Self-centering mechanism for actuator, actuator and straight stroke valve

Abstract

The utility model relates to a self-centering mechanism for an actuator, the actuator and a straight stroke valve. The actuator comprises an actuator support used for fixing a valve, the self-centering mechanism comprises a first fixing piece and a second fixing piece, the first fixing piece is fixed to the actuator support and located on one side of the valve, and the side, facing the valve, of the first fixing piece is provided with a first wedge-shaped structure used for abutting against the outer surface of the valve; the second fixing piece is detachably fixed on the actuator bracket and is positioned on the other side of the valve; and the locking block is fixed to the second fixing piece through a bolt, and a second wedge-shaped structure is arranged on the side, facing the valve, of the locking block and used for enabling the locking block to be tightly pressed to the outer surface of the valve when the bolt is screwed. According to the self-centering mechanism for the actuator, centering of the actuator and the valve can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a self-centering mechanism for an actuator, an actuator provided with the self-centering mechanism, and a linear valve equipped with the actuator. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors and aspects of the description that may not constitute prior art at the time of filing are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art to the present disclosure.

[0003] Actuators, particularly linear actuators, are essential components of automatic control systems. Depending on the drive method, linear actuators are generally categorized as mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electromechanical linear actuators. Electromechanical linear actuators convert rotary motion into linear motion through a motor and are widely used in machine tools and industrial machinery, valves, dampers, and many other applications requiring linear motion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to the present application, the actuator includes an actuator bracket for fixing a valve, and the self-centering mechanism includes:

[0005] a first fixing member fixed to the actuator bracket and located on one side of the valve, wherein the first fixing member is provided with a first wedge-shaped structure on a side facing the valve for abutting against an outer surface of the valve;

[0006] a second fixing member, which is detachably fixed to the actuator bracket and is located on the other side of the valve; and

[0007] A locking block is fixed to the second fixing member by a locking bolt, wherein the locking block is provided with a second wedge-shaped structure on the side facing the valve, for enabling the locking block to be pressed against the outer surface of the valve when the locking bolt is tightened.

[0008] In another advantageous embodiment of the self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to the present application, a nut is provided at the bottom of the second fixing member, and the locking block is provided with a through hole for installing the locking bolt, and the through hole is concentrically arranged with the nut.

[0009] In another advantageous embodiment of the self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to the present application, the first wedge-shaped structure has a first inclined surface in contact with the outer surface of the valve, and the second wedge-shaped structure has a second inclined surface in contact with the outer surface of the valve, wherein the inclination angles of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are the same, and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface range from 5° to 20°.

[0010] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to the present application, the second fixing member is fixed to the actuator bracket by means of a screw connection.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment of the self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to the present application, the first fixing member, the second fixing member, and the locking block are made of aluminum alloy.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment of the self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to the present application, a guiding structure for guiding the locking block is provided on the top of the second fixing member.

[0013] According to the present application, an actuator is also provided, wherein the actuator is provided with the above-mentioned self-centering mechanism.

[0014] In another advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the present application, the actuator further comprises:

[0015] a housing for accommodating a gear train, wherein the actuator bracket is fixed below the housing; and

[0016] A lead screw is transmission-connected with the gear train.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment of the actuator according to the present application, the actuator support includes a first actuator support and a second actuator support, the first actuator support and the second actuator support are of the same size and are symmetrically arranged around the axis of the lead screw.

[0018] According to the present application, a linear valve is also provided, wherein the linear valve is equipped with the above-mentioned actuator.

