Knob protection device and flowmeter provided with same

Abstract

The utility model relates to a knob protection device and a flowmeter equipped with the same, and the knob protection device comprises a protection cover which covers the exterior of a knob and is fixed on the knob; one end of the elastic connecting part protrudes out of the protective cover, and the elastic connecting part can move in the axial direction relative to the protective cover according to elasticity and is selectively connected with the knob to achieve knob adjustment or be separated from the knob. According to the utility model, the knob can be effectively protected, the knob is prevented from being mistakenly touched or operated, and the working state of equipment is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of equipment protection, and particularly relates to a knob protection device and a flowmeter equipped with the protection device. Background Art

[0002] At present, the adjustment knob of the flowmeter for industrial welding does not have a self-locking function. In particular, the visible float type flowmeter, which is widely used, has the characteristics of simple structure and convenient reading. The visible float type flowmeter for welding also has the characteristics of regular inspection and identification, constant selected flow rate, and not allowing disassembly and assembly of the main body and accessories after the flowmeter is audited and identified.

[0003] The currently used flowmeters have the following problems during the use in welding production:

[0004] 1. When using a flowmeter at the industrial production site, it is very easy for the adjusted gas flow rate to change under misoperation. In the welding environment with pipeline gas supply, usually various gas supply pipelines are arranged in the same area in a classified manner. When the welding shielding gas flow rate is adjusted to meet the requirements, the frequently used pressure air duct or the movement of personnel nearby may touch the adjustment knob of the welding shielding gas flowmeter, resulting in a change in the gas flow rate. In the case of out-of-tolerance flow rate, the welding quality will be affected.

[0005] 2. In order to avoid product quality problems caused by out-of-tolerance gas flow rate, it is necessary to review and correct the working state of the flowmeter at any time, which increases the workload of the operator, wastes the direct production time, and thus reduces the production efficiency. Content of the Utility Model

[0006] The main technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a knob protection device that can effectively protect the knob, avoid the knob from being accidentally touched or misoperated, and ensure the working state of the equipment. At the same time, a flowmeter equipped with the protection device is provided.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0008] A knob protection device includes:

[0009] A protective cover that covers the outside of the knob and is fixed to the knob;

[0010] An elastic connection part, one end of which protrudes outside the protective cover and can move axially relative to the protective cover according to elasticity, and selectively connects with the knob to realize knob adjustment or disconnect from the knob.

[0011] Furthermore, the protective cover completely surrounds and sleeves the outside of the knob, and is detachably and fixedly connected to the knob.

[0012] Further, the protective cover includes a first end member, a second end member, and an intermediate cylinder body installed between the first end member and the second end member. The first end member, the second end member, and the intermediate cylinder body are detachably connected. The first end member and the second end member have side walls extending towards the center on one side. A first opening through which the knob post passes is formed on the side wall of the first end member, and a second opening through which the elastic connection portion passes is formed on the side wall of the second end member. The second opening is in clearance fit with the elastic connection portion.

[0013] Further, both the first end member and the second end member have internal threads, and both ends of the intermediate cylinder body have external threads. The first end member, the second end member, and the intermediate cylinder body are connected by threads.

[0014] Further, the intermediate cylinder body is a split structure and is composed of two semi-circular cylinder bodies.

[0015] Further, one end of the intermediate cylinder body facing the first end member has an end wall extending towards the center. The edge of the end wall conforms to and fits with the outer surface of the knob post.

[0016] Further, the elastic connection portion includes an elastic member and a knob connection member. The elastic member is installed inside the protective cover. One end of the knob connection member is restricted inside the protective cover and abuts against the elastic member, and the other end of the knob connection member protrudes outside the protective cover. The elastic member elastically deforms axially to selectively connect or disconnect the knob connection member from the knob.

[0017] Further, a mating portion selectively mating with the knob is provided on the knob connection member. The mating portion contacts the knob to provide frictional force to achieve connection with the knob.

[0018] Further, the mating portion is an internal tapered hole provided on the inner wall of the knob connection member. After pressing the elastic member, the peripheral surface of the internal tapered hole is in interference fit with the knob to provide frictional force.

[0019] Another technical solution of the present utility model is:

[0020] A flowmeter has a knob for adjusting the flow rate, and the above-mentioned knob protection device is installed outside the knob.

