Pneumatic actuator capable of prolonging service life of piston rod

Abstract

The utility model discloses a pneumatic actuator capable of prolonging the service life of a piston rod, which relates to the technical field of actuators and comprises a guide mechanism, an air cylinder, a transmission mechanism and a rotating chamber, the guide mechanism comprises a guide column and a guide rail, the transmission mechanism comprises a piston and the piston rod, and the rotating chamber is arranged on the air cylinder. The guide column is arranged in the air cylinder, a through hole is formed in the piston, the piston is connected to the guide column in a sliding mode through the through hole, the guide rail is arranged in the rotating chamber, one end of the piston rod is perpendicularly and fixedly connected with the piston, the other end of the piston rod penetrates through the rotating chamber, a groove is formed in the guide rail, and the piston is arranged in the groove. Balls are arranged in the grooves, and the guide columns and the guide rails jointly maintain the motion stability of the piston rod. The contact pressure between the guide rail and the piston rod is dispersed through the balls, local abrasion is reduced, and the durability of the piston rod is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of actuator technology, and in particular to a pneumatic actuator that improves the service life of the piston rod. Background Technology

[0002] A pneumatic actuator, also known as a pneumatic actuator mechanism or pneumatic device, or commonly called a pneumatic head, is a device that uses air pressure energy for force and motion control. It uses compressed air or other gases as energy, converting it into mechanical motion to achieve various operational and control functions. When compressed air enters the cylinder, the gas pushes the piston to produce linear motion, which in turn drives mechanical parts to perform corresponding actions. This process is based on aerodynamics and mechanical principles. By controlling the flow and direction of gas in the air supply line, the cylinder is controlled, thereby enabling operations such as pushing, pulling, and rotating valves and other objects.

[0003] Patent CN219453034U, published on August 1, 2023, discloses a piston linear stroke pneumatic actuator, comprising: a cylinder body, in which a piston body is disposed, the piston body being connected to one end of a piston rod, and the other end of the piston rod extending to the outside of the cylinder body; a push-pull mechanism, the push-pull mechanism including a gear seat fixedly mounted on the piston rod, the gear seat being provided with a rack; the push-pull mechanism further includes a support gear adapted to the rack, when the support gear meshes with the rack, the rotating support gear pushes the gear seat to move, so that the piston body moves within the cylinder body, thereby facilitating the reset of the piston linear stroke pneumatic actuator, solving the problem that it is inconvenient to reset when the piston linear stroke pneumatic actuator experiences air or power failure, resulting in the product being unable to be removed from the equipment. When a pneumatic actuator is working, the piston drives the piston rod to produce linear motion under air pressure. However, unstable operation can occur, which will cause uneven force on the piston rod during the movement. This may lead to wear and breakage due to stress concentration. The above solution takes into account the problem that it is inconvenient to reset when the piston linear stroke pneumatic actuator experiences air or power failure, making it impossible to remove the product from the equipment. However, it does not take into account that the unstable movement of the piston rod will reduce the service life of the piston rod and affect the use of the pneumatic actuator.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a pneumatic actuator that improves the service life of the piston rod. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a pneumatic actuator that improves the service life of the piston rod, which can improve the problems in related technologies where unstable piston rod movement leads to stress concentration, piston rod wear and breakage, and affects the use of the pneumatic actuator.

[0006] This application provides a pneumatic actuator for improving the service life of a piston rod, comprising: a guide mechanism, a cylinder, a transmission mechanism, and a rotating chamber. The guide mechanism includes a guide post and a guide rail. The transmission mechanism includes a piston and a piston rod. The rotating chamber is disposed on the cylinder. The guide post is disposed inside the cylinder. The piston has multiple through holes and is slidably connected to the guide post through the through holes. One end of the piston rod is vertically fixed to the piston, and the other end of the piston rod passes through the rotating chamber. The guide rail is disposed inside the rotating chamber and has a groove. A ball is disposed in the groove and rolls between the piston rod and the guide rail.

[0007] This application provides a pneumatic actuator that improves the service life of the piston rod. When using the device, the cylinder is filled with air, which pushes the piston to move along the direction of the guide column. The piston rod, which is set on the piston, moves synchronously with the piston. Under the constraint of the guide rail, the piston rod can move smoothly in one direction without deviation, which greatly reduces the risk of piston rod wear and breakage and improves the service life of the piston rod.

