Quick release connector for flexible shaft

Abstract

The utility model discloses a quick-release connector for a flexible shaft, which belongs to the technical field of flexible shaft assembly and disassembly and comprises a plug detachably sleeved at the end of the flexible shaft and a socket with one end inserted into a port of a flexible shaft sheath and the other end matched with the plug at the end of the flexible shaft and provided with a locking mechanism. When the flexible shaft sheath is sleeved on the flexible shaft and is inserted into or detached from the plug at the end part of the flexible shaft through the socket at the end part of the flexible shaft sheath, the locking mechanism on the socket can lock or unlock the plug. According to the utility model, the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath can be quickly assembled and disassembled, the problem that the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath are difficult to assemble and disassemble in a narrow space and under specific working conditions is effectively solved, and the assembling and disassembling efficiency is improved while the assembling and disassembling is more convenient and quicker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of flexible shaft assembly and disassembly, and particularly relates to a quick-release joint for a flexible shaft. Background Technique

[0002] As a common transmission element, the flexible shaft is widely used in various machinery and equipment, especially in occasions where long-distance transmission or space is limited. A flexible shaft sheath is sleeved outside the flexible shaft, and the two ends of the flexible shaft are respectively a power end and a user end. In the existing connection technology between the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath, threaded connection and eccentric shaft clamping connection are two common connection methods. However, the disadvantage of threaded connection is that the disassembly and assembly process is relatively cumbersome, especially in an environment with limited space, it is difficult for operators to perform quick and simple disassembly and assembly. In addition, the thread may be worn after multiple disassembly and assembly, resulting in reduced connection reliability; while the disadvantage of eccentric shaft clamping connection is that it occupies a large radial space and is not suitable for operation in a narrow space. In addition, when the power end and the output end of the flexible shaft cannot rotate freely to a large extent, the convenience of disassembling and assembling the flexible shaft is not good.

[0003] In summary, the existing flexible shaft connection technology has certain limitations, especially the disassembly and assembly problems in narrow spaces and specific working conditions are difficult to solve. Therefore, there is a need for a quick-release joint for a flexible shaft that can effectively solve the difficult disassembly and assembly in narrow spaces and specific working conditions and realize the quick disassembly and assembly between the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath. Content of the Utility Model

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a quick-release joint for a flexible shaft, which can realize the quick disassembly and assembly between the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath, effectively solve the problem of difficult disassembly and assembly of the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath in narrow spaces and specific working conditions, and is more convenient and fast while improving the disassembly and assembly efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is:

[0006] A quick-release joint for a flexible shaft includes a plug detachably sleeved on the end of the flexible shaft, and a socket with one end inserted into the port of the flexible shaft sheath and the other end adapted to the plug at the end of the flexible shaft and provided with a locking mechanism. When the flexible shaft sheath is sleeved on the flexible shaft and inserted or disassembled with the plug at the end of the flexible shaft through the socket at its end, the locking mechanism on the socket can lock or unlock the plug.

[0007] The further improvement of the technical solution of the utility model lies in that: the socket is of an annular structure, one end of which is inserted into the port of the flexible shaft sheath and is provided with a limiting boss abutting against the port surface along the circumferential direction of its outer wall, and the locking mechanism includes a locking ring movably sleeved on the other end of the socket.

[0008] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: one end of the socket sleeved with a locking ring is circumferentially provided with an assembly groove extending to its end along its outer wall, and an assembly seat is formed between the assembly groove and the limiting boss; a return spring is sleeved at one end of the assembly groove close to the assembly seat, and a retaining ring is sleeved at the other end.

[0009] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: a plurality of through holes are circumferentially and evenly spaced along the side wall of the assembly groove of the socket at the position between the return spring and the retaining ring, and positioning steel balls capable of radially moving are arranged in each through hole.

[0010] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: the plug is threadedly connected to the end of the flexible shaft, and a positioning groove adapted to the positioning steel balls is circumferentially provided along the outer wall of the end thereof inserted into the socket.

