Flexible pipe sleeve for pneumatic pinch valve

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of pinch valves, in particular to a flexible pipe sleeve for a pneumatic pinch valve, an axial lead is limited, the flexible pipe sleeve is provided with a deformable pipe sleeve main body, the pipe sleeve main body is provided with a plurality of guide grooves extending in the circumferential direction, the center of each guide groove is located on the same radial section of the flexible pipe sleeve, and the center of each guide groove is located on the same radial section of the flexible pipe sleeve. And therefore, the flexible pipe sleeve generates an easy-to-deform area with smaller wall thickness in the axial direction. Compared with the prior art, when the flexible pipe sleeve is extruded by compressed air, compared with other axial positions, the area prone to deformation tends to be extruded inwards so as to guide the flexible pipe sleeve to be closed at the specific position in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of clamp valve technology, and in particular to a flexible sleeve for a pneumatic clamp valve. Background Technology

[0002] A pneumatic pinch valve is a special type of valve that controls the flow of media using compressed air. It generally consists of a housing and a flexible sleeve fitted inside the housing, with an air chamber between the flexible sleeve and the housing to accommodate compressed air. When compressed air is injected into the air chamber, the flexible sleeve is squeezed shut, cutting off the flow of media; after the compressed air is released, the flexible sleeve returns to its original shape due to its elasticity, and the media resumes flow.

[0003] Existing pneumatic pinch valves generally use flexible sleeves with a regular circular cross-section, but these flexible sleeves have a technical problem of irregular deformation (i.e., the flexible sleeve cannot be closed in a specific direction or position). Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the technical problem of irregular deformation of flexible sleeves in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a flexible sleeve that can be closed in a specific direction.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a flexible sleeve for a pneumatic clamp valve, which defines an axis and has a deformable sleeve body. The sleeve body has several circumferentially extending guide grooves, and the center of each guide groove is located on the same radial section of the flexible sleeve, so that the flexible sleeve generates a deformable region with a small wall thickness in the axial direction.

[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, the plurality of guide grooves are located at the middle position of the sleeve body in the axial direction.

[0007] In the above technical solution, preferably, the tube sleeve body has a pair of radially opposite extrusion sections, a pair of support sections located on both sides of the circumferential direction of the extrusion sections, and a pair of radially opposite folding sections. The support sections and the folding sections both extend axially. The extrusion sections have the minimum wall thickness of the tube sleeve body, the support sections have the maximum wall thickness of the tube sleeve body, and the wall thickness of the folding sections is between that of the extrusion sections and the support sections. Viewed axially, the extrusion sections and the folding sections are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The center of a pair of extrusion sections defines a first straight line, and the center of a pair of folding sections defines a second straight line. The first straight line is perpendicular to the second straight line. The plurality of guide grooves are symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the extrusion sections.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment described above, it is further preferred that the inner surface of the folded segment extends radially outward to form a V-shaped groove, the bottom of which has the maximum distance from the inner surface of the flexible sleeve to the axis. It is also further preferred that the wall thickness is the same at all points along the folded segment.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment described above, and even more preferably, the support section is disposed adjacent to the extrusion section, and the flexible pipe is further provided with a transition section located between the support section and the folding section, wherein the wall thickness of the transition section gradually decreases along the direction from the support section to the folding section.

[0010] In the above technical solution, preferably, the outer surface of the sleeve body has at least one horizontally extending pressure surface, the pressure surface being parallel to the axis; when viewed axially, the pressure surface is perpendicular to the straight line defined by the center of the pressure surface and the axis.

[0011] Compared to existing technologies, the flexible sleeve provided by this utility model, when squeezed by compressed air, exhibits an inward squeezing tendency in the easily deformable area compared to other axial positions, thereby guiding the flexible sleeve to close at a specific position in the axial direction. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 A perspective view of the pneumatic clamp valve provided by this utility model;

[0013] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The front view of the pneumatic pinch valve is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The pneumatic pinch valve shown is a cross-sectional view obtained along the AA section line.

[0015] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0016] Figure 5 A perspective view of the flexible tube sleeve and sealing sleeve provided by this utility model;

[0017] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the sealing arc sheet provided by this utility model;

[0018] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the flexible sleeve provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The front view of the flexible tubing shown;

[0020] Figure 9 for Figure 8 The radial section of the flexible sleeve body shown is obtained along the BB section line.

