respectively; the nuts abut against the inclined faces of the ends of the inner supporting rods, the screw rod is rotated to drive the two nuts to move oppositely, and therefore the two inner supporting rods are driven to abut against the lock tongues to fix the connectors of the two inner supporting rods, the two assemblies are forced to be attached to each other, and finally the relative positions of the two assemblies are locked. The three rotating joints can be synchronously locked through one rotating action, the relative postures of the two nozzles are directly fixed, the operation action is simplified, and the operation efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of locking structure technology, and more specifically, to a nozzle centering locking structure. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasonic C-scan inspection is one of the key technologies for detecting internal defects in materials in the industrial field. Among them, the ultrasonic penetration method uses one probe to emit ultrasonic waves and another probe to receive the signal that penetrates the workpiece under inspection. It has significant advantages for detecting composite materials with large attenuation coefficients (such as aerospace composite components) and can effectively assess defects such as delamination, debonding, and porosity inside the material.

[0003] To meet the needs of automated inspection, a mechanical scanning arm with a dual-nozzle structure is commonly used to achieve through-hole inspection: one nozzle is equipped with an ultrasonic transmitting probe, and the other nozzle is equipped with an ultrasonic receiving probe. The two nozzles are placed on both sides of the workpiece being inspected, and an ultrasonic coupling channel is formed by spraying water jets. This, combined with the movement of the mechanical scanning arm, completes full-area C-scan imaging.

[0004] To ensure accurate detection, the two probes need to be precisely aligned (i.e., the coaxiality of the two nozzles), and the required distance between the two probes varies depending on the workpiece thickness. However, currently, the two nozzles are typically mounted on separate adjustment mechanisms, allowing only movement and locking in two mutually perpendicular directions. This structure requires separate positioning and fastening of each nozzle to indirectly lock their relative orientation, resulting in low operational efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a nozzle centering and locking structure to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art.

[0006] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] A nozzle alignment and locking structure includes a ball head assembly, a column head assembly, and a locking assembly; both the ball head assembly and the column head assembly include: The articulated arm has a radial locking hole at one end and an axial locking hole at the other end. The locking tongue is slidably positioned within the axial locking hole; An inner strut is inserted into the articulated arm, with one end abutting against the locking tongue and the other end extending into the radial locking hole; The connector is limited by the latch and the cover fixed to the end of the axial lock hole; the connector of the ball head assembly cooperates with the latch and the cover to form a multi-directional rotating joint; the connector of the column head assembly forms a one-way rotating joint with the latch and the cover. The locking assembly includes a locking screw with opposite threads at both ends and two locking nuts. Each of the two locking nuts is slidably disposed in a radial locking hole of one of the joint arms and engages with the locking screw. The locking nut and the end of the inner support rod abut against each other through a bevel, so that when the screw is rotated to move the two locking nuts toward each other, the two inner support rods are driven to press against the locking tongue to fix the connector and make the ball head assembly and the column head assembly fit together and lock.

[0008] Furthermore, in the ball head assembly, the connector has a spherical connecting portion, and the latch and the cover are provided with ball holes that mate with the spherical connecting portion; in the column head assembly, the connector has a circular connecting portion, and the latch and the cover are provided with flat holes that mate with the circular connecting portion, and the axis of the circular connecting portion is perpendicular to the axis of the latch.

[0009] Furthermore, the end of the latch is provided with an eccentric locking hole whose axis is off-center, and the inner support rod abuts against the bottom of the eccentric locking hole.

[0010] Furthermore, one end of the locking nut has a locking ramp, and the end of the inner support rod has a limiting ramp that abuts against the locking ramp.

[0011] Furthermore, an anti-rotation structure is provided between the locking nut and the radial locking hole to restrict the rotation of the locking nut.

[0012] Furthermore, the anti-rotation structure consists of a D-shaped shaft and a D-shaped hole that fit together.

[0013] Furthermore, a knob is connected to one end of the locking screw.

[0014] Furthermore, one end of the locking screw is provided with a hexagonal head, and the knob is sleeved on the locking screw and is provided with a hexagonal hole that mates with the hexagonal head.

[0015] Furthermore, the cover is connected to the joint arm by screws, and the cover is provided with a positioning groove that mates with the outer wall of the joint arm.

[0016] Furthermore, the locking tongue is provided with symmetrical weight-reducing grooves on both sides.