[0011] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: the locking ring is sleeved on the assembly seat of the socket, and a clamping platform located between the return spring and the retaining ring is circumferentially provided along the inner wall of the locking ring; when the socket and the plug are inserted or disassembled, the locking ring can axially move on the assembly seat of the socket under the action of the return spring, and control its clamping platform to cooperate with each positioning steel ball in the assembly groove to position or release the positioning groove on the plug.

[0012] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: a concave cavity adapted to the positioning steel balls is formed on one side of the clamping platform of the locking ring close to the retaining ring, and the connecting surface of the concave cavity and the clamping platform is an inclined surface.

[0013] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: the end of the plug inserted into the socket gradually tapers from one side of its positioning groove to the end of this end.

[0014] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: a fastening ring is sleeved outside the end of the flexible shaft sheath, one end of the fastening ring is threadedly connected to the limiting boss of the socket, and a pressing ring is arranged inside the other end, and the pressing ring is located between the flexible shaft sheath and the fastening ring.

[0015] A further improvement of the technical solution of the present utility model lies in that: the inner diameter of the clamping platform of the locking ring is adapted to the outer diameter of the assembly groove of the socket.

[0016] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the technical progress achieved by the present utility model is:

[0017] The quick-release joint for the flexible shaft of the present utility model can realize the quick assembly and disassembly between the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath, effectively improve the assembly and disassembly efficiency while being more convenient and fast, ensure the connection reliability between the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath, and at the same time can effectively solve the problem of difficult assembly and disassembly of the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath in a narrow space and specific working conditions.

[0018] The utility model adopts a plug and a socket provided with a locking mechanism. When the flexible shaft sheath is sleeved on the flexible shaft and is inserted or disassembled with the plug at the end of the flexible shaft through the socket at its end, the locking mechanism on the socket can lock or unlock the plug. Through the cooperation of the plug and the socket, the quick assembly and disassembly between the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath can be realized more conveniently and quickly. While the operation is simple, the assembly and disassembly efficiency can be effectively improved, and the operation space is greatly reduced.

[0019] The locking mechanism adopted by the utility model is a locking ring movably sleeved on the assembly seat of the socket. Its cooperation with the relevant components on the assembly groove of the socket can realize the functions of quickly locking and quickly disassembling the plug; specifically, a return spring and a retaining ring are respectively arranged on the assembly groove of the socket, and a positioning steel ball that can move radially on the assembly groove is arranged between the two. Correspondingly, a positioning groove adapted to the positioning steel ball is opened on the outer wall of the plug, and a clamping platform located between the return spring and the retaining ring is arranged on the inner wall of the locking ring. When the socket and the plug are inserted or disassembled, the locking ring can axially move on the assembly seat of the socket under the action of the return spring, controlling its clamping platform to push or move away from each positioning steel ball in the assembly groove, so that each positioning steel ball moves radially in the assembly groove to position-lock or release-unlock the positioning groove on the plug; further, when the clamping platform of the locking ring positions and locks the positioning groove of the plug, the retaining ring and the return spring cooperate with each other, so that the clamping platform can better maintain the position corresponding to each positioning steel ball, making the locking of the positioning groove of the plug more firm, effectively avoiding the slippage between the flexible shaft and the flexible shaft sheath, and ensuring the installation safety.

[0020] A concave cavity adapted to the positioning steel ball is formed on one side of the clamping platform of the locking ring adopted by the utility model close to the retaining ring, and the connecting surface of the concave cavity and the clamping platform is an inclined surface. One end of the plug inserted into the socket gradually tapers from one side of its positioning groove to the end of the plug, so as to push the positioning steel ball more conveniently. When the locking ring compresses the return spring and axially moves on the assembly seat of the socket towards the limit convex platform, making its clamping platform move away from each positioning steel ball to release and unlock the positioning groove on the plug, the plug can be pulled out and disassembled from the socket, and its tapered end can push each positioning steel ball to move radially in the assembly groove into the concave cavity of the locking ring during the disassembly process. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the quick-release joint of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of the quick-release joint of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 is an assembly schematic diagram of the socket and the locking ring in the quick-release joint of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 4It is a schematic structural diagram of the socket in the quick-release joint of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the plug in the quick-release joint of the present utility model;