[0021] In summary, compared with the prior art, a knob protection device provided by the present utility model and a flowmeter equipped with this protection device have the following advantages:

[0022] (1) By providing a protective cover and an elastic connecting part that can axially move relative to the protective cover in the present utility model, only when the operator presses the elastic connecting part can it be connected to the knob to achieve the adjustment of the knob. When not in use, the protective cover can automatically pop open, effectively protecting the knob, avoiding the situation of the knob being accidentally touched or misoperated, and maintaining the normal working state of the device. For example, in a visual buoy type flowmeter, it can maintain the stability of the welding shielding gas flow, effectively prevent the welding quality problems caused by the out-of-tolerance of the gas flow due to the accidental adjustment of the gas flow during the welding process, save welding consumables, and at the same time, the flow rate adjusted by the flowmeter can be kept constant, thus reducing the time consumption for reinspection and correcting the flow rate and lowering the manufacturing cost.

[0023] (2) Both the protective cover and the elastic connecting part of the present utility model adopt a detachable structure. Moreover, the protective cover only cooperates with the knob through the middle cylinder and is fixed to the knob by fastening the first end piece and the second end piece, without the need to additionally set fasteners. The overall structure is convenient for disassembly and assembly and has a lower cost.

[0024] (3) The adjustment of the knob in the present utility model is achieved through the friction force generated after the elastic connecting part contacts the knob. This not only helps to simplify the structure of the device, but also can further prevent the knob from being adjusted in the case of accidental touch and misoperation, ensuring the normal operation of the device, as only when sufficient friction force can be provided can the knob be adjusted.

[0025] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0026] The accompanying drawings, as a part of the present utility model, are used to provide a further understanding of the present utility model. The schematic embodiments and descriptions thereof of the present utility model are used to explain the present utility model, but do not constitute an improper limitation to the present utility model. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0027] In the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is the structural diagram of the flowmeter knob and the protection device of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 is the structural sectional view of the protection device of the present utility model (open state);

[0030] Figure 3 is the structural sectional view of the protection device of the present utility model (closed state).

[0031] In the figures:

[0032] Protective cover 1, first end member 11, second end member 12, intermediate cylinder 13, end wall 131, first opening 14, second opening 15, gasket 16;

[0033] Elastic connection part 2, elastic member 21, spring 211, knob connection part 22, operation part 221, connection part 222, inner conical hole 223;

[0034] Knob 3, knob column 31, knob head 32, flowmeter 4.

[0035] It should be noted that the drawings and the written description are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present utility model in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present utility model to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Specific embodiments

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present utility model, but are not used to limit the scope of the present utility model.

[0037] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model.

[0038] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0039] Embodiment 1:

[0040] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the present utility model provides a knob protection device, including a protective cover 1 and an elastic connection part 2. Among them, the protective cover 1 covers the outside of the knob 3 and is fixed on the knob 3. One end of the elastic connection part 2 protrudes outside the protective cover 1 and can move axially relative to the protective cover 1 elastically, and selectively connects with the knob 3 to realize the adjustment of the knob 3 or disconnects from the knob 3. The knob 3 is installed on a device such as a flowmeter 4.

[0041] The protective device can only be connected to the knob 3 to adjust the knob 3 when the operator presses the elastic connection part 2. When not in use, the elastic connection part 2 can automatically pop open and detach from the knob 3. At this time, other equipment and personnel will not touch or adjust the knob 3 inside the protective cover 1 in the case of accidental touch or misoperation, which effectively protects the knob 3 and avoids the accidental touch or misoperation of the knob 3, so as to keep the normal working state of the equipment. For the visual buoy flowmeter, the flow rate of the welding shielding gas can be kept stable, and the welding quality problems caused by the gas flow exceeding the tolerance due to the misadjustment of the gas flow during welding can be effectively prevented, and welding consumables can be saved. At the same time, the flow rate adjusted by the flowmeter can be kept constant, thereby reducing the time consumption of rechecking and correcting the flow rate and reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0042] In this embodiment, it is also preferred that the protective cover 1 is fully enclosed and sleeved on the outside of the knob 3, which provides a more effective protection for the knob 3 and can completely prevent other equipment and personnel from accidentally touching the knob 3. Of course, the protective cover 1 can also be installed on the outside of the knob 3 in a semi-enclosed manner, which can also prevent other equipment and personnel from accidentally touching the knob 3 to a certain extent and provide protection for the knob 3.

