A double-position quick switching valve actuator manual operating mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses a manual operating mechanism for a dual-gear quick-switching valve actuator, comprising a drive shaft, a gear unit, and a handwheel. The handwheel has a handwheel sleeve. The front of the drive shaft has a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove spaced apart along the axial direction. The handwheel sleeve has a positioning assembly consisting of a steel ball, a spring, and an adjusting screw. The steel ball can be embedded in either positioning groove under the spring's thrust to lock its axial position. A transmission guide pair is provided between the handwheel sleeve and the drive shaft, allowing them to rotate synchronously and move relative to each other axially. The end face of the handwheel sleeve has a sleeve toothed engagement, and the end face of the input gear has a corresponding input gear toothed engagement. The gear unit includes a meshing input gear, a first-stage reduction gear, a second-stage reduction gear, and a synchronizing gear. This invention allows for quick switching between two gears with different transmission ratios simply by pushing and pulling the handwheel, without disassembling any parts. It has the advantages of compact structure, convenient operation, and high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of valve actuator technology, and more specifically, to a handwheel mechanism for manual operation in a valve actuator, which can quickly switch between two gears with different transmission ratios. Background Technology

[0002] Existing valve actuator manual operating mechanisms typically connect the handwheel and the drive shaft via a single transmission path. That is, after the handwheel rotates, it is reduced in speed by a gear set with a fixed transmission ratio before being transmitted to the drive shaft.

[0003] While this single-gear ratio structure can achieve the basic function of manual operation, it has certain limitations in practical applications: Low operating efficiency: With a large transmission ratio, the handwheel rotates more times, and the valve opens and closes slowly, making it unsuitable for working conditions that require rapid operation; with a small transmission ratio, the operating torque is large, and long-term operation is laborious.

[0004] Inconvenient switching: Although some products have a fast / slow gear switching function, it often requires disassembling the handwheel or replacing the transmission components to switch gears, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

[0005] Complex structure: Existing switchable gear mechanisms usually require additional clutch devices or shift fork mechanisms, resulting in a large number of parts, high manufacturing costs, and reduced reliability.

[0006] Therefore, existing technologies have significant shortcomings in terms of ease of quick gear switching and structural compactness, and urgently need improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to address the deficiency of existing valve actuator manual operating mechanisms that cannot quickly switch transmission ratio gears without disassembly, and to provide a compact and easy-to-operate dual-gear quick-switching manual operating mechanism that can quickly switch between two gears with different transmission ratios simply by pushing or pulling the handwheel.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A manual operating mechanism for a dual-position quick-switching valve actuator includes a drive shaft, a gear unit, and a handwheel, wherein the handwheel has a handwheel sleeve; The outer circumferential surface of the front part of the drive shaft is provided with a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove that are spaced apart along the axial direction. The handwheel sleeve is provided with a positioning component, which includes a steel ball, a spring and an adjusting screw. The steel ball can be embedded in the first positioning groove or the second positioning groove under the spring thrust to lock the axial position of the handwheel sleeve and the drive shaft. A transmission guide pair is provided between the handwheel sleeve and the transmission shaft. The handwheel sleeve rotates synchronously with the transmission shaft through the transmission guide pair and can be displaced axially relative to it. The gear unit includes an input gear, a first-stage reduction gear, a second-stage reduction gear, and a synchronizing gear that are meshed together. The input gear is slidably sleeved on the transmission shaft. The first-stage reduction gear and the second-stage reduction gear are coaxially fixed to the reduction gear shaft. The synchronizing gear is coaxially fixed to the transmission shaft. The handwheel sleeve has a sleeve toothed insert formed on the end face of the input gear of the gear unit facing the handwheel sleeve, and the input gear has an input gear toothed insert that can mesh with the sleeve toothed insert on the end face of the input gear facing the handwheel sleeve.

[0009] Preferably, the handwheel sleeve has a positioning hole, the steel ball, the spring and the adjusting screw are arranged in sequence in the positioning hole, the adjusting screw is screwed into the positioning hole, and the two ends of the spring abut against the steel ball and the adjusting screw respectively.

[0010] Preferably, the transmission guide pair includes a flat key fixed to the inner wall of the sleeve hole of the handwheel portion and a keyway formed on the transmission shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the cross-section of the sleeve hole of the handwheel part is an equilateral polygon hole, and the cross-section of the front part of the drive shaft is an equilateral polygon that matches the equilateral polygon hole.

[0012] Preferably, the reduction gear shaft is parallel to the axis of the transmission shaft and is rotatably supported on the gearbox.