[0017] The technical solution of this invention has at least the following advantages and beneficial effects: In this invention, the ball head assembly and the column head assembly can rotate relative to each other around the axis of the locking screw, forming a one-way rotation joint; the connector of the ball head assembly cooperates with the locking tongue and the cover to form a multi-way rotation joint; the connector of the column head assembly cooperates with the locking tongue and the cover to form a one-way rotation joint. In practical applications, the connectors of the ball head assembly and the column head assembly are respectively connected to one of the nozzles. In the unlocked state, the three rotation joints can well adapt to the alignment and distance adjustment of the two nozzles. After adjustment, by rotating the locking screw, the two locking nuts will move towards each other in the radial locking holes of the joint arm. This action produces two key and synchronous mechanical effects: First, by abutting the inclined surfaces between the locking nut and the inner support rod, the two inner support rods are driven to press against the locking tongue, which instantly locks and fixes the multi-directional rotational freedom of the connector in the ball head assembly and the unidirectional rotational freedom of the connector in the column head assembly. Secondly, the opposing movement of the two locking nuts will simultaneously pull the two articulated arms closer together, ultimately causing the ball head assembly and the column head assembly to fit tightly together, forming a rigid whole, thereby directly and rigidly locking the relative spatial posture and distance between the two nozzles.

[0018] As can be seen, this invention can lock the three rotating joints in the locking structure by rotating a locking screw, thereby directly locking the relative posture of the two nozzles, simplifying the operation and improving the efficiency of operation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a nozzle centering and locking structure provided by the present invention; Figure 2 A top view of a nozzle centering and locking structure provided by the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA section view; Figure 4 for Figure 2 BB cross-sectional view; Figure 5 for Figure 2 CC section view; Figure 6 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the locking nut. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first joint arm; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the first locking tongue, the first inner support rod, and the first connector. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first locking tongue; Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first connector; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first cover. Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the second locking tongue, the second inner support rod, and the second connector. Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the second locking tongue; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the second connector. Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the second cover. Reference numerals: 1-Ball head assembly, 101-First joint arm, 1011-Radial locking hole, 1012-Axial locking hole, 102-First locking tongue, 1021-Ball hole, 103-First inner support rod, 104-First cover, 1041-First positioning groove, 105-First connector, 1051-Spherical connection part, 2-Pin head assembly, 201-Second joint arm, 202-Second locking tongue, 2021-Flat hole, 203-Second inner support rod, 204-Second cover, 2042-Second positioning groove, 205-Second connector, 2051-Circular connection part, 3-Locking assembly, 301-Lead screw, 302-Locking nut, 3021-Locking bevel, 303-Knob. Detailed Implementation

[0020] refer to Figures 1-6 A nozzle centering and locking structure includes a ball head assembly 1, a column head assembly 2, and a locking assembly 3. Both the ball head assembly 1 and the column head assembly 2 include a joint arm, a locking tongue, an inner support rod, and a connector. One end of the joint arm has a radial locking hole 1011, and the other end has an axial locking hole 1012. It is easy to understand that the axis of the axial locking hole 1012 coincides with the axis of the joint arm, and the axis of the radial locking hole 1011 is perpendicular to the axis of the axial locking hole 1012. The locking tongue is slidably disposed within the axial locking hole 1012. The inner support rod passes through the joint arm, with one end abutting against the locking tongue and the other end extending into the radial locking hole 1011. The connector is limited by the latch and the cover fixed to the end of the axial lock hole 1012. The connector of the ball head assembly 1, together with the latch and the cover, forms a multi-directional rotating joint, that is, the connector of the ball head assembly 1 can rotate in any direction within the design angle range; the connector of the column head assembly 2, together with the latch and the cover, forms a unidirectional rotating joint, that is, the connector of the column head assembly 2 can only rotate in one direction.

[0021] Based on the above, it can be understood that ball joint assembly 1 and pin joint assembly 2 can rotate relative to each other around the axis of locking screw 301, forming a one-way rotary joint; the connector of ball joint assembly 1, together with the locking tongue and cover, forms a multi-way rotary joint; the connector of pin joint assembly 2, together with the locking tongue and cover, forms a one-way rotary joint. In practical applications, the connectors of ball joint assembly 1 and pin joint assembly 2 are respectively connected to one of the nozzles. When the three rotary joints are not locked, they can well accommodate the alignment and distance adjustment of the two nozzles.