[0043] In this embodiment, it is further preferred that the protective cover 1 and the knob 3 are detachably fixedly connected to facilitate daily maintenance of the knob 3. Specifically, the protective cover 1 includes a first end piece 11, a second end piece 12, and an intermediate cylinder 13 installed between the first end piece 11 and the second end piece 12. The first end piece 11 and the second end piece 12 mainly function to fasten the intermediate cylinder 13. The first end piece 11, the second end piece 12 and the intermediate cylinder 13 are detachably connected, which facilitates the disassembly and assembly of the protective cover 1, and further facilitates daily maintenance of the knob 3.

[0044] The first end piece 11 is annular, and one end (the end away from the second end piece 12) has a side wall extending toward the center. The cross section of the first end piece 11 is L-shaped, and a first opening 14 is formed on the side wall of the first end piece 11 to pass through the knob column 31. The second end piece 12 is also annular, and one end (the end away from the first end piece 11) has a side wall extending toward the center. The cross section of the second end piece 12 is also L-shaped. The side wall of the second end piece 12 has a second opening 15 through which the elastic connection part 2 passes. The second opening 15 is clearance-matched with the elastic connection part 2, which can not only allow the elastic connection part 2 to rotate in the second opening 15, but also prevent external debris from entering the interior of the protective cover 1, and also play a role in fixing the protective cover 1 and the elastic connection part 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, it is further preferred that both the first end member 11 and the second end member 12 have internal threads, and both ends of the intermediate cylinder 13 have external threads. The first end member 11, the second end member 12 and the intermediate cylinder 13 are detachably connected by threads, which facilitates the disassembly and assembly of the protective cover 1.

[0046] In this embodiment, it is further preferred that the intermediate cylinder 13 is a split structure, composed of two semi-cylindrical bodies separated along the longitudinal center line. Both ends of the two semi-cylindrical bodies have external threads. After the two semi-cylindrical bodies are buckled, the integral intermediate cylinder 13 can be formed to surround the outside of the knob 3. In this way, the intermediate cylinder 13 can be disassembled and assembled in the radial direction, avoiding the large space required for axial disassembly and assembly, and further making the disassembly and assembly of the protective cover 1 more convenient and fast.

[0047] In this embodiment, one end of the intermediate cylinder 13 facing the first end member 11 has an end wall 131 extending towards the center. The end wall 131 forms a central circular hole, and the central circular hole is conformable to the outer surface of the knob post 31. Generally, the outer surface of the gas flowmeter knob post 31 is a hexagonal prism structure, and the corresponding shape of the central circular hole is also hexagonal. After installation, the inner ring of the end wall 131 fits against the outer surface of the knob post 31. In this way, it can play a role in fixing the protective cover 1 on the knob 3, without the need to additionally set fasteners for fastening, making the disassembly and assembly very convenient and with lower cost.

[0048] In this embodiment, the elastic connection part 2 includes an elastic member 21 and a knob connection member 22. The elastic member 21 is installed inside the intermediate cylinder 13. The elastic member 21 is preferably a spring 211. In the natural state, the spring 211 can keep the knob connection member 22 in a position away from the knob 3 all the time, and the knob connection member 22 will not be connected to the knob 3 due to external accidental touches and misoperations.

[0049] One end of the knob connection member 22 is restricted inside the second end member 12 and abuts against the elastic member 21. The other end of the knob connection member 22 protrudes from the second end member 12 to form an operation end for personnel to operate. The operator can hold the knob connection member 22 to perform rotation and pressing operations. When pressing, the spring 211 undergoes elastic deformation and is compressed axially, so that the knob connection member 22 is connected to the knob 3. When released, the knob connection member 22 is bounced off and separated from the knob 3 under the action of the spring 211.