[0021] Figure 10 for Figure 8 The radial section of the flexible sleeve body obtained along the CC section line shown.

[0022] Figure 11 For flexible sleeves in various states Figure 10 The diagram shows the state of the cross-section; where (a) corresponds to the flexible sleeve in the fully open state, (b) corresponds to the flexible sleeve in the state between fully open and fully closed, and (c) corresponds to the flexible sleeve in the fully closed state.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the forces acting on the radial cross-section of a flexible sleeve in the prior art.

[0024] The image is labeled as follows:

[0025] 100. Pinch valve;

[0026] 1. Outer shell; 11. Air nozzle; 12. Mounting base; 13. Air chamber; 14. First inner sealing ring; 15. Second inner sealing ring; 16. Shell body; 17. Removable cover;

[0027] 2. Sealing sleeve; 21. First end; 22. Second end; 23. Opening; 24. Sealing arc; 25. Clearance groove;

[0028] 3. Flexible sleeve; 31. Medium channel; 32. First connecting part; 321. Outer extension part; 33. Second connecting piece;

[0029] 34. Tube sleeve body; 341. Extrusion section; 342. Support section; 343. Folding section; 344. Transition section; 345. Pressure-bearing surface; 346. Guide groove;

[0030] 4. End caps;

[0031] Y, the axis; L1, the first straight line; L2, the second straight line. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To explain in detail the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives and effects of this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] In this application, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “above,” “higher,” and “side” (e.g., as in a “sidewall”) are used to describe the relationship between one element and another element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture other than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” another element or feature would then be positioned “above” said other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can include both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may be otherwise positioned (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), thus interpreting the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein accordingly.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the term "axial" means the direction of extension of the axis defined by the flexible sleeve; the term "radial" means the direction perpendicular to the axis defined by the pneumatic pinch valve; and the term "circumferential" means the direction of the outer circumference on a radial interface.

[0035] In this application, the term "wall thickness" refers to the distance between two points on the inner and outer surfaces of the flexible sleeve in the same radial direction.

[0036] In this application, the term "contact" means that one object comes into direct contact with another object under a certain pressure.

[0037] This utility model provides a flexible tube sleeve and a pneumatic clamp valve equipped with the flexible tube sleeve, aiming to improve at least one of the technical problems of irregular deformation and incomplete closure of flexible tubes in the prior art.

[0038] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the pneumatic pinch valve 100 provided by this utility model includes a housing 1, a flexible sleeve 3 that can deform under the action of compressed air, a sealing sleeve 2 located between the housing 1 and the flexible sleeve 3, and a pair of end caps 4 located on both sides of the pneumatic pinch valve 100 in the axial direction. The flexible sleeve 3 defines an axis Y (see...). Figure 7 End caps 4 are detachably connected to both ends of the outer casing 1 via fastening bolts, and are used for connecting to external media pipelines.

[0039] The outer casing 1 is generally cylindrical with an axial extension, and it includes an internal cavity (not shown in the figure) located inside and extending axially, a plurality of air nozzles 11 formed on the outer wall, and a mounting base 12 provided on the outer wall. The air nozzles 11 allow compressed air to flow into or out of the internal cavity of the outer casing 1, and the mounting base 12 provides a mounting structure for fixing the clamp valve 100 to the corresponding equipment (such as a floor scrubber).

[0040] The flexible sleeve 3 is generally cylindrical with an axial extension, and its inner wall has a medium channel 31 for medium flow. The flexible sleeve 3 is located inside the outer shell 1, and the outer wall of the flexible sleeve 3 and the inner wall of the outer shell 1 together define an air chamber 13 for accommodating compressed air. This air chamber 13 is fluidly connected to several air nozzles 11 on the outer shell 1 and is independent of the medium channel 31 of the flexible sleeve 3. When compressed air enters the air chamber 13 through the air nozzles 11, the pressure in the air chamber 13 increases and squeezes the flexible sleeve 3, causing the flexible sleeve 3 to deform radially inward and close the medium channel 31; after the compressed air is released, the pressure in the air chamber 13 decreases, and the flexible sleeve 3 returns to a fully open state under the action of its own elastic force and the pressure difference between the two walls.