[0026] Among them, 1. Flexible shaft, 2. Flexible shaft sheath, 3. Plug, 3-1. Positioning groove, 4. Socket, 4-1. Limiting boss, 4-2. Assembly groove, 4-3. Assembly seat, 5. Locking ring, 5-1. Clamping platform, 6. Return spring, 7. Retaining ring, 8. Positioning steel ball, 9. Fastening ring, 10. Compression ring. Specific embodiments

[0027] The following further describes the present utility model in detail with reference to embodiments:

[0028] As Figures 1 - 5 shown, a quick-release joint for a flexible shaft includes a plug 3 and a socket 4 that cooperate with each other. The plug 3 is sleeved on the end of the flexible shaft 1 in a detachable manner. One end of the socket 4 is inserted into the port of the flexible shaft sheath 2, and the other end is adapted to the plug 3 at the end of the flexible shaft 1 and is provided with a locking mechanism. When the flexible shaft sheath 2 is sleeved on the flexible shaft 1, the flexible shaft sheath 2 can be inserted or disassembled with the plug 3 at the end of the flexible shaft 1 through the socket 4 at its end. At the same time, the locking mechanism on the socket 4 can lock or unlock the plug 3. Through the cooperation of the plug 3 and the socket 4, the quick installation and disassembly between the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2 can be realized more conveniently and quickly. While the operation is simple, the installation and disassembly efficiency can be effectively improved, and the operation space is greatly reduced. While ensuring the connection reliability between the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2, the problem of difficult installation and disassembly of the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2 in a narrow space and specific working conditions can be effectively solved.

[0029] Specifically, as Figures 2 - 4 shown, the socket 4 is of an annular structure. One end of the socket 4 is inserted into the port of the flexible shaft sheath 2, and a limiting boss 4-1 is circumferentially arranged along the outer wall of this end of the socket 4. When the socket 4 is inserted into the port of the flexible shaft sheath 2, its limiting boss 4-1 just abuts against the port surface of the flexible shaft sheath 2. The locking mechanism includes a locking ring 5 that is movably sleeved on the other end of the socket 4. In order to fasten the socket 4 on the flexible shaft sheath 2, a fastening ring 9 is sleeved outside the end of the flexible shaft sheath 2, and one end of the fastening ring 9 is threadedly connected to the limiting boss 4-1 of the socket 4, and a compression ring 10 is arranged inside the other end of the fastening ring 9. The compression ring 10 is located between the flexible shaft sheath 2 and the fastening ring 9, thereby fastening the socket 4 on the flexible shaft sheath 2 to prevent it from slipping off.

[0030] Further, one end of the socket 4 where the locking ring 5 is provided is provided with an assembly groove 4-2. The assembly groove 4-2 is circumferentially opened along the outer wall of this end of the socket 4 and extends to its end. At the same time, an assembly seat 4-3 is formed between the assembly groove 4-2 and the limit boss 4-1 at the other end of the socket 4. A return spring 6 is sleeved at one end of the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4 close to the assembly seat 4-3, and a retaining ring 7 is sleeved at the other end. And a plurality of through holes are opened at the position between the return spring 6 and the retaining ring 7 in the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4. Each through hole is evenly spaced circumferentially along the side wall of the assembly groove 4-2. At the same time, positioning steel balls 8 capable of radial movement are arranged in each through hole, that is, each positioning steel ball 8 can move radially on the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4.

[0031] Correspondingly, as Figure 5 shown, the plug 3 is threadedly connected to the end of the flexible shaft 1. The end of the plug 3 that can be inserted into the socket 4 is circumferentially provided with a positioning groove 3-1 adapted to the positioning steel balls 8 along its outer wall. The locking ring 5 is sleeved on the assembly seat 4-3 of the socket 4, and a clamping platform 5-1 is provided circumferentially along the inner wall of the locking ring 5. And the clamping platform 5-1 is located between the return spring 6 and the retaining ring 7, that is, the setting position of the clamping platform 5-1 corresponds to each positioning steel ball 8. Preferably, the inner diameter of the clamping platform 5-1 of the locking ring 5 is adapted to the outer diameter of the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4.