[0050] Specifically, the knob connecting member 22 consists of two parts. One part is the operating portion 221 that protrudes from the second end member 12, and the other part is the connecting portion 222 that is restricted inside the second end member 12. The outer diameter of the connecting portion 222 is adapted to the inner diameter of the intermediate cylinder 13 and is placed inside the intermediate cylinder 13 during installation. Among them, the operating portion 221 is a cylinder for convenient gripping and rotation by the operator, and the connecting portion 222 is an annular ring. The diameter of the connecting portion 222 is larger than the diameter of the operating portion 221. After installation, the connecting portion 222 is placed inside the second end member 12, and the second end member 12 exerts a constraining effect on the connecting portion 222.

[0051] On the connecting portion 222 of the knob connecting member 22, there is a mating portion that selectively mates with the knob head 32 of the knob 3. In this embodiment, preferably, the mating portion is an inner tapered hole 223 provided on the inner wall of the connecting portion 222. After pressing the compression spring 211, it provides a gradually increasing frictional force for the contact between the peripheral surface of the inner tapered hole 223 and the outer circumferential surface of the knob head 32 of the knob 3, thereby achieving the connection with the knob 3. At this time, rotating the connecting portion 222 can rotate the inner knob 3. Utilizing the frictional force between the peripheral surface of the inner tapered hole 223 and the outer circumferential surface of the knob head 32 of the knob 3 to achieve the connection with the knob 3 can achieve stepless adjustment of the frictional force, making the structure simpler and the operation more convenient.

[0052] In this embodiment, it is further preferably that a gasket 16 is also installed inside the intermediate cylinder 13. The gasket 16 is installed between the compression spring 211 and the connecting portion 222 of the knob connecting member 22. The gasket 16 is an annular ring with an L-shaped cross-section and extends towards one end of the compression spring 211. One end of the compression spring 211 abuts against the gasket 16, and the gasket 16 then contacts the connecting portion 222 of the knob connecting member 22. The gasket 16 plays a transitional role, which is beneficial to increasing the adjustment flexibility of the knob connecting member 22 and the stability of the compression spring 211.

[0053] The assembly steps of the device are as follows:

[0054] 1. First, put the first end member 11 and the elastic member 21 on the knob 3 respectively.

[0055] 2. Then, put two half intermediate cylinders 13 on the outside of the elastic member 21 respectively, ensuring that the end wall 131 at one end of the intermediate cylinder 13 is in contact with the outer surface of the knob post 31.

[0056] 3. Place the gasket 16 and one end of the knob connecting member 22 inside the assembled intermediate cylinder 13 and at the front end of the elastic member 21.

[0057] 4. Fit the second end piece 12 over the outside of the intermediate cylinder 13 and tighten the thread between them. The operating part 221 of the knob connecting piece 22 passes through the second opening 15 of the second end piece 12, and one end of the connecting part 222 of the knob connecting piece 22 is restricted inside the second end piece 12.

[0058] 5. Finally, tighten the thread connection between the intermediate cylinder 13 and the first end piece 11 to complete the assembly.

[0059] When the device is in use, press the operating part 221 of the knob connecting piece 22 along the axial direction of the intermediate cylinder 13, so that the inner tapered hole 223 inside the connecting part 222 of the knob connecting piece 22 is in interference fit with the knob 3, forming a large frictional force between the connecting part 222 and the knob 3. Then rotate the operating part 221 to drive the knob 3 to adjust. Finally, release the operating part 221. Under the action of the spring 211, the inner tapered hole 223 in the connecting part 222 is separated from the knob 3, and the knob cannot be rotated under the action of other external forces, thus playing a protective role.

[0060] The knob protection device provided by the present utility model has the following advantages:

[0061] 1. Through the setting of the protective cover 1 and the elastic connecting part 2 that can axially move relative to the protective cover 1, only when the operator presses the elastic connecting part 2 can it be connected to the knob 3 to realize the adjustment of the knob 3. When not in use, the protective cover 1 can automatically pop open, playing an effective protective role for the knob 3, avoiding the situation of the knob being accidentally touched or misoperated, and maintaining the normal working state of the equipment. For example, for a visual buoy type flowmeter, the stable welding protection gas flow can be maintained, effectively preventing welding quality problems caused by the over-tolerance of the gas flow due to the accidental adjustment of the gas flow during the welding process, saving welding consumables. At the same time, the flow rate adjusted by the flowmeter can be kept constant, thus reducing the time consumption for rechecking and correcting the flow rate and lowering the manufacturing cost.