[0041] Continue reading Figure 3-5 The flexible sleeve 3 is sealed and installed inside the pinch valve 100 via the sealing sleeve 2. Specifically, the flexible sleeve 3 includes a first connecting portion 32, a second connecting portion 33 axially away from the first connecting portion 32, and a sleeve body 34 located between the first and second connecting portions. Both the first and second connecting portions have stepped structures. The sealing sleeve 2 is arranged in the air chamber 13 of the pinch valve 100, and has a first end 21 and a second end 22 axially separated from each other, and has an opening 23 for compressed air to flow through. A first inner sealing ring 14 and a second inner sealing ring 15 axially separated from each other are formed on the inner wall of the outer casing 1.

[0042] The flexible sleeve 3 is installed between the first and second inner sealing rings, and the first and second inner sealing rings have inner stepped structures that respectively adapt to the first and second connecting parts. The sealing sleeve 2 is installed between the first and second connecting parts and presses the first and second connecting parts against the first and second inner sealing rings of the outer casing 1. Similarly, the first and second ends of the sealing sleeve 2 have outer stepped structures that respectively adapt to the first and second connecting parts.

[0043] Furthermore, the first and second inner sealing rings and / or the first and second ends have several protruding lips (not shown in the figure) on their contact surfaces with the flexible sleeve 3 to further improve airtightness.

[0044] The outer casing 1 comprises a casing body 16 and a removable cover 17 detachably connected (but not limited to bolted, threaded, snap-fit, or plug-in connections) to the casing body 16. A first inner sealing ring 14 is integrated into the inner wall of the removable cover 17, and a second inner sealing ring 15 is integrated into the inner wall of the casing body 16. When assembling the clamp valve 100, the removable cover 17 is first removed. After installing the sealing sleeve 2 onto the flexible sleeve 3, both are axially inserted into the inner cavity of the casing body 16 until the second connecting part 33 of the flexible sleeve 3 contacts the second inner sealing ring 15 of the casing 1. Then, the removable cover 17 is installed. Compared to traditional installation methods where both the first and second inner sealing rings are detachable, this design reduces processing and assembly costs.

[0045] Furthermore, to prevent compressed air from leaking out from the gap between the housing body 16 and the second inner sealing ring 15, the outer peripheral wall of the first connecting portion 32 of the flexible sleeve 3 is formed with a radially outwardly extending outer extension portion 321. The housing body 16, the outer extension portion 321, and the removable cover 17 abut against each other in sequence.

[0046] Furthermore, the sealing sleeve 2 has only a pair of relief grooves 25 that allow the flexible sleeve 3 to deform radially outward. Each relief groove 25 extends axially and is radially opposite to the pair of folded segments 343 of the flexible sleeve 2 (see below). This structure means that the sealing sleeve 2 can prevent the flexible sleeve 3 from deforming radially outward in other directions (i.e., directions not defined by the pair of relief grooves 25), thereby guiding the deformation direction of the flexible sleeve.

[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, to facilitate the insertion of the flexible sleeve 3 into the sealing sleeve 2, the sealing sleeve 2 of this invention is composed of several axially extending sealing arc plates 24 (two plates are shown as an example in the figure) spliced ​​together circumferentially. The sealing arc plates 24 can be fixedly connected using various methods such as raised grooves, insertion, and adhesive bonding. In actual assembly, the sealing arc plates 24 are simply spliced ​​together on the outside of the flexible sleeve 3.

[0048] Before introducing the flexible sleeve 3 provided by this utility model, the existing flexible sleeves and their technical problems will be explained. For example... Figure 12 As shown, existing technologies generally use cylindrical flexible sleeves with uniform wall thickness. When these sleeves are subjected to compressed air pressure, the pressure at all points on their walls (point ad in the figure) is the same and all points towards the central axis of the flexible sleeve. Therefore, existing technologies cannot deform flexible sleeves in a specific direction.

[0049] Furthermore, in the existing technology, after the flexible sleeve is squeezed shut, its two ends that are far apart (equivalent to...) Figure 11(c) Due to the large curvature of the inner surface after deformation, the inner surfaces on both sides cannot be completely attached and merged to form a narrow gap, which causes the flexible sleeve to be unable to close completely.