[0022] The locking assembly 3 includes a locking screw 301 and two locking nuts 302. The threads at both ends of the locking screw 301 are turned in opposite directions. The two locking nuts 302 are each slidably disposed in the radial locking hole 1011 of one of the joint arms and cooperate with the locking screw 301. The locking nut 302 abuts against the end of the inner support rod via an inclined surface. With this design, after the two nozzles are aligned and the distance is adjusted, the action of rotating the locking screw 301 will drive the two locking nuts 302 to move towards each other (i.e., move closer to each other) within the radial locking hole 1011 of the joint arm. This action produces two key and synchronous mechanical effects: First, the inclined surface abutment between the locking nut 302 and the inner support rod drives the two inner support rods to press against the locking tongue, which instantly locks and fixes the multi-directional rotational freedom of the connector in the ball head assembly 1 and the unidirectional rotational freedom of the connector in the column head assembly; Second, the opposite movement of the two locking nuts 302 will simultaneously pull the two joint arms closer together, ultimately making the ball head assembly 1 and the column head assembly 2 fit tightly together to form a rigid whole, thereby directly and rigidly locking the relative spatial posture and distance between the two nozzles.

[0023] As can be seen, the present invention can lock the three rotating joints in the locking structure by rotating the locking screw 301, thereby directly locking the relative posture of the two nozzles, simplifying the operation and improving the operation efficiency.

[0024] For ease of description, the joint arm, locking tongue, inner support rod, cover, and connector in ball head assembly 1 are respectively named first joint arm 101, first locking tongue 102, first inner support rod 103, first cover 104, and first connector 105; the joint arm, locking tongue, inner support rod, cover, and connector in column head assembly 2 are respectively named second joint arm 201, second locking tongue 202, second inner support rod 203, second cover 204, and second connector 205.

[0025] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 11 In this embodiment, the first cover 104 and the first joint arm 101 are connected by screws, and the first cover 104 is provided with a first positioning groove 1041 that mates with the outer wall of the first joint arm 101. (See reference) Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 15 Similarly, the second cover 204 is connected to the second joint arm 201 by screws, and the second cover 204 is provided with a second positioning groove 2042 that cooperates with the outer wall of the second joint arm 201.

[0026] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figures 7-11 In this embodiment, the first connector 105 achieves multi-directional rotation in the following way: the first connector 105 has a spherical connecting portion 1051, and the first locking tongue 102 and the first cover 104 are provided with ball holes 1021 that mate with the spherical connecting portion 1051. (See reference) Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figures 12-15 In this embodiment, the second connector 205 achieves unidirectional rotation as follows: the second connector 205 has a circular connecting portion 2051, and the second latch 202 and the second cover 204 are provided with a flat hole 2021 that mates with the circular connecting portion 2051. The axis of the circular connecting portion 2051 is perpendicular to the axis of the latch. It is easy to understand that the two sides of the flat hole 2021 are planes that mate with the two end faces of the circular connecting portion 2051, and the bottom of the flat hole 2021 is an arc-shaped surface that mates with the outer peripheral surface of the circular connecting portion 2051.

[0027] The end of the first locking tongue 102 is provided with a first eccentric locking hole (not marked in the figure, see reference) whose axis is off-center. Figure 8 The first inner support rod 103 abuts against the bottom of the first eccentric locking hole. Correspondingly, the end of the second locking tongue 202 is provided with a second eccentric locking hole (not marked in the figure, see reference) whose axis is off-center. Figure 12 The second inner support rod 203 is positioned such that it abuts against the bottom of the second eccentric locking hole. It is worth noting that this design restricts the rotation of the first and second latches 102 and 202 around their axes, and allows the first and second inner support rods 103 and 203 to better clamp the second latches 202 when tightened. In this embodiment, both the first and second latches 102 and 202 have symmetrical weight-reducing grooves on both sides to reduce their weight.

[0028] refer to Figures 3-6 In this embodiment, the locking nut 302 and the end of the inner support rod are connected by an inclined surface as follows: one end of the locking nut 302 is provided with a locking inclined surface 3021, the end of the first inner support rod 103 is provided with a first limiting inclined surface that abuts against the corresponding locking inclined surface 3021, and the end of the second inner support rod 203 is provided with a second limiting inclined surface that abuts against the corresponding locking inclined surface 3021.

