Linear drive mechanism and method of using same

Abstract

This application discloses a linear drive mechanism and its usage method, including a cylinder with a telescopic rod movably fitted inside. A drive component is connected to the telescopic rod via a transmission component to drive the telescopic rod to reciprocate linearly within the cylinder. A tension / compression sensor is provided at the first end of the telescopic rod extending out of the cylinder, and a load connector is connected to the end of the tension / compression sensor away from the telescopic rod. Both the drive component and the tension / compression sensor are communicatively connected to a control unit. During operation of the linear drive mechanism, the tension / compression sensor detects the load on the load connector in real time. Under heavy load or impact conditions, if the load exceeds a load threshold, the tension / compression sensor sends an over-threshold signal to the control unit. The control unit then controls the drive component to move the telescopic rod to perform corresponding extension / retraction operations, thereby achieving a pressure relief action, reducing the impact of external impact loads on the linear drive mechanism, and extending the service life of the linear drive mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of linear drive mechanism technology, and more specifically, to a linear drive mechanism and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, electric cylinders, as the core linear drive mechanism, have been widely used in various industrial automation equipment due to their advantages such as high control precision, fast response speed, and compact structure. Existing conventional electric cylinder designs are mainly designed for normal working conditions within the rated load range, using a motor to drive a lead screw pair to drive a push rod to perform reciprocating linear motion.

[0003] However, in practical engineering applications, certain specific scenarios (such as mining machinery, heavy-duty forging, etc.) present harsh working conditions such as high-frequency impact, instantaneous overload, and heavy-duty start-up. Under such conditions, the load on the equipment often far exceeds the rated design load of the electric cylinder and has the characteristic of instantaneous change. Existing electric cylinders usually bear the load through the strength of the mechanical structure itself, which can easily cause damage to the electric cylinder structure and affect the service life of the electric cylinder.

[0004] In conclusion, how to extend the service life of linear drive mechanisms is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a linear drive mechanism and its method of use, thereby extending the service life of the linear drive mechanism.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A linear drive mechanism includes: a cylinder, in which a telescopic rod is movably fitted; a drive member, which is connected to the telescopic rod via a transmission member to cause the telescopic rod to reciprocate linearly within the cylinder; wherein a tension / compression sensor is provided at the first end of the telescopic rod extending out of the cylinder, and the end of the tension / compression sensor away from the telescopic rod is connected to a load connector; and a control unit, which is communicatively connected to the drive member and the tension / compression sensor.

[0008] In some embodiments, a mounting plate is fixedly connected to the first end of the telescopic rod, and the tension / compression sensing element is mounted on the mounting plate by threaded fasteners.

[0009] In some embodiments, the mounting plate has a disc-shaped structure, and the tension / compression sensing element has a disc-shaped structure; the axis of the mounting plate is aligned with that of the tension / compression sensing element, and the diameters of the mounting plate and the tension / compression sensing element are equal.

[0010] In some embodiments, the tension / compression sensing element has a threaded hole, and the load connector is fixedly connected to the tension / compression sensing element through the threaded hole.

[0011] In some embodiments, the diameter of the mounting plate is larger than the diameter of the telescopic rod, so that the mounting plate has an annular abutment surface that extends radially out of the telescopic rod.

[0012] In some embodiments, a limiting sleeve is provided between the cylinder and the telescopic rod, and the limiting sleeve is fixedly connected to the cylinder; the limiting sleeve is slidably engaged with the telescopic rod, and the limiting sleeve is used to abut against the annular contact surface of the mounting plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, a buffer element is provided on the contact surface where the limiting sleeve abuts against the mounting plate.

[0014] In some embodiments, the buffer is one of a rubber pad, a damping composite pad, or a hydraulic damping ring.

[0015] In some embodiments, the transmission component is one of a screw drive, a gear drive, or a worm gear drive.

[0016] In some embodiments, the driving component is one of a servo motor, a hydraulic motor, and a hydraulic cylinder.

[0017] A method of using a linear drive mechanism, characterized in that the linear drive mechanism as described above is used, including: under heavy load and impact conditions, a tension / compression sensor senses that the load exceeds a load threshold; the tension / compression sensor sends a signal exceeding the threshold to a control unit; the control unit controls the drive component to drive the telescopic rod to perform corresponding telescopic operations, thereby realizing a pressure relief action; when the telescopic rod is telescopically extended to its limit position, it is limited by a limit sleeve abutting against the mounting plate, and a buffer is provided by a buffer component.