[0013] Preferably, when the steel ball is engaged in the first positioning groove, the handwheel sleeve directly drives the transmission shaft to rotate synchronously through the transmission guide pair, forming a first gear transmission path; when the steel ball is engaged in the second positioning groove, the sleeve toothed engagement engages with the input gear toothed engagement, and the handwheel sleeve sequentially drives the transmission shaft to rotate through the input gear, the first-stage reduction gear, the second-stage reduction gear, and the synchronizing gear, forming a second gear transmission path.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. Quick switching and convenient operation: Two annular grooves on the same drive shaft engage with a ball-spring positioning assembly within the handwheel, allowing the operator to quickly switch between two gears simply by pushing or pulling the handwheel, without disassembling any parts. The "click" sound and tactile feedback when the ball engages the grooves provide clear gear confirmation. Switching time is ≤1 second, meeting emergency needs.

[0015] 2. Compact structure and low cost: The switching positioning function is integrated into the handwheel sleeve and the front end of the drive shaft, eliminating the need for additional complex mechanisms such as clutch forks; the handwheel has both axial keyway and end face toothed connection structures, enabling the selection of two transmission paths within a limited space. It has fewer parts, lower manufacturing costs, and higher reliability.

[0016] 3. Adjustable preload and strong adaptability: The spring preload of the steel ball-spring positioning assembly can be adjusted by adjusting the screw. The positioning force for gear switching can be optimized according to the vibration conditions or sealing requirements of the actual use environment, adapting to different application scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first gear (direct drive mode) of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the second gear (gear reduction mode) of the present invention.

[0019] The meanings of the markings in the diagram are as follows: 1-Drive shaft; 11-First positioning groove; 12-Second positioning groove; 2-Gear unit; 20-Reduction gear shaft; 21-Input gear; 211-Input gear jaws; 22-First-stage reduction gear; 23-Second-stage reduction gear; 24-Synchronizing gear; 3-Handwheel; 30-Handwheel sleeve; 31-Steel ball; 32-Adjusting screw; 33-Sleeve toothed insert. Detailed Implementation

[0020] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0021] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] This invention is applied to the manual operation input end of a valve actuator. When the electric or pneumatic drive fails, the actuator output shaft is manually driven by a handwheel to control the opening or closing of the valve.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the manual operating mechanism of the dual-gear quick-switching valve actuator of the present invention mainly includes a transmission shaft 1, a gear unit 2, and a handwheel 3.

[0024] Two positioning grooves are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the front part of the drive shaft 1 (i.e., the part connected to the handwheel sleeve 30 of the handwheel 3): a first positioning groove 11 and a second positioning groove 12. The two positioning grooves are distributed at intervals along the axial direction of the drive shaft 1, respectively corresponding to the two operating positions of the present invention.

[0025] The handwheel sleeve 30 is equipped with at least one set of positioning components. The positioning components include positioning holes formed in the handwheel sleeve 30, with steel balls 31, a spring, and an adjusting screw 32 arranged sequentially in the holes. The adjusting screw 32 is screwed into the positioning hole, and both ends of the spring abut against the steel balls 31 and the adjusting screw 32, respectively. The steel balls 31 can be engaged in the positioning groove of the drive shaft 1 under the spring's thrust, thereby locking the axial position of the handwheel sleeve 30 and the drive shaft 1. The adjusting screw 32 can adjust the spring's preload to adapt to different operating environments and requirements.

[0026] A transmission guide pair is provided between the handwheel sleeve 30 and the drive shaft 1. This transmission guide pair enables the handwheel sleeve 30 and the drive shaft 1 to rotate synchronously, and also guides the handwheel sleeve 30 during axial displacement relative to the drive shaft 1 when the steel ball 31 disengages from the positioning groove. In this embodiment, the transmission guide pair is formed by a cross-section of the hole in the handwheel sleeve 30 being an equilateral polygonal hole, and a matching equilateral polygonal hole being formed at the front of the drive shaft 1, thus achieving both transmission and guiding functions. In other embodiments, the transmission guide pair can also be a combination of a flat key fixed to the inner wall of the hole in the handwheel sleeve 30 and a keyway formed on the drive shaft 1, similarly achieving both transmission and guiding functions.

[0027] A sleeve toothed insert 33 is formed on the end face of the handwheel sleeve 30 facing the input gear 21 of the gear unit 2. An input gear toothed insert 211 corresponding to the sleeve toothed insert 33 is provided on the end face of the input gear 21 facing the handwheel sleeve 30. When the handwheel sleeve 30 is pushed toward the input gear 21, the sleeve toothed insert 33 and the input gear toothed insert 211 mesh and drive.

[0028] Gear unit 2 includes an input gear 21, a first-stage reduction gear 22, a second-stage reduction gear 23, and a synchronizing gear 24 that are meshed together. The input gear 21 is slidably mounted on the drive shaft 1. The first-stage reduction gear 22 and the second-stage reduction gear 23 are coaxially and sequentially fixed to the reduction gear shaft 20. The reduction gear shaft 20 is parallel to the axis of the drive shaft 1, and both are rotatably supported on the gearbox. The synchronizing gear 24 is coaxially fixed to the drive shaft 1.