[0032] The clamping platform 5-1 on the locking ring 5 cooperates with the return spring 6, the retaining ring 7, each positioning steel ball 8 and the positioning groove 3-1 on the plug 3, and can realize the functions of quickly locking and quickly disassembling the plug. When the socket 4 and the plug 3 are inserted or disassembled, the locking ring 5 can axially move on the assembly seat 4-3 of the socket 4 under the action of the return spring 6, and control its clamping platform 5-1 to cooperate with each positioning steel ball 8 in the assembly groove 4-2 to position or release the positioning groove 3-1 on the plug 3, that is, the clamping platform 5-1 can axially move in the assembly groove 4-2 to push or move away from each positioning steel ball 8, so that each positioning steel ball 8 moves radially in the assembly groove 4-2 to position and lock or release and unlock the positioning groove 3-1 on the plug 3. Further, when the clamping platform 5-1 on the locking ring 5 positions and locks the positioning groove 3-1 on the plug 3, the retaining ring 7 and the return spring 6 cooperate with each other, so that the clamping platform 5-1 can better maintain the position corresponding to each positioning steel ball 8, making its locking of the positioning groove 3-1 on the plug 3 more firm, effectively avoiding the slippage between the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2, and ensuring the installation safety.

[0033] Further, in order to facilitate the pushing and positioning of the positioning balls 8, a concave cavity adapted to the positioning balls 8 is formed on one side of the clamping platform 5-1 of the locking ring 5 close to the retaining ring 7, and the joint surface between the concave cavity and the clamping platform 5-1 is an inclined surface. One end of the plug 3 inserted into the socket 4 has a necking-down shape gradually from one side of its positioning groove 3-1 towards the end of this end. When the locking ring 5 compresses the return spring 6 and axially moves towards the limiting boss 4-1 on the assembly seat 4-3 of the socket 4, so that its clamping platform 5-1 moves away from each positioning ball 8 to release and unlock the positioning groove 3-1 on the plug 3, the plug 3 can be pulled out and disassembled from the socket 4, and its necked-down end can push each positioning ball 8 during the disassembly process, so that each positioning ball 8 moves radially in the assembly groove 4-2 into the concave cavity of the locking ring 5. After the plug 3 and the socket 4 are disassembled, in order to prevent the positioning balls 8 from falling into the inner cavity of the socket 4, retaining rings are circumferentially arranged at one end of each through hole on the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4 close to the inner cavity of the socket 4, and the diameter of the retaining ring is smaller than and close to the maximum diameter of the positioning balls 8, effectively preventing the positioning balls 8 from falling out of the through holes, and at the same time ensuring that the positioning balls 8 can move radially in the through holes into the inner cavity of the socket 4 to position the positioning groove 3-1 of the plug 3.

[0034] When sleeving the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2, the plug 3 and the socket 4 are respectively installed on the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2. An operator can hold the locking ring 5 with one hand to compress the return spring 6 and axially move it towards the limiting boss 4-1 on the assembly seat 4-3 of the socket 4. At this time, the clamping platform 5-1 of the locking ring 5 moves away from each positioning ball 8 in the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4. At the same time, hold the plug 3 with the other hand and insert it into the port of the socket 4, and then release the locking ring 5 to make it axially move and reset on the assembly seat 4-3 of the socket 4 under the action of the return spring 6. At this time, the clamping platform 5-1 of the locking ring 5 pushes each positioning ball 8 in the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4 to move radially into the positioning groove 3-1 of the plug 3 to clamp it. At the same time, the clamping platform 5-1 is limited by the retaining ring 7, making the locking and positioning of the positioning groove 3-1 of the plug 3 more firm, so as to quickly assemble the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2.