[0019] It can be understood that the self-centering mechanism for the actuator of the present application has a simple structure and is easy to operate. While ensuring that the actuator's screw is aligned with the valve stem of the valve, it can also reduce the wear of the screw and the valve stem, thereby extending the life of the actuator and the valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The disclosure of this application will be more easily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, similar numbers in the figures represent similar components, where:

[0021] Figure 1 The following is a schematic structural diagram of the self-centering mechanism for an actuator disclosed in the present application when a valve is installed;

[0022] Figure 2 The following is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the linear valve disclosed in the present application;

[0023] Figure 3 The following is a schematic structural diagram of a self-centering mechanism for an actuator disclosed in the present application;

[0024] Figure 4 The following is a schematic structural diagram of a locking block for a self-centering mechanism of an actuator disclosed in the present application;

[0025] Figure 5 exemplarily showing a bottom view of a self-centering mechanism for an actuator disclosed in the present application;

[0026] Figure 6 exemplarily showing a top view of a self-centering mechanism for an actuator disclosed in the present application; and

[0027] Figure 7 A partial structural diagram of the actuator disclosed in this application is exemplarily shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] To make the above-mentioned purposes, features, and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. First, it should be noted that directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "inside," "outside," "top," and "bottom" mentioned or potentially mentioned in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the accompanying drawings. These are relative concepts and may vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive.

[0029] Figure 1 FIG2 shows a structure of a self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to the present application. The actuator 10 includes an actuator bracket 100 for fixing a valve 20. The valve 20 may be a generally cylindrical structure and thus has an inclined outer surface 22 (e.g., an outer surface 22) that is inclined relative to the axis of the valve 20. Figure 2 As shown) or vertical outer surface. Figure 3As can be clearly seen in the figure, the self-centering mechanism 200 includes a first fixing member 210, a second fixing member 220, and a locking block 230. The first fixing member 210 is fixed to the actuator bracket 100 and located on one side of the valve 20. The first fixing member 210 is provided with a first wedge-shaped structure 211 on the side facing the valve 20, which is configured to contact the outer surface of the valve 20. The second fixing member 220 is removably fixed to the actuator bracket 100, for example, by bolts 260, and is located on the other side of the valve 20. The locking block 230 is fixed to the second fixing member 220 by a locking bolt 240. The locking block 230 is provided with a second wedge-shaped structure 231 on the side facing the valve 20, which, when the locking bolt 240 is tightened, allows the locking block 230 to be pressed against the outer surface of the valve 20 by means of the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped structure. Therefore, by means of the locking bolt 240 on the locking block 230, the self-centering mechanism 200 of the present application can adapt to valves 20 of different calibers by loosening or tightening the locking block 230. In this way, the self-centering mechanism 200 of the present application can achieve centering under the combined action of the actuator bracket and the locking block, and regardless of whether the outer surface of the valve 20 is tilted, the actuator and the valve can achieve a good self-centering effect.

[0030] Also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The bottom of the second fixing member 220 is provided with a nut 250, and the nut 250 can be fixed in the bottom groove of the second fixing member 220 by press-fitting or the like. The locking block 230 is provided with a through hole 233 for installing the locking bolt 240, and the through hole 233 is concentrically arranged with the nut 250.

[0031] In combination with the above embodiment, in other optional embodiments, the first wedge-shaped structure 211 has a first inclined surface 212 in contact with the outer surface of the valve 20, and the second wedge-shaped structure 231 has a second inclined surface 232 in contact with the outer surface of the valve 20, wherein the inclination angles of the first inclined surface 212 and the second inclined surface 232 are the same, and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 212 and the second inclined surface 232 ranges from 5° to 20°.

[0032] Continue to refer Figure 6 In order to better guide the locking block to press the valve, a guiding structure 221 is provided on the top of the second fixing member 220. The guiding structure 221 can be in the form of a protruding guiding block, for example.

[0033] In addition, the present application also provides an actuator, wherein the actuator 10 is provided with the aforementioned self-centering mechanism 200. The actuator 10 further includes a housing (not shown) and a lead screw 11. The housing is used to accommodate a gear train, wherein the actuator bracket 100 is fixed below the housing. The lead screw 11 is in transmission connection with the gear train and is fixedly connected to the valve stem 21 of the valve 20.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present application, the actuator bracket 100 includes a first actuator bracket 110 and a second actuator bracket 120. The first actuator bracket 110 and the second actuator bracket 120 are of the same size and are symmetrically arranged around the axis of the lead screw 11. Figure 7 shown.