[0008] The technical solutions described above in this application embodiment have at least the following technical effects: When the piston is pushed by air pressure, the guide column can only slide along the direction of the guide column and will not deviate, which causes the piston rod on the piston to move unstably. The guide rail in the rotating chamber also restricts the piston rod to move in only one direction without any angle of deviation. The ball bearings in the groove of the guide rail change sliding friction into rolling friction, reducing the overall friction. The ball bearings can disperse the contact pressure between the guide rail and the piston rod, reduce local wear, and improve the durability of the piston rod.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cylinder includes a cylinder body, a sealing assembly, a spring, and an end cap. The cylinder body has a vent hole. The end cap is disposed at one end of the cylinder body away from the vent hole. The spring is disposed in the cylinder body. One end of the spring abuts against the piston, and the other end of the spring abuts against the end cap. The rotating chamber is disposed on the end cap.

[0010] In some embodiments, the sealing assembly includes a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring, and a third sealing ring. The outer wall of the piston has a groove. The first sealing ring is disposed in the groove and its outer wall abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder. The second sealing ring is disposed on the end cap and its outer wall abuts against the end cap. The second sealing ring is sleeved on the piston rod. The third sealing ring is disposed on the through hole of the piston and its outer wall abuts against the piston and is sleeved on the guide post.

[0011] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism further includes a shift fork, a pin, a rotating shaft, and an adjusting screw. The rotating chamber has a through hole, and the adjusting screw is threadedly connected to the rotating chamber through the through hole. The pin is located at one end of the piston rod in the rotating chamber, one end of the rotating shaft is located at the end of the shift fork away from the pin, and the other end of the rotating shaft is located in the rotating chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, one side of the rotating chamber is a removable plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, a protective sleeve is also provided on the rotating chamber to protect the piston rod.

[0014] In some embodiments, a rubber gasket is provided at one end of the piston near the vent.

[0015] In some embodiments, the piston rod surface is provided with a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coating. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a pneumatic actuator for improving the service life of a piston rod, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the overall structure of a pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A in the middle;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section B;

[0021] Figure 5 Another overall structural cross-sectional view of a pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pneumatic actuator for improving the service life of the piston rod, provided in an embodiment of this application, with the cylinder and rotating chamber removed.

[0023] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:

[0024] 1. Guide mechanism; 11. Guide column; 12. Guide rail; 2. Transmission mechanism; 21. Piston; 22. Piston rod; 23. Ball bearing; 24. Shift fork; 25. Shaft pin; 26. Rotating shaft; 27. Adjusting screw; 3. Cylinder; 31. Cylinder body; 32. Sealing assembly; 321. First sealing ring; 322. Second sealing ring; 323. Third sealing ring; 33. Spring; 34. End cap; 35. Vent hole; 4. Rotating chamber; 5. Removable plate; 6. Protective sleeve; 7. Rubber gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application. The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0027] To address the problem of unstable piston rod movement in pneumatic actuators, which reduces the lifespan of the piston rod and affects the use of the pneumatic actuator, this application provides the following solutions.

[0028] Please refer to the following: Figures 1-6 The system includes: a guide mechanism 1, a cylinder 3, a transmission mechanism 2, and a rotating chamber 4. The guide mechanism 1 includes a guide post 11 and a guide rail 12. The transmission mechanism 2 includes a piston 21 and a piston rod 22. The rotating chamber 4 is fixedly connected to the cylinder 3. The guide post 11 is fixedly connected inside the cylinder 3. The piston 21 has multiple through holes and is slidably connected to the guide post 11 through the through holes. One end of the piston rod 22 is fixedly connected perpendicularly to the piston 21, and the other end of the piston rod 22 passes through the rotating chamber 4. The guide rail 12 is fixedly connected inside the rotating chamber 4. The guide rail 12 has a groove, in which a ball bearing 23 is placed. The ball bearing 23 can roll between the piston rod 22 and the guide rail 12. A rubber washer 7 is adhered to the end of the piston 21 away from the piston rod 22.