[0062] 2. Both the protective cover 1 and the elastic connecting part 2 of the present utility model adopt a detachable structure. Moreover, the protective cover 1 is only fixed to the knob by cooperating with the intermediate cylinder 13 and tightening through the first end piece 11 and the second end piece 12, without the need to additionally set fasteners. The overall structure is convenient for disassembly and assembly and has a lower cost.

[0063] 3. In the device, the adjustment of the knob is realized through the frictional force generated after the elastic connecting part 2 contacts the knob 3. This not only helps to simplify the structure of the device, but also the knob can only be adjusted under the condition of providing sufficient frictional force, which can further prevent the knob from being adjusted in case of accidental touch and misoperation, ensuring the normal operation of the equipment.

[0064] Embodiment Two:

[0065] As Figure 1 shown, in this embodiment, a flowmeter is provided, particularly a gas flowmeter without an adjustment self-locking device. A knob 3 for adjusting the flow rate is installed on the flowmeter 4, and the above-mentioned knob protection device is installed outside the knob 3.

[0066] For the flowmeter 4, when the device is in use, the operating part 221 of the knob connecting piece 22 is axially moved along the middle cylinder 13, so that the inner conical hole 223 inside the connecting part 222 of the knob connecting piece 22 is in interference fit with the knob 3, and a large frictional force is formed between the connecting part 222 and the knob 3. Then, the operating part 221 is rotated to drive the flowmeter knob 3 to adjust the gas flow rate to meet the requirements. Finally, the operating part 221 is released. Under the action of the spring 211, the inner conical hole 223 in the connecting part 222 is separated from the flowmeter knob 3, and the flowmeter knob will not rotate under the action of other external forces, thus playing a protective role, so that the adjusted gas flow rate that meets the requirements is prevented from changing under the influence of external factors, and the purpose of stable gas flow rate after flow adjustment is achieved.

[0067] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not impose any form of limitation on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art of this patent, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, may make some modifications or decorations by using the technical content prompted above to form equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes. The implementation schemes in the above embodiments can be further combined or replaced. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change and decoration made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A knob protection device, characterized in that: include: A protective cover, covering the outside of the knob and fixed on the knob; The elastic connection part has one end protruding from the outside of the protective cover and can move axially relative to the protective cover according to elasticity, and is selectively connected to the knob to achieve knob adjustment or detached from the knob.

2. The knob protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective cover is completely surrounded by the outside of the knob and is detachably fixedly connected to the knob.

3. The knob protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The protective cover includes a first end piece, a second end piece and an intermediate cylinder installed between the first end piece and the second end piece. The first end piece, the second end piece and the intermediate cylinder are detachably connected. The first end piece and the second end piece have a side wall extending toward the center on one side. A first opening is formed on the side wall of the first end piece to pass through the knob column. A second opening is formed on the side wall of the second end piece to pass through an elastic connecting part. The second opening is clearance-matched with the elastic connecting part.

4. The knob protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first end piece and the second end piece both have internal threads, and both ends of the intermediate cylinder have external threads. The first end piece, the second end piece and the intermediate cylinder are connected via threads.

5. The knob protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The intermediate cylinder is a split structure, consisting of two semicircular cylinders.

6. The knob protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end of the intermediate cylinder facing the first end piece has an end wall extending toward the center, and the edge of the end wall conforms to and fits with the outer surface of the knob column.

7. The knob protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The elastic connecting part includes an elastic member and a knob connecting member, wherein the elastic member is installed in the protective cover, one end of the knob connecting member is confined in the protective cover and abuts against the elastic member, and the other end of the knob connecting member protrudes from the outside of the protective cover, and the elastic member elastically deforms in the axial direction so that the knob connecting member can be selectively connected to or disconnected from the knob.

8. The knob protection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The knob connector has a matching portion that selectively matches the knob, and the matching portion contacts the knob to provide friction to achieve connection with the knob.

9. The knob protection device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The matching portion is an inner tapered hole arranged on the inner wall of the knob connecting piece. After pressing the elastic piece, the circumference of the inner tapered hole and the knob are interference-fitted to provide friction force.

10. A flow meter having a knob for adjusting flow, characterized in that: A knob protection device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 is installed on the outside of the knob.

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