[0035] When disassembling the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2, an operator can hold the locking ring 5 with one hand to compress the return spring 6 and axially move it towards the limiting boss 4-1 on the assembly seat 4-3 of the socket 4. At this time, the clamping platform 5-1 of the locking ring 5 moves away from each positioning ball 8 in the assembly groove 4-2 of the socket 4. At the same time, hold the plug 3 with the other hand and pull it out from the port of the socket 4. The plug 3 pushes each positioning ball 8 during the pulling-out process, so that each positioning ball 8 moves radially in the assembly groove 4-2 into the concave cavity of the locking ring 5, so as to quickly disassemble the flexible shaft 1 and the flexible shaft sheath 2.

[0036] It can be understood that the present utility model is described by means of some embodiments. Those skilled in the art will know that, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model, various changes or equivalent substitutions can be made to these features and embodiments. Additionally, under the teaching of the present utility model, these features and embodiments can be modified to adapt to specific circumstances and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model. Therefore, the present utility model is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application belong to the scope protected by the present utility model.

Claims

1. A quick-release joint for a flexible shaft, characterized in that: It includes a plug (3) sleeved on the end of a flexible shaft (1) in a detachable manner, and a socket (4) with one end inserted into the port of the flexible shaft sheath (2) and the other end adapted to the plug (3) at the end of the flexible shaft (1) and provided with a locking mechanism. When the flexible shaft sheath (2) is sleeved on the flexible shaft (1) and is inserted or disassembled with the plug (3) at the end of the flexible shaft (1) through the socket (4) at its end, the locking mechanism on the socket (4) can lock or unlock the plug (3).

2. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The socket (4) is of an annular structure. One end of it is inserted into the port of the flexible shaft sheath (2), and a limiting boss (4-1) abutting against the port surface is provided along the circumferential direction of its outer wall. The locking mechanism includes a locking ring (5) movably sleeved on the other end of the socket (4).

3. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 2, characterized in that: An assembly groove (4-2) extending to its end is circumferentially formed on the outer wall of the end of the socket (4) where the locking ring (5) is sleeved, and an assembly seat (4-3) is formed between the assembly groove (4-2) and the limiting boss (4-1); A return spring (6) is sleeved at one end of the assembly groove (4-2) close to the assembly seat (4-3), and a retaining ring (7) is sleeved at the other end.

4. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plurality of through holes are circumferentially and evenly spaced on the side wall of the assembly groove (4-2) of the socket (4) at the position between the return spring (6) and the retaining ring (7), and positioning steel balls (8) capable of radially moving are arranged in each through hole.

5. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plug (3) is threadedly connected to the end of the flexible shaft (1). A positioning groove (3-1) adapted to the positioning steel balls (8) is circumferentially formed on the outer wall of the end of the plug (3) inserted into the socket (4).

6. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 5, characterized in that: The locking ring (5) is sleeved on the assembly seat (4-3) of the socket (4), and a clamping table (5-1) located between the return spring (6) and the retaining ring (7) is circumferentially provided on the inner wall of the locking ring (5); When the socket (4) and the plug (3) are inserted or disassembled, the locking ring (5) can axially move on the assembly seat (4-3) of the socket (4) under the action of the return spring (6), and control its clamping table (5-1) to cooperate with each positioning steel ball (8) in the assembly groove (4-2) to position or release the positioning groove (3-1) on the plug (3).

7. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 6, characterized in that: A concave cavity adapted to the positioning steel balls (8) is formed on one side of the clamping table (5-1) of the locking ring (5) close to the retaining ring (7), and the connecting surface between the concave cavity and the clamping table (5-1) is an inclined surface.

8. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 5, characterized in that: The end of the plug (3) inserted into the socket (4) is gradually necked down from one side of its positioning groove (3-1) to the end of this end.

9. A quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to any one of claims 2-8, characterized in that: A fastening ring (9) is sleeved on the outer side of the end of the flexible shaft sheath (2). One end of the fastening ring (9) is threadedly connected to the limiting boss (4-1) of the socket (4), and a pressing ring (10) is arranged inside the other end of the fastening ring (9). The pressing ring (10) is located between the flexible shaft sheath (2) and the fastening ring (9).

10. The quick-release joint for a flexible shaft according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the clamping table (5-1) of the locking ring (5) is adapted to the outer diameter of the assembly groove (4-2) of the socket (4).

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