[0029] With this configuration, when the cylinder 3 is filled with air, it pushes the piston 21 to move along the direction of the guide post 11. The three guide posts 11 are arranged in a triangle to ensure that the piston 21 will not deviate during movement. The piston rod 22 is perpendicular to the piston 21 and is integral with the piston 21. The piston rod 22 moves synchronously with the piston 21. Under the constraint of the guide rail 12, the piston rod 22 can move smoothly in one direction without deviating. The ball bearings 23 in the groove of the guide rail 12 allow the piston rod 22 to roll on the spherical surface instead of sliding against the guide rail 12, reducing overall friction. At the same time, the stainless steel balls can disperse the contact pressure between the guide rod and the piston rod 22, reducing local wear and improving the durability of the piston rod 22. Each ball bearing 23 is of the same size and tangent to the surface of the piston rod 22. The surface of the ball bearing 23 is also coated with a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coating and polished smooth, allowing the piston rod 22 to move more smoothly. When the piston 21 returns to the center, the rubber washer 7 provides cushioning protection for the piston 21.

[0030] Optionally, in some embodiments, please also refer to Figure 2 The cylinder 3 includes a cylinder body 31, a sealing assembly 32, a spring 33, and an end cap 34. The cylinder body 31 has a vent hole 35. The end cap 34 is bonded to the end of the cylinder body 31 away from the vent hole 35. The spring 33 is disposed inside the cylinder body 31. One end of the spring 33 abuts against the piston 21, and the other end of the spring 33 abuts against the end cap 34. The rotating chamber 4 is disposed on the end cap 34.

[0031] With this configuration, when air is introduced into the vent 35 using an external instrument, the air pressure pushes the piston 21 to move in the direction of the end cap 34, compressing the spring 33. After the vent 35 stops introducing air, the spring 33 returns to its original state, pushing the piston 21 to move in the direction of the vent 35, while the gas is discharged from the vent 35.

[0032] Optionally, in some embodiments, please also refer to Figure 2-5 The sealing assembly 32 includes a first sealing ring 321, a second sealing ring 322, and a third sealing ring 323. The outer wall of the piston 21 has a groove. The first sealing ring 321 is disposed on the groove and its outer wall abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder 31. The second sealing ring 322 is disposed on the end cap 34 and its outer wall abuts against the end cap 34. The second sealing ring 322 is sleeved on the piston rod 22. The third sealing ring 323 is disposed on the through hole of the piston 21 and its outer wall abuts against the piston 21 and is sleeved on the guide post 11.

[0033] With this configuration, the sealing rings can effectively prevent gas leakage due to pressure, which could lead to actuator malfunction or performance degradation. The first sealing ring 321 effectively prevents gas leakage from the gap between the piston 21 and the inner wall of the cylinder 31. The second sealing ring 322 effectively prevents gas leakage from the gap between the piston rod 22 and the end cover 34. The third sealing ring 323 effectively prevents gas leakage from the gap between the piston 21 and the guide post 11.

[0034] Optionally, in some embodiments, please also refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 5 The transmission mechanism 2 also includes a fork 24, a pin 25, a shaft 26, and an adjusting screw 27. The rotating chamber 4 has a through hole, and the adjusting screw 27 is threaded onto the rotating chamber 4 through the through hole. The pin 25 is welded to a section of the piston rod 22 located in the rotating chamber 4. One end of the shaft 26 is rotatably connected to the end of the fork 24 away from the pin 25, and the other end is rotatably connected to the rotating chamber 4.

[0035] This configuration converts linear force into rotational force, enabling the pneumatic actuator to function as a dual-purpose device. When the piston rod 22 moves stably, the pin 25 on the piston rod 22 moves synchronously, pushing one end of the shift fork 24 to move. The other end of the shift fork 24 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 26, ultimately causing the shift fork 24 to drive the rotating shaft 26 to rotate within a limited angle. The adjusting screw 27 can limit the rotation angle of the shift fork 24. When the shift fork 24 rotates to a certain extent, it will be stopped by the adjusting screw 27. Loosening the adjusting screw 27 slightly increases the rotation angle range of the shift fork 24, while tightening the adjusting screw 27 slightly decreases the rotation angle range of the shift fork 24. Furthermore, the rotating shaft 26 can be connected to other devices such as rotary valves to provide rotational force to the rotary valve and control its opening and closing.

[0036] Optionally, in some embodiments, please also refer to Figure 1 One side of the rotating chamber 4 is a detachable plate 5.

[0037] With this configuration, the fork 24 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 26, but the rotating shaft 26 is detachable. When the instrument does not need to provide rotational force, loosen the adjusting screw 27, open the detachable plate 5, and remove the fork 24 and the rotating shaft 26 from the rotating chamber. The pneumatic actuator can still perform the linear stroke function normally.