[0029] First gear (direct drive mode): (e.g.) Figure 1As shown, when direct drive mode is required, the operator pulls the handwheel sleeve 30 outward until the steel ball 31, under the spring force, engages in the corresponding first positioning groove 11, producing a "click" feel and sound, indicating that the first gear has been engaged and reliably positioned. At this time, the handwheel sleeve 30 maintains a synchronous rotational relationship with the drive shaft 1 through the transmission guide pair. When the operator rotates the handwheel 3, the handwheel sleeve 30 directly drives the drive shaft 1 to rotate synchronously through the transmission guide pair, achieving direct drive without gear reduction. This mode is suitable for operating conditions requiring rapid valve operation.

[0030] Second gear (gear reduction mode): For example Figure 2 As shown, when gear reduction mode is required, the operator pushes the handwheel sleeve 30 towards the input gear 21 of the gear unit 2 (inward) until the steel ball 31 is engaged in the corresponding second positioning groove 12 under the spring force, producing a "click" feel and sound, indicating that the second gear has been entered and reliably positioned. At this time, the sleeve tooth 33 on the end face of the handwheel sleeve 30 meshes with the input gear tooth 211 on the input gear 21. The operator rotates the handwheel 3, and the handwheel sleeve 30 drives the input gear 21 to rotate. The power is reduced and transmitted through the first-stage reduction gear 22, the second-stage reduction gear 23, and the synchronous gear 24. The synchronous gear 24 then drives the transmission shaft 1 to rotate coaxially, realizing a large reduction ratio transmission through the gear unit. This mode is suitable for working conditions that require a large operating torque.

[0031] Gear switching: The operator only needs to push or pull the handwheel 3, and with the "click" feedback and positioning sound when the steel ball 31 is inserted into the groove, the two gears can be quickly switched without disassembling any parts. The entire switching process takes no more than 1 second.

[0032] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. 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 manual operating mechanism for a dual-position quick-switching valve actuator, comprising a drive shaft (1), a gear unit (2), and a handwheel (3), wherein the handwheel (3) has a handwheel sleeve (30), characterized in that: The front outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft (1) is provided with a first positioning groove (11) and a second positioning groove (12) that are spaced apart along the axial direction. The handwheel sleeve (30) is provided with a positioning component, which includes a steel ball (31), a spring and an adjusting screw (32). The steel ball (31) can be embedded in the first positioning groove (11) or the second positioning groove (12) under the spring thrust to lock the axial position of the handwheel sleeve (30) and the transmission shaft (1). A transmission guide pair is provided between the handwheel sleeve (30) and the transmission shaft (1). The handwheel sleeve (30) rotates synchronously with the transmission shaft (1) through the transmission guide pair and can be displaced axially relative to it. The gear unit (2) includes an input gear (21), a first-stage reduction gear (22), a second-stage reduction gear (23), and a synchronizing gear (24) that are meshed together. The input gear (21) is slidably sleeved on the transmission shaft (1). The first-stage reduction gear (22) and the second-stage reduction gear (23) are coaxially fixed on the reduction gear shaft (20). The synchronizing gear (24) is coaxially fixed on the transmission shaft (1). The handwheel sleeve (30) has a sleeve toothed insert (33) formed on the end face of the input gear (21) of the gear unit (2), and the end face of the input gear (21) facing the handwheel sleeve (30) is provided with an input gear toothed insert (211) that can mesh with the sleeve toothed insert (33).

2. The manual operating mechanism of the dual-position quick-switching valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handwheel sleeve (30) has a positioning hole. The steel ball (31), spring and adjusting screw (32) are arranged in sequence in the positioning hole. The adjusting screw (32) is screwed into the positioning hole. The two ends of the spring abut against the steel ball (31) and the adjusting screw (32) respectively.

3. The manual operating mechanism of the dual-position quick-switching valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission guide pair includes a flat key fixed to the inner wall of the sleeve hole of the handwheel part (30) and a keyway opened on the transmission shaft (1).

4. The manual operating mechanism of the dual-position quick-switching valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the sleeve hole of the handwheel sleeve (30) is an equilateral polygon hole, and the cross-section of the front part of the drive shaft (1) is an equilateral polygon that matches the equilateral polygon hole.

5. The manual operating mechanism of the dual-position quick-switching valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reduction gear shaft (20) is parallel to the axis of the transmission shaft (1) and is rotatably supported on the gearbox.

6. The manual operating mechanism of the dual-position quick-switching valve actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the steel ball (31) is inserted into the first positioning groove (11), the handwheel sleeve (30) directly drives the transmission shaft (1) to rotate synchronously through the transmission guide pair, forming the first gear transmission path; when the steel ball (31) is inserted into the second positioning groove (12), the sleeve toothed clutch (33) meshes with the input gear toothed clutch (211), and the handwheel sleeve (30) drives the transmission shaft (1) to rotate sequentially through the input gear (21), the first-stage reduction gear (22), the second-stage reduction gear (23) and the synchronous gear (24), forming the second gear transmission path.

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