[0018] The linear drive mechanism provided in this application includes a cylinder with a telescopic rod movably fitted inside. A drive component is connected to the telescopic rod via a transmission component to drive the telescopic rod to reciprocate linearly within the cylinder. A tension / compression sensor is installed at the first end of the telescopic rod extending out of the cylinder. A load connector is connected to the end of the tension / compression sensor away from the telescopic rod, connecting a load to enable the linear drive mechanism to operate. Both the drive component and the tension / compression sensor are communicatively connected to a control unit. During operation, the tension / compression sensor continuously senses the load on the load connector. When the load is within a load threshold, the linear drive mechanism maintains normal operation. Under heavy load or impact conditions, if the tension / compression sensor detects a load exceeding the load threshold, it sends an over-threshold signal to the control unit. The control unit then controls the drive component to extend the telescopic rod accordingly, achieving a pressure relief action, reducing the impact of external impact loads on the linear drive mechanism, and extending its service life. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the linear drive mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the linear drive mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of the internal structure is shown.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 100-cylinder;

[0025] 200-Telescopic rod, 210-Mounting plate, 220-Limit sleeve, 221-Buffer component;

[0026] 300-Drive component;

[0027] 400 - Transmission components;

[0028] 500 - Tension / compression sensing element;

[0029] 600 - Load connector;

[0030] 700 - Threaded fasteners. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the following embodiments is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be a limitation of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "one or more" refers to one, two, or more; "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0033] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0034] The "multiple" mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to two or more. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying order.

[0035] like Figures 1-3As shown, the linear drive mechanism provided in this embodiment includes a cylinder 100, a telescopic rod 200 movably fitted inside the cylinder 100, and a drive member 300 connected to the telescopic rod 200 via a transmission member 400, so that the drive member 300 can drive the telescopic rod 200 to reciprocate linearly within the cylinder 100. A tension / compression sensor 500 is provided at the first end of the telescopic rod 200 extending out of the cylinder 100, and a load connector 600 is connected to the end of the tension / compression sensor 500 away from the telescopic rod 200. A load is connected through the load connector 600 to realize the driving operation of the linear drive mechanism. The mechanism also includes a control unit and the drive member 300. Both the tension and pressure sensors 500 and the control unit are connected in communication. In this way, during the operation of the linear drive mechanism, the tension and pressure sensors 500 sense the load borne by the load connector 600 in real time. When the load is within the load threshold, the linear drive mechanism maintains normal operation. Under heavy load, impact and other working conditions, the tension and pressure sensors 500 sense that the load exceeds the load threshold and send the signal exceeding the threshold to the control unit. The control unit controls the drive component 300 to drive the telescopic rod 200 to perform corresponding extension and retraction operations to realize the pressure relief action, reduce the impact of external impact load on the linear drive mechanism, and extend the service life of the linear drive mechanism.

[0036] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the tension and compression sensing element 500 can be a ring force sensor, a spoke-type tension and compression sensor, a strain-type force sensor, or other sensors capable of sensing tension and compression. The choice can be made according to actual needs, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0037] like Figures 2-3 As shown, a mounting plate 210 is fixedly connected to the first end of the telescopic rod 200. The tension and pressure sensing element 500 is installed on the mounting plate 210 by threaded fasteners 700, so as to facilitate the installation and fixing of the tension and pressure sensing element 500 and to facilitate the disassembly and maintenance of the tension and pressure sensing element 500 to ensure the accuracy of sensing.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the mounting plate 210 has a disc-shaped structure, and the tension / compression sensing element 500 also has a disc-shaped structure. The axis of the mounting plate 210 and the tension / compression sensing element 500 are aligned, and the diameters of the mounting plate 210 and the tension / compression sensing element 500 are equal, which improves the accuracy of the tension / compression sensing element 500 in sensing the load, thereby improving the operational precision.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, a threaded hole is provided at the center of the tension / compression sensing element 500, so that the load connecting element 600 can be fixedly connected to the tension / compression sensing element 500 through the threaded hole, so that the axis of the load connecting element 600 and the tension / compression sensing element 500 are aligned, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the tension / compression sensing element 500 in sensing the load.

[0040] Under heavy load or impact conditions, the drive unit 300 will drive the telescopic rod 200 to perform corresponding extension and retraction operations based on the feedback from the tension and pressure sensing element 500 in order to relieve pressure. In order to ensure the pressure relief effect, the telescopic rod 200 is usually driven to extend and retract to the limit position.

[0041] To reduce the impact on the internal structure of the linear drive mechanism when it extends to its limit position, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the mounting plate 210 has a portion with a diameter larger than that of the telescopic rod 200, so that the mounting plate 210 has an annular abutment surface that extends radially out of the telescopic rod 200.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, a limiting sleeve 220 is provided between the cylinder 100 and the telescopic rod 200. The limiting sleeve 220 is fixedly connected to the cylinder 100 and slides with the telescopic rod 200. The limiting sleeve 220 abuts against the annular contact surface of the mounting plate 210 to limit the extension limit of the telescopic rod 200. The contact surface between the limiting sleeve 220 and the mounting plate 210 is also an annular contact surface. Since the two annular disc surfaces can provide a larger contact area, the contact strength is improved to withstand a larger load and reduce the impact on the inside of the linear drive mechanism.

[0043] To further reduce the impact on the internal components of the linear drive mechanism, such as Figure 3 As shown, a buffer 221 is provided on the contact surface where the limiting sleeve 220 abuts against the mounting plate 210, so that when the mounting plate 210 abuts against the limiting sleeve 220, it first contacts the buffer 221. The buffer 221 provides buffering and vibration reduction, further reducing the impact inside the linear drive mechanism. At the same time, it avoids the components from being crushed and unable to extend normally due to direct contact between the mounting plate 210 and the limiting sleeve 220, thus ensuring normal operation.