[0038] Optionally, in some embodiments, please also refer to Figure 1 A protective sleeve 6 is also movably connected to the rotating chamber 4 to protect the piston rod 22.

[0039] With this configuration, when the pneumatic actuator is required to provide rotational force, but the piston rod 22 is not needed to apply a straight force to an object, a protective sleeve 6 is added to prevent the part of the piston rod 22 that is not in the cylinder 3 and the rotating chamber from being corroded by prolonged contact with air, which would affect the subsequent use of the instrument. The length of the protective sleeve 6 is slightly greater than the length of the part of the piston rod 22 that can extend beyond the rotating chamber to the maximum extent.

[0040] Optionally, in some embodiments, please also refer to Figure 6 The piston rod 22 is coated with a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coating.

[0041] Given this design, the piston rod 22, as a common moving part in mechanical equipment, often operates in environments involving friction, wear, corrosion, and other factors. Therefore, applying a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coating to the surface of the piston rod 22 is a very effective protective measure. This coating not only extends the service life of the piston rod 22 but also improves the stability and reliability of the entire mechanical system. The main function of the wear-resistant coating is to reduce friction and wear between the piston rod 22 and other components (such as seals) during operation. Wear-resistant coating materials include, but are not limited to, hard alloys, ceramic coatings, and polymers. The corrosion-resistant coating is mainly used to prevent the piston rod 22 from corroding in humid or corrosive media (such as acids, alkalis, and salts). Corrosion-resistant coating materials include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, and organic coatings.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A pneumatic actuator for improving the service life of a piston rod, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a guide mechanism (1), a cylinder (3), a transmission mechanism (2), and a rotating chamber (4). The guide mechanism (1) includes a guide post (11) and a guide rail (12). The transmission mechanism (2) includes a piston (21) and a piston rod (22). The rotating chamber (4) is located on the cylinder (3). The guide post (11) is located inside the cylinder (3). The piston (21) has multiple through holes and is slidably connected to the guide post (11) through the through holes. One end of the piston rod (22) is vertically fixed to the piston (21), and the other end of the piston rod (22) passes through the rotating chamber (4). The guide rail (12) is located inside the rotating chamber (4) and has a groove. A ball (23) is located in the groove and rolls between the piston rod (22) and the guide rail (12).

2. The pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder (3) includes a cylinder body (31), a sealing assembly (32), a spring (33), and an end cap (34). The cylinder body (31) has a vent hole (35). The end cap (34) is located at one end of the cylinder body (31) away from the vent hole (35). The spring (33) is located inside the cylinder body (31). One end of the spring (33) abuts against the piston (21), and the other end of the spring (33) abuts against the end cap (34). The rotating chamber (4) is located on the end cap (34).

3. A pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sealing assembly (32) includes a first sealing ring (321), a second sealing ring (322), and a third sealing ring (323). The outer wall of the piston (21) has a groove. The first sealing ring (321) is disposed on the groove and the outer wall of the first sealing ring (321) abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder (31). The second sealing ring (322) is disposed on the end cap (34) and the outer wall of the second sealing ring (322) abuts against the end cap. The second sealing ring (322) is sleeved on the piston rod (22). The third sealing ring (323) is disposed on the through hole of the piston (21) and the outer wall of the third sealing ring (323) abuts against the piston (21) and is sleeved on the guide post (11).

4. A pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism (2) also includes a fork (24), a pin (25), a shaft (26), and an adjusting screw (27). The rotating chamber (4) has a through hole. The adjusting screw (27) is threadedly connected to the rotating chamber (4) through the through hole. The pin (25) is located on one end of the piston rod (22) in the rotating chamber (4). One end of the shaft (26) is located on the end of the fork (24) away from the pin (25). The other end of the shaft (26) is located in the rotating chamber (4).

5. A pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life according to claim 4, characterized in that, One side of the rotating chamber (4) is a detachable plate (5).

6. A pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life according to claim 5, characterized in that, A protective sleeve (6) is also provided on the rotating chamber (4).

7. A pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life according to claim 6, characterized in that, A rubber gasket (7) is provided at one end of the piston (21) near the vent (35).

8. A pneumatic actuator for improving piston rod service life according to claim 7, characterized in that, The piston rod (22) has a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coating on its surface.

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