[0035] In addition, the present application also provides a linear valve, which is equipped with the above-mentioned actuator. For example, the linear valve is a regulating valve commonly used in air-conditioning systems.

[0036] The following is a brief description of the assembly process of the actuator and valve. When the valve 20 is connected to the actuator 10, the valve 20 is first placed between the first fixing member 210 and the second fixing member 220 of the self-centering mechanism 200, and then the second fixing member 220 is fixed to the actuator bracket 100 by the bolt 260. At this time, the valve 20 can still swing left and right. Next, the operator tightens the locking block 230 by the locking bolt 240 so that the locking block 230 is pressed against the inclined outer surface 22 of the valve 20 to avoid eccentricity between the lead screw 11 and the valve stem 21, thereby achieving the centering of the valve and the actuator. Finally, the aligned valve stem 21 is fixedly connected to the lead screw 11. At this point, the assembly of the valve 20 and the actuator 10 is completed.

[0037] To sum up, the self-centering mechanism for the actuator of the present application has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It can not only ensure that the actuator's screw is aligned with the valve stem of the valve when locked, but also reduce the wear of the screw and the valve stem, further extending the life of the actuator and the valve.

[0038] Several specific embodiments have been listed above to illustrate in detail the self-centering mechanism for an actuator, the actuator, and the linear valve of the present application. These examples are intended solely to illustrate the principles and implementations of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Persons skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. For example, the first fixing member 210, the second fixing member 220, and the locking block 230 may be made of materials such as aluminum alloy. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions are intended to fall within the scope of the present application and are defined by the various claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A self-centering mechanism for an actuator, the actuator (10) comprising an actuator bracket (100) for fixing a valve (20), characterized in that: The self-centering mechanism (200) comprises: a first fixing member (210) fixed to the actuator bracket (100) and located on one side of the valve (20), wherein the first fixing member (210) is provided with a first wedge-shaped structure (211) on a side facing the valve (20) for abutting against an outer surface of the valve (20); a second fixing member (220) which is detachably fixed to the actuator bracket (100) and is located on the other side of the valve (20); and A locking block (230) is fixed to the second fixing member (220) via a locking bolt (240), wherein the locking block (230) is provided with a second wedge-shaped structure (231) on a side facing the valve (20) for enabling the locking block (230) to be pressed against the outer surface of the valve (20) when the locking bolt (240) is tightened.

2. The self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A nut (250) is provided at the bottom of the second fixing member (220), and the locking block (230) is provided with a through hole (233) for installing the locking bolt (240), and the through hole (233) is concentrically arranged with the nut (250).

3. The self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first wedge-shaped structure (211) has a first inclined surface (212) for contacting the outer surface of the valve (20), and the second wedge-shaped structure (231) has a second inclined surface (232) for contacting the outer surface of the valve (20), wherein the inclination angles of the first inclined surface (212) and the second inclined surface (232) are the same, and the inclination angles of the first inclined surface (212) and the second inclined surface (232) are in a range of 5-20°.

4. The self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The second fixing member (220) is fixed to the actuator bracket (100) by means of bolt connection.

5. The self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first fixing member (210), the second fixing member (220) and the locking block (230) are made of aluminum alloy.

6. The self-centering mechanism for an actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A guiding structure (221) for guiding the locking block (230) is provided on the top of the second fixing member (220).

7. An actuator, characterized in that: The actuator (10) is provided with a self-centering mechanism (200) according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. The actuator according to claim 7, characterized in that The actuator (10) further comprises: a housing for accommodating a gear train, wherein the actuator bracket (100) is fixed below the housing; and A lead screw (11) is in transmission connection with the gear train.

9. The actuator according to claim 8, characterized in that The actuator bracket comprises a first actuator bracket (110) and a second actuator bracket (120), wherein the first actuator bracket (110) and the second actuator bracket (120) are of the same size and are symmetrically arranged around the axis of the lead screw (11).

10. A linear valve, characterized in that: The linear valve is equipped with an actuator (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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