[0050] Continue reading Figure 7-10 This refers to the flexible sleeve 3 provided by this utility model. Specifically, the sleeve body 34 of the flexible sleeve 3 has a pair of extrusion sections 341 arranged radially opposite each other, a pair of support sections 342 located on both sides of the extrusion sections 341 (i.e., a total of 4 support sections 342), and a pair of folding sections 343 arranged radially opposite each other. The support sections 342 and the folding sections 343 both extend axially, and the extrusion sections 341 can extend axially or be disposed on a certain section of the sleeve body 34 in the axial direction (as shown in the guide groove 346 below).

[0051] Among them, the extrusion section 341 has the minimum wall thickness of the flexible sleeve 3, the support section 342 has the maximum wall thickness of the flexible sleeve 3, and the wall thickness of the folding section 343 is between that of the extrusion section 341 and the support section 342. Viewed axially (i.e....) Figure 9 , Figure 10 (From the observation perspective), the extrusion section 341 and the folding section 343 are alternately arranged along the axial direction, and the first straight line L1 defined by the center of a pair of extrusion sections 341 is perpendicular to the second straight line L2 defined by the center of a pair of folding sections 343. It can be understood that the directions of the first and second straight lines are both one of the radial directions of the flexible sleeve 3.

[0052] Combination Figure 11 In the initial stage of applying compressed air to the flexible sleeve 3, the thinnest extrusion section 341 deforms first, and the pair of extrusion sections 341 tend to move towards each other along the first straight line L1. Subsequently, due to the initial deformation of the extrusion sections 341, the component force parallel to the first straight line L1 on the flexible sleeve 3 is much greater than the component force parallel to the second straight line L2, and the flexible sleeve 3 as a whole tends to be extruded inward along the first straight line L1. The thickest support section 342 has greater rigidity than the folding section 343. Led by the extrusion section 341, the support section 342 moves inward towards the flexible sleeve 3 and pushes the extrusion section 343 outward along the second straight line L2. Finally, the flexible sleeve 3 is fully closed with the pair of extrusion sections 341 located in the middle and close together, and the pair of folding sections 343 located on both sides.

[0053] Furthermore, since the four support sections 342 are arranged at the four corners, they will generate four large radially outward elastic forces on the flexible sleeve 3. These elastic forces facilitate the flexible sleeve 3's return from a fully closed state to a fully open state and maintain the shape of the flexible sleeve 3 in the fully open state.

[0054] Furthermore, the support section 342 is disposed adjacent to the extrusion section 341, and the flexible sleeve 3 is also provided with a transition section 344 located between the support section 342 and the folding section 343. The transition section 344 is configured such that the wall thickness gradually decreases along the direction from the support section 342 to the folding section 343, so as to avoid large internal stress on the flexible sleeve 3 due to the presence of abrupt changes in wall thickness.

[0055] Furthermore, the inner surface of the folded section 343 is constructed as a V-groove (not shown in the figure), with each V-groove extending radially outward and the bottom of the V-groove having the maximum distance from the inner surface of the deformable section 34 to the axis Y. This V-groove configuration allows for a good fit between the inner surface of the distal end (i.e., the location of the pair of V-grooves) of the flexible sleeve 3 when it is fully closed, thereby eliminating or minimizing the gaps present in the prior art.

[0056] Furthermore, the wall thickness is the same at all points of the folded section 343, and its outer surface forms a protrusion that has the same profile as the V-groove and extends radially outward. This structural design can effectively reduce the component force parallel to the straight line L2 generated by compressed air on the flexible sleeve 3, and prevent the folded section 343 from collapsing inward under the action of air pressure.