[0044] In some embodiments, the buffer 221 is a rubber pad with high compressive strength to improve the load-bearing capacity of the buffer 221.

[0045] In other embodiments, the buffer 221 may also be a damping composite gasket (a rubber-based composite gasket with added fibers), a hydraulic damping ring, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0046] In this application, the transmission component 400 can be one of the following: screw drive, gear drive, or worm gear drive. This application does not limit the specific type of transmission component.

[0047] In this application, the driving component 300 can be one of a servo motor, a hydraulic motor, or a hydraulic cylinder, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0048] The linear drive mechanism provided in this application embodiment, under heavy load, impact and other working conditions, if the tension and pressure sensing element 500 senses that the load exceeds the load threshold, it will send the signal exceeding the threshold to the control unit. The control unit controls the drive element 300 to drive the telescopic rod 200 to perform corresponding extension and retraction operations to realize the pressure relief action. When the telescopic rod 200 extends to the limit position, it is stopped by the limit sleeve 220 abutting against the mounting plate 210 and the buffer element 221 provides buffering to reduce the impact of external impact load on the linear drive mechanism and extend the service life of the linear drive mechanism.

[0049] This application embodiment also provides a method for using a linear drive mechanism, which is used for the linear drive mechanism in the above embodiments, and specifically includes:

[0050] Under heavy load and impact conditions, the tensile and compressive load sensing element 500 exceeds the load threshold.

[0051] The tension / compression sensor 500 sends a signal exceeding the threshold to the control unit;

[0052] The control unit controls the drive component 300 to drive the telescopic rod 200 to perform corresponding extension and retraction operations, thereby realizing the pressure relief action;

[0053] When the telescopic rod 200 is extended to its limit position, it is stopped by the limit sleeve 220 abutting against the mounting plate 210, and the buffer 221 provides cushioning to reduce the impact on the inside of the linear drive mechanism when it is extended to its limit position.

[0054] The above description of the embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A linear drive mechanism, characterized in that, include: A cylinder (100) is provided with a telescopic rod (200) that is movably fitted inside the cylinder (100). A drive unit (300) is connected to the telescopic rod (200) via a transmission unit (400) to enable the telescopic rod (200) to reciprocate linearly inside the cylinder (100); The first end of the telescopic rod (200) extending out of the cylinder (100) is provided with a tension and pressure sensor (500), and the end of the tension and pressure sensor (500) away from the telescopic rod (200) is connected to a load connector (600). The control unit is communicatively connected to the drive unit (300) and the tension / compression sensing unit (500).

2. The linear drive mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end of the telescopic rod (200) is fixedly connected to the mounting plate (210), and the tension and pressure sensing element (500) is installed on the mounting plate (210) by threaded fasteners (700).

3. The linear drive mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting plate (210) has a disc-shaped structure, and the tension and pressure sensing element (500) has a disc-shaped structure; The mounting plate (210) is aligned with the axis of the tension / compression sensor (500), and the mounting plate (210) has the same diameter as the tension / compression sensor (500).

4. The linear drive mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The tension / compression sensing element (500) has a threaded hole, and the load connector (600) is fixedly connected to the tension / compression sensing element (500) through the threaded hole.

5. The linear drive mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the mounting plate (210) is larger than the diameter of the telescopic rod (200) so that the mounting plate (210) has an annular abutment surface that extends radially out of the telescopic rod (200).

6. The linear drive mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, A limiting sleeve (220) is provided between the cylinder (100) and the telescopic rod (200), and the limiting sleeve (220) is fixedly connected to the cylinder (100); The limiting sleeve (220) is slidably engaged with the telescopic rod (200), and the limiting sleeve (220) is used to engage with the annular contact surface of the mounting plate (210).

7. The linear drive mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, A buffer (221) is provided on the contact surface where the limiting sleeve (220) abuts against the mounting plate (210).

8. The linear drive mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The buffer (221) is one of the following: rubber pad, damping composite pad, or hydraulic damping ring.

9. The linear drive mechanism according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The transmission component (400) is one of the following: screw drive, gear drive, or worm gear drive.

10. The linear drive mechanism according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The drive component (300) is one of a servo motor, a hydraulic motor, or a hydraulic cylinder.

11. A method of using a linear drive mechanism, characterized in that, The linear drive mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-10 includes: Under heavy load and impact conditions, the tensile and compressive sensing element (500) senses a load exceeding the load threshold. The tension / compression sensor (500) sends a signal exceeding the threshold to the control unit; The control unit controls the drive unit (300) to drive the telescopic rod (200) to perform corresponding telescopic operations, thereby realizing the pressure relief action; When the telescopic rod (200) is extended to its limit position, it is stopped by the limit sleeve (220) abutting against the mounting plate (210) and is cushioned by the buffer (221).

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