[0029] It is worth noting that during the unlocking process, when the two locking nuts 302 are axially far apart, under the action of the locking inclined surface 3021 and the limiting inclined surface, the locking nuts 302 will not rotate relative to the joint arm when the locking screw is rotated. However, if the two locking nuts 302 are axially far apart (when the locking inclined surface 3021 and the limiting inclined surface are no longer in contact), the locking nuts 302 will rotate relative to the joint arm when the locking screw is rotated, which is inconvenient to operate. To solve this problem, the improvement method in this embodiment is as follows: a rotation-resistant structure (not shown in the figure) is provided between the locking nut 302 and the radial locking hole 1011 to restrict the rotation of the locking nut 302. That is, the rotation-resistant structure restricts the locking nut 302 to slide relative to the joint arm and prevents it from rotating relative to the joint arm. For example, in this embodiment, the rotation-resistant structure can be a D-shaped shaft and a D-shaped hole that cooperate with each other. That is, the locking nut 302 is designed in a D-shape, and the radial locking hole 1011 is correspondingly designed in a D-shape. In other embodiments, the anti-rotation structure can of course be other structures, such as mutual protrusions and grooves between the locking nut 302 and the radial locking hole 1011; or the anti-rotation can be achieved by connecting key.

[0030] In this embodiment, a knob 303 is connected to one end of the locking screw 301, which facilitates the rotation of the locking screw 301 by applying rotational torque to the knob 303, making operation more convenient. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the knob 303 is connected as follows: one end of the locking screw 301 is provided with a hexagonal head, that is, the locking screw 301 is shaped like a bolt. The knob 303 is sleeved on the locking screw 301 and is provided with a hexagonal hole that mates with the hexagonal head. The relative rotation of the locking screw 301 and the knob 303 is restricted by the hexagonal hole and the hexagonal head.

[0031] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nozzle centering and locking structure, characterized by, The ball head assembly, the column head assembly and the locking assembly are included. The joint arm is provided with a radial lock hole at one end and an axial lock hole at the other end. The lock tongue is slidably arranged in the axial lock hole. The inner support rod is arranged in the joint arm, and one end of the inner support rod abuts against the lock tongue, and the other end of the inner support rod extends into the radial lock hole. The connecting head is limited by the lock tongue and the cover body fixed to the end of the axial lock hole. The connecting head of the ball head assembly cooperates with the lock tongue and the cover body to form a multi-directional rotary joint. The locking assembly includes two locking screws with opposite screw threads and two locking nuts.

2. The nozzle centering and locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The locking nuts are slidably arranged in the radial lock hole of one of the joint arms and cooperates with the locking screw.

3. The nozzle centering and locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The end of the inner support rod abuts against the inclined surface of the locking nut to drive the two inner support rods to tightly abut against the lock tongue to fix the connecting head and make the ball head assembly and the column head assembly abut against each other.

4. The nozzle centering and locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that In the ball head assembly, the connecting head has a spherical connecting part, and the lock tongue and the cover body are provided with a ball hole matched with the spherical connecting part.

5. The nozzle centering and locking structure according to claim 1, wherein In the column head assembly, the connecting head has a circular connecting part, and the lock tongue and the cover body are provided with a flat hole matched with the circular connecting part, and the axis of the circular connecting part is perpendicular to the axis of the lock tongue.

6. The nozzle centering and locking structure according to claim 5, wherein The end of the lock tongue is provided with an eccentric lock hole with an axis deviating from the center, and the inner support rod abuts against the bottom of the eccentric lock hole.

7. The nozzle centering and locking structure according to claim 1, wherein One side wall of the locking nut is provided with a locking inclined surface, and the end of the inner support rod is provided with a limiting inclined surface abutting against the locking inclined surface.

8. The nozzle centering and rear locking structure according to claim 7, characterized in that The locking nut and the radial lock hole are provided with a rotation stopping structure limiting the rotation of the locking nut.

9. The nozzle centering and locking structure of claim 1, wherein The rotation stopping structure is a D-shaped shaft and a D-shaped hole matched with each other.

10. The nozzle centering and rear locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the locking screw is connected with a knob. One end of the locking screw is provided with a hexagonal head, and the knob is sleeved on the locking screw and is provided with a hexagonal hole matched with the hexagonal head. The cover body and the joint arm are connected by a screw, and the cover body is provided with a positioning groove matched with the outer wall of the joint arm. The lock tongue is provided with a weight-reducing groove symmetrically arranged on both sides.

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