[0057] Continue reading Figure 7-10 The outer surface of the sleeve body 34 has a pair of radially opposite pressure-bearing surfaces 345. These pressure-bearing surfaces 345 extend horizontally (i.e., form a flat surface) and are parallel to the plane defined by the straight line L2 and the axis Y, i.e., when viewed from the axial direction (e.g.) Figure 9 (From the perspective of the viewpoint), the pressure-bearing surface 345 is perpendicular to the straight line defined by its center and the axis Y (which is a point in this viewpoint). Therefore, when compressed air applies pressure to the flexible sleeve 3, the force perpendicular to the pressure-bearing surface 345 is much greater than the force parallel to it, thus further guiding the flexible sleeve 3 to deform in an posture where the extrusion section 341 moves inward and the folding section 343 moves outward. The pressure-bearing surface 345 is formed on the outer surface of the extrusion section 341; in other cases, it may extend to the outer surface of the support section 342. This arrangement ensures that the wall at the pressure-bearing surface 345 has the minimum wall thickness of the flexible sleeve 3. In other embodiments, only one pressure-bearing surface may be provided, achieving the same technical effect of guiding the sleeve body to be extruded in a specific direction.

[0058] Furthermore, the sealing sleeve 23 has a pair of radially opposite openings 23, which are respectively aligned with a pair of pressure surfaces 345 in the radial direction to form a direct compressed air blowing effect.

[0059] In addition, the main body 34 of the sleeve is provided with several guide grooves 346. These guide grooves 346 are symmetrical about the central axis of the extrusion section 341 (not shown in the figure), each guide groove 346 extends circumferentially, and the center of each guide groove 346 is located on the same radial section of the flexible sleeve 3. This design of the guide grooves 346 allows the main body 34 of the sleeve to have a thinner wall in the axial direction (i.e., the wall thickness at the guide groove 346 is less than the wall thickness at other axial positions of the flexible sleeve 3 at the same circumferential position), thus creating a deformable region with a smaller wall thickness in the axial direction. When compressed air is applied to the flexible sleeve 3, compared to other axial positions, the aforementioned deformable region first tends to be extruded inward, guiding the flexible sleeve 3 to a specific position in the axial direction (e.g., ...). Figure 8 (Position of the CC section line) Close the medium channel 31.

[0060] Furthermore, in this application, the aforementioned guide grooves 346 are located at the middle position of the flexible sleeve 3 in the axial direction.

[0061] Furthermore, from a radial cross-section perspective, several guide grooves 346 are located on the outside of a stack of folded sections 343 to prevent the folded sections 343 from having a thinner wall thickness that would cause them to cave into the flexible sleeve 3 when subjected to pressure.

[0062] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this application, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this application and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A flexible sleeve for a pneumatic clamp tube valve defining an axis and having a deformable sleeve body, characterised in that, The main body of the sleeve is provided with several circumferentially extending guide grooves, and the center of each guide groove is located on the same radial section of the flexible sleeve, so that the flexible sleeve generates a deformable area with a small wall thickness in the axial direction.

2. The flexible sleeve of claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned guide grooves are located at the midpoint of the main body of the sleeve in the axial direction.

3. A flexible sleeve as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, The tubing body has a pair of radially opposite extrusion sections, a pair of support sections located on both circumferential sides of the extrusion sections, and a pair of radially opposite folding sections. Both the support sections and the folding sections extend axially. The extrusion sections have the minimum wall thickness of the tubing body, the support sections have the maximum wall thickness of the tubing body, and the wall thickness of the folding sections is between that of the extrusion sections and the support sections. Viewed axially, the extrusion sections and the folding sections are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The center of a pair of extrusion sections defines a first straight line, and the center of a pair of folding sections defines a second straight line. The first straight line is perpendicular to the second straight line. A plurality of guide grooves are symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the extrusion sections.

4. The flexible sleeve of claim 3, wherein, The inner surface of the folded section extends radially outward to form a V-shaped groove, and the bottom of the V-shaped groove has the maximum distance from the inner surface of the flexible sleeve to the axis.

5. The flexible sleeve of claim 3, wherein, The wall thickness is the same at all points in the folded section.

6. The flexible sleeve of claim 3, wherein, The support section is arranged adjacent to the extrusion section, and the flexible sleeve is also provided with a transition section located between the support section and the folding section. The wall thickness of the transition section gradually decreases along the direction from the support section to the folding section.

7. The flexible sleeve of claim 1, wherein, The outer surface of the sleeve body has at least one horizontally extending pressure surface, which is parallel to the axis; when viewed axially, the pressure surface is perpendicular to the straight line defined by the center of the pressure surface